Master Class (2.5 hrs.)
Tuesday April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
“My goal when working with actors is always the same: to meet them where they currently are in their journey and guide them to reveal themselves through the material (and vice-versa!) The techniques I use are customized for each actor and are an amalgamation of more than two decades of study and experience in the professional theatre.” – B.M. Cooper
In 2.5 hours, he will lead the class through a brief actor warm-up based in Alexander and Linklater work, including: Body Awareness, Breath, and Voice.
He will then work with pre-selected actors on material of their choosing (material must be memorized.) The work may include text analysis, physical awareness, breath and voice work, character and relationship development, all in service of freeing the actor to bring as much of their own authenticity and truth to their performance. In this time frame, he can work with up to four actors on monologues or songs, perhaps in the following mix of material:
Two Actors with Monologues (ideally at least one would be Shakespeare)
Two Singing Actors working on selections from the past 50 years, ideally a mix of eras and styles
After each individual actor’s work, he will answer any questions the group has about that actor’s work. Time permitting; he will end the session with a brief general Q&A.
Brian Myers Cooper is a professional New York actor of 20+ years, as well as a writer, director, acting teacher and career coach. His performing career has ranged from the lowest to the pinnacle of Equity contracts, with performances in all fifty states. He has coached his clients to jobs on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, major regional theaters, and the recent NY Philharmonic production of Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thomson, soon to be aired on PBS. For the past decade he has served as an elected member of the National Council and Eastern Regional Board of Actor’s Equity Association where he is a veteran of seven contract negotiations, including chairing three of the teams. In addition, he serves as a trustee of the Equity-League Pension & Health Trust Funds. Over the years, Mr. Cooper has studied extensively with notable NYC teachers in Meisner, On-camera technique, Commercial technique, Alexander, Linklater Voice, multiple stints with Shakespeare & Co, and a bevy of singing teachers and coaches. He is the proud holder of a BA in Music Education (vocal and instrumental) from WLSC (’88).