First, (my acting mentor), Eric Morris - As some of my FB friends might know, I’ve been involved in Eric’s work for almost 3 decades and teaching it for 2 decades. I met Eric Morris during a New York weekend workshop he was teaching on Theater Row in 86. To say I was blown away by what I saw was an understatement. At the time I couldn’t tell you what exactly was so great … I was too overwhelm, but one thing was for sure … I knew I needed it and needed it badly. One of the great gifts I have is to attract the best teachers on the plant to my life. I started with Phil Black and now with Eric Morris. His work has enriched me to the point that I even created a totally separate division of business … and Executive Coaching business in which I train executives to communicate more effectively, with the emphasis on authenticity. A great memory: 20 years ago, I was going through a very very difficult time. I was teaching at Strasberg and Tisch NYU. I was very down and calling Eric a few times a week to talk to someone who would understand my issue as well as ask advice. During one of these conversations he suggested I leave Strasberg and Tisch NYU to teach his System in New York. I was blown away … simply blown away. I never take that conversation for granted and in 20 years, I have never taking one actor for granted. Learning from Eric is an honor. Being asked by Eric to teach his System in New York is more I can say in words. Eric Morris has written more than double the books on acting than anyone in history. His track record is legendary and I will always be grateful for my connection to Eric and his work, as I consider Eric Morris one of the most influential individuals I’ve known, outside my family. Second, the people who have taken my class from actors, dancers, singers to business executives. I’ve been teaching since 1979. Just now as I wrote “1979”, I did the math. That’s 35 years ago. wow. First it was acrobatics, then dance, then acting. Over the last 35 years, I’ve taught many thousands of people of all ages in so many different areas of development. They have all shaped me, challenged me, inspired me to want to be a better person, as well as a bette facilitator. My protege, Doren Sorell is brilliant. He could teach a class on how to make ice cubes and it would be a great class. In the last 10 years, I got my own theater in Times Sq, Ionica Theater. it’s a very soulful little black box theater and I’m proud of the work we do there, proud of the actors that challenge themselves in that theater. I’ve taught in Turkey for about 7 years now and have fallen in love with the land, the people, the culture, and of course, the food. I’ve been so blessed that actors have traveled from all over the world to take my workshops … it’s very humbling. To every actor that was ever under my tutelage, I am grateful to you. Third, I am grateful for DREAMS. Day dreams, night dreams, half conscious dreams, unconscious dreams, fragmented dreams, black and white dreams, rational dreams, irrational dreams, and so on. In my opinion, dreams shape our lives and the world. When i am going through challenges that are overwhelming, I often will defer to my dreams for the answers. I believe our dreams speak truths in ways our conscious mind might just rationalize. I am happy we have them … it’s my prayers that we use them to do good. … last few things … I normally could not commit to this 5 day blog (that I did in 6-7 days), but it was during a time I was away on vacation as I took my beautiful daughter upstate new york to my cousin Vin Coluccios house for the week, and was fortunate that this post landed right on that timeline, so thank you Vin, thank you Denise, we had a GREAT time! Before closing, the three people I want to nominate are, Edward Pozzuoli, Lanette Hohl-Mannisto and Mike Bova to post for 5 days, 3 things they are grateful for each day. xoxo to anyone who has read these posts ... thanks ...
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:11:52 +0000
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