Welcome to MN Acting Studio New Jersey, our brand new satellite location of the acclaimed MN Acting Studio in New York City. Our popular MN acting coach and teacher Stacey Van Gorder and Matt Newton teamed up to create this professional space, that offers the same high-level, professional on-camera classes and coaching taught by working industry professionals. We offer a modern, practical, no b.s. approach to the business, combining the craft of acting with the changes in the business. We work with actors as young as 8 years old and offer classes, coaching, and workshops all year long.
QUESTIONS?
Call us at 551-333-5820
Email us at newjersey@mnactingstudio.com
“I BOOKED my first Co-Star role!!!! It’s because of all my work at the studio that I have to thank for getting me there!”
““MN Acting Studio is the best. I always have so much fun working with the coaches there. They make self tapes and auditions such a fun experience… they have taught me so much about how to act, but in a way where it doesn’t really come across like I’m acting. I am so grateful for being able to work with and learn from them on a regular basis. ”
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One on One COACHING (In person or Zoom)
Schedule a 30, 45, and 60-minute weekly acting session with Stacey or any of our other professional coaches. Sessions can be used for audition taping, college prep, weekly acting lessons, creating demo reel footage, career consultations, or role prep. We use state of the art equipment, including a Canon m50 camera, soft box lights, a gray backdrop, and lavalier microphone. Rates start at $75 for a half hour. Last minute sessions available. Tapes will be sent to you and your representation immediately following your appointment.
Spring On-Camera Classes
All classes are monthly, with ongoing enrollment, and limited to 8-10 students to ensure maximum attention and growth. Students new to the studio must schedule a CLASS PLACEMENT INTERVIEW over zoom with our owner to ensure we put you in the right class. All students work in every class, and receive a video of their work. As we are a professional studio, attendance is expected at all of the classes. We also bring industry guests on occasion, including AGENTS, MANAGERS, and CASTING DIRECTORS for our more advanced students.
Starts May 6th
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA (Adult)
Teacher: Stacey Van Gorder. Ages 18+. This practical, 4 - 8 week, real-world TV and film acting class helps actors sharpen their on-camera skills in a weekly workout format. Actors will be assigned current TV/film scripts each week, which will then be coached by Stacey on-camera in a small group environment. Areas covered include network TV drama (procedural), streaming TV, film and TV comedy (both single and multi-cam), chemistry reads, mock casting sessions, script analysis, cold-reads, and more. 4 WEEKS. Limited to 8 students.
NEXT ROUND: Mondays 11-1pm - May 6, 13, 20, 27 - $249 - REGISTER HERE
Starts May 6th
ON CAMERA AUDITION TECHNIQUE (Adult)
Teacher: Stacey Oristano. Class Description: 18+. Interview required. Designed for repped actors who are actively auditioning and want to practice scripts from different genres, from comedy to prestige drama to procedural. Stacey's classes foster a sense of wonder and play in the room while teaching key techniques that allow for a connected and grounded performance. 4 WEEKS. Limited to 8 students.
NEXT ROUND: Mondays. 6-8 - May 6, 13, 20, 27 - $249 - REGISTER HERE
Starts May 8th
TV AND FILM MASTERCLASS (Adult)
Teacher: Stacey Van Gorder. Class Description: 18+. INVITE ONLY. Highest level class for professional actors, which will combine audition work through working on set. This class is designed for the experienced actor who has already gone through foundational training and has professional acting experience. In these advanced classes, actors will explore various genres while working on refining their skills and techniques. 4 weeks. Limited to 8 students. *Must submit a pic, resume to be accepted. Agent or manager preferred but not required.
NEXT ROUND: Wednesdays. 11am-1pm - May 8, 15, 22, 29 - $249 - EMAIL MATERIALS
Starts May 9th
ADVANCED AUDITION TECHNIQUE (Adult) DAY OPTION
Teacher: Stacey Oristano. Class Descriptions: 18+. Interview required. Designed for repped actors who are actively auditioning and want to practice scripts from different genres, from comedy to prestige drama to procedural. Stacey's classes foster a sense of wonder and play in the room while teaching key techniques that allow for a connected and grounded performance. 4 WEEKS. Limited to 8 students.
NEXT ROUND: Thursdays. 12-2. May 9, 16, 23, 30 - REGISTER HERE
YOUTH CLASSES BEGIN May 6th
Youth ON-CAMERA Bootcamp (Ages 8-12)
Teacher: Stacey Oristano. Class Description: Ages 8-12. JUMP INTO THIS course for the beginning actor learning to act and audition on-camera. Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey into the world of acting on camera? This dynamic on-camera acting class is designed to motivate and empower young aspiring actors to bring scripts to life with passion, authenticity, and creativity. 4 WEEKS. Limited to 8 students.
NEXT ROUND: Mondays. 4:00-5:30pm. May 6, 13, 20, 27 - $249 - REGISTER HERE
NEXT ROUND: Tuesday. 4-5:30pm. May 7, 14, 21, 28 - REGISTER HERE
Teen INTRO to ON-CAMERA ACTING (Ages 13-17) (NEW)
Teacher: Stacey Oristano. Class Description: Ages 13-17. For the student who is new to acting on camera. Charlotte will assign current scripts to work on script analysis, acting and audition techniques. From drama to comedy and everything in between!
NEXT ROUND: Mondays. 6-7:30pm. TBD
Youth IMPROV Bootcamp (Ages 11-15) WORKSHOP
Teacher: Sam Simone. Class Descriptions: Ages 11-15. JUMP INTO THIS great class to work on self-confidence and comfort in front of the camera and beyond. Come to unlock your imagination, boost your confidence, and have fun. Improv isn't just about being funny though; it's about exploring a range of emotions. From joy and excitement to sadness and fear, you'll delve into the depth of human feelings, making your performances on camera more authentic and relatable.
DATE TBD - REGISTER HERE
ON-GOING YOUTH CLASS - May 8th
Youth Advanced On-Camera Bootcamp (ages 12-16)
Teacher: Stacey Van Gorder. Class Descriptions: Ages 12-16. This course is specifically designed for the ADVANCED actor who is eager to challenge themselves and elevate their craft. In an environment that fosters growth, we'll explore complex characters and multi-layered narratives from a wide range of scripts. This class takes you from the initial audition all the way to being on set and everything in between. 4 Weeks. Limited to 8 students. *Must submit a pic, resume to be accepted. Agent or manager preferred but not required.
NEXT ROUND: Wednesday, 5:00- 6:30pm, May 8, 15, 22, 29- $249
NEWJERSEY@MNACTINGSTUDIO
Youth On-Camera Weekend Audition Class (12-16)
Teacher: Stacey Van Gorder. Class Descriptions: Ages 12-16. Your coach will assign challenging drama scenes 72 hours before the workshop and will coach you through different acting and audition techniques so you can land your auditions. Limited to 8 students.
NEXT ROUND: TBD- REGISTER HERE
ADULT IMPROV
Teacher: Sam Simone. Class Description: This is a great class to work on self-confidence and comfort in front of the camera and beyond. Come to unlock your imagination, boost your confidence, and have fun. Improv isn't just about being funny though; it's about exploring a range of emotions. From joy and excitement to sadness and fear, you'll delve into the depth of human feelings, making your performances on camera more authentic and relatable.
NEXT SESSION: TBD - REGISTER HERE
Stacey’s Commercial Workshop:
APRIL 13. 11-1. Stacey’s popular commercial class is coming to New Jersey. Only 6 spots available - REGISTER HERE
Stacey O’s Adult Comedy Workshop:
APRIL 15. 7:30-9. Stacey will explore single-cam and multi-cam scripts. You will work on the comedy rules of beats, turns, timing, stakes, finding jokes within the jokes… and making very specific character-driven choices. You can leave the workshop with new tools and knowledge to propel your next comedy audition into the stratosphere!! Only 6 spots available- REGISTER HERE
Stacey O’s Youth Comedy Intensive:
APRIL 20. 12-2 Stacey will explore single-cam and multi-cam scripts. You will work on the comedy rules of beats, turns, timing, stakes, finding jokes within the jokes… and making very specific character-driven choices. You can leave the workshop with new tools and knowledge to propel your next comedy audition into the stratosphere!! - REGISTER HERE
MN New Jersey Faculty
Matt Newton (founder and teacher) has appeared on countless TV shows, including Drake and Josh Go to Hollywood, Criminal Minds, Gilmore Girls, Royal Pains, the Americans, Ugly Betty, and many others. He is an industry expert contributor to Backstage, as well as the author of “10 Steps to Breaking into Acting” and “The No B.S. Guide to the Acting Biz” (recommended by Forbes). Matt teaches classes and workshops all over the world, and his students have appeared on hundreds of TV shows and films.
Stacey Van Gorder (owner and teacher) has appeared on the hit shows Sinking Spring, Gossip Girl, The Deuce, and has produced the independent television series HUDSON FALLS (Richard Kind, Jessica Hecht), which was an official selection for the 2021 Cannes International Series and SeriesFest television festivals. She hits Seriesfest 2023 with the pilot, HITMAN! Stacey has been a student and teacher at MN Acting Studio NYC for the last 4 years, and served as collaborator and editor on his book “The No B.S. Guide to the Acting Biz.” Stacey brings her years of experience as an actor and producer to the studio, both in front of and behind the camera.
Stacey Oristano (adult teacher and coach) is most known for playing Mindy Collette-Riggins on the award-winning show Friday Night Lights for 5 years. She also played Truly Stone on Amy Sherman-Palladino’s Bunheads with Sutton Foster. Stacey has played recurring roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Shameless, Criminal Minds, Kaleidoscope, and many others. On stage, Stacey has been seen from Broadway houses to The West End in shows like Cabaret, Steel Magnolias, and countless Shakespeare productions. She earned her BFA in Classical Theatre from The University of Manchester in England. When not on set, Stacey has been teaching acting, music, and dance for over 15 years.
Charlotte Fountain-Jardim (youth teacher and coach) is an actress best known for her roles on The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, as well as the Peacock series Ted. Born and raised in Westfield, NJ, she spent her childhood training in musical theatre. She then received her BFA in Acting at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts and began working professionally in TV and film. She is repped by A3 Artists and spends most of her free time self-taping or coaching actors!
Currently on hiatus from the studio after booking a recurring role on a new network show!