Teaching

THE MEISNER TECHNIQUE:

Monica has been a Meisner-based acting teaching for over 20 years. She has taught for many prestigious institutions, including UCLA, Carnegie Mellon, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She also served as the Head of Graduate Acting at Point Park University (PGH) from 2012-2014 and is currently Head of Directing at Tulane University in New Orleans. She previously served as Head of Performance at Tulane and was a finalist for the Weiss Excellence in Teaching Award. She has taught internationally in Toronto, Canada and Chisinau, Moldova.  Domestically, she has taught workshops in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New Orleans, at studios and independently. Her students have gone on to work on television, film, and Broadway.

As both student and teacher, she was trained by several powerhouse Meisner mentors in Chicago: Kathy Scambiatterra, Mary Ann Thebus, and Amy Morton.

THE BUZZ:

“Having taught alongside Monica at the School at Steppenwolf and Steppenwolf Classes West, I can say that she works with passion, discipline, clarity, and her own unique point of view. She truly embodies the work and is a real gift to any actor trying to hone their craft.”
– Jeff Perry, Steppenwolf co-founder, Los Angeles, CA

“Monica is a committed and compassionate teacher who engages, challenges, and supports the work of her students. She creates a collaborative environment for learning and shares her generous spirit along with an in-depth knowledge of Meisner.”
– Rondi Reed, Steppenwolf ensemble member, Los Angeles, CA

“I train with Monica every chance I get. She teaches the Meisner Technique from a place of deep reverence and inspired exploration. It seems as though her class generates heat. She holds a safe and sacred space for exploration, and as a result, everyone is transformed. Some of hottest, most exciting theater I’ve seen, has been in her class.”
– Kate Bone, Actress and Singer/Songwriter, Atlanta, GA