Description
Level 1: Living Truthfully begins with our exploration of legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner’s definition of acting which states, “Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” By exploring what it means to “live truthfully” through Meisner’s innovative, improvisational repetition exercises you’ll:
Identify the differences between self consciousness and presence
Practice being more responsive, spontaneous, emotionally alive, and grounded in the moment
Understand what it feels like to get out of your head and follow your ‘gut’ impulses
This class is ideal for:
Adults ages 18+ interested in developing their skills in a fun, welcoming environment
Actors who want to develop a reliable, solid technique to act on stage and for the camera
Students who want to study a technique rooted in courage, empathy, and vulnerability
Attendance Policy
In order to get the most out of your work with us, our students should make showing up to every class on time a priority.
We understand that things do come up so if you know you're going to miss a class, please give your instructor as advance notice as possible. This will help them get you caught up and not throw off the rest of the group. Scheduling a make-up class is possible but not guaranteed.
Students enrolled in our Meisner Acting Program can only advance to the next level if they've attended at least 6 of their 8 sessions. If a student misses more than 2 sessions, they will need to retake the level in order to advance in the program.
Cancellation Policy
Student Cancellation
If a student is withdrawing from a workshop more than 7 days prior to the day of the workshop, the tuition will be kept on file for a future class or workshop for a calendar year.
If a student withdraws from a workshop less than 7 days prior to the day of the workshop, the tuition is non-refundable or transferable.
We appreciate you respecting this policy for the best experience for our instructors and students!
Please reach out at 773-217-9565 if you have any questions.
Studio Cancellation
Occasionally we'll have to cancel a workshop due to low enrollment. We're sorry if that happens to you! If we have to cancel a workshop you've signed up for, we will give you at least 48 hours notice and promptly start your refund process.
In the event that class is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control (including but not limited to extreme weather and pandemic related shutdowns), a make-up will be scheduled as soon as it's safe for our students and instructors to be together safely at the studio.
In some cases classes may transfer to an online platform. If a student is unable to attend the rescheduled class due to circumstances beyond our control (including but not limited to extreme weather and pandemic related shutdowns) that student will receive credit on their account for the value of missed classes.
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About the Teacher
Rachael Yoder is a professional actor, facilitator, and educator who has been collaborating with Jack Schultz since 2023 and completed Green Shirt Studio’s Teacher Training Program in 2025. She is thrilled to join the instructional team at Green Shirt and share her deep passion for the Meisner technique, which has played a pivotal role in her own artistic evolution.
Rachael holds an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University, where she completed intensive three-year training in Meisner, Williamson, and Fitzmaurice techniques. She also earned a BA in Theater from SUNY Brockport, graduated from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting’s 2-Year Conservatory, and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. She brings over 15 years of professional acting experience to the studio.
Alongside her acting career, Rachael serves as the Founder & Principal Consultant of Human(ity) Resources LLC, where she applies theater-based methods to design and facilitate simulation-driven leadership development programs for corporate clients. She is a DDI Certified Facilitator and is currently pursuing accreditation as a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation. Rachael also serves on the leadership team of The Outer Loop Theater Experience, where she helps lead arts-for-social-change initiatives, including community-driven development projects in Tanzania.
Rachael brings a thoughtful blend of creative curiosity, practical insight, and a deep commitment to human development to everything she does. She lives in Chicago with her husband and speaks conversational Swahili. For more: www.humanity-resources.com, www.rachaelyoder.com, www.outerlooptheater.org
About the Teacher
Michael McKeogh (AEA) is a professional actor and teacher with over a decade of experience working with students of all levels of experience, ages and backgrounds. His teaching philosophy is to provide foundational training techniques through exercises and creative strategies with classroom goals adhering to these main points of focus: transformation, vulnerability, creativity, and most importantly - joy!
At Green Shirt, Michael completed the Meisner Teacher Training program in the spring 2025 and has taught other courses including: Lets Do A Play, The Monologue Audition, and Intro to Shakespeare. Additionally, Michael teaches acting fundamentals and on-camera techniques at the Actors Training Center. In 2012, he received his MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University.
Chicago acting credits include: Charles Wilcox in Howard’s End (Remy Bumppo); Beau in Southern Gothic *original cast (Windy City Playhouse); Moses in Skin of our Teeth (Remy Bumppo); Eddie in Pocatello (Griffin Theatre); Frankie Wild in The White Road (Irish Theatre of Chicago); Hamlet in Hamlet (Oak Park Festival Theatre); Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in The Killer Angels (Lifeline Theatre); Dmitri in Concerning Strange Devices From the Distant West (TimeLine Theatre); Dr. Greenberg in Freshly Fallen Snow (Chicago Dramatists). In 2014, Michael co-hosted The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s holiday show Welcome Yule!
Class Details
- Day
- Mondays
- Time
- 7:00PM - 9:30PM
- Dates
- June 9, 2025
- June 16, 2025
- June 23, 2025
- June 30, 2025
- July 7, 2025
- July 14, 2025
- July 21, 2025
- July 28, 2025
- Location
- 4001 N Ravenswood Ave Unit 303-B Chicago, IL 60657
- Instructors
- Rachael Yoder, Michael McKeogh
- Class Size
- 14
- Age
- This is an adult acting class ages 18+
- Cost
- $345