Ridgewood, NY Shakespearean Acting Lessons

A classical education makes everything so much easier. There are basic classical rhetorical devices that are easy to use once you understand them and make acting so much more fun and simple. It is 'playing' after all and with these techniques that are just ages old and so ingrained in humanity and nature you will be delighted and challenged.

My basic approach to classical work focuses primarily on the connection of the breath with the feeling on the word.

This is the foundation on which you can then build. From the ‘words’ to the ‘thoughts’ to entire ‘passages’ of text, as you work and explore, the richness of the playwright’s words comes to life. Your own unique emotional life is allowed to come through the text and you are able to fully embody the role.

Shakespeare should be joyful and liberating, but too often training makes it feel tedious. My experience acting at Shakespeare's Globe in London and around the US and training with many of the world's greatest Shakespeare coaches and academics, from Patsy Rodenburg to David Crystal, gives me a special insight into accessing the humanity of Shakespeare's work. Together we will find your personal way into the plays, to make them uniquely yours and delightfully fresh, clear, and human.

My favorite. My bread and butter.

My students can expect to learn everything from the basics to Shakespeare in the Park. They can also learn verse, pronunciation, Shakespeare's structure and clues, confidence in the language, and the all embracing emotion of Shakespeare. Shakespeare can seem intimidating, but it can be far more easier and fun than we imagine. We already live Shakespeare's stories and words, and it is my job to help you play the role.

Shakespeare is my life passion and a speciality of my actor experience and training. Our time together will be able to enhance or uncover whatever you need to know about the Bard and yourself.

I have trained with The Royal Shakespeare Company, began The Bridge Production Group (An Off-Broadway Shakespearean Co.), and have performed in 6 Shakespeare plays in NYC, I recently finished Richard III (Fourth St. Theatre). "Owen's confidence and strength in speech made him stand out from the rest of the cast. He moved and spoke with such

Acting is such a broad term! What are your goals? Do you want to be in films? Do you want to do Shakespeare? Do you want to be in a sit com? Depending upon what your interests are and where you want to go, we will build a plan together. My philosophy on acting techniques is that they are tools to help you, not tests you pass if you're a good actor and fail if you're a bad one. Different techniques work for different people and it is our job to find out what inspires you.

I've worked as a professional actor for many years, performed on Broadway, have my MFA in Performing Arts, and my BA in Arts and Education. I was an assistant director to Tony-winner Sharon Ott and have written and produced my own work. I have experience in both stage and camera acting, which have specific technical differences, but are both a lot of fun once you get used to the medium. Audition technique, preparing monologues, and creating promotional materials are also things I can help with. Anyone who wants to ...

Walking into an audition room can be intimidating-- but it doesn't have to be! I have learned to love auditioning for stage and screen by uncovering discoveries in the text, embracing spontaneity in the room, and giving myself permission to breathe (it's a lot of breathing). I can't wait to help you find the same tools and help you gain the confidence to kill it every time. Auditioning is really just another chance to perform, after all!

Twenty-five years experience...

Acting is about understanding the human experience and sharing it with your audience. My aim with students is to help find the freedom of expression by making specific and bold choices. Having studied classically as a dancer and as an actor at New York University, I have a passion for teaching Shakespeare. I also love coaching monologues and scenes for auditions.

I am an actor and acting coach living in New York City. I have worked over the last seven years on stage, both in NYC and regionally, as well as in television and film, working with talent such as Hugh Grant, Donnie Wahlberg, and Beau Willimon.

I hold an MFA from Yale School of Drama, a BFA from UC Santa Barbara, and have studied extensively with on-camera experts such as Bob Krakower, Jessica Cummings, and Marci Philips. As a coach, I work with individuals and productions, on stage and film, and specializes in dialect management for actors and on camera auditions.

I can assist you in shaping your audition, expanding your actor toolbox, learning an accent or dialect, or putting an audition on tape!