From Rick Walters, the Actors Center Teacher Development Workshop Fellowship Recipient

Dear Gregg,

Wow! I had an incredible experience at The Actors Center. Thank you to the Region III executive committee for nominating me, to the national committee for putting my name forward and special thanks to you for creating this rare and wonderful opportunity in support of teachers of acting.

The Actors Center is a very special place. I learned more about acting and teaching acting in my two weeks there than I ever imagined possible. The master teachers brought together by J. Michael Miller for the Teacher Development Program are truly masters committed to the craft of acting and to sharing what they have learned and know. What knowledge. What generosity of spirit. What wonderful, kind mentors who challenge and inspire. I came away from this experience with a deeper understanding of acting and about who I am as an actor and most importantly about myself as an acting teacher. It was an honor to be a student in their classrooms.

We began the week with what turned out to be a single powerful acting class with Earle Gister (he unfortunately couldn't continue for health reasons). Catherine Fitzmaurice came in Earle's stead to fill the morning sessions of the first week. Her holistic, full- body approach to voice is the most effective way of releasing the voice and connecting with text that I've experienced. Our afternoons were devoted to mask work with Per Brahe. Not only was I moved by the exquisite artistry of his handmade Balinese masks, but I was amazed by the way his process drove a direct and penetrating access to the creation of character through the body. I have never experienced mask work for acting in such a profound way before. Even though Per will deny it, there is something truly magical about what he does.

Our acting work in the second week was with the legendary Lloyd Richards. What a kind, charming, warm, gracious and wise teacher he is. He has an incredible ability to make the complex simple, asking questions that invite the student to go ever deeper into accessing the self. Working with him one-on-one was one of the most transforming experiences in the week -- if not in my acting training. I felt empowered to come from a "real place" in my acting. Time and again, his incisive observations helped each of us find within ourselves undiscovered resources that deepened and enriched our work. Daily he invited us to "rip him off." I fully intend to do this. I only hope I can begin to help my students the way Lloyd helped me.  

Evenings were spent steeped in Chekhov with the incredible Slava Dolgatchev, Artistic Director of the Moscow New Drama Theatre. I thought I knew something about analyzing a script until I met Slava. His approach is so exacting and complete as to be intimidating (at first). But with his empowering patience I learned new tools that deepened my understanding of Chekhov and forever changed the way I approach plays as an actor, director and teacher.

In the end, what each of these master teachers have in common is that they are consummate artists, passionate about what they do, with a hugely generous spirit and an amazing ability to inspire and empower others. I am renewed, inspired and eager to share with my students the riches that these generous teachers have shared with me.

Thank you KCACTF for this experience!

Rick Walters
Viterbo University