Classes and Workshops
Spring 2025 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
Thursdays 5:30-8:00pm
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.
The Acting Ensemble: Playing Comedy
Introducing a new class that is focused on a particular genre of theater, culminating in the rehearsal process and presentation of a play.
Comedic acting and playing absurdism and farce will be the focus of this course as actors will learn how to approach the genre with authenticity and timing through monologue and scene work.
The second part of the class will introduce the works of absurdist playwrights and explore socially relevant stories through the absurdist lens. The class will meet in person on the final day with a rehearsal process class and presentation of the play for invited guests.
Tuition: $280
April 27th to June 8th
Sundays, 3:00-6:00pm
Location: Zoom (April 27th to June 1st) CounterPulse, SF (June 8th time: 2-5pm class, 6-8pm presentation)
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.
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.
Offered Summer 2025
(Stay tuned for updates 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.
Offered Summer 2025
Check back here for more details on upcoming schedule!
The Actors Sanctuary
Because we all need a place to commune, commiserate, and connect as artists, and human beings. These free one hour group sessions are free to students and Company members. Drop in and join whatever the conversation of the day may be.
Check back here for upcoming dates!
Speech & Dialects
Photograph by Hunter Prutch
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
April 28th to May 19th
Mondays, 6:30-9:00pm
Location: Zoom
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.
Master Classes
Photograph by Scott Ragle
Stay tuned for upcoming master classes…