BIO
Lisa Pelikan is an award winning actor and director. She trained at the Juilliard School of Drama as well as with many master teachers, including Uta Hagen. Lisa made her feature film debut as the young ‘Julia’ in Fred Zinnemann’s JULIA sharing the title role with Vanessa Redgrave, her television debut as the ingénue in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of THE COUNTRY GIRL with Jason Robards and Shirley Knight, and her theatrical debut starring as ‘Wendla’ in SPRING’S AWAKENING with the Circle Repertory Theatre in NYC. For JENNIFER, Lisa received the Best Actress Award from the International Science Fiction & Horror Film Festival. Television movies include PERFECT GENTLEMAN, with Lauren Bacall, THE BEST LITTLE GIRL IN THE WORLD with Eva Marie Saint, and the miniseries, THE BEST OF FAMILIES with William Hurt. Lisa’s most recent feature film was Paul Chart’s NASTY.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
Lisa is truly an outstanding teacher. Her method is not like anything else I have been exposed to — it is practical, and it works! I have learned so much from her and have been introduced to disciplines such as Laban and Fitzmaurice Voice Work. I highly recommend her class. – Mimmye Goode
Recently, at the end of a demanding day of location shooting, while the sun was going down and the crew was getting ready to pack up and the only setup left the most dialogue heavy closeup of mine, I leaned into Lisa’s teachings, took a sec, breathed, allowed myself to be present and after action I had an almost out of body experience, I was there and I was not, my critical mind absent, I got a smile and the thumbs up from the director, a second take and then wrap and hugs from a bunch of people on set, and I had only Lisa to thank (and so did they but they didn’t know it) for supplying me with valuable practical tools and a point of view toward the work that has refreshed my understanding of and interest in it. – Pano Masti
Lisa is a magical teacher! They brought me to places where characters come to life and are a strong support to all their students. – Sean Ian
Lisa is an amazing teacher! She trains actors in a systematic way to get to the emotional core of what’s occurring moment by moment. And she’s incredibly supportive of actors’s careers! – Greg Falkin
Lisa has found a way to capture lightning in a bottle – on camera! Her process sets you free to trust the moment, make writing pop, and reveal a very real character who will surprise even you. LOVE LOVE LOVED everything I got from her class! – Caitlin Wells
I got to learn body movement, voice work and how to breathe without knowing at first how important these are for my presence as an actor. Techniques like Laban and Fritzmaurice that help build a solid actor’s core can cost thousands of dollars to learn. I found them all in Lisa’s class, packaged in her carefully considered coursework – simple, practical and engaging enough to keep me busy both inside and outside class. I have used these techniques for stage and camera work and can see the difference they have made in me as an actor.
I learned to breathe and through that to be conscious of myself, my body and my voice. Observing my breath has helped me stay focused on stage without distraction, to be present and respond to my world the other actors in front of me. Lisa’s techniques and teachings have been invaluable in the small steps I have already taken on my journey as an actor who’s not afraid to be out there, doing the thing he loves.
If you want to be prepped and feel confident on your first day on set, if you want to learn how to use the infinite tools you have – imagination and body, and if you’re willing to do a lot of work, I’d recommend Lisa’s Acting for Camera class. One of the techniques in her class, the ‘Actor’s Gold’, is a grounding yet simple exercise that helped me to not only react in the moment but also work with others and build community with like-minded actors. I’ve been studying acting with Lisa for two years now and will keep coming back! – Supreet Mahanti
Lisa’s class is one of the very best things ever happened to me. It has renewed and transformed me not only as an actor/writer-director but also as a human being. She helped me to be able to see the poetry and wonder of acting – especially film acting. Lisa has always strived to create an environment that’s safe and lively for us to explore and to take risks, and she would encourage us to say “no” when we need to. Lisa is one of the kindest, warmest, most generous, most loving, and most passionate persons that I’ve ever known. Now, even I’ve moved back to my country, China, what Lisa has taught me has always helped me tremendously in my creative and daily life. I’m forever grateful for her and for the love she has showed to me. – Emma Fu
Thanks to the techniques Lisa has provided, I’ve learned to find inspiration with every breath taken in a scene. She’s taught me new ways to get out of my head and connect with my body. Thanks to her lessons, I can better allow my surroundings to impact me while maintaining my own presence. – Cyrus Banisi
Lisa Pelikan is one of the most caring, knowledgeable, and encouraging teachers I have EVER had. Some people describe her as “tough,” and I agree—but only in the sense that she pushes you to prepare for the real world. In her class, if you commit to doing the work, you’ll be amazed at how quickly her techniques begin to transform your craft.
From the very start, Lisa creates a safe and supportive environment where every student can grow and thrive. Her class structure is beautifully clear: beginning with something as “simple” as learning how to breathe truthfully on camera, and building all the way to living believably in front of the lens. Her approach includes camera breathing, body and voice work, physical and mental preparation, character development, film analysis, and detailed scene study—always drawn from Academy Award–nominated screenplays.
What makes Lisa extraordinary is not only her teaching method but her unwavering dedication. Despite fitting so much into a four-hour class, she still makes herself available outside of class—whether by email, phone, Zoom, or even text—whenever her students need help. As long as you are putting in the effort, she is more than happy to guide you.
One of the qualities I admire most is her genuine care. She checks in with students about their progress, often reaching out personally to ask how a project or screenplay is coming along, and then offers help tailored to their needs. I’ve never had another teacher so invested in my journey. If working with 29 students individually is what it takes to keep everyone on track, Lisa does it without hesitation.
Once students reach a certain level, she encourages them to create their own projects and develop original material. Many of her students go on to become filmmakers and writers because of her encouragement.
If this kind of dedication and care is what people call “tough,” then I can only say: every student should be lucky enough to have a teacher like Lisa Pelikan. – Murodilla Fatkhullaev
Lisa has been and is an essential part in my ongoing growth as an actor and human. Training and collaborating with her helped me bring more understanding, awareness and presence in my art. From breath to movement and expression to connection. – Florian Kiniffo
Lisa’s class was the turning point in my acting training. She was very insightful with her observations and helped me deliver authentic and grounded performances. I am so glad I studied with her. I would highly recommend her class. – Marcela Sbongile
