Jim ParracK

In March of 2015 I was fortunate enough to sit in on a class at Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab  - the following is a blog entry that I originally posted at  phwbklb.blogspot.com

 

Monday, March 9, 2015

Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab

 

 

As a 33 year old woman living in Kentucky, I have always had a love for film. Since I was very young, I always thought it was so amazing that people could turn their emotions on and off behind a camera, or while on stage and it look so real and genuine. I never aspired to be an actor myself, but as I have gotten older and had the blessed opportunity to travel and meet some of my idols I became even more intrigued.

Over the past few years I have heard "The Meisner Technique" mentioned, but most recently I have really wanted to learn more about it. I have been blessed enough to meet actors who have mentioned this technique such as Jim Parrack, James Franco and Scott Haze. I've seen them in films onscreen as well as acting on stage. (Nothing beats seeing your favorite actors onstage, live, in the moment)

The Meisner Technique (Developed by Sanford Meisner) is described as having a main focus on getting the actor "out of their head" and to "behave instinctively" - to focus on the other actors feelings and emotions and reacting to that. Tones, repetition, and reacting to another actor whom you are in a scene with.

I was recently fortunate enough to sit in on a class at a Brooklyn based acting school, part of Playhouse West (Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab) The school is taught by Jim Parrack and Andrea Dantas. There was so much passion in the room with the students and the teachers, and as I sat quietly in the back of the room I witnessed people actually using this technique and it made so much sense. Two actors would perform a scene, react against the others feelings and go with it - Improvised and with emotions that were not forced. I saw tears, anger, happiness and more. I got to hear Jim (Parrack) teach these actors, very passionately, and see them react to his advice and go with it. I could have sat there all day long watching, it was one of the most amazing things I have gotten to see take place right before my eyes. People fulfilling their dreams and having teachers that actually care and want the best for them, and knowing how to get them to the point of becoming the best actor they can be.

For anyone who has the passion to act, I would recommend being a part of this. I might have mentioned it before but never have I witnessed so much passion in one room, it made ME feel good and I wasn't even a part of it. I've replayed it in my head several times since that day and I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to see it first hand.

So if you are in New York and are serious about fulfilling your dreams of acting, I would definitely recommend Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab. I am not sure of when they have openings but they have accts on social media to keep you up to date.

Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab is going to blow up, mark my words.