The Studio - Teaching
CONGRATULATIONS to my Students!
Some students I have worked with have been admitted to NYU, Yale,
Juliard, Boston Conservatory, Fordham summer theatre workshops,
performing arts high schools and school productions. I work with
students individually to prepare them for the best audition possible.
I meet them at their skill level and teach them hands on tools that
will inevitably take them to the next level in their acting and
personal skills.
Stefanie is available for individual coaching for auditions
Please call 347-604-1371 or email sertich@yahoo.com
What others say about Stefanie's class- "I'm sitting in the back of the playhouse. It's awards. I used your Gratitude Rock to be thankful for you being such an amazingly influential person in my life. My acting has improved, as has my outlook on the world, and I owe so much of my speedy growth to you and what you taught me. So thanks, and I hope to see you soon!"
- "Master acting was amazing. I honestly think about it all the time."
- "I was just commenting to say thanks for all the master acting classes. I'm in a play and today during our dress rehearsal, to get in character today i used the exercises you taught and it WORKED SO WELL my director said "you seem a lot more focused and in character today"!
- "I am so happy that i got to be a part of your production. My mom said that it was the most engaged I have ever been in a show, at stagedoor. I miss you so much. Thanks again and have a wonderful 2008 and 2009!"
University Teaching
Western Oregon University (Fall 2010)
- Guest Artist; directed the mainstage production of Picnic
- Taught Directing I
- Created professional seminars related to transitioning from school environment to professional environment.
NYU Tisch School of the Arts ---MFA Writing Program (2008-2010)
- Director in Collaboration Class with Eduardo Machado
Adjunct Faculty, University of Portland, 2004-2006
-Acting for Non-Majors (3 semesters)
-Acting I (2 semesters)
-Movement for the Stage (2 semesters)
-Musical Theatre Performance (1 semester)
Teaching Assistant, University of Portland, 2002-2004
- Acting I (2 semesters)
-Acting III: Shakespeare (1 semester)
-Development of Theatre (1 semester)
-Dramatic Criticism (1 semester)
-The History I (1 semester)
-Theater History II (1 semester)
RELATED WORK
- ACTF Irene Ryan’s Coach 2002-2005
- Instructor, “Introduction to Viewpoints” and “Audition Workshop”, Theatre Workshops for high school students, University of Portland, 2004-2005
- Lecturer, “Peer to Peer: Students Directing Students”, ACTF Conference, 2002-2004
- Instructor, “Audition Workshop”, Portland Area Theatre Alliance, 2002-2003
- Founder and Coordinator, New Play Festival for high school students, staging two student productions in conjunction with Stark Raving Theatre, Portland 2002
Children's Theatre
Stagedoor Manor, Loch Sheldrake, NY. Summer 2007 - 2009
Instructor- Players Ensemble, Master Acting, Building a Character, Shakespeare, Directing, Sing and Dance, Jazz I, Ballet I, Tap II, Jazz II
Directed and Choreographed 42nd Street,West Side Story, Pippin, Guys and Dolls, Celebration! and Leader of the Pack
City Lights Youth Theatre, New York City, 2008-2010
- Teaching Artist (director, choreographer, script development) for Musical Theatre Review Class for 12-16 year olds
Oregon Children’s Theatre Portland, OR Summer 2007-2009
-Teaching Artist (director/choreographer)- Sing, Dance and Act! for 12-16 year olds
Northwest Children's Theatre Portland, OR Fall/Winter 2004
- Teaching Artist (director/choreographer) Musical Theatre Performance Lab for Kids and Teens
Southeast Effective Development - Seattle, WA 1999-2000
- Teaching Artist- Summer Theatre Camp Grades 1-3, Drama for Kids, Workshops in schools Grade 4-5
"Song and Dance" Class at Stagedoor Manor 2007
A NOTE ABOUT MY TRAINING
My most recent training came from the head of the Acting Department at University of Portland, Mindi Logan, who is now the Chair of KC/ACTF Region 7. She got her MFA from Rutgers University under Maggie Flannigan who is voted the best acting teacher in New York City. Mindi has developed her own style which has directly influenced my style. I teach a variety of exercises that come directly from Mindi, Slava Dolgachev (Moscow Art Theatre), Michael Rhod (Sojourn Theatre), Anne Bogart (Viewpoints) and others that I've picked up along the way.
Please inquire if you are interested in learning more about workshops. Workshops are created to specifically meet the needs of the group.
MY OWN TEACHING STYLE
In my experience, I find the acting training system in the US somewhat disconnected. Maybe its a reflection of our culture and society but I find that young American actors are not being trained to properly rehearse rigorously or to utilize their imagination.
In my travels to Europe and with working with European artists, theatre seems different. The rehearsals are longer, there is much more discipline, the physical world feels more demanding and there's not a lot of notice to emoting emotion. That part just exists.
I have been influenced by many people and philosophies, including my own theatrical training which includes Mindi Logan's Action Based Theatrical Training (which is most of what I use in Master Acting), Anne Bogarts Viewpoints, Mary Jane Dancers, Chekhov, Vinyasa Yoga, Powderpuff Football and my brother pushing me to my edge ever since I could walk.
I believe in a strong work ethic and discipline that begins within the body to then transform the inner life of the actor. This can lead to find the inner truth about ourselves and our world. Once a physical life has been found the imagination has a better chance at exploring and creating a full character.
For students, I believe in strong imagination work, rather than imposing ones emotional baggage and placing that on top of a character. Imagination is safer and longer lasting. Yes, its HARDER to learn. As Americans, the TV has replaced many imaginative games for children but I'm hopeful that the "imaginary friend" still exists in our young ones, instinctively.
The Cast of "Electra" during rehearsal warmup
My most recent training came from the head of the Acting Department at University of Portland, Mindi Logan, who is now the Chair of KC/ACTF Region 7. She got her MFA from Rutgers University under Maggie Flannigan who is voted the best acting teacher in New York City. Mindi has developed her own style which has directly influenced my style. I teach a variety of exercises that come directly from Mindi, Slava Dolgachev (Moscow Art Theatre), Michael Rhod (Sojourn Theatre), Anne Bogart (Viewpoints) and others that I've picked up along the way.
Please inquire if you are interested in learning more about workshops. Workshops are created to specifically meet the needs of the group.
MY OWN TEACHING STYLE
In my experience, I find the acting training system in the US somewhat disconnected. Maybe its a reflection of our culture and society but I find that young American actors are not being trained to properly rehearse rigorously or to utilize their imagination.
In my travels to Europe and with working with European artists, theatre seems different. The rehearsals are longer, there is much more discipline, the physical world feels more demanding and there's not a lot of notice to emoting emotion. That part just exists.
I have been influenced by many people and philosophies, including my own theatrical training which includes Mindi Logan's Action Based Theatrical Training (which is most of what I use in Master Acting), Anne Bogarts Viewpoints, Mary Jane Dancers, Chekhov, Vinyasa Yoga, Powderpuff Football and my brother pushing me to my edge ever since I could walk.
I believe in a strong work ethic and discipline that begins within the body to then transform the inner life of the actor. This can lead to find the inner truth about ourselves and our world. Once a physical life has been found the imagination has a better chance at exploring and creating a full character.
For students, I believe in strong imagination work, rather than imposing ones emotional baggage and placing that on top of a character. Imagination is safer and longer lasting. Yes, its HARDER to learn. As Americans, the TV has replaced many imaginative games for children but I'm hopeful that the "imaginary friend" still exists in our young ones, instinctively.
The Cast of "Electra" during rehearsal warmup
