Actor, director and AMAW teacher Jordan Lane Shappell goes deep. Looking at what it is you really want to express as an artist.Read more
Blog
I was on vacation in Mexico last week and I swam in the ocean that was recovering from a west coast hurricane-like condition. The waves were massive. Formidable. The recent eruptions of Iceland’s Bardarbunga volcano have been described as awe-inspiring and incredible. When we look at nature and respond to its power and force,Read more
We’re all not just trying to become better actors, we’re trying to become better people. (And when I say “better” I am not implying there’s anything flawed or messed up or wrong with you as you are now. The potential of who each of us is – the tiny seed of love and compassion andRead more
Neuroscientist, Andrew Newberg has done research through brain scans showing that there is a word that releases more stress neural chemicals in our bodies than any other word. It seems obvious. The word is “no”. His research shows that even when we simply perceive that word – not just say it – “no” has aRead more
What sustains you? What keeps you going when you want to stop? What re-inspires you when you start to question whether or not it’s worth it, or you’d be better off moving back to Montana or you feel as if you’re spinning your wheels? I had a student who had been called inRead more
All it takes is 1. One person to get you. To see your talent. To take a risk on you. To believe in you. That’s one of the most wonderful things about this business. It can all change in a heartbeat. The business is all about perception. Nobody knows who you are or whatRead more
What if there was something you could do more often that would radically – and perceptibly – change how you’re perceived and alter the impression you leave on others? What if, as an actor, it was something that you didn’t even have to worry about “doing” because it sort of does itself onceRead more
I went to Wimbledon. And I was also lucky to have watched the bikers in the Tour De France cycle past me at an incredibly fast clip. Two amazing sporting events where I took away the same insight from both experiences. It’s really just about trying our best. And it’s all about being fully investedRead more
Vulnerability leads to greater connection. Everyone probably knows that because we’ve all had vulnerable moments in life with friends or family or lovers that open us to new levels of honesty or communication or intimacy. But what if we took the idea of vulnerability out into the world in a bigger way to includeRead more
Once again, the science is in. Ellen Langer, a professor of psychology at Harvard who has been doing research since the late ’70’s – has conclusively proven that becoming mindful can change your life. There are measurable benefits to one’s creativity, competence, psychological well-being and physical health. All the places where we can getRead more