Classes and Workshops
Winter 2025 Courses
With the exception of remote offerings, all classes and workshops are held at Counterpulse in SF.
January to March
Class Schedule:
The Actor’s Gym Workshop
This workshop will 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 a monologue you wish to run thru. A great way to play, connect, and to get yourself prepped for upcoming auditions.
Tuition: $30
Thursday, Jan 30th 5-7:30pm
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 Actor’s Course
A unique class individually tailored to all levels of acting experience, but also highly informative for non-actors seeking to understand and overcome their own anxiety around performance and public speaking. Through the intersectional instruction of actor training and the examination of the neuroscience of fear, you'll learn to harness presence and gain confidence in any facet of performance.
The Actor's Course also blends the classical techniques of acting, such as Stanislavisky, with the somatic teaching of Michael Chekhov, Laban, and Viewpoints - methods aimed at cultivating creativity, emotional connectivity, and spontaneity while providing practical tools for repeatability in performance. This dynamic approach to actor training fuses the methods of a traditional acting class with that of a movement for actors course.
Each class will build upon the lessons from the previous one. Consistent attendance is requested.
Tuition: $275
Feb. 13th to March 20th
Thursdays, 6-8:30pm
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 Actors Gym (On-Going)
Acting requires endurance. The Actors Gym provides endurance training through application of physical acting technique, monologue drills and somatic training as well as exercises you need to perform at your best.
Get your afternoon workout and punch dancing through a series of sweaty exercises! We incorporate Laban and Chekhov techniques with basic cross-functional fitness training, helping you dive into your monologue in new ways. Gain the confidence and energy you need to respond quickly during auditions, and perform with ease in your next production!
Please wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear for some physical work.
Offered Spring 2025 (Check back here for upcoming schedule!)
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 Spring 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 Spring 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
Feb. 5th to March 12th
Wednesdays, 6-8:30pm
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
Recurring Master Class Workshops include:
Let the red nose unlock your potential and discover what many consider to be integral to every actor: accessing spontaneity, play, vulnerability, and being present in the moment. It's fun, it's silly, it’s sometimes profound, and always incredibly useful for all styles of performance.
Tuition: $50
Upcoming Clowning Workshop
Tuesday, Feb. 4th
5:30-8:30pm
Location: CounterPulse, SF
The Audition Experience
With TBA Generals and Grad School Auditions right around the corner, this workshop offers practical tools for calming nerves, showing range, and leaving a lasting impression. You will receive instruction on preparing monologues, acquiring skills to apply during the audition, learning how to read the space while using it to your advantage, and present with ease and confidence.
Tuition: $70
Upcoming Audition Workshop:
Saturday, January 18th
1-5pm
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.