About
Constantly researching and updating my lessons from the in-depth research of today's theater and movie culture. Advancing the theory that with physical manipulation of the body an actor can portray an emotion without using recall to prior personal experiences. Separating the actor's mental state from the portrayal allows for the actor to come in and out of characters safely. The actor will be able to adapt on the fly with a director's demands safely and with confidence that nothing is out of their depth.
I love being able to coach up aspiring talent. Learning from them and being able to help them achieve their personal goals brings me so much joy. I want to help people dream bigger with the talent they have within themselves.
Highlights
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Andrea G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Depending on the request I am happy to help an actor in audition prep, cold reading, character understanding, and breakdown, taking about an hour and a half dedicated to making a performance-ready delivery for the audition.
For my students who wish to grow in their acting weekly work in which they are given movie/plays/performances to review and discuss. Review of new scene work provided or requested by the actor. Development of understanding the mind of casting and theatrical directors. Monologue work, Character Development work, and review of current feelings and development as an actor.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
CSUF Theater program, over 17 years of personal professional acting experience, 5 years of casting experience, Writing experience for a major television studio. Constantly keeping updated with acting technique and crafting of cinema.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$60 for an hour and a half for audition prep.
$45 for an hour and a half for weekly acting lessons.
Special** $100 acting lessons for couples and scene partners upon request.
Directors if needed on set for actor communication, scene work in between cuts on location $75* dollars an hour. *travel and airfare to be included if needed for more than 2 days.
How did you get started teaching?
Coming from a children's theater background working as an actor, casting director, stage manager, and technician for theaters throughout Orange County I noticed directors were changing. Input from actors became more and more necessary for the development of character and story. Working alongside student film projects stepping in when the director came to a loss I found I was able to pull from all my experiences and help actors develop. Working after school programs let me know there was something fundamentally missing from acting schools and teaching, care for the performer. Minoring and studying general psychology allowed me to delve deeper to understand how to insert one's self into a role and come out unharmed. After losing a dear friend to suicide I dedicated myself to ensuring the well-being of actors. Developing a system to allow a safe space to explore as well as taking the time to allow the actor to come back themselves with training from any emotional scene work needed.
What types of students have you worked with?
Award-winning SARTA actors, Award-winning International Thespian Society actors, Autism spectrum actors, Children's theater actors young and old, voice over actors, film actors, and film directors.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Taking an actor who had decided with no formal training they wanted to start taking acting seriously as a goal for their lives in short order we took a raw actress and made her a Best Supporting Actress award winner in her 4th production first as the co-star. A talent I have now seen blossomed into a requested paid successful actor.
Working with an actor with great passion who is on the Autism Spectrum, took weekly lessons to help him portray physical representations of emotion was also a highlight of my career. The young actor won Best Supporting Actor for the International Thespian Society.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
While a school of thought for acting is always good to find a base in there is no reason to ever do anything you feel is harmful to yourself. A lot of directors and teachers try to form the actor to a mold. I would suggest looking to a find a teacher or in my choice of words a "coach" who is still constantly learning. Someone who wants to grow with you. That way you are never out of touch with the acting environment that you are looking for work in.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I believe being upfront and honest with a teacher is the best course of action. The nature of your development is to be fluid, as a teacher of the subject it is also in my best understanding to be open to constant fluid discussion. I encourage actors to talk out any issues they are having inside or outside the session to clear themselves out to make themselves ready. Of course, if you feel you need professional help please seek out the proper official channels. Be aware that your safety should be the number one priority, not someone else's accolades.