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