Physical Theater Lab

Led by renowned performance artist and mime Bill Bowers, the Physical Theater Lab is a five-week program for actors, dancers and movement artists who want to create original physical theater work, and also become more technically proficient and physically responsive actors.

Classes meet for 16 hours per week (plus rehearsals) and provide rigorous training in physical movement taught by world class performers and teaching artists. These courses serve to strengthen and relax the actor’s body, expand the actor’s movement vocabulary and open up their physical imagination. The program introduces multiple approaches to creating new physically based theater work, and gives the students the opportunity to apply these new techniques in their own performance work.

In addition to the Physical Theater Lab, The Stella Adler Studio of Acting was honored to host NYC’s first Physical Theater Festival, which will run for the second time from January 9th-19th, 2025.

Early Bird Application Deadline: February 15th, 2025

LA Option Available: Interested in doing the Physical Theater Lab in Los Angeles instead? We will be offering the LA Physical Theater Lab at the Art of Acting Studio during the same dates June 2 – July 3!

“I was challenged and inspired not only to build the inner life of a character through specific exploration of the body, but also to experience my own inner life more deeply. The incredibly masterful teachers and the nurturing, supportive environment of the studio gave me the courage to abandon text and learn to speak through movement.”

Lauren Patten (Jagged Little Pill on Broadway)

“(The Physical Theatre Intensive) is a great way to build a trust within yourself and with the people you work with in the program. You’ll not only move better on the stage, but you’ll move better in the world.”

S. Nicole Roberts

Admission Information

Admission to the Physical Theater Lab is by entrance interview. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Applicant must submit the following:

A completed Online Application Form
Headshot (Photo) and Resume
A $50 non-refundable application fee (payable to Stella Adler Studio of Acting)

APPLY ONLINE!

COVID-19 Policy: Please visit the studio’s Health & Safety Policy on the Policies page for the latest updates, policies and list of measures the studio has taken to protect the community against COVID-19.