TEACHING STATEMENT:
“I would describe the work in my class as helping the actor develop a personal technique for tapping into the imagination and opening the sluice gates of his or her inherent emotional power. This goal is approached through exercises, monologues and scene work.”
BIO:
Mercedes Ruehl has appeared in the films THE FISHER KING (Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Los Angeles and Chicago Film Critics Association Awards), MARRIED TO THE MOB, THE WARRIORS, BIG, HEARTBURN, SLAVES OF NEW YORK, ANOTHER YOU, LAST ACTION HERO, LOST IN YONKERS, WHAT’S COOKING?, THE AMATI GIRLS, ROSEANNA’S GRAVE, CHU AND BLOSSOM, ZEYDA AND THE HITMAN, SPOOKY HOUSE, MORE DOGS THAN BONES, and THE MINUS MAN. She has been seen on Broadway in Neil Simon’s LOST IN YONKERS (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Helen Hayes Awards), THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? (Outer Critics Circle Award, Tony nomination), THE ROSE TATTOO, THE SHADOW BOX (Tony nomination), and I’M NOT RAPPAPORT. Her Off Broadway credits include WOMAN BEFORE A GLASS (Obie Award), OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY (Clarence Derwent Award), THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO (Obie Award), COMING OF AGE IN SOHO, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, and Edward Albee’s THE OCCUPANT. Ruehl’s television credits include HBO’s INDICTMENT: THE MCMARTIN TRIAL, GIA, Hallmark Hall of Fame’s THE LOST CHILD and LOVING LEAH, EL JEFE, DOUBT, STAR SPANGLED BANNERS, Showtime’s NORTH SHORE FISH, GUILT BY ASSOCIATION, and A GIRL LIKE ME. She also made guest appearances on “Entourage,” “Law & Order,” “Monday Mornings,” “Luck,” “Psych,” and “Frasier,” among others.