I have enjoyed several creative careers in my life…
As an actor, I was honored to receive the Back Stage West/ Drama-Logue Critics Award for my role as Elaine Nevazioin Neil Simon’s“Last of the Red Hot Lovers”.
As a writer, I have scripted several vehicles for production and contribute to industry publications such as Back Stage. My book,TWENTY-FIVE 5-MINUTE POWER SCENESwas published by Smith and Kraus in 2005
I started my career as a dancer and model—studying dance with Luigi and Martha Graham in New York and at The American School of Ballet in Los Angeles and also worked with legendary choreographers Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon.
I had an extensive modeling and commercial career with Ford Models and Wilhelmina Models in New York City—a career that gave me the opportunity to travel the world for leading designers and advertisers among them Revlon, Max Factor, Helena Rubinstein, Estee Lauder and Tiffany. I have appeared in or on the covers of books, and magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Time Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and many others; also appearing in numerous national television commercials.
One of my most joyous and rewarding careers, however, has been that of an acting teacher and coach. I trained to teach acting for years prior to opening my own school 15 years ago.
The techniques I teach are based on the Stanislavsky System and Sanford Meisner exercises. These techniques give actors the ability to be spontaneous, alive, truthful, and in the moment. Additionally I give the actors techniques that allow them to look at a script, memorize it, break it down, and deliver a stellar performance. Actors work on monologues, dialects, and impediments (for example blindness or addiction), deepening their emotional preparation and making their actions specific. Actors are taught the Stanislavsky method of using physical actions to induce feelings and emotions. Stanislavsky says, "In the doing the emotion will come."
My recent article in BACK STAGE - "Approaching a Role with an Accent":
My workshop provides actors with a safe, creative environment in which they can apply techniques designed to empower actors to achieve their full potential. The muscles for acting must constantly be exercised and developed. It is for that reason that each of my actors is filmed at EVERY class. As actors we are obligated to reflect the human condition. While applying their new techniques, the actors dress in their character’s wardrobe and makeup, step in front of the camera and ACT! The process is tremendous fun!The actors work from original material, resulting in 2-4 minute finished videos that are placed on-line for streaming to the industry.
Click here- www.lenaharris.com - MASTER CLASS ACTORS' VIDEOS to watch actors videos!
Lena Harris is available for private coaching and On-set coaching by appointment.
"Lena’s hard work and dedication speaks volumes about her love for the craft of acting. Her On-Camera Workshop is for the serious and dedicated actor. She provides the actor with techniques and a muscle-building platform that is essential for successful auditions. As actors we must be alive, be truthful, present and fully living in the moment as we journey through the souls of our characters. The proof here is in the weekly scenes shot at Lena's workshop, providing the actors cumulative and diverse characters and scenes to show agents and other industry sources around the world via a state-of-the-art on-line broadcast platform that provides the ability to email each individual scene. The goal? Getting the job! "
- Actor- Jay Acavone
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Click on - MASTER CLASS ACTORS' VIDEOS to watch the working actors' scenes!
