Laura Esterman

Laura Esterman Headshot

TEACHING STATEMENT:

“I use the techniques I absorbed from training first at the London Academy of Dramatic Art and subsequently, after two years of working in regional theater, with Uta Hagen. They are techniques I use in my own acting and they have evolved into a very personal and immediate way of teaching. Students are encouraged to draw on themselves, to take risks, to always remain in the moment, to listen, take their attention off themselves and put it on their partner, and to find their objectives and the shape of the scene in a supportive atmosphere closer to rehearsal than to performance, always respecting and honoring the text.”

BIO:

Recently received Best Actress awards at both the Chelsea and Brooklyn Film Festivals for her portrayal of an eccentric artist in CAN HITLER HAPPEN HERE?. She will appear in HBO’s upcoming series I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE. She recently appeared in David Rabe’s play GOOD FOR OTTO at the New Group and Ain Gordon’s play 217 BOXES at the Baryshnikov Center. Other recent work includes THE OLD BOY at the Keen Company, INTIMACY at the New Group, THE MORINI STRAD at Portland Stage, and CARD AND GIFT at Clubbed Thumb. Broadway: THE SHOW-OFF, TEIBELE AND HER DEMON, and THE SUICIDE, among others. Off-Broadway: Mike Leigh’s TWO THOUSAND YEARS (The New Group), MARVIN’S ROOM (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Obie awards for Outstanding Actress), CRANES, CURTAINS (Obie winner), THE AMERICAN CLOCK, GOOD AS NEW, TWO ROOMS, EDITH STEIN, TRUE LOVE, and DUET as Sarah Bernhardt and many other roles at Public Theatre, BAM, Manhattan Theatre Club, and the American Place Theatre among others. Regional includes: Arena Stage, Goodman, Mark Taper, and Guthrie. Film includes: IRONWEED, THE DOORS, and AWAKENINGS, and the upcoming INDIFFERENT WOMEN. TV: LAW & ORDER, THIRD WATCH, MILDRED PIERCE, and others. She studied with Uta Hagen and at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Current and Upcoming