Acting Masterclass Series

Celebrate the holiday by joining my stand-up comedy workshop tonight from 6–9 p.m. on Zoom!

Stand-up Smart: From Backstage to Big Laughs

Sharpen your stand-up skills in this focused, one-night workshop titled "Stand-Up Smart: From Backstage to Big Laughs!"

From warm-ups to feedback, gain tools to strengthen your performance and presence. Learn what it takes to thrive onstage - and handle yourself like a pro offstage.

What we'll cover:

Stage presence and microphone technique

Backstage do’s and don’ts

Comedy warm-ups and improv

Handling hecklers and onstage challenges

Writing prompts and joke development

Work sessions with feedback

Performance tips and industry Insights

Q&A with Jade Esteban Estrada

__________

Time: 6-9 p.m. CST

Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Platform: Zoom

Cost: $50 | $40 Midsummer Special through July 23 | Registration link

Email: [email protected]

Photo: Brent Kosadnar

Memorize Like an Elephant

Want to strengthen your memory and sharpen your focus?

Join @jadeestebanestrada for an engaging workshop that explores how top performers, speakers, and professionals train their brains to retain information with ease and confidence.

You’ll learn a toolkit of memory techniques used by memory champions and cognitive coaches, including:

The Memory Palace (Method of Loci)

Mnemonics and visual hooks

Chunking for better organization

Spaced repetition for long-term retention

Storytelling as a memorization superpower

Whether you're giving a presentation, learning new material, or just tired of forgetting names, this workshop will help you remember more, stress less, and have a lot of fun along the way.

Hope to see you there!

Time: 6-9 p.m. CST

Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Platform: Zoom

Cost: $50 | $25 mid-year special through July 7 | Link in comments

Info/registration: [email protected]

Photo: Mayra Alexandra

Drama Queen: An LGBTQ+ Acting Workshop with Jade Esteban Estrada

As an actor, educator, and proud drama queen, I created this workshop for queer performers ready to take risks, tell the truth, and shine brighter than ever.

Come play, explore your story, and connect with a bold, supportive LGBTQ+ community. This is your space. Your voice. Your moment.

June 18, 2025 | 6–9 pm CST* | Zoom $50 | Link in comments | [email protected]

*Registration closes at 5 p.m. CST

Photo: Peter DiAntoni

Monólogo Gigante

"Monólogo Gigante" is a workshop I've developed for English-speaking actors who want to improve their Spanish-language skills and acting abilities. The workshop combines theatre techniques with language learning, focusing on improving fluency, assuredness, and cultural understanding of Spanish. It's designed to help actors practice speaking Spanish in a spontaneous and interactive way, fostering both language skills and acting confidence.

Register for class here

The Art of Auditioning

Tonight we gather for an intensive workshop on the art of first impressions.

Register for class here

Wednesday night, I will present "Drama Detectives: A Script Analysis Workshop" at 6 p.m. Central via Zoom. 🕵🏼‍♂️

Hope to see you there!

Registration link 🎭

Dare to be devious

Summer Stand-Up Comedy Workshop

Acting class success stories

Huge congratulations to our friend and student Patricia Zamora on the world premiere of her new play. 

The play features Acting Masterclass Series alum Joe De Mott, Karen Ross Garrett, Melissa Martinez, and Yvette Cardenas. Nicole Erwin is our producer. I directed the play. 

Students in performance

Congratulations to Acting Masterclass Series alum Denise Swain (second from left) for wrapping up a three-week engagement of The Back-Porch Gang at the Overtime Theater! Wonderful job, Denise! Keep up the great work! 

Student in performance: Denise Swain

This weekend, The Back-Porch Gang will play Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18. Don't let this hilarious new comedy pass you by! Starring Acting Masterclass Series alum Denise Swain. 

Interview with ArtScene SA

"In order to reflect the community we serve, it’s important to provide opportunities to all playwrights, regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs. Since the inception of the New Play Development Series in January, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with writers from across the United States and Canada. As the creator of this program, this has been fulfilling and rewarding work." 

Thank you to Kurt Gardner of ArtScene SA for interviewing me about the New Play Development Series, a program that offers playwrights an opportunity to further develop new works.

Putting it together

I’m back in the director’s chair - this time at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. On Tuesday evening, the Guadalupe will present a reading of Un Nuevo Capitulo, a new comedy by Patricia Zamora, a longtime member of the Acting Masterclass Series. Nine talented actors will come together to tell this funny, heartwarming story. The reading will begin at 7 p.m. and will include an audience feedback session. Admission is free. All are welcome. 

Interview with Blogcritics Magazine

Thank you to Kurt Gardner of Blogcritics Magazine for including me in this article about how three San Antonio artists have managed to stay creative during the past two years of the pandemic.

Love the art in yourself

Happy Wednesday! My monthly Beginner/Intermediate Acting Class resumes tonight via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. CDT. Looking forward to working on our summer projects!

Actors only

On Monday night, I’ll be offering my monthly Advanced Acting Class via Zoom. This 3-hour workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. $25 per student. Looking forward to it!