Gap Year Programs

We are excited to offer students who have chosen to, (or had the Pandemic choose for you), explore new worlds by taking a Gap Year, JWAS is offering Virtual classes in Acting, Improv Comedy, Public Speaking, and Telling Your Story.

All classes will be led by our founder, Jody Wood. Mr. Wood has over 35 years in the Performing Arts Industry, working in Theater, Film & Television as an actor. (IMDB link here) He has spent several years as a performer and writer with The Groundlings East Comedy Improv Troupe (Later changing its name to Gotham City Improv). He has taught, directed, and was the Improvisational Specialist at the acclaimed American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Jody has also coached numerous people from students to CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies and their teams in Public Speaking. Our virtual classes this year include:

  • Master Class in Acting

  • Acting for Beginners

  • Improv Comedy

  • Tell Your Story

  • Public Speaking/Presentation skills

Master Class:

Our Master Class is for those who can and will commit to a professional approach to the work, which includes advanced technique, scene study, monologues, writing, character development, vocal production, special seminars, performances, and more. 

This intensive class will meet twice weekly on Tuesdays & Fridays from 1-3pm beginning on September 22nd through December 11th.

Acting Skills and Techniques for Beginners:

Our Acting Skills and Techniques for students new to the craft and are interested in exploring the craft of Acting or are simply seeking to satisfy a curiosity while opening themselves up creatively. The student will develop their own style through the various combination of techniques designed to allow them to fully explore the who, what, why, and where. Development of these critical skills will allow the student to really begin to understand the meaning of “keeping it real, truthful, and honest!”

Class will run weekly on Wednesdays from 1-3pm beginning on September 22nd through December 12th

Improv Comedy:

Our Improv Comedy class is designed to ease the student’s fear of improv and theater games by allowing them to develop the skills in a fun, supportive atmosphere. We have seen so many students enter the program not sure of what to expect from the class and then realizing a whole new, creative side to them. We start out working on considerably basic improv games and theater exercises before we move into more advanced techniques designed to allow the student to fully explore their imagination and creativity. This class help students to think more quickly on their feet, and to become a better actor, listener, communicator, collaborator, and decision maker. It builds tremendous confidence as well! These skills will serve you well not only on stage but in most any part of your life!

Class will meet on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30pm beginning September 23rd through December 16th

Tell Your Story:

Our Storytelling class is designed to allow students to express themselves through the art of Storytelling. Since the beginning of time human beings have communicated via Storytelling. We will explore techniques that will allow each student to find stories from various experiences in their lives and to creatively tell them. Stories can vary from what may seem mundane to one that you are just dying to tell!

Class will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 11am 12:30pm beginning September 22nd through December 15th. 

Public Speaking/Presentation Skills:

Our unique, fun workshops are designed to build confidence allowing one to find the joy in speaking to an audience. We help channel that nervous energy into one’s unique style to help build a strong, solid presentation. It is all about tapping into the “heart” of the matter. Really focusing on what it is you are trying to get across and discovering the passion for doing so. We do not just speak to hear ourselves speak or to hope our listeners are getting it. We speak about a specific subject because it must mean something to us. Otherwise why be up there? Most would answer “because I have to do this.” Even if that were the case, we can show you the way to discovering the core objectives and passion that will lead to a successful presentation. 

Class meets on Thursdays from 1-3pm beginning September 24th through December 3rd.