About
I studied acting at the University of Missouri, and Missouri State University. I have been an avid student of multiple approaches to acting, and teach a combination of classic "technique" and "method," (just incidentally, Stanislavski himself said that he never intended to create a "method" of acting, but rather a thoughtful approach to preparation and rehearsal.
During my twenty-nine year teaching tenure in Southern California, I was active in the California State Educational Theatre Association.
I taught acting in secondary schools for forty years, in Kansas, Missouri, and California. My students have competed at high levels—including performance at the yearly CETA festival several times as runners-up and once as regional champions—and gone on to work in the entertainment industry. I have directed over 150 plays, as well as playing primarily leading roles in many others in regional, university, and community theatre. In the Inland Empire, I have won multiple Inland Theatre League awards and been nominated for many others. Most recently, I was nominated for my performance as Abe, in the Redlands Footlighters' production of "Beau Jest."
I have also worked in the radio industry, and for ten years as a Universal Studios Tour Guide at Universal Studios, Hollywood.
I take great joy in the growth and achievement of my students. My goal with every student is to help them become the very best actor they can be.
I maintain a Facebook page: Studio 8790 for Actors.
Highlights
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Jason G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I want to make the student at ease above all else. So we just chat a bit. Then I like to have the student do a reading, which I have asked them to prepare. From there we start by breaking down the content of the piece, and the concept that everything flows from the script. I work with them on acting technique and actor processes. I like to have students work with medium to high level material as early as possible. Higher level material helps actors to develop more quickly and more confidently. I do not do "exercises," other than some techniques for relaxing and focus. I also do not work in isolated pre-determined 'steps.' I feel this inhibits actors more than it helps. Actors learn to act and develop more strongly by immersing themselves in the process. When I feel it's necessary to 'break out' a particular element for emphasis, I do that within the overall work. This has always proved effective in helping actors to develop more quickly, and to better retain what they learn.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My undergraduate degree was in speech and theatre at the University of Missouri. I studied on the Master's level at Missouri State University, but moved from Missouri to California after completing 21 semester hours.