

Actor's Lab: Foundations & Performance 7-Week Course
A 7-week journey from acting fundamentals to a professionally filmed scene.
Actor's Lab is a structured progression, a clear arc from fundamentals to performance. You'll work with Meisner technique alongside other creative influences, exploring character, script and presence. By the end you'll have built and filmed a scene from scratch.
What's included:
✓ 7 sessions × 3 hours each
✓ Meisner technique + other influences
✓ Scenes specifically selected and assigned to fit you
✓ Professionally filmed and edited final scene - yours to keep and share
✓ Optional 25-min 1-on-1 coaching session with Maria (separate booking)
Schedule: 📅 Tuesday April 21 · 6:30–9:30pm 📅 Tuesday April 28 · 6:30–9:30pm 📅 Tuesday May 5 · 6:30–9:30pm 📅 Tuesday May 12 · 6:30–9:30pm 📅 Tuesday May 19 · 6:30–9:30pm 📅 Tuesday May 26 · 6:30–9:30pm 🎬 Sunday May 31 · 10am — final filming day
No previous experience required. Minimum 6 participants required for the course to open.
Hosted by Maria João Almeida (@mariajeene) - Portuguese actress trained at ACT Lisbon and William Esper Studio NY. Theatre, film, author of Inventário de Nova Iorque.
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🎟 Join the course
€450 — €64 per session · absent.tech/tickets
€400 as a member — €57 per session
Become a Full Absentee (€20/month) + €360 course fee. You save €50 and get full Absent access while the course runs space, events, community. Cancel any time. → absent.tech/memberships
Already a member? Purchase the €360 top-up through your account.
⚠️ Payment confirms your spot — RSVP alone is not enough. Minimum 6 participants to open. Spots are limited.
Questions? DM @absent_lisbon or email [email protected] New to Absent? Your first visit is always free - just walk in.
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About Absent
Absent is a phone-free creative third space and café in Principe Real where time is yours again. The kind you used to waste beautifully.
Every experience at Absent is designed around presence.
What to Expect
Offline, always - Phones go in secure pouches and stay with you.
A beautifully designed space where every color, texture and detail makes presence effortless
Café & Bar - Specialty coffee, freshly boiled chai, Portuguese wines, craft beers, and artisanal sodas, baked goods from local bakeries and rotating food menu from local chefs.
All of the infrastructure, none of the pressure - high quality art supplies, craft materials, books, board games, brain fitness workbooks, introspection kits and more.