INSPIRATION FOR ACTORS FILM LAB

---

Sanford Meisner is one of the greatest acting teachers to have ever lived, and his method of acting  has been studied by some of the greatest actors of our lifetimes. Morgan and Lori are both trained in the Meisner technique of acting. Lori studied Meisner in a two year program at Michael Howard Studios in New York City under Rebecca Taylor. Morgan studied the Meisner Technique with Sandy himself!

Part of our inspiration for Actor Film LAB was the amazing experience Morgan had when he trained under Sanford Meisner. Morgan was one of 18 chosen students that studied acting with Meisner on Bequia Island one summer. He spent 8 weeks living in the Bequia Beach Hotel, down the road from Sandy's house. Morgan ate lunch every day with his acting mentor and teacher, and after this life transforming summer, Sandy invited Morgan to join him at Neighborhood Playhouse, and through the years Morgan and Sandy remained close friends. Never before had Morgan experienced such an acting program, that allowed him to learn so much about acting and life.

This program was so impactful to Morgan, he always hoped to create an acting program that was based in the Meisner technique, and that allowed students to work, learn, and create art together in a small ensemble that could impact their lives forever.

“Acting is the ability to behave truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”

Sanford Meisner

While Morgan was training on the West Coast and Caribbean, Lori was training as an actor and vocalist in New York City. She studied voice with Tony award winner Victoria Clark and renowned voice instructor Joyce Hall, and was an acting student of famous acting coach Charles Kakatsakis. It was a well known fact among many Broadway actors that Charlie partnered with one of Broadway's leading conductors and musical directors, Jack Lee, to occasionally offer an 8-week Musical Theatre Workshop. Lori was invited to participate in this workshop and it was unlike any other training process that Lori had ever experienced before. She was able to meet a network of people like herself, study and rehearse her craft on a professional level. She remembers all the rehearsals that took place in Jack's, Joyce's and Vicky's homes. Lori not only received top acting and vocal training in her field, but also made lifelong connections and friendships through this process. 

Always remembering how much this one workshop impacted both her personal and professional growth, Lori always hoped to create a similar program, for students of all ages and experiences, to come together and master their craft in a safe learning environment.

The Performance PLUS (Positive learning using the Stage/AStudio/Screen) Summer Training Program that Morgan and Lori developed soon after they were married is the foundation upon which Actor Film LAB is built. The PLUS program developed personal/professional, respectful/responsible, ethical/artistic - character. This program had one major goal - to create and produce original works, in small group ensembles, that helped everyone involved discover what only they could bring to their art and their life - Themselves! 

In their own words, here are some of the testimonials from participants and their families: 

-"Performance PLUS helped me break through a wall, be more confident, and encouraged me to shoot for my goals."

- "Thank you for giving so many kids a chance to be magnificent."

- "I don't think I have ever been so inspired in my life."

- Wow! Performance PLUS changed my life and opened my self-esteem nd confidence to a higher level."

- Performance PLUS goes beyond any program of the kind I have seen or read about. My son came home with a new level of confidence and a thirst to continue in the performing arts."

- It doesn't matter what you do or who you know or how long you've been training. Everyone is an artist in their own way."