Alana Gerlach
About
With over 15 years experience as a professional actress (Actor's Equity) and as an acting teacher, I am passionate about people finding joy in the work they do. I have an MFA in Acting and have learned many techniques to creating a character (Stanislavsky/Method, Uta Hagen, Meisner, and others). Each student is unique, so I like to find what works best for their process to bring life to the character. One of my greatest joys in life is to watch my student's growth both in skill and in confidence levels.
Having worked as an actress in the professional theater community both in South Florida and in the Philadelphia region, I am very familiar with the auditioning process and can help coach you on auditions and call-backs. I am also well-versed in scene-study, monologues (choosing and performing), commercial/film auditions, and voice for the actor.
Travel rate may vary depending on distance and travel time to customer. Credit toward future coaching applied to cancelled coaching sessions.
I absolutely love working collaboratively with others and watching growth happen! I like finding what works for each individual in developing a character, and seeing them take off.
Highlights
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to start out by getting to know my student first. What excites you? What frustrates you? What are your goals? What is your experience? Then I like to jump right into working. I want to see what you bring to the table first with my eye on your strengths and what I can bring to help you find greater depth and truth in the performance. I am keen on playing, because so many happy accidents happen within playing and truth is discovered. Above all, creating should be fun! I am absolutely confident that every student I work with will experience growth and fun if they come with an open heart.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL - M.F.A. in Acting, GPA: 3.9
Three-year hands-on Master’s degree courses. Two years of voice, acting, movement, and text analysis study, followed by an externship and a creative thesis project. Served in a multi-function capacity including: teaching undergraduate courses and assisting in the administrative office.
Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH - B.A. in Psychology and Communication Arts/Theatre, Dual major. Magna cum laude. GPA: 3.87
Professional Development: Graduate Master’s Acting Classes with Patricia Conolly, Broadway actress, New York, NY; Estelle Kohler, actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company in England; and with Meade Andrews, Alexander Technique teacher at American University and the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory in Washington, D.C.
Teaching Experience
Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey
Adjunct Professor
Experiencing Acting - Undergraduate course for students interested in exploring their talents. Develops appreciation of theatre and acting as an art form. Teaches students to identify and use basic stage and acting terminology. Students encouraged to effectively use their voice, body, and imagination to develop a character. Through the use of analysis, rehearsal techniques, and creativity, students take a character from the page to the stage. Enables students to effectively critique acting performances in live theatrical productions.
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
Oral Interpretation: Undergraduate course focused on text analysis, creative thinking, dramatic interpretation, and voice construction for the purpose of performance of text from a multitude of genres.
Voice for the Actor: Undergraduate course using the texts “Freeing the Natural Voice” by Kristin Linklater and Edith Skinner’s “Speak with Distinction.” Linklater work helps students identify their voice and inhibitors to speech, as well as broadening their awareness, flexibility, and use of voice. Edith Skinner work focused on breaking down the sound components of speech to aid students in developing a standard of Good Speech, or Theater Standard, as well as to develop a system whereby accents and dialects can be skillfully executed.
Youth Action Theater
Lighthouse Point, Florida
Instructor, Director
Summer theatre camp for children ages 5 to 16. Taught acting and movement classes for the 12 to 18 year old group. In the afternoon, directed production of Grease. Responsible for all aspects of the production.
Professional Experience
15+ years experience working in professional regional theaters in Florida and Pennsylvania. Highlights:
Extremities, by William Mastrosimone, Marjorie, New City Stage Company
Almost, Maine, by John Cariani, Act II Playhouse, Ambler, PA.
Around the World in 80 Days, by Mark Brown, Aouda, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Bristol, PA
Benedict Arnold, world premiere by William Mastrosimone, Florida Stage, Manalapan, FL. Mr. Mastrosimone was in residence during the rehearsal and performance of this play. Helped to shape the character of Peggy Shippen, Benedict Arnold’s second wife.
The Puppetmaster of £odz, re-imagined staging of this post WWII drama at Mum Puppettheatre, Philadelphia, PA. Production invited to Poland by the National Puppettheater of Poland.
Working professional in commercial and industrial film markets.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $45 per hour. Additional fees may be charged for in-home coaching for students living more than 30 minutes from my home address. Credit will be applied to next lesson for cancelled appointments.