Call to Schedule an Interview (917) 794-3878
OUR CLASSES
Devised Work
Finding Your Artistic Voice Through Original Creation
Great actors do more than interpret stories. They become artists capable of creating them.
At the Maggie Flanigan Studio, we believe an actor's education should extend beyond auditioning for existing roles. The ability to generate original work develops artistic independence, deepens the imagination, and teaches actors to become active contributors to the creative process rather than passive participants waiting for opportunity.
Devised Work is a 7-week conservatory course that challenges actors to create an original solo performance from the ground up. Through improvisation, personal storytelling, movement, character exploration, writing, and collaborative feedback, students discover how to transform their experiences, observations, and imagination into compelling theatrical work. Rather than beginning with a finished script, students learn to trust the creative process itself, allowing the material to emerge through exploration, experimentation, and disciplined rehearsal.
The class begins by asking a simple but profound question:
What story can only you tell?
From there, students develop original material through journaling, improvisation, physical exploration, and character work. They investigate personal narrative while expanding beyond autobiography, learning how metaphor, imagination, found text, movement, image, and sound can deepen and expand the theatrical experience. Throughout the semester, actors discover that the most compelling devised work is not simply personal—it is deeply human.
As the work evolves, students begin shaping structure, identifying central themes, and learning how to organize original material into a cohesive theatrical event. They explore different storytelling forms, develop a rehearsal process, refine vocal and physical expression, and receive ongoing feedback from both the instructor and ensemble. The emphasis is always on process over perfection, encouraging curiosity, courage, vulnerability, and artistic risk-taking as essential parts of creative growth.
The semester culminates in the creation and public presentation of an original twenty-minute solo performance. By this point, students have not only created new work—they have developed a repeatable creative process they can return to throughout their careers whenever they feel compelled to tell a story that has not yet been written.
At the Maggie Flanigan Studio, we believe the actor's responsibility extends beyond performing. Artists observe the world, ask difficult questions, and create work that helps illuminate the human condition. Devised Work provides actors with the tools, discipline, and confidence to become creators of original, dynamic and theatrical content while strengthening the imagination, collaboration, and artistic courage that enrich every aspect of their acting.
Devised Work is a 7-week course with 7 classes.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“I was placed in the intense reigns of Charlie Sandlan. I became a better artist, actor, friend, sibling and daughter because of the studio. Even now, I crave the studio every day. What I learned is present in my work every day. I truly believe in everything they stand for.”
Jes Macallan
“Maggie taught me that I could control my work, my acting, and to throw all of the bullshit out that I had in my head about ‘what I should be doing’ and to just listen and respond honestly, in the moment. She gave me a craft. She is, quite simply put, THE BEST.”
Leslie Bibb
“Maggie Flanigan taught me the true meaning of artistry, passion, and professionalism. I am certain that I continue to work as an actress because of my training with Maggie. At every audition and every performance, her guiding voice is with me. It is a gift beyond measure.”
Andrea Anders
ACTING STUDIO NEW YORK NY
The Maggie Flanigan Studio is the leading acting studio in New York City where professional actors train for long careers. The acting programs at the drama school are based on the Meisner Technique and the work of Sanford Meisner. The two year acting program includes acting classes, movement classes, voice and speech for actors, commercial acting classes, on camera classes, cold reading, monologue, playwriting, script analysis and the Meisner Summer Intensive.
Call to Schedule an Interview
CONTACT
Address:
147 W 25th St 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Phone:
Email:
LATEST POSTS
© 2026 MAGGIE FLANIGAN STUDIO. All rights reserved. | Terms and Conditions | Privacy | Sitemap
NAIROBY OTERO
Nairoby Otero is an award-winning actor, playwright, producer, and educator whose work is rooted in the belief that artists have both the privilege and responsibility of telling meaningful stories. As a first-generation Cuban American artist, she has built a career creating original work that explores identity, culture, and the complexity of the human experience.
Devised Work
Finding Your Artistic Voice Through Original Creation