Acting & The Alexander Technique
More important than any warm-up or drill is the knowledge of how to use your body and voice with openness and clarity. There is no better way to optimize this ability than learning the Alexander Technique.
The Alexander Technique is not something you do. It is not a warm-up or an exercise. It is a learned skill of awareness that gives you more and better choices about using your body.
Keeping Up with Alexander – Backstage
The Actor’s Secret – Five Alexander Technique Tips for the Actor
Testimonials:
I came to Leland having had neck problems and vocal problems for over a year. In three lessons, I was in a stage performance, after which I realized that my neck problems were gone, my acting technique had taken two giant steps ahead, my speaking voice was easy and resonant, and my performance nerves were improved. Leland’s observations are every bit as valuable as his instruction in the Alexander Technique. I continued lessons for another nine months, during which I felt years of bad experiences melting away from me as many of my bad habits were being replaced with more productive ones. My series of 39 Alexander lessons with Leland is one of the smartest things I’ve ever done in my life.
When I leave my lesson I feel like I’m floating. The Alexander Technique brings ease to all aspects of my life.
Your love and commitment to the Alexander Technique truly helps and is a motivation to grow. Thank you for your patience. Your honesty and integrity are an asset to have as a teacher and a person.
Thank you for all the support (literally). I will always remember to keep my back, back.
As an actor, the Alexander Technique is most beneficial because it assists in easing tension and the rigidity on stage.
I’m a singer and became involved with the Alexander Technique because my tense breathing inhibited the open, free sound I wanted. Little did I know it inhibited the open, free body I wanted. I have slowly experienced a release in my joints that is ultimately effecting my ease in breathing. It does take faith and commitment.
A list of performing arts schools that offer Alexander Technique classes.
American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco, CA
Arizona State University
Bard Vocal Arts Program
Barnard College
Berkeley Repertory Theater, Berkeley, CA
Brooklyn College
Carnegie Mellon University; Schools of Drama, Music
Capilano University (Vancouver, BC) Theatre Department
Chapman University Music Conservatory
Concordia Academy
Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico
Conservatory of Music University of Cincinnati
Cornish College for the Arts
DePaul University
Eureka College
George Mason University, Virginia
Hoff-Barthelson Music School
The JazzSchool institute, Berkeley, CA
Juilliard School of Music, Drama, and Dance
Lamont School of Music-University of Denver
Long Island University
Loyola Marymount University
Mannes School of Music
Marylhurst University
Michigan State University College of Music
New England Conservatory
New School of Drama
New York University Tisch School of the Arts
New York University Steinhardt School of Education
Northwestern University
Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts
Pig Iron School for Advanced Performance Training
Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts
Rhode Island College
Rutgers
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Shakespeare Theater, Washington, DC
Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre
Stetson University
Studio Theater, Washington, DC
Syracuse University College of Music
Temple University
Towson University
University of California Los Angeles
University of California San Diego
University of Denver: Lamont School of Music
University of San Diego/Old Globe Theater
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Maryland Baltimore
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance
University of Minnesota School of Music
University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of Drama
University of North Texas College of Music
University of San Francisco
University of Utah
University of Wisconsin