Awakening the ActorAWAKENING THE ACTOR!

Besides storytelling, at its core, acting is about the power of connection and communication! One of the most powerful feelings that can be experienced is to truly be "in the moment" and connected with someone, whether on stage or off. Creating that connection takes awareness, consciousness. It takes awakening to something deeper within ourselves and each other.

The real substance of the actors craft is the heart, mind, and soul of man. Actors need to understand human behavior and emotions starting with their own. Without a strong sense of their authentic self and without a deep connection to their inner life, they will lack the courage to create, to overcome their fears, to truly "live in the moment".

Many sages have said that growth is not a matter of adding to who you are, but of stripping away the layers you've added over the years that cover and hide your truest self. We've always had this authentic self. It just got hidden under layers of protection and conditioning.

In this workshop, Laura K. Vannah presents Awakening the Actor to help free the artist's spirit, to move beyond our protective armor so we can connect with our Authentic Self. Our Authentic Self is our innate, authentic, natural, true, and spontaneous self. It is our essence, our core, not all the emotional “baggage”, habits, and masks we wear.

Awakening the Actor is the culmination of Laura's twelve plus years in the theatre in Boston, NYC, and Canada, her own personal self-discovery work, and her Masters Thesis.

I saw it as a spiritual self journey with you as a guide.
Tim D., Actor, NY

Awakening the Actor Level I Weekend WorkshopHer innovative technique synthesizes traditional methods of actor training with awareness practices, Native American Animal Totem work, and Shadow work. She draws on the works of Michael Chekhov, Meisner, Anne Bogart's Viewpoints, Bella Merlin's use of psycho-physical training, and Mask Work.

During the workshop, you will learn how to develop awareness in order to remove the barriers of creative blocks. The core of Laura's technique is the use of Native American Animal Totem work and Shadow work. If we can understand our own psychological make-up, what qualities we long to express or have denied in our own lives, we can harness that knowledge and allow it to serve our inspiration and creativity. We can then use the same process for our characters' qualities.

In this fascinating and inspiring workshop, you will learn:

There's no point in learning any technique if you don't also learn how to put it into action! Therefore, this workshop will culminate in a scene festival! Dates and times will be decided by the group on the first night of the workshop.

As an actor, you are the instrument, you are the player. There is no external material to mold or instrument to play; what you have to gain mastery over is your complete being. So you need to train your body, mind, and soul.

Location: Gerard Moses' Studio 24, 1824 Grant Blvd, Syracuse NY

6-week format: Monday evenings from 7-9:30pm, starting April 5th, running through May 10th, culminating in a Scene Festival for the public. Tuition is $325. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required. Balance is due on or before April 3rd. NEW!!! Student price: $275

Level I Weekend format:  April 16 – 18: Fri 6:00PM-10:00PM; Sat 2:30PM – 6:30PM; Sun 10:00AM – 6:00PM. Tuition: $395 ($345 students). Rate increases by $50 after April 5th. A $150 ($125 Students) non-refundable deposit is required by April 5th. Balance is due on or before April 14th.

Ages 18+; under 18 with special permission. Register now! for this fun, experiential workshop.

PS: Take your acting to the next level with “Awakening the Actor” and learn the #1 key to creating authentic, believable dramatic characters for powerful performances.

A high commitment, promptness, and attendance at all classes is requested. Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.

For more information, contact Laura K. Vannah at (315)963-3820 or email.