Hatbox Will Travel
About
The craft of acting is a noble one. For centuries, actors have told stories through the words of others. The trick is to make those words personal and impactful from your own unique perspective. Be it through "technique" or "method", it all fits into an actor's tool kit and from there any character can be empowered and come to life. Gay Storm at Hatbox Will Travel can help any actor create a tool box that will provide the building blocks for any character. She has been in the business for decades and performed on stage and television in New York and Los Angeles --- now she performs her own one-woman shows as iconic American women such as Mary Todd Lincoln, Clara Barton and even the Statue of Liberty. Monumental! Please visit Hatboxwilltravel.com to learn more.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I am happy to work with material brought in by the student or I can provide simple scenes or monologues. We start with the five basic questions: Who am I? Who am I speaking to? What do I what? What is in my way of getting what I want? How do I overcome the obstacle? From there we have fun exploring the possibilities.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
BFA degree in Theatre from the University of Southern California. Acting classes in New York at HB Studio and Terry Schreiber Studios and Shakespeare private study with Robert Smith. Dialects with Robert Easton. Acting classes in Los Angeles with Mary Carver, Paul Gleason, James Eckhouse, and the Center Theatre Group. Professional Intensive Semester at South Coast Repertory Theatre in Orange County.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Pricing starts at $108 per hour and can be adjusted for a series of classes. Quick work on a monologue or scene for an immediate audition is $85.00 for an hour. Or we can barter. I know how to act but have no computer skills and I could use some help.
How did you get started teaching?
It has developed over the years as people who have admired my work have asked for help!
What types of students have you worked with?
Mainly young people fresh out of college but I love working with an older crowd because we have funnier stories and more life experience to draw from.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Playing the Statue of Liberty is lots of fun. I portray her as a French diva who is frustrated that nobody pays attention to her any more. Her arm is tired. She lights a cigarette with her torch and reflects on her glory days. She muses on The American Dream and wonders if it still exists. Slowly she realizes that she, indeed, is a symbol of the Dream and that as long as she stands with her torch held high, the Dream will survive. I performed in a park on the Fourth of July this year and had a fun time discussing the meaning of the American Dream with all the young children.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be careful. Actors continually run the risk of being taken advantage of. Talk about having a dream! Young actors are especially vulnerable because they want success so badly. No reputable teacher will ask you to disrobe, provide questionable material or promise immediate success. Referrals are always the best way to go.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
It's all important!