Tag Archives: Workshop

Intro to Acting: 1-Hour Workshop for Beginners

Overview

Always wanted to act but never started? Learn the basics in 1 hour. No experience needed. Washington Heights, NYC.

EVER WANTED TO ACT BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START?

Have you ever said:

– “I’ve always wanted to act, but I’m too shy.”

– “I don’t know where to start.”

– “I’m afraid I’ll look silly.”

– “Acting is for other people, not me.”

If any of these sound familiar, this workshop is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

In just one hour, we’ll cover:

✓ The basics of presence and confidence (no acting degree required)

✓ Simple exercises to unlock your natural expressiveness

✓ How to get out of your head and into the moment

✓ One clear next step to continue building your skills

This isn’t a performance class. It’s not intimidating. It’s designed to help you START—and that’s the hardest part.

WHO THIS IS FOR

This workshop is perfect for:

– Absolute beginners with zero acting experience

– People who’ve always been curious but felt intimidated

– Anyone who wants to build confidence and presence

– Community members interested in theater and storytelling

– Writers who want to understand actors’ perspectives

You don’t need:

– Acting training or theater experience

– To memorize anything in advance

– To perform in front of a large group (we work in a supportive, small setting)

– Anything except yourself and an open mind

WHAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have:

– A clearer sense of what acting actually involves (it’s simpler than you think)

– Practical exercises you can practice at home

– More confidence in your ability to be present and expressive

– Connection with other beginners on the same journey

– One concrete next step (no pressure to “become an actor”)

WHY THIS WORKSHOP EXISTS

Gross Anatomy Studios’ vision is to help build Uptown Manhattan into a hub for storytelling; film, TV, theater, and digital content.

Acting isn’t just for professionals. It’s a tool for presence, confidence, and storytelling. This workshop is for anyone who’s ever been curious but never took the first step.

Washington Heights has voices that deserve to be heard. Let’s start here.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Adrian Miranda is a theater maker, filmmaker, and founder of Gross Anatomy Studios, Inc. Based in Washington Heights, Adrian has directed and produced theater and film projects throughout New York City, working extensively with actors and performers at all levels.

Adrian’s teaching philosophy is simple: permission over perfection. You don’t need to be “good” to start. You just need to begin.

Instagram: @grossanatomystudios

Website: adrianmiranda.com

Intro to Screenwriting: 1-Hour Workshop for Beginners

Overview

Turn your ideas into scripts. Learn story structure, free tools, and your next step. No experience needed. Washington Heights, NYC.

UPTOWN NYC, YOUR STORY WON’T WRITE ITSELF!

Have you ever said:

– “I’ve been meaning to write something…”

– “I don’t know where to start.”

– “I have ideas but they live in my head.”

– “I’m scared I won’t finish.”

If any of these sound familiar, this workshop is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

In just one hour, we’ll cover:

✓ A simple movie & TV structure (explained in plain language, no jargon)

✓ Free screenwriting tools you can download today (including WriterDuet)

✓ One small, doable next step to keep you moving forward

This isn’t a masterclass. It’s not overwhelming. It’s designed to help you START, and that’s the hardest part.

WHO THIS IS FOR

This workshop is perfect for:

– Absolute beginners with zero screenwriting experience

– People who have ideas but don’t know how to structure them

– Anyone who’s started writing but never finished

– Community members who want to tell their stories

You don’t need:

– Film school background

– Expensive software

– Previous writing experience

– Anything except yourself and an idea (even a tiny one)

WHAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have:

– A clear understanding of how stories are structured

– Knowledge of free tools to start writing TODAY

– One concrete next step (no more staring at blank pages)

– Connection with other local writers taking the same journey

WHY THIS WORKSHOP EXISTS

Gross Anatomy Studios’ vision is to help build Uptown Manhattan into a hub for storytelling; film, TV, theater, and digital content.

This workshop is one small part of that mission: helping local people tell local stories and actually BEGIN.

Washington Heights has rich, beautiful, complex stories. Let’s get them out of our heads and onto the page.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Adrian Miranda is a filmmaker, theater maker, and founder of Gross Anatomy Studios, Inc. Based in Washington Heights, Adrian is dedicated to building Uptown Manhattan into a creative hub where local voices are amplified.

Adrian has produced theater, film, and community-driven storytelling projects throughout New York City, with a focus on accessible, beginner-friendly education.

Instagram: @grossanatomystudios

Website: adrianmiranda.com

Word Up Community Bookshop: EL VIAJE DE UNA BANDERA: Iris Morales with Angel Antonio Ruiz-Laboy

Word Up welcomes activist and author Iris Morales and translator Angel Antonio Ruiz-Laboy to share their book A Flag’s Journey, now available in Spanish! Based on true events, A Flag’s Journey is a powerful story about identity and standing up to injustice—told through the eyes of a young Puerto Rican boy in 1990s New York City.

This event is a $5 suggested donation ticket with 30 max attendees. Please register in advance.

Word Up Community Bookshop is located at 2113 Amsterdam Ave. (& 165th St.) in Washington Heights, NYC. You can take the 1 train to 168th St and the A/C train to 163rd or 168th  St.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Based on true events, A Flag’s Journey is a powerful story about identity and standing up to injustice—told through the eyes of a young Puerto Rican boy in 1990s New York City.

Ten-year-old Andrés Rivera loves baseball and spending time with his best friend. After a championship win with his Little League team, he goes with his family and best friend to the Puerto Rican Day Parade. What begins as a joyful day of cultural pride and celebration takes a sudden turn when Andrés becomes the target of a racist incident involving the Puerto Rican flag—an act that makes newspaper headlines.

As he questions what happened, Andrés has eye-opening conversations with family, teachers, and classmates about Puerto Rican history, the impact of racism, and the role of media in shaping public opinion. Through these experiences, he gains a deeper appreciation for community, the strength of friendship, and—most of all—the power of young people to create change.

A Flag’s Journey is a meaningful and uplifting chapter book featuring relatable characters and vibrant illustrations. With a historical timeline and glossary included, it’s a valuable resource for classrooms, libraries, and family reading time—perfect for readers ages 9–12.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Iris Morales is an educator, activist, and author. A Flag’s Journey, her first chapter book (2025) was translated into Spanish this year. She is also the co-author of Vicki: A Summer of Change, a children’s picture book, and has written and edited many books, anthologies, and poetry collections for adults. Her work is dedicated to exploring social justice themes and sharing the rich history and culture of Puerto Rican and other communities of color.

ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR

Angel Antonio Ruiz-Laboy is a multidisciplinary cultural leader, curator, writer, and educator with almost two decades of experience working across government agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit arts organizations in Puerto Rico and New York. Trained in comparative literature, creative writing, fine arts, and cultural administration, his practice is rooted in an interdisciplinary approach that bridges scholarship, artistic production, and public engagement.