BADA STUDIO

For over 40 years, BADA has provided opportunities to engage with the finest professional theatre training in the UK, US and elsewhere in the world.

The BADA Studio is designed to offer such opportunities on an ongoing basis to our alumni family. The BADA Studio isn’t a physical location; it’s wherever members of the BADA community come together creatively or pedagogically to explore and refine their craft. Workshops, masterclasses and ongoing classes will take place in various locations in the USA as well as in London and are open to all BADA alumni. Leading the sessions will be members of BADA’s brilliant Faculty, friends from some of the top theatre training institutions in the US, UK and Europe, and members of the alumni community who are active in the theatre and performance industries.

Upcoming Studio Sessions

Create Your Own Work: Creative Writing for Actors, Directors, and Writers led by Hunter Bell

Monday, September 15, 12:30 – 3:30pm
New York City – Open Jar Studios @ 1601 Broadway

Class Limit: 30 participants
Fee: $50

Join Tony-nominated writer Hunter Bell for an afternoon of intuitive writing. Doesn’t matter if you’ve written before or even identify as a writer. All creatives are welcome as we’ll explore untapped stories and ideas, we all have tucked inside us, and discover how those ideas can inspire new work onstage and beyond.

Themes of the workshop include: Identifying and taking creative risks, tapping into artistic freedom, developing clear self-expression, creative writing.

Workshop requirements: paper, pen, an open mind, a sense of humor, “game-ness.”

Register

HUNTER BELL earned an OBIE Award, a Drama League nomination, a GLAAD Media nomination, and a Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical, all for the original Broadway musical [title of show]. Other writing credits include the books for Silence! The Musical (Lucille Lortel Nomination, Outstanding Musical), Found (Drama Desk Nomination, Outstanding Book of a Musical), Julie Andrews’ The Great American Mousical, Now. Here.This., Bellobration! (Ringling Bros. Circus), Villains Tonight! (Disney Cruise Lines), Remember (Disney Cruise Lines), Other World (in collaboration with Weta Workshop), and Rogers The Musical (Hyperion Theatre, Disneyland). He has created and contributed original material for numerous benefits and events including BC/EFA’s Easter Bonnet and Broadway Bares, as well as specialty material (and host) for the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards, The Actor’s Fund’s 125th Anniversary Gala, the Vineyard Theatre’s 25th Anniversary Gala, and NYCLU’s Broadway Stands Up for Freedom. A finalist in Warner Bros. Television Comedy Writers Workshop, he is a co-creator of the online series the [title of show] show, has written and developed television with ABC Studios/ABC Television, as well as the pilot Is Not That Strange with playwright and screenwriter Brian Gene White. Hunter has also developed new works at the O’Neill Center, Ars Nova, PS 122, Weston Playhouse, Manhattan Theatre Source, and the NYMF and NY Fringe Festivals. He is a recipient of the Jim Owles Human Rights Award and was once named one of the 100 most influential people by OUT MAGAZINE. As an actor, he has appeared on and off Broadway and around the country in numerous regional theatres, as well as in the films The Men Who Stare at Goats and Goodbye Baby. A graduate and distinguished alumnus of Webster University, Hunter has proudly served on the boards of the Educational Theatre Association and the Educational Theatre Foundation.

Performing Tragedy Today led by Greek Theatre Course Director Paul O’Mahony

Saturday, November 8, time TBC
New York City – Open Jar Studios @ 1601 Broadway

Class Limit: 15 participants
Fee: $50

Tragedy was created in the context of a radical democratic experiment. It was confronting, contentious and radical. How do we capture that spirit, to create work which responds to and addresses modern issues and political concerns? This workshop will explore a scene from an original Greek tragedy alongside a contemporary adaptation to investigate the conventions of Greek drama and the ways tragedy is reinvented today. In the process we’ll look at how to embody roles which experience such extreme scenarios, sharpening our responses and instincts to meet the characters in the moment. We’ll explore rhythm, character relationships and our connection with the audience – all with the intention of harnessing your skills to unlock these texts by creating powerful and truthful performances.

Registration Opens October 8

Paul O’Mahony is a director, actor and writer based in the UK. For BADA, Paul has taught and directed on the London Theatre Program, and taught on Midsummer in Oxford. He is the Course Director of BADA’s Greek Theatre Program, a unique summer course which combines theory and practice with leading theatre practitioners and academics in the UK and Greece. Students receive acting, movement and voice training from BADA faculty, and participate in academic classes led by Oxford University’s Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama. The course takes place in London, Delphi, Athens, Nafplio and Oxford. In Greece students work with members of the National Theatre and have the opportunity to visit ancient sites.

He is the artistic director of the award winning theatre company Out of Chaos, with whom he has devised, written and performed Out of Chaos, Unmythable and Norsesome and played leading roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hippolytus. Their 2025 production of Macbeth toured major venues in the UK and will be touring the US in 2026. Other acting credits include productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company, English Touring Opera, Out of Balanz and The Orange Tree Theatre. His directing credits include Unmythable, The Suppliants, Much Ado About Nothing, A History of Sound and The Problem With the Seventh Year. In 2026 he will be directing The Tempest for Vache Baroque.

In response to the first lockdowns of 2020, Paul collaborated with Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies to create Reading Greek Tragedy Online, a landmark series which brought together 120 artists from around the world, along with academics and audiences, to perform and discuss every extant Greek tragedy in a weekly live stream over 40 consecutive weeks. The series has garnered more than 300,000 views online and is now embedded in multiple syllabuses in US universities.

The success of this series has led to multiple collaborations in the US and Greece, with residencies at UIUC, Brandeis, Harvard, Emory and UT Austin. In Illinois he has directed public readings of Nambi E. Kelley’s Xtigone and Luis Alfaro’s Electricidad working with professional artists, students, high schoolers and community groups to foster dialogue on issues connected to gun violence and systemic racism. In 2026 he will be the George A. Miller Visiting Artist at the University of Illinois, collaborating on a mass participatory Greek tragedy project inspired by Aeschylus’s Suppliants.

The Art of the Self-Tape for TV and Film led by Miriam A. Hyman (MIO ’10)

Saturday, November 15, 2:30 – 5:30pm

Los Angeles – The Broadwater @ 1078 Lillian Way

Class Limit: 15 participants
Fee: $50

Alumna Miriam A. Hyman (MIO ’10) will be teaching a Master class in acting on camera for tv/film auditions. During this three hour course students will learn the necessary components to and for auditioning on camera. Lights, a state of the art camera, and microphone will be available for the students’ usage as they learn how to perfect this craft necessary for booking work in today’s film/tv industry.

Registration opens October 18

Miriam A. Hyman (MIO ’10) aka Robyn Hood (Philly native) is a classically trained actress and a Hip Hop Recording Artist. She’s a recipient of the Princess Grace Award and Leonore Annenberg Fellowship for “Performing Arts”. She’s a graduate of Yale School of Drama (MFA) and University of the Arts (BFA). Hyman is also an alumna of BADA (Oxford Program), Shakespeare & Company, and The Guthrie Experience. She currently stars as US attorney Stacy Marks on 50 Cent’s new hit series Power Book IV Force (Starz), season 3 premiering November 7th. She’s also known as Dre on The Chi (Showtime/Paramount) for which she can be seen in 32 episodes from seasons 3-6. Other TV credits include Dr. Emile Cooper as a recurring guest star on multiple seasons of Blue Bloods, as well as guest stars on Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, The Rookie, Blindspot, The OA Part II, High Maintenance, Orange is the New Black, Hostages, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Master of None, Red Oaks, Unforgettable, Falling Water, Blacklist, Hostages, 30 Rock, Law & Order, Conviction, The Wire and SMILF. Films: The Laundromat (Netflix), The Sun Is Also a Star (Warner Bros/MGM), Brittany Runs a Marathon (Amazon),

Most Beautiful Island (Independent Spirit Nominee and SXSW winner), The Lost Holliday currently airing on Amazon Prime and The Congressman. Off-Broadway theater credits: Richard II (Public Theater: Shakespeare in the Park NYC radio broadcast) opposite Andre Holland, the world premiere of Tim Blake Nelson’s Socrates in which she played opposite Michael Stulbarg, and Richard III opposite Ron Cephas Jones also at the Public Theatre. She starred as D’Artagnan in Three Musketeers (Classical Theater of Harlem/Audelco Best Actress nominee) Tempest (LaMaMa) playing opposite of the late Reg Cathey (LaMaMa), Piano Lesson/McCarter Theater, and The Dreamer Examines His Pillow opposite John Douglas Thompson (Shakespeare & Co). Hyman is a voiceover artist and has been featured in video games such as The Walking Dead Michonne (Telltale) and Steven Universe’s Unleash the Light( Apple Arcade Games). She was also a featured voice for Steven Universe’s Future (Cartoon Network) as the role of Bismuth and can be heard as the voice for several commercial spots including Tide Pods, NY Lottery, and Progressive Insurance.

As a Hip Hop lyricist, she’s performed at various venues such as Carnegie Hall and Joe’s Pub in NYC, Center Stage/Vinyl in Atlanta, and Power House Philadelphia with Power 99 FM. She is the founder and CEO of the music and entertainment label Truth Teller Productions. She’s been a featured writer and lyricist on tracks with notable artists such as Common, Daveed Diggs, Ciara, Ester Dean, City Girls, Lupita Nyong’o, and LaLa Anthony. She’s also received music placements with original material on both The Chi (Showtime/Paramount) and in the film The Lost Holliday.

IG: @robynhoodmusic @truthtellerproductions

Moment-to Moment – Impulse to Choice to Voice led by Paul Wagar

Wednesday, November 19, 6:30 – 9:30pm
Los Angeles – The Broadwater @ 1078 Lillian Way

Class Limit:10 participants, 20 observers
Note: we are also working to arrange for a livestream for observers who cannot attend in person
Fee: $50

BADA Faculty Paul Wagar (MIO) works students through intense moment-to-moment text work, focusing on acting choices and energy. Participants are free to bring in scenes or monologues from either the stage or film/tv. Shakespeare or contemporary. Come prepared to dive deep into the work. If you sign-up with someone you know, you can bring in a scene versus a monologue.

There will also be the option to observe the class without being an active participant. We are also in the process of setting up a live-stream for folks who can’t be there in person. Stay tuned for more details.

Registration opens October 18

Paul Wagar taught at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia for twelve years (head of voice and speech), at the British American Drama Academy summer program in Oxford for 9 years, and through 2024, was an Adjunct Professor in the school of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA.

Attended the University of Toronto; trained as an actor in England; and worked with, among others, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The New Shakespeare Company, and the BBC, acting alongside actors such as Judi Dench, Ian Mckellen, Patrick Stewart.
Was a member of the acting company during Robin Phillips’ last year as Artistic Director at Stratford, Ontario; acting with Maggie Smith, Brian Bedford, Peter Ustinov.
As Artistic Director, headed the Philadelphia Area Repertory Theatre, and Ark Theatre Company in Los Angeles. In addition to directing numerous productions for these two Companies, also directed THE TAMING OF THE SHREW for The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC, CLOUD 9 in New York City, and THE LOVER, in Chicago.
Wrote the screenplay, co-produced, and directed, the feature film SHAKESPEARE’S MERCHANT
Wrote ACTING WITH TEXT, used as a textbook at UCLA, and other training programs around the country.
Coaches for theatre, film, and television: ongoing for the Geffen Theatre in Los Angeles; films include MONEY TALKS, NEXT FRIDAY, Brian Cranston in COLD COME THE NIGHT, and the 2017 film BLADE RUNNER.

From Page to Stage – Monologue Precision to Book the Job led by Sheria Irving (MIO ’11)

Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 23rd (Two 2-hour sessions ), exact times TBC
Los Angeles – The Broadwater @ 1078 Lillian Way

Class Limit: 15 participants
Fee: $50

Session 1 — Harpooning with Specificity: The Fundamental Questions

Explore what makes great acting and debunk common monologue misconceptions.
Break down monologues as conversations, not solo performances.
Learn and apply the 5 Fundamental Questions to uncover objectives, tactics, and stakes.
Monologue refinement using objectives, stakes, and the “moment before.”
Guided improv exercises to connect actors to the text.

Session 2 — The Before and After: Owning the Room

Vocal, physical, and mental warm-ups to prepare for the audition room.
Confidence-building techniques for entering and exiting with presence.
Preparation for mock auditions, with notes and tips to deliver truthfully under pressure.

Registration opens October 18

Sheria Irving (MIO ’11) is an actor, educator, and founder whose work bridges storytelling, performance, and mentorship to inspire growthand transformation. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama and an alum of the British American Drama Academy, her work spans Broadway, regional theater, and television. As a teaching artist, Sheria pioneered the Actor’s Advocate Program at the Classical Theatre of Harlem and is now thrilled to be teaching at the British Academy of the Arts Studio, empowering actorsto approach their craft with both artistic intuition and rigorous, text-driven mastery. Beyond the stage, Sheria is the founder of Shaping Her Earth, a national movement dedicated to empowering young women of color through mentorship, leadership development, and campus initiatives—equipping them to grow boldly, lead courageously, and shape positive change in their communities.

If you have not already done so, sign up to our Alumni Mailing list to receive announcements about upcoming BADA Studio sessions!

March 2025 | New York City

Peter Francis James (Faculty – MIO)	Shakespeare and the Actor’s Toolbox With the text as the fundamental teacher, PFJ will guide you in employing the specifics of language, as the means to discovering action, subtext, circumstance, and relationships, allowing connection with the writing, at the deepest, most personal level; this, while referencing history, its continuity with contemporary life, and so, finding our common humanity, as revealed in these plays.
Melissa Maxwell	The Business of Acting One of the most difficult but important parts of being a professional actor is navigating the business side of things. Melissa Maxwell will teach the group how to work smarter, not harder as professional artists. She will work with the students on type versus brand, how best to network, self-tapes, and how to set yourself up for a long and successful career.
Andrew Wade (Faculty – MIO)	Re-Speak the Speech: Tackle Your Old BADA Speeches The Workshop will involve preparation voice work, structure of a Shakespeare speech and give opportunity to apply this to a Shakespeare speech first encountered at BADA. Please bring along a hard copy of the speech you’d like to work on.
Tom McClane (Faculty – MIO, LTP)	Sharpening Your Craft with Chekhov Join us for an intensive acting masterclass exploring Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov.This session will dive deep into the play’s rich and layered text, complex character relationships, and Chekhov’s unique ability to see through the characters’ eyes. Through scene work and practical exercises, actors will develop a nuanced understanding of the play’s emotional depth, while also sharpening their actors’ instinct and imaginative ability to connect with their characters’ wants, problems and circumstances.The purpose of this class is to ask the question; What is a play? How does the play function on the level of ideas? How does the actor contribute as an artist to the ideas and problems contained within one? And what, if anything, does this contribute to the wider world?