Ward Acting Studio, An Acting Studio in the Meisner Approach

Wendy Ward received her B.A. in drama in 1981 from Duke University, where she has served on the Advisory Board for the University's drama department. Ms. Ward continued her training at the National Theater Institute and in New York with Anna Deavere Smith, James Price, and Vivian Matalon. She has taught the Meisner Approach since 1989, first at The Acting Studio where she served as Associate Director with Mr. Price, and subsequently as Director of the Ward Studio, which she founded in 1996. More recently, she served on the faculty of University of the Arts in Philadelphia, teaching Meisner to sophomores. She has directed over 50 productions, half of which have been original scripts built in ensemble with students from her Advanced Performance Workshop and Ward Studio Company programs.

Wendy Ward is featured in the new book Acting Teachers of Americanow available at major bookstores.

Acting Teachers of America by Ronald Rand & Luigi Scorcia; forward by J. Michael Miller

Janice Hoffmann is the originator of smArt workshops, a series of Career and Lifestyle courses for the performing artist. Her coaching practice also provides consulting services for independent artists and entrepreneurs. She is receiving her certification as a Life Coach from Coach U. Ms. Hoffmann served as an artistic associate for the OBIE-winning Hamlet Festival at Todo Con Nada and is recipient of an OOBR award as an actress with Perkasie Productions. She holds a degree in Theatre and Dance from NAU, is a Meisner-trained actress and has completed three years of Suzuki training with the Saratoga International Theatre Institute.

Be sure to visit Janice Hoffmann's website at www.SuccessIsSweetest.com

Joanne Pattavina has taught voice-for-stage for over 20 years and currently coaches students and professional actors both privately and in group classes. She was a regular faculty member at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's National Theatre Institute for 10 years, as well as participating as visiting professor at Trinity College, Connecticut College, and Central Connecticut State University. As an actress, Ms. Pattavina has worked with renowned avant-garde directors, Richard Foreman and Lee Breuer and has numerous Off-Broadway credits, including "Dog Logic" with Lois Smith. Television credits include "Law and Order", WNET Great Performance Series, and numerous commercials and voice-overs. She has taught at various acting schools in NYC and is thrilled to be back at the Ward Studio.

Grant Neale has been an instructor of the Meisner Approach and Movement For Actors since 1995. He has taught for The Acting Studio, New York Film Academy, and The School For Film and Television. He has held Master Classes and Workshops in Montreal, Santa Fe, and Minnesota. Mr. Neale has performed in more than 200 plays and films in New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Detroit, Santa Fe, London, Edinburgh, and Berlin. He has directed 20 play productions including original works, Shakespeare, Williams, Coward, and Strindberg. Mr. Neale is Co-Artistic Director of Nomad Theatrical Co. in New York City.

Loren Shlaes graduated with honors from San Jose State University and received her degree in occupational therapy. She is certified as an Alexander teacher at the American Center for the Alexander Technique here in New York. Loren has studied voice production from an Alexander perspective with Rob and Glynn MacDonald of RADA and Gary Ramsey of The Neighborhood Playhouse. Currently, she divides her time between occupational therapy, teaching the Alexander Technique, and public speaking engagements for a continuing education company.

Janice Orlandi is a movement specialist and certified teacher of Williamson Technique and Period Style; Edwardian, Elizabethan and Restoration. Recently trained by Anne Bogart, Tina Landau and Siti Company in Viewpoints, Suzuki and Composition, Janice is Co-Director of Actors Movement Studio, trained by Loyd Williamson, founder of the Williamson Technique, and on faculty at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has taught Movement, Period Style and Williamson Technique in educational institutions and theater programs in USA and Europe including:, Rutgers State University, Williamstown Theater Festival, De Lindenberg Centrum Voor Kunst Culture, and Princeton Shakespeare Festival. She is Co-Artistic Director of Echo Repertory, which produces and adapts new plays including: The Lost Art of Letters, Triangle Factory Fire, Dorothy Parker, Telephone Call, The Waltz.