Teaching Statement:
“In my studio, we teach the truth.” ~ Herbert Berghof
“I am honored to carry on Herbert and Uta’s tradition of finding the truth in this wonderful game of make-believe called theatre. To me, the most exhilarating theatre to watch, is when I am seeing an actor being, rather than acting. Guiding students to reveal genuine human behavior within imaginary circumstances facilitates their ability to fully assimilate their own emotional life with the emotional life of the characters they are playing. When the heart is truly open and assimilation occurs, magic happens. In my class, we will delve into this journey by practicing partnered scene work, monologues and Uta Hagen’s tried and true exercises. Through hard work, diligence and tenacity, we will chase the magic together.”
BIO:
Francesca Ferrara is the Co-Executive Director of HB Studio, where she teaches technique and scene study in the Hagen Core Conservatory. Francesca is the Co-Founder of Acting Out, a workshop for formerly incarcerated artists. Their most recent production, THE ODETS PROJECT, had to be remounted, due to popular demand. Other theater credits include I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER (Chain Theatre), ROMEO & JULIET, 1984 (National Players), THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Olney Theatre), SEDUCED, THE ADDING MACHINE, SISTER CITIES, AS IS (New American Theatre/LA), STAGE BEAUTY (Crown City), ANXIETY (The Odyssey) and DETAINEE (East 4th Street Theatre). Film and television highlights include CHICKEN LIVERS, FLUSHED, THE WEST WING, UGLY BETTY, GREY’S ANATOMY, MASTERS OF SEX, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, BULL, GOSSIP GIRL, THE BLACKLIST and the series finale of MAD MEN.
