TEACHING

Laura brings her passion and expertise to the vibrant stage of West Valley  College's theater department which she joined full time in 2013. Before her time at WV, Laura taught several places: University of SF, Los Positas College, Berkeley Repertory School for Theater, California Shakespeare Company, Marin Shakes, Word for Word Theatre Company, StageWrite and many more! After graduate school, she moved to New York City, where she continued to study Acting with The Keen Company and Shakespeare at The American Globe Theater.

THEA 40A: Acting One

This course provides an introduction to acting with an emphasis on one's personal connection to the character and the scene. The course introduces students to techniques on how to become comfortable in front of an audience. Also, movement and vocal exercises that prepare students for performance are introduced. Other topics that are explored include techniques of scene study and improvisation.

THEA 40B: Acting Two

This course focuses on the externals an actor uses to create a role. There is continued training in acting skills introduced in THEA 040A with detailed script and character analysis. The course also introduces auditioning and improvisational skills. 

THEA 40C: Acting Three

This course provides advanced scene study through detailed work on character and scene analysis, acting theory and technique. Students are introduced to classical dramatic literature and have the opportunity to learn how to prepare a formal audition and an actor's resume. 

THEA 035A: Voice Production and Articulation

This course provides advanced scene study through detailed work on character and scene analysis, acting theory and technique. Students are introduced to classical dramatic literature and have the opportunity to learn how to prepare a formal audition and an actor's resume. 

THEA 026A: Improvisational Theatre Workshop

This course explores methods and techniques used to develop spontaneous performance skills in the actor. The types of improvisation covered are the following: partner games, team building, short and long form improv and theater-sports. This course culminates in a final class performance open to the public.