The NEW YORK ACTOR’S WORKSHOP is comprised of a series of small classes and special events aimed at building the beginning actor’s technique and sharpening the skills of the experienced actor.  NYAW offers classes designed to help actors of any level of experience, film/theater directors, playwrights, screenwriters, and anyone else interested in exploring the human condition through performance. The philosophy of the workshop is to use the self to become the character.  Students will learn the techniques of Stanislavski and Hagen and work toward seamless integration of these techniques into their acting, writing, or directing via emotional exercises, pyschophysical character work, and scene study.

NYAW Founder, Jessiline Berry, is an accomplished actress and filmmaker. She is also Founder of FemmeMaker Productions and Co-Founder of Prizm Pictures, a concept-to-completion production company working with non-profit organizations, small businesses, filmmakers, and other media artists. She received her B.A. in Theater (Acting) from the University of Texas in Austin, and her M.F.A. in Film Production (Directing) from Columbia University in New York City. Ms. Berry has worked with outstanding students and industry professionals, such as Elvira Carrizal (NHFA Scholar and Minnesota Emmy award winner), Sandra Schulberg (Founder, Independent Film Project, IFP), Lee Daniels (Producer of Oscar-nominated film, Monster's Ball, The Woodsman, and Shadowboxer), and Israel Horovitz (Playwright/Screenwriter). She has also worked in varying capacities on projects produced by Token Productions, The National Black Programming Consortium, TCASE, Alpha Video, PrimeCut Productions, Teachscacpe, and Character Studies Productions.