We’re wrapping up our 6 month season and taking a little break to circle the wagons and cook up an even better show for you!
Jenny Walters is back and we’re talking about walking through your daily life and finding what is nourishing to you and what is depleting -- and as usual I want you to check in with your breath!
The Somatic Experiencing author Jenny mentions is Peter Levine (http://www.traumahealing.org/peter-a-levine-phd.php)
Don’t forget to sign up for the mailing list on the website (www.firstbreathspeech.com)
We will miss you -- but you’re going to be on our minds and in our hearts! See you soon!
Books:
Actor-y
An Actor Prepares (Stanislavski) - tried and true about how NOT to act in novel form
The Second Circle (Rodenburg) - prior recommend - about acting, being present and harnessing your life-force for good!
Acting In Film (Caine) - it’s a quick read and some if it seems a bit trickster-like, but it’s a unique point of view about film acting from one who has been doing it for decades.
Human-y (modern classics)
The Alchemist (Coelho) - if you haven’t read this yet, please do… now, please!
The Catcher in the Rye (Salinger) - if you just skimmed this in middle or high school, go back and read it - great seamless example of transparent inner life.
To Kill A Mockingbird (Lee) - story about prejudice vs. compassion - go back and read it!
(front list-ish)
Between the World and Me (Coates) - OK I haven’t read this yet, but it’s on my nightstand and the reviews are nuts! Conceived in letter form from the author to his son.
A Little Life (Yanagihara) - I’m not gonna lie, this book is loooong but the writing is acute and one of the 4 main characters is a actor. Takes place in NYC over several decades. If you have the time and the bandwidth for sadness, it’s a great read.
Girl on the Train (Hawkins) - This was the big thriller hit last year and of course they are making the movie as we speak. Can you say unreliable narrator? (I knew you could).
Ted Talks:
Researcher Brene Brown in her now infamous talk about vulnerability
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability
Neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor - about the stroke she had in her 30’s which transformed her understanding of existence
https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight
Dan Pallotta’s most recent about humanity and dreaming together
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_dream_we_haven_t_dared_to_dream
Classes in LA:
Jamison Jones Acting Studio -- just moved to Burbank
The masterclass is an ongoing scene study class Monday nights from 7-11 in Burbank (across the street from Argentum photolab)
Grand Opening for the Burbank space on May 14th at 4pm and on May 19th at 7pm there is a FREE Open class
It's a class about finding your power as an an actor and honing your skill and unique sensibility. It's also about pointing out your weaknesses and your actor ticks and tells and getting rid of them, it's about awareness and specificity and being able to walk in the audition room or onset or stage with your most confident self, with your work prepared and complete.
Email: jonesactingstudio@gmail.com
Art of Acting 5-week Shakespeare Intensive
5 weeks, 20 hours per week, 10 of which will be in rehearsal for a play -- by WS!
If you mention my name, you’ll get a 50% discount!
http://www.artofactingstudio.com/classes/shakespeare-intensive/
Audition Class with me - Breathe -- stop choking!
Two Saturdays per month in June, July and August, I will be giving an audition class around breathing. We’ll focus on scenes or speeches you would be preparing for auditions and how to breathe through them (and not hold your breath) so you can stay connected to the inner life of the character and to your scene partner/reader. Come once -- come again.
We will work with whatever you got and make it better! Space TBA in Burbank or Hollywood.
Email me: lauren@firstbreathspeech.com if you’re in LA and you’re interested!
Online Class:
How Your Voice Works - Elissa Weinzimmer (Episode #12 - Your Voice and Your Vibrator)
How Your Voice Works is a new online class from vocal health specialist Elissa Weinzimmer, explaining the anatomy and mechanics of the voice in clear and simple detail.
Visit www.voicebodyconnection.com and enter your information to get the first module of the course for free!
New mobile headshot with The Headshot Truck -- in LA and coming to NYC soon!
http://www.theheadshottruck.com/
One of my acting students works as a make-up artist for them - ask for Kristin!
Go where the truck is or have it come to you -- starts at $300 and is quick and fun.
Apps:
Mediation -- Ok people, I have been remiss in the meditation, but I am re-upping and have found some good apps for you to try...
Meditate Me --Kelly Howell - The Brain Whisperer -- there is one for $2.99 and I think it’s worth it. It’s a guided mediation so we can help our brains to process our thoughts and experiences - like our bring laundry, you know? Dirty shirts cleansed and folded and back in the drawers?
Sattva
This one is free and the structure of the app is pretty cool with a timer and a choice to engage in challenges and post on FB etc.
There is a plethora of meditations from which to choose, which is super-fab. The sound quality is not up to the bar set by the tech, but they work just fine.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sattva-meditation-timer-tracker/id930904592?mt=8
Speech Ring
I’ve developed an articulation tool that everyone is LOVING so far -- we’re not going to sell it online yet, though as we are still in the testing stage, but if you take my summer workshop classes OR you send me a message from the Facebook page we can probably work out a way for you to have one!
Re-brand - taking a break -- if you want to know about all we’re cooking up, please go to the website and sign up for the mailing list so you don’t suddenly suffer from FOMO!