|
|
 |
 Alan Gordon opened his studio in 1988. In the past 25 years has worked with Lauren Velez, 'Oz', 'Resurrection Boulevard', 'The Vagina Monologues', and 'Dexter', Sonja Sohn, 'The Wire', 'The Good Wife', 'Lilias White', 'Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for The Life', Lou Martini, Jr., 'The Sopranos', Germar Gardner, 'Orange Is The New Black', Ivan Goris, 'Vinyl', Raleigh Dean Craighead, 'The Affair', Daniel Alexander, 'Eye Candy'.
Alan Gordon has a detailed, hands-on approach to the craft, guiding students through all stages of Meisner’s repetition exercises and independent physical activity. The goal of Meisner’s technique is to provide actors with a truthful, instinctive way of working by eliminating the thought process. Students get opportunities to work in every class in an environment that is free of verbal abuse and bullying of any kind. Alan Gordon believes that learning takes place best in an environment where student feel free to take risks.
In addition to his own classes, Alan has taught for Actors Technique New York, The Network, Stone Street Studios, SVA, and Pebblebrook HS. He is also a frequent guest on The A.C. Lowe Show, hosted by Anthony Lofaso, and The Bill Russo Show, hosted by Bill Russo.
Directing Career: Alan Gordon wrote and directed five plays for the Shortened Attention Span one-act festival. "Dinner For Four" won the best one-act play award in the 2008 SAS festival.
In March 2012, Alan Gordon directed "Sick Bastids" which was part of Charles Messina's "Tenement Plays" trilogy. In April, "Sick Bastids" was featured on "The Barry Z Show".
Acting Career: Alan Gordon began acting over 20 years ago and is still a dues paying member of SAG-AFTRA and Actor's Equity. He has performed in numerous off-off Broadway plays, film, and TV, including Law And Order, Kiss Of Death and The City |
My approach to teaching is simple. Not easy to learn, but simple to understand. |
• I help my students remove the defenses that inhibit impulsive behavior.
• I don't use a sledgehammer to get through to them. I don't humiliate, berate, or admonish. I nurture, nudge, encourage, support, and give corrective criticism. I also use humor to break down barriers. It is the most effective tool there is for relaxing people. People aren't defensive when they're laughing. When they're laughing, their inhibitors are down.
• I create an environment that's safe so that students lose their fear of taking risks.
• I don't use words like right and wrong. It's not about right and wrong; it's about making effective choices that serve the play.
• I provide them with specific tools that enable them to break down a script. |
• A carpenter needs tools to build a table. Actors need tools to build a character.
• I don't ask them to behave like or imitate someone else. I want to see them work "from" their truthful selves. They are all unique. That's what makes them special.
• I target specific areas of their work that need improvement.
• I don't coddle them or spoon-feed them false praise. It's damaging and leads to an erosion of confidence.
• I take the work seriously. Not myself.
• I don't guarantee success, and I don't teach talent. |
I don't know what my brand is, but if I have one, that's it. |
|
|
