Teaching Statement:
“In my studio, we teach the truth.” ~ Herbert Berghof
“I am honored to carry on Herbert and Uta’s tradition of finding the truth in this wonderful game of make-believe called theatre. To me, the most exhilarating theatre to watch, is when I am seeing an actor being, rather than acting. Guiding students to reveal genuine human behavior within imaginary circumstances facilitates their ability to fully assimilate their own emotional life with the emotional life of the characters they are playing. When the heart is truly open and assimilation occurs, magic happens. In my class, we will delve into this journey by practicing partnered scene work, monologues and Uta Hagen’s tried and true exercises. Through hard work, diligence and tenacity, we will chase the magic together.”
BIO:
Francesca Ferrara is an actress and teaching artist based in New York City. She is on the faculty of the Theatre Department at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, where she teaches scene study and acting for the camera. Francesca is also a frequent guest artist at the Theatre Workshop of Otisville, where she played Mary Jane in THIS IS THIS, and served as assistant director for FATHERS AND SONS. Other theater credits include I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER (Chain Theatre), ROMEO & JULIET, 1984 (National Players), THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Olney Theatre), SEDUCED, THE ADDING MACHINE, SISTER CITIES, AS IS (New American Theatre/LA), STAGE BEAUTY (Crown City), ANXIETY (The Odyssey) and DETAINEE (East 4th Street Theatre). Film and television highlights include CHICKEN LIVERS, FLUSHED, HOW TO CHEAT, THE UNIT, THE WEST WING, UGLY BETTY, GREY’S ANATOMY, MASTERS OF SEX, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, BATTLE CREEK and the series finale of MAD MEN.