ABFF Masterclass: Act It Out: Scene Exploration with Patrice DeGraff Arenas

Act It Out: Scene Exploration with Patrice DeGraff Arenas Presented by NYFA

Lights, Camera, Acting! Step into this actor's masterclass and onto the scene. In this masterclass, participants learn the art of scene study and the skill of auditions. This acting class will teach the language, tools, and talent of winning a scene. Explore the physicality of acting, an essential aspect of learning this performance art. Students of this class will learn hands-on techniques, the nuances of gestures, facial expressions, and body language with extra credit partner scenes. Audience participants will perform pre-selected scenes as an immersive opportunity to act out a role in a scene. The methods learned in the master class are inspired by the acting theories of Adler, Meisner, and Chekhov.

About the Instructor:

Patrice DeGraff Arenas is a Miami, Florida native with BFA in Theatre from Florida State University and an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. Regional Theatre credits include Skeleton Crew (Gablestage), Gidion’s Knot (New Theatre), The Tempest (New Theatre), In Darfur (Mosaic), The Rant (New Theatre) Working (Lyceum, San Diego, CA) Hair (Wadsworth, CA) A Most Happy Fella (Freud Playhouse, CA). Her television and film credits include: David Makes Man (OWN) Un Pequeno Corte (PBS & HBO), Ludi (Bantufy Films) and The Jacksons An American Dream (ABC). Her love for the arts started early and was nurtured by her mother, an arts educator and administrator at MDCPS. Patrice’s career has afforded her opportunities to nurture students as an Arts instructor, and Department Chair of Fine Arts before joining the NYFA Miami campus. She is thrilled to continue nurturing artists at NYFA Miami, in the Acting for Film Department as a full-time Instructor.

About the American Black Film Festival

Now celebrating its 28th year, the American Black Film Festival remains the preeminent event of its kind, empowering Black artists and spotlighting a diverse array of entertainment content created by and for individuals of African descent. An event like no other, the festival brings together enthusiasts of Black culture alongside industry executives and content creators from across the globe for five days filled with screenings, engaging talk events, exclusive parties, and invaluable networking opportunities.

Join us live in sunny South Beach from June 12-16 for an unforgettable experience, followed by our online segment streaming on ABFF PLAY from June 17-24

Host or Publisher American Black Film Festival