No matter the course I’m teaching, my focus is on providing a safe space where imagination and self-expression can thrive. In this space, we are safe from self-judgment and self-consciousness. We can leave all that “stuff” outside the room, so we can increase our concentration and fun on the inside. I like to assist each artist/actor to refine their personal “artistic toolbox” which they can continue to cultivate for a lifetime with courage, passion, and love. Our modality is both to accept ourselves and each other by respecting our different needs, talents, and boundaries; all of which are beautifully ever-changing and diverse.

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    Each learner arrives with a specific set of talents and abilities. I feel these can only be expressed “now” and are always changing as we live and grow. Abounding with a process that includes a periodic, yet sincere and encouraging self-observation can aid an artist’s ability to create from their deepest essence, which has no age nor limit. As if in a gym, we start with the light weights for the new ideas, then shift to a bit heavier weight for our talents who have had time to flourish, so are ready for a bit more challenge. For instance, I’ll have my actors make a list of artists they do not personally know and have them set out with the task of contacting them or their agent for a short online interview. We do this to provide the opportunity to “feel uncomfortable”. We first begin with the person whom we think might be the most impossible to reach, and so on. This task provides the chance to make mistakes, to be told “no”, to find inspiration, and to build that ever so-useful “I can do it” muscle in our artists’ toolbox. I’ve found students feeling empowered by this challenge and eager to try something like it again. I consider this sort of goal setting and reassessment to be instrumental in creating a career leading toward the mastery of craft. This is the footing I feel necessary to set forth in the classroom, as I feel it has long legs and can benefit the actor and the human going forward.

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    No matter the age, attending university is such a special period in a person’s life. From it, can arise friends forever, skills and philosophy for living, and the sharing from one generation to another the lessons learned and tricks of the trade, along with an abundance of encouragement.

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    My deepest desire is for my artist/actors to cultivate their process and to begin taking ownership of it in our classroom. Then, when they complete their special time together at the university, they will feel encouraged to focus on exploring and sharing stories of the human condition, as both a path towards a robust life and mastery of expression.