A. Program Activities and Methodology

The program will be delivered through three core, interwoven modules over a 12-week period, with an estimated 6-9 hours of engagement per week.

• Module 1: The Business of Acting – "Navigating the Industry"

• Led by: Eman’on (Maui Meisner Studio) and potential guest industry professionals.

• Methodology: This practical module equips participants with the essential tools and knowledge to navigate the professional acting world. Workshops will cover:

• Headshots & Resumes: Creating industry-standard materials.13

• Audition Techniques: On-camera skills, self-tape best practices, and managing audition anxiety.13

• Industry Landscape: Understanding the roles of agents, casting directors, and unions.

• Marketing & Networking: Strategies for self-promotion and building industry connections.

• Career Counseling & Goal Setting: Personalized guidance on career development.13 Inspired by advanced acting curricula that include "The Business of Theatre" 24, this module provides tangible skills. This directly supports MEN HEAL's philosophy of helping individuals "monetize their passion" 7 by providing a clear pathway to professional engagement.

• Connection to Goals: Primarily addresses Goal 2 (professional acting skills) and supports Goal 3 (confidence in professional settings).

• Module 2: Drama Therapy Integration – "Healing Through Action"

• Led by: Dr. Eman’on ; A qualified Registered Drama Therapist (RDT); or a Master's-level therapist with specialized training in drama therapy, in consultation with MEN HEAL.

• Methodology: This module will utilize established drama therapy techniques to promote emotional well-being and personal growth. Activities will include:

• Storytelling & Improvisation: To explore personal narratives and develop spontaneity.16

• Role-Playing & Enactment: To practice new behaviors, explore different perspectives, and gain insight into relationship dynamics.16

• Projective Play & Metaphor: Using objects, art, or movement to express feelings that may be difficult to verbalize.16

• Group Cohesion Exercises: To build trust, support, and a sense of community. The focus will be on creating a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed space for participants to express emotions, process experiences, build empathy, enhance coping skills, reduce stress, and foster self-awareness.16 The Meisner work can often bring deep emotions to the surface; drama therapy provides the crucial container and tools to process these experiences constructively, transforming emotional recall for performance into an opportunity for healing and integration

  Workshop Structure:

• Total Duration: 12 weeks.

• Frequency: Approximately 3 sessions per week (e.g., one Meisner class, one Business of Acting/Drama Therapy combined session, one flexible rehearsal/lab time).

• Session Length: 2.5 to 3 hours per core session.

• Format: A dynamic blend of direct instruction, experiential exercises, group discussions, individual work, scene rehearsals, mock auditions, and potential guest speaker presentations.

• Facilitation Approach:
  A collaborative team approach will be utilized, led by Eman’on (Men Heal) and Maeve (Meisner), a qualified Drama Therapist, and with support from MEN HEAL facilitators for cultural liaison, recruitment, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment, particularly for male participants. The facilitation will be consistently trauma-informed, non-judgmental, confidential, and culturally sensitive, reflecting the best practices of organizations like Maui Healing, which emphasize creating a "safe space" and compassionate listening.

• Culminating Project (Recommended):
  The program will conclude with a showcase event. This could take the form of presented scenes, a short devised theatre piece created by the ensemble, or a portfolio presentation of their "Business of Acting" materials. This provides participants with a tangible goal, a sense of accomplishment, an opportunity to apply their learned skills before an invited audience, and serves as a celebration of their growth, mirroring how productions in conservatory training act as a "culmination and integration" of learning. This event can also help MEN HEAL in its goal to create educational media, potentially capturing content or identifying talent for future projects.6

C. Program Timeline (Illustrative 12-Week Program)

• Weeks 1-2: Orientation, Introduction to Meisner Basics, Introduction to Drama Therapy Principles, Goal Setting, Ensemble Building. Pre-program assessments administered.

• Weeks 3-6: Deepening Meisner Work (Repetition, Independent Activity), Core Drama Therapy Sessions (Storytelling, Role-Play), Business of Acting I (Resumes, Headshots).

• Weeks 7-10: Meisner Scene Work, Advanced Drama Therapy (Exploring Roles, Enactment), Business of Acting II (Audition Technique, Self-Tapes, Agent Prep). Mid-program check-in.

• Weeks 11-12: Rehearsal for Culminating Project, Finalizing Business of Acting Portfolios, Drama Therapy Integration & Closure, Culminating Showcase. Post-program assessments administered