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, including:

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●  Why is physical characterization important?

●  How do I develop physically for a character?

●  What are some exercises to improve my character’s physical life?

●  How do I integrate these practices into my performances?

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In this class, actors will:

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●  Make connections between body, voice, instincts and imagination

●  Expand their expressive range

●  Discover how characters can be formed not only through the text, but also through physical language

●  Blend their physical character discoveries with other techniques for a well-rounded approach to the work

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Because this is a more advanced class in physical character work, this class is open to actors who have some training and/or experience. Students will come to the first class with two monologues (under two minutes each) and be very familiar with the text, but not necessary to be fully memorized.  

 

CLASS SCHEDULE

 

This class will meet for six weeks, one class per week.  The tuition for this class is $500.  We have two options for this class: Sundays from 10:30am to 1:30pm OR Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.  The Sunday class will meet on Sundays from September 28th through November 2nd.  The Wednesday class will meet on Wednesdays from October 1st through November 5th.  

 

About the Instructor, DeAnna Driscoll

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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 is currently in rehearsal for 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 both 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.