ABOUT THE LAB

A truly challenging, creative community devoted to exploring substantive stories that ask what it means to be human - and even if we can’t find the answer, let’s hope we find some food for the soul along the way. This is a not-for-profit venture that will be broadening in scope over the coming year as we work together to provide education and outreach, and hopefully produce full length plays with those who eventually become full members of the Lab’s ensemble company.

SCENE STUDY?

YEP. You will be challenged to interpret dramatic material from a deeply mature perspective and are expected to do a good bit of work and rehearsal outside of the class-time. This class is based on the classic Stanislavski tradition, with an emphasis on Sensory Work as taught by Lee Strasberg. We’ll definitely talk a lot about script analysis, and all of the standard acting vocabulary, but I’ll be working with each individual separately, based on your current needs. You’ll be treated as a peer, not a student. What you get out of it will be a direct result of what you put into it, but I guarantee that I will speak from a place of mutual respect and candor, and that I can help you become a better, more confident actor. The number one thing I say over and over to my students is, “You are in the driver’s seat! Take charge! Don’t wait for permission to do your work!"

The LAB is also an ongoing sensory lab open to professional actors who want to strengthen their technique. I studied this work for many years, with my mentors and coaches at the Actors Studio - you can google their names and read their books. If you're already working and you want a place to go, this is it. I'll challenge you! You'll challenge me! The nature of this work can be sensitive, and I will expect everyone to bring their most mature, professional behavior to the group.

WHY SHOULD I DO IT?

BECAUSE YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR CHOPS UP AND STAY COMPETITIVE.
Sensory work will bring your acting to a deeper, more detailed level and prepare you to work in any medium -- especially film. If you commit to doing it for, say, three months, your concentration and relaxation will improve, no matter how experienced you may already be as an actor. I'm also a huge fan of other techniques, so draw from my background in Meisner, Physical Comedy and Clown, Mask work, Classics, Period & Style two fancy degrees in theatre from great schools in NYC.

Here's my bottom line:

In the end it doesn’t matter to me how you make truthful, beautiful, insightful, courageous, daring and believable acting happen! You have to get up and work as much as possible - it does no good to pre-plan everything in your head. You need to get off of your rear end and do it, often. The rehearsal process is about trial and error, narrowing and refining your choices, constantly. You need to create a space in your life for that.

It certainly helps to understand yourself and your technique well enough to make powerful choices, quickly, that you know you can rely on to help deliver an outstanding performance.The possibilities are limitless. But what inspires YOU? That's what we want to find out.

WHEN'S IT GONNA HAPPEN?

BEGINNING JANUARY 20, 2013:

Scene Study & Sensory Lab
Sundays, 2:30 - 5:30, $200 for 8 sessions
(we break for Mardi Gras & holidays)

Classes are held at:
The Shadowbox Theatre
2400 St. Claude, New Orleans, LA 70117

Best suited for adults ages 18 and above. Interview required prior to admission. Limited to 10 students per class. Ongoing payment arrangements may be made. You will not be pressured to continue studying with me beyond the length of time for which you've committed. You will, however, be expected to bring 100% of your effort and energy to all classes to which you are enrolled. Tardiness, excessive absences and failure to honor financial agreements are not acceptable. If you have to miss class because you are out working, that's another story! We'll celebrate it!

WHO'S THE TEACHER?

Well, hey there. My name is Flo.
I've been acting for a long, long time and I'm crazy about stories. I was fortunate enough to be admitted as a lifetime member of the Actors Studio in 1999. Since then, I've been given the privilege of training for free in NYC and LA. There, every day, world renowned actors, directors and teachers have shared their passion, knowledge, insight, and brutal honesty with me. While I don't believe that acting is therapy, I do believe that it's a terrific art form, and it's one of the most exciting ways to be fully human and fully alive. To express yourself within the confines of a story can be liberating as hell. . You can read my bio and learn more about my training and stuff, here.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT YOUR CLASS?

THE SENSORY STUFF. (Oh, and it's way cheaper than any other acting class you'll find in Nola.)

Having this kind of space to expand my work has helped me grow tremendously and it is my joy to share it. When it is no longer a joy, I'll take up another profession. The more we share information, challenge each other as artists, and hold each other to higher standards, the stronger we will all be as people and as actors.

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