Q:

Why should I study with you?

A:

Many of the actors I've trained are currently working. No . . . no stars yet . . . but lots of working actors. Here's some applause I've gotten from them:

"Remember how we worked on connecting with my ancestor, Lord Oda Nobunaga [in class] last year? Two days ago, I got cast to play one of the major warlords . . . who was strongly aligned with Oda Nobunaga. How cool is that? You and I put that energy out to the universe last year and it comes back in this form several months later. Thank you, Jill!" Henry Hayashi, who had a great year last year starring in the BBC miniseries, Shogun, and the season finale of House

"Your words and friend/coach spirit are always with me. I am blessed even in my lowest of times. [I learned about] letting go and being completely real with myself, about what I really want and picking up on energy very quickly. Beyond that . . . maintaining a sense of sick ass humor . . ." Jody Cosgrove, who filmed and acted in her own short film last year

"Jill Place really helped me come out of my shell.  When I first came to her I was really . . . stiff, self-conscience, and all in my head.   Her acting exercises helped to relax me and get me back in my body.  I'm able to express myself naturally now and allow true emotions to surface.  I never thought I'd be able to cry on cue, but now I can.  Her knowledge of all acting styles, passion for teaching and her insightful direction are invaluable." Allen Andrews, whose one-man show, "Wonderful World", which I directed and co-wrote, opened to rave reviews

"Jill is the greatest! She has helped me unleash my creative and acting potential in a very holistic way. She addresses the whole actor.   When I started working with Jill I had no idea what 'kind' of parts I'd be most likely cast in and with her help I realized my potential, and that I had a potential.  . . . I've been getting all kinds of gigs." Diannah Morgan, who is continually cast in commercials

Q:

Why else should I study with you?

A:

I've studied with some of the most famous acting coaches that ever lived! I was fortunate to work with and for Lee Strasberg as well as Sanford Meisner, Viola Spolin, Uta Hagen, and a protege of Jerzy Grotowski. But unlike many coaches today, who study one technique and then perform, I've focused my energies solely upon teaching. And synthesizing the acting knowledge of my many famous mentors to create a unique technique that is mine alone.

These coaches changed the fabric of 20th-Century acting! But they also honed their techniques in a different era. Even Stanislavski said that his teachings should grow and change with the times. So, when I created my own way of working with actors, I took into consideration that training should meet the acting needs of its time. And committed myself to manifesting a technique with 21st-Century sensibilities.

Q:

What sets your technique apart from others?

A:

My BRAND NEW technique, ACT INTUITIVE!, utilizes the best from my famous mentors such as sense memory, relaxation and improvisation in a contemporary Acting-Out framework. It gently coaxes out expression so that actors can work fully in the moment. No other training provides this unique blend of old tried-and-true techniques with new ideas plucked from many places including contemporary therapy, guided imagery and creative movement. Training that enables actors to consistently manifest relaxed, natural, professional performances. Even with the rigors of long hours on the set.

I also realized, after 30 years of teaching, that most classes don't address two vital components of professional acting: acting close-up and script analysis. We do both in my new class.

Another unique feature of my training is that I'm an intuitive. I can see where actors are blocked expressively and energetically remove these blocks. The end result is that you can more quickly and powerfully connect with the emotional life of their characters and more easily use acting tools such as sense memory to create a textured performance.

Q:

What is Acting-Out ?

A:

Acting-Out is a form of creative play by which the actor explores the emotional and expressive memories trapped within their muscles. And releases and channels them into performance. I created Acting-Out after years of teaching Method and experimenting with Grotowski work and guided imagery. By doing Acting-Out, actors can not only rapidly connect with the expressive requirements of the scene. But they also develop a consistent way of spontaneously working on scripted material. Both the very physical and physically-challenged actor can Act-Out. It's also ideal to unlock the relaxed and realistic behavior necessary for film acting.

Q:

I'm sold! How do I sign up?

A:

I'm teaching class again! So, beginning April 5th, you can participate in a totally new technique that blends and refocuses some old but profound ideas about acting natural.  And combines them with some new ideas about acting close-up. The class is:

• FOR COMMITTED ACTORS ONLY !
• On Sunday mornings from 10am to 1pm.
• Half dynamic techique-building/half close-up scene work.
• At my spiritual, secluded hilltop home
• $150 for four sessions.
• A three-month commitment;  credit card payment plans are available.

To join us on Sunday, you must interview with me on the phone or in person. If I accept you, you must then commit to three months of working weekly in class. My ideal student is an intermediate or advanced actor. Or someone who has worked professionally and is returning to acting. Actors who are fed up with large class sizes and impersonal school settings and want a safe, intimate class environment are also ideal. I will also accept a few newbies, but you must be devoted to working on your craft.

So call me at 323.225.9850 or e-mail me at jill@actingintuitive.com for more information if this resonates with you.

© 2009 Jill Place