Meisner Technique

Sessions 2 - 6

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​We welcome actors transferring from other Meisner Technique programs or actors who have previously trained in the Meisner Technique. Contact us for an interview to assess the appropriate class placement. 

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Embodied Character: Advanced Physical Techniques for the Actor with DeAnna Driscoll

A 6-week physical characterization class for actors seeking deeper embodiment, emotional availability and freedom in performance.

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In this 6 week course, actors will enhance their physical characterization practices to help develop an expressive instrument so they can make flexible and emotionally available choices. Actors often struggle to find a technique that helps to enhance the physical life of their characters, so we will address the most common questions that arise for actors.

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Truth in Acting: The Meisner Technique with DeAnna Driscoll

This acting class is rooted in the Meisner Technique, one of the most widely used, respected and effective methods of acting. Students will explore the Repetition Exercise and a range of exercises designed to get actors out of their heads and cultivate truthful, instinctive behavior, deep listening, authentic moment-to-moment connection.

Building on this foundation, students will apply their skills to scripted scene work, learning how to bring honesty, spontaneity, and emotional presence into text. The class emphasizes truthful behavior, genuine reaction, and organic performance, giving actors practical tools they can carry into any role or on stage or screen.

Ideal for beginning and intermediate actors, this class balances structured exercises with scripted scene work to strengthen craft, confidence, artistic range and freedom.

 

CLASS SCHEDULE

This class will begin on Sunday, November 9th and will meet on Sundays from 10:30am to 1:30pm and Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 9:30pm on the following dates - November 9th, 12th, 16th, 19th, 23rd, December 3rd, 7th, 10th.

 

Tuition for this 8 class session is $600.

 

Students interested in continuing their Meisner work will have the opportunity to continue their training in the Winter session that begins in January 2026.

 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

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DeAnna Driscoll’s career as an actor and theatre educator has spanned over 30 years. She is currently based in San Francisco, CA and was most recently seen at CenterRep Theatre in the role of Jonathan in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and as Trinculo/Antonio in Marin Shakespeare Theatre’s production of THE TEMPEST.

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Before living in the Bay Area, DeAnna spent many years in Southern California where she starred in more than 30 productions. Some favorite theatres include: The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, Intrepid Theatre, and more. Previous to that, DeAnna was in NYC for five years studying at National Shakespeare Conservatory and working professionally with various artists and teachers including: Edward Albee, Peter Lobdell, Kennedy Brown, Fay Simpson, and Dana Zeller Alexis.

 

DeAnna is the recipient of several Critics Circle Awards, a Backstage Garland Award, and The Pate Award for her work over the years. Her television and film credits include: Unverified, Lincoln Heights, Point Pleasant, Veronica Mars, and Decaf among others. DeAnna is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and SAG/AFTRA.

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DeAnna’s teaching approach encourages actors to trust and develop their spark, to explore organically to create a rich emotional and physical life of the characters they play. DeAnna takes a psycho-physical approach, rooted in the Lucid Body technique which helps find harmony between body and breath, giving actors the ability to more fully inhabit characters and find deeper connections to their motivations. Elements from Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, Faye Simpson, and Uta Hagen’s work are used to help actors develop and mold a technique that can carry them from the audition all the way through performance. DeAnna currently works as an acting coach and artist for American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and is the founder of the theatre program at the world renowned High Tech High school in San Diego, CA. DeAnna has worked internationally creating original co-projects with artists and educators from around the world including Tasuba College of the Arts in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, The Giant Panda Conservation Center in Chengdu, China, and over 50 educators in Barcelona, Spain. DeAnna firmly believes the journey to creating powerful art is neverending.

 

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT DEANNA

 

“DeAnna is so lovely, supportive and encouraging! She created a really safe space for us to connect with our instruments and ourselves.”

 

“DeAnna is an amazing instructor. She is passionate, it shows in her delivery and instruction.  She is empowering to her students and also provides honest, knowledgeable feedback.”

 

“DeAnna did an exceptional job making me feel safe and welcome and reinviting my instrument to the work.”

 

“The class was very permission-granting in it structure and in how DeAnna led it.  I’d encourage anyone to take a class from her!”

 

“DeAnna had great intuition of what was holding each actor back from moving deeper and she helped us experiment with freedom."

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