Author: miriamlaurence

  • Toronto Actors: How to Choose the Best Acting Teachers or Coaches – Part I

    Toronto Actors: How to Choose the Best Acting Teachers or Coaches – Part I

    3 Points For Your Consideration Download PDF Finding a great acting teacher or coach is a quest in itself. It doesn’t matter whether you are in Toronto or another city, all of the best acting classes share similar traits. In the 30 years that I’ve been teaching, I’ve noticed 3 points that differentiate a B-level from an…

  • October 2015: On the set of 11/22/63

    October 2015: On the set of 11/22/63

    I’ve been extremely busy coaching on 11/22/63, a mini-series starring James Franco, Chris Cooper, George MacKay and Daniel Webber. It’s based off the novel by Stephen King, about the Kennedy assassination. It’s been wonderful to meet great Canadian actors like Shauna MacDonald; to coach exciting younger actors like George, Daniel and Lucy Fry; to watch…

  • ABC’s for the Actor

    ABC’s for the Actor

    ABC’s for the Actor … (a play on ‘Always Be Closing’ from David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross) 1. Always Be Centered Actors must be (‘matter-of-fact’) … how else can they dream? The only person who can dream is the person who can stand with both feet firmly on the earth. — Richard Boleslavsky Wake up…

  • Crimes of the Heart & Madeleine Sherwood

    Crimes of the Heart & Madeleine Sherwood

    Crimes of the Heart The production of Crimes of the Heart in Toronto received great reviews (here, here & here) for the directing, acting, and production values. It is wonderful to offer such high-level, detailed work to the theatre community here. Most shows at the studio were sold out and received standing ovations. My dear friend…

  • Crimes of the Heart

    Crimes of the Heart

    Crimes of the Heart, by Beth Henley “It has heart, wit and a surprisingly zany passion that must carry all before it … it would certainly be a crime for anyone interested in the theatre not to see this play.” ~ NY Post Buy tickets: $15 – $20 Dates: April 18th – May 2nd Directed…

  • LA & Actors Studio West

    LA & Actors Studio West

    Los Angeles I spent three weeks in Los Angeles and worked with some wonderfully committed actors on two readings in preparation for productions next year. Meanwhile, I was accepted into the Playwright/Directors’ Unit of the Actors Studio West. My interview with Martin Landau, Mark Rydell and the other committee members was quite a treat, as…