Classes, Workshops, and Coaching

Acting on the Breath

Sessions in New York's Hudson Valley

Ongoing Sessions at Miriam's Well
13 Simmons Street, Saugerties, NY
Ongoing sessions, Wednesdays, 7:00pm – $250. for four consecutive weeks of class.

An acting class for those who are fascinated by the process of the actor. What goes into making of those daringly intimate portrayals of human beings we long to see on the stage and on the screen? How do they do it? How does it reflect our own experiences back to us?

Learning to work "On the Breath" creates a joyful, reliable, physically based acting technique that gives rise to spontaneous, imaginative and exciting actors who draw their strength from the  text through the breath.
 
Using both exercises and scene study, we aim to promote these powerful techniques, based on breathing, for freeing and integrating the emotional, physical and vocal instruments of the actor to use when exploring all roles, enhancing the rehearsal process in classical theater, musical  comedy, modern drama or film.

We will work on:
• Developing a character through sensitivity to the meaning, language, music and style of the text
•Deepening emotional expression
•Listening
•Focusing, centering, grounding
•Acquiring professional work ethics and artistic discipline
•Transforming nerves, anxieties and stage fright into positive,  creative energy
•Accessing entry into the unconscious, expanding the actor's  imagination
•Experiencing the communal and spiritual aspects of the actor's art
 
For students from all levels of training and varied acting backgrounds.

The Secret of Being at Ease – Private Coaching

By appointment: contact me for more information

Acting on stage or in film, often misunderstood to be fakery and facade, is, in reality, an art form that requires the ability to be private in public with presence, spontaneity, authenticity and passion. The study of acting has, for centuries, been about discovering the ways and means of working through the fears, self consciousness and tension which prevent easy, confident, communication whenever the spotlight begins to shine. Since every encounter we have in life requires this same act of presence, in some sense a performance, we can learn to utilize the techniques of the actor to assist us in all of our presentations, private or public.

In a space free of judgment and criticism and working directly with time tested acting techniques for truth in listening, focusing and self expression, we will explore and encourage the delightful and sacred process of re-channeling performance anxiety or stage fright into the pleasure of free flowing creative energy, expressing who we are as actively involved and enthusiastically engaged in the vital force of communication.

Spirituality and the Art of Acting

This course will be taught at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation in Woodstock, New York and will focus on themes in Judaism and other religious studies.
Contact me and I will send you dates and details as they are available.

Paris Workshop – Acting International

April 16 - 21, 2012
Acting International

The American Musical as Spiritual Experience

with Carol Fox Prescott and Stephen Kitsakos
August 17 - 19, 2012
Shantigar, Rowe Massachusetts (www.Shantigar.org)

Have you ever stood by a piano and let your voice ring out with the songs of Rogers & Hammerstein, Berlin, the  Gershwins — felt waves of joy surge through you as you moved to melodies from  the Golden Age of the American Musical Theater? Discover how to kindle this kind of joy within yourself. Drop inhibitions, open to the wonder, power, and pleasure of song. Feel the strength of your voice as you throw your arms out,  rear your head back, and let the sound out.   Allow your whole body to shout the hallelujahs of familiar old songs that sing from the heart.
 
If singing frightens or delights you, you belong in this workshop. Lover of songs or undiscovered Broadway star — all are welcome, all will benefit.  Choose a song, learn it by heart, bring it to the workshop, and let yourself be guided by Carol‘s gentle teachings. Let’s sing!

Birthing Your Solo Creation

Weekend Workshop, dates and fee to be announced

The solo show is an odd combination of intimate memoir and amusing theatricality. It is more than personal writing and more than tricks of individual performance. As you develop your show from both perspectives, your words will come to life in a brand new way. The writer will inform the actor and the actor will inform the writer as both skills deepen and grow into your very own an act of magic.