TUITION & CLASS STRUCTURE
CLASS STRUCTURE
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Two Classes per week (3hrs/class)
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You will work EVERY class.
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Everyone starts in the beginning class regardless of prior training or experience. If you have studied Meisner before, we will assess where your training is at in relation to our program and promote accordingly.
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There are 3 levels of classes: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced. You remain at the level you are in until your are promoted.
NEW STUDENTS
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ALL NEW STUDENTS must start in a Beginning class regardless of prior training. If you have already trained in Meisner before, we will assess and promote accordingly. You can start at any time during the month as classes are ongoing. When you start is where you start, we tailor our program to you! You remain in beginning until you are promoted by your teacher to the next level.
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All students are on probation when starting at the school and are allowed to continue based on student conduct.
RETURNING ADVANCED STUDENTS
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Please choose which days you want your two classes. Tuition is $230/month, not $230 per class.
PAYMENT POLICY
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All students are expected to pay their class fees, in full and on time. Those who pay after the set deadline will be charged a $10 late fee, no exceptions. Payment for Beginning class is due by 11:59pm PST on the 25th of each month for the following month. Intermediate and Advanced students pay on the first class day of each month.
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Payment for a month of classes is always the same, regardless of the number of classes in the month, or the number of classes the student can attend. That includes months when we take short holiday breaks.
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Absence from the first class of the month does not absolve you from the late charge.
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Payment must be made no later than the second class of the month or the student cannot work in the class and will be sent home.
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BAD CHECK POLICY: If a student writes a bad check, that payment must be made immediately, in cash, plus a $20 fine. For example, if the check was for $200, the student must repay $220 in cash. In addition, personal checks will no longer be accepted from that individual for the duration of their training. If a student fails to cover the cost of a bad check we will turn the issue over to the state whose fine is larger than our own.
HOW TUITION IS CALCULATED
Monthly fees at Playhouse West are based on a year's worth of classes. Each student is offered two classes per week, or an average of eight classes per month.
The number of classes that are offered over the period of a year are estimated and then a monthly fee charged based on that overall number. In some months there are more classes to attend than other months. And there are those few times during the year when there is a holiday or when we take a short break.
Again, please remember that the payment structure is based on the number of classes per year and the monthly fee is averaged out to cover those classes. Hence, in those months when there are fewer classes, it does not mean you are paying for classes that you are missing. It means that in that month you are really paying for classes that you attend in other months (those months where you have nine, or even ten classes).
REGARDING VACATION & HOLIDAYS
We usually take off all major holidays and have two weeks off at Christmas. Other than that, our classes are continuous. In months like December/January when we take a short, two week break, it is our policy that every student must pay for that December even if they have to be absent the entire time.
There are no exceptions to this policy, not even for professional work unless it has been discussed and arranged with Robert Carnegie, Director of Playhouse West-Los Angeles.
The cost of classes at Playhouse West is already so reasonable, that we take a very dim view of those who do not appreciate it and who attempt to avert paying their bills.
ATTENDANCE
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$230/month if paying by Venmo, $225 if paying by cash or check. Paid tuition is what secures your spot in class.
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New students can begin at any point in the month. New students are allowed a one time pro-rate depending on start date.
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We take attendance VERY seriously at Playhouse West. A pattern of missed class can result in suspension or expulsion from school. We expect communication when you are not able to attend.
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There are no make up classes at this time. If you miss class, you miss class. No refunds will be issued. Missing class includes, but is not limited to illness, vacation, work, etc.
TUITION
PAYMENT
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The first month of class must be paid through Venmo. After that, we accept Cash, Check, or Venmo.
If you absolutely cannot do Venmo, please e-mail gar@playhousewest.com.
There are only a handful of people personally trained by Sanford Meisner to teach his technique. Robert Carnegie is part of this very select group. All of the teachers at Playhouse West have learned Mr. Meisner's approach and have been specifically trained to teach it.
While many claim to teach The Meisner Technique, only a handful have first-hand experience with Mr. Meisner himself, let alone ten years of work with him as we have. Therefore, our presentation of this approach to acting is legitimate and first-hand, something very few can claim.