Actor Testimonials
When we connect with a totem we establish a communication with the symbolism inherent within it. Symbolism is the language of the subconscious. Some of us think in pictures not words and, as one student found, this work made it easier to act. He also found that the totems enabled him to access his deeper self, his authentic self, to know more fully those aspects of himself, and bring that authenticity to his acting.
I really doubted myself at the beginning of the workshop. Laura's work is about finding the essence of yourself through this work so that you can be a better, more authentic actor. There’s less thinking involved and more heart with this work. There’s a direct connection there. Allowing Spirit in allowed me to show up in a new way, one with more heart, more authenticity.
Elizabeth D.
I was on the verge of quitting acting and through this workshop let go of so many doubts. I was so scared to reveal my actor “skin”. I realized it was the other layer I was afraid to get rid of, that self-protective layer. It is really great to shed that old skin. I have discovered how amazing it is to really be myself at any given moment and to not worry. This workshop allowed me to use my intuition more in the moment and to trust in myself better. You’re not trying to convert us to anything or give up any other beliefs or practices. I was allowed to bring my personal beliefs to this work. It has improved my acting so much.
Dallas D.
In general, I found my confidence again. This workshop gave me a reason to continue in acting. With this work building off yourself, it validated me and I saw that I have it in me. I feel it saved me. The more I worked on myself with this work, the more I could bring that to my acting. This is what the character is afraid of or empowered by. Knowing that helped know the character better. This adds onto all the other techniques I have learned; that on the other side of all of this there are massive gifts in doing this work. It adds to everything I do.
Ian F.
There is a general over-all benefit. As one thing got better, there was a trickle down effect. I have been fighting with this thing I do, deflecting anyone from getting to close to me. I laugh at something instead of being serious and am in the process of learning how to allow more in. It trickled down to: my acting is better because of this work and my life is better because of this work. It helps you live better. It helps you as an actor. It simplifies things. I discovered that the resistance I had to this work was really resistance I found inside of myself for simply opening up. I believe it is a vital tool to acting and an important technique.
Jason Z.
Reflections: I thought that finding the inner core and spirituality was interesting. Who and what we are outside of the classroom dictates so much of who we are on stage. Investigating that is essential to dissecting an actor, I feel. There are things that we hide and things that we present to the world. I think that investigating both of these personas are good tools for an actor to train oneself to be generous enough and courageous enough to offer these things to our partner. SPIRITUALITY is very essential to ME as a person and as an actor. I found myself checking in with my own spirituality and how I bring that to the stage. (...) I thought this was really interesting and was pertinent in the sense that as PARTNERS we share something and that energies are put out into the world into other people. I will try to follow my heart and do what I love.
Lee G.
There were some really cool parts of your presentation. The whole use of the totem pole animals was very interesting. And I personally thought it was really cool seeing how much one person changed or even how the relationship changed when one went to their shadow animal. It really brought out a different side to them that was definitely interesting to watch. And I think that it also worked for using the animals for character work. It was great to see the interaction between all four characters and I feel those exercises are very useful.
Matt K.