About
There is nothing that I'm more passionate about than breathing life into words and showing others how to do bring them to life as well. Nothing is more liberating than to really give yourself the permission to exist as another being, in another time and place. And in showing others the way, we learn more and more how to master this craft. As they say, you don't really learn something until you have to teach it.
I've been a teaching artist for an organization called Dreamyard for the past 14 years, which sends Teaching Artists, like myself, into the public school system to show the young ones the way. In addition to that, I have exprience with private coaching, as well as acting for on-camera classes for adult actors.
I've recently entered the field of directing for film and have been writing screenplays for about 7 years. My debut short film "Indentured Servant" as a director, has played 5 film festivals and we expect to play more in the coming months. I have mentors in film direction that I take classes from in various areas of the craft because we must be life long learners.
I'm an actor, originally by trade and a graduate of The New York Conservatory of the Dramatic Arts - Two Year Professional Program. I've been acting since High School and have been a member of SAG-AFTRA since 1995. I'm currently working on writing my first feature film, which I plan to star in, as well as produce. I'm all in.
Please check out the trailer for my latest project, currently traveling the film festival circuit.
https://youtu.be/AajqG0sR2vM
Let me show you how to do what I do!
What I enjoy the most is witnessing my students fall in love with this craft and grow into actors, the way I did, step by step. It's exhillirating to watch their talent evolve, right before my eyes, in skill and expression.
Highlights
Reviews
WR
J. G.
Maite B.
Fidel V.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to have a consultation to try to gauge where they are and what kind of experience they have. Then from there, I start to think about the best entry point, depending upon what it is that they want to work on. If they have no experience, we'll start from scratch.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I'm a graduate of The New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts and I've taken some acting classes from time to time, since then because you never stop learning.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
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PRIVATE COACHING SESSIONS:
$65 for private coaching, if you come to me. $25 deposit via PayPal due 24 hours before session.
$70 (if I come to you) plus travel expenses @ $1.00 per mile plus tolls, round trip. $40 deposit via payment method TBD, due 24 hours before session.
How did you get started teaching?
I actually started coaching first. And it began in acting school where several of my class mates wanted me to work with them in private on their scenes but the origins of this started when my acting teacher in High School, would let me run the class because he felt I had such a knack for it.
Then, after a while in the industry, during which time private coaching continued, I was hired by Dreamyard. That's an arts in schools organization that sends Teaching Artists into the public school system to teach on an independent contractor basis.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with all types ranging from 1st graders to adults by now.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My film being accepted to 5 film festivals (and counting) and already having played the big cities of the North East in Boston and New York, in the Boston Latino International Film Festival and the New York International Latino Film Festival (sponsored by HBO), respectively!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Try to get a feel for the chemistry between you and your instructor. The better the chemistry, the bigger the breakthroughs!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What is my level of inhibition in real life and in social situations?
What do I hope to gain from this experience?
Am I most comfortable with a male or female instructor?
What is this instructor's approach to working with talent and what approach works best for me? Not everyone is receptive to "tough love" (giving it to you straight, no sugar) just as not everyone is receptive to "kid gloves".
***A great instructor has his/her finger on your pulse and knows exactly when to push which buttons***
What is my level of understanding in that nothing my instructor says is personal? That it's all for growth but that it must always be said in a constructive and respectful way.