the secret to acting
Jack Nicholson once famously said, "No one can tell you how to act". Suggesting to many that you either have "IT" or you don't. So, if acting cannot be taught, is it then only for those who, by some happy accident of birth or the luck of a childhood in which expression was nurtured, have the all important "IT"?
Much has been said of "the method", a term popularized by one of our zions of dramatic acting, Lee Strasbourg. But Lee Strassberg, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and other great teachers each had their own unique emphasis. How could they all be successful using such different means? Its because the teacher IS the method! These larger than life individuals had the capacity to bond deeply with their students, and draw out of them the discovery of their own genius.
My commitment is to provide you the knowledge and experience necessary to become a fully authentic artist. Therefore I do not focus on monologues and scenes, but rather, you as an individual. We will work toward the three cornerstones of all performances... relaxation, stature, and energy. First, you will be made aware of any excess movements that reduce your emotional impact. Next, a wide variety of exercises will be employed to enhance your presentation.
But this is only the beginning. The true magic of acting comes in the form of the actor's childlike elation, a vibrant quality that great actors are able to infuse into their performance that makes their character fascinating...even when they're dastardly. This cannot be accomplished in an acting class.
I work privately in one-on-one sessions where there is time to establish a deeper collaboration between student and teacher. I have witnessed again and again in these sessions, a new countenance bloom over students's faces as artistic energy is released, ready to flow into performance. Results don't happen overnight, but with consistent application my students experience changes that last, both in their acting, and in their life.
I hold a deep respect for the individuals in my studio who engage in this work. This process infuses them with a profound sense of empathy for themselves and their character that is unmistakable for its sincerity and weight on stage.
If you feel the calling to be an actor, no matter your level, I can help. Fifty years as a professional performer and director with a deep commitment to human self-expression has provided me with the skill, knowledge and depth of empathy that can help you release into artistic freedom on stage,... and in life.
Stillness... that's all,... and that's the hardest thing." (Morgan Freeman)