Classes and Workshops

Winter 2025/2026 Courses

With the exception of remote offerings, all classes and workshops are held at Counterpulse in SF.

Class Schedule:

The Actor’s Gym

These weekly workshops cover a variety of subjects, with a new topic each session, but will always start off with some community play: through Viewpoints and Michael Chekhov exercises, celebrating ensemble work, inspiring one another, before shifting into a high-energy exploration of the evening’s lesson.

Tuition: $25

Sundays: 4:00-7:00pm

Location: CounterPulse, SF

Registration: Sign up by way of payment through Venmo (@patrickrussell) or PayPal (@patrickrussell9). Simply state the class you are registering for at time of payment. You will receive a receipt of payment email soon after. If you prefer to pay by cash or check, simply email me at russellcoaching415@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.

On-Going Classes for Winter 2026 will be announced soon. Stay tuned!

Movement & Voice

To understand how we speak and how we move is to be able to act with conviction, to respond organically, and to transform physically.

This holistic course will blend the voice technique of Linklater with schools of physical acting methods: Viewpoints, Laban, Michael Chekhov. Learn how to build confidence in breath support and ease in playing.

(Check back here for upcoming schedule!)

Activating Shakespeare

Break down the dynamics of speech, listen to the rhythm and musicality of the language, and activate the language of your creative heart. Students will delve into IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), as studied in conservatory programs, to learn the sound symbols of speech in the English language. Understanding IPA is fundamental in playing the music of Shakespeare's words, and even learning dialects!

All levels welcome. Be focused, prepared and ready to work and play. As this is a progressive series, continued attendance is requested.

Check back here for more details on upcoming schedule!

Speech & Dialects

Far more than just having a good ear for accents, transforming the way one speaks is one of the greatest tools an actor can have. Understanding how you speak is the first lesson in discovering how to transform your speech patterns for the appropriate role. Students will learn the International Phonetic Alphabet in order to apply the necessary sound changes to take on a variety of accents.

Tuition: $195

Location: Zoom

(Check back here for upcoming schedule)

Registration: Sign up by way of payment through Venmo (@patrickrussell) or PayPal (@patrickrussell9). Simply state the class you are registering for at time of payment. You will receive a receipt of payment email soon after. If you prefer to pay by cash or check, simply email me at russellcoaching415@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.