Summer Services
2025 Schedule
1
Flagship Summer Intensive
July 1st through September 1st
This 8-week program is the fundamental foundation of The Method. Upon completion, each student will receive a short video of their work, a Certificate of Completion, and a final Showcase for friends, family, and industry.
Gary’s Flagship Eight-Week Summer Program, although not certified, is equivalent, in hours, to two semesters of graduate work at an MFA program. Students will be personally trained and mentored by Gary Swanson and his staff. The work will include Relaxation, Sensory Exercises, Improvisation, Etudes, Scene Study, Cold Reading, Script Analysis and On Camera Concepts.
The Montauk grounds are ideal for reading plays, rehearsing and individual exercises without interference or the demands of city living. During the Flagship Program, although not required, all actors who attend are also invited to participate in the weekly, Wednesday night classes at Gary’s studio in the American Theater for Actors on West 54th St.
The workshop hours are from 1 0 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Monday. Tuesday through Thursday students read plays, work on sensory exercises or rehearse with each other in preparation for scene study.
$6,000 (lodging not included)
$7,900 (with lodging)
*Scholarships and Group Rates Available for our Flagship Summer Program.
(A two-hour private coaching session with Gary – valued at $550 – will be included for any student who signs up for The Flagship Program or One free month [4 sessions] on either Gary’s Zoom classes or his Saturday class in Montauk. These added options will begin in mid-September.)
2
Lighthouse Summer Intensive
For those interested in only one month, here are other options.
July 1st through July 31st
$2,500 (lodging not included)
$4,200 (with lodging)
August 1st through September 1st
$3,000 (lodging not included)
$4,700 (with lodging)
3
Basic Technique Weekend Intensives
If you are new to Method Acting it is recommended – but not required – that you attend one of these weekend intensives in preparation for the Flagship Program or the weekly classes in NYC.
Weekend Intensives are held in Montauk on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Space is Limited. Lodging available.
Those who join the Flagship Program, the cost of a weekend intensive will be applied to the Flagship Summer Program’s full tuition.
$275 / weekend (lodging not included)
WITH LODGING IN MONTAUK:
June (weekend of the 20th and 27th) $475
July $525 / weekend
August $575 / weekend
September $425 / weekend
4
THE CLUB
Artistic Self-Expression and Exploration: Take the Time to Remember - Life is an Adventure
Schedule:
WEEKDAYS
August 20 – 24
August 26 – 30
Morning 10 AM – 1 PM:
Moderated scene work, exercises, and relaxation.
Afternoons:
Individual rehearsal, reading, music, painting, drawing, going to the beach, exercise, or rest – you’re on your own.
(Anyone can attend the acting sessions, but there’s no obligation to participate in other subjects. The event’s purpose is to empower you in your own life.)
Other personal explorations (art, music, writing) will be self-directed, with visiting artists available.
WEEKENDS:
August 24 – 25
August 31 – September 2
Your chance to indulge in the full joy of summer, focusing on your dreams without responsibilities or obligations, surrounded by leisure and camaraderie.
The Club Lodging:
- Eight beds (separate for men and women), two functioning kitchens, two outdoor grills, three refrigerators, three bathrooms, and two outdoor showers.
- Meals will be individually planned due to specific food requirements. Local restaurants and nearby stores offer excellent options, with grocery delivery services available.
Accommodation Rates:
- Couples or two friends: 10% discount, reducing total cost by $315. Also applies to Gary’s former students.
- Tent pitching: $150 per person per night for a two-person tent (maximum of two tents on the property).
Day Students: $100 per day, with a 10% discount for advance payment for August 19 – September 2.
Evenings offer access to a library of books and films, two flat-screen TVs for movies or TV shows, and vibrant nightlife in Montauk.
Total Cost for August 19 – September 2:
$3,150.00
Booking:
An advance of $150 secures your place and is refundable up to five days before the event in case of cancellation.
5
gary swanson’s master class
This is an ongoing group of actors who have consistently attended classes and proven their knowledge and understanding of the work. It is the genesis of an acting company that will mount productions of classic and contemporary plays, in and around the New York area.
Time: 6 – 10 p.m.
Place: ATA 314 W 54th St.
$575 / 8 classes paid in full
$80 drop-in per class
6
Summer 2025
Two-Week Course with Gary
Pricing:
For two weeks, accommodations would typically cost around $250 per night, totaling $3,500 for the duration. For four participants, this would amount to $14,000. However, we can offer a reduced price of $3,200 per person (totaling $12,800 for four people), which includes a bed, outdoor showers, and a continental breakfast.
Theme:
The theme of the two weeks is artistic self-discovery, emphasizing that life should always be an adventure.
Schedule:
• August 19 – 23rd & August 26th – 30th
• Mornings (10 AM – 1 PM): Moderated scene work, exercises, and relaxation.
• Afternoons: Individual rehearsal, reading, music, painting, drawing, beach visits, exercise, or rest.
• Evenings: Open time for movies, TV shows, or exploring Montauk’s vibrant nightlife. Guest artists may appear at any time.
• August 24th – 25th & August 31st – September 2nd
• These weekends focus on personal leisure, allowing participants to concentrate on a single subject without responsibilities or feeling rushed.
notice -
Students are required to go through an application, interview, and acceptance process. Please contact us for more information. Space is limited. Payment is non-refundable and must be paid in full before the commencement of the program.
In addition to the summer program, Gary schedules Zoom coaching and group classes around the world. The Montauk Group has held and will continue to hold intensives in Hungary, Russia, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.
Part of the program is to work with video and still images. All actors are required to sign a standard boilerplate film release.