LOS ANGELES

From our first meeting on, it was obvious that we had made a great choice....The result was a big hit, both artistically and critically....I would recommend Marc for any directing position and hope to get him back to work with us in the future. This feeling is also felt by Sanford Meisner himself and Mr. James Carville, our vice-president.

MARTIN BARTER - Artistic Director/SANFORD MEISNER - Master Teacher THE SANFORD MEISNER CENTER FOR THE ARTS - Los Angeles

***

As you probably know, I've been in L.A. since August working on PASSIONS (NBC), and I attribute most of my success in the role to what I learned while studying with you.

Just in case any of them are wondering what the Exercises have to do with acting, and if learning the exercises will actually benefit them as actors, from my own experience, they do benefit you as an actor.

I learned to really respect the art of acting through you; you were the first to make me understand that I had so much to learn, and that it was okay to want to learn...that I NEEDED to learn. You are the primary reason that I continue to take classes, and I still use a lot of the techniques you taught me in preparing for scenes, as well as relaxing before the camera or an audience!

Thank you, Marc for everything you taught me. It has helped tremendously! Every actor needs his or her tools, thank you for giving them to me and teaching me how to use them!

Deanna Wright (Kay Bennett) NBC PASSIONS - Los Angeles

***

Marc…. thank you, thank you for your incredible talent in helping our dancers reach yet another level in their acting abilities. You were by our side during the entire planning process of the DVD and always believed in our project. Having you on the set was truly a gift as your enthusiasm and knowledge kept our actors comfortable and focused. We have already had incredible feedback from the movie and television industry and so look forward to “Beautiful Thing” being in the stores this fall. Our hats off to you!! With great appreciation….

Jim Green, Mark Bacino, Suzy Stone Exec. Producers Hip Hop Kidz Entertainment - Los Angeles

***

I so grateful to have you in my life Marc, truly. You are such an inspiration to me and so many other actors. As you may know the process of acting, particularly in Los Angeles, seems more like a a battle at times, one must be strong on all fronts, mental, physical, emotional, and most importantly spiritual. You are a wonderful mentor, friend and guide to us all. Muchas gracias por todo!

Sophie Simone - Los Angeles

***

I truly enjoyed working with Marc over the past year. He challenged me and helped to see my potential as an actor and as a spokesperson. Marc has a lot compassion and energy behind his work and he connot help but pass that onto you. I learned so much about myself and I feel 100 times more confident in everything I do. Marc, thank for taking the time to help me this past year and I dedicate much of my success to you.

Kristen Berset - Miss Florida USA - Miss USA Top Ten Finalist

***

... I just got back from working on a show (MURDER IN SMALL TOWN X) for FOX TV. My character had many levels. Levels that I, as Pat, never experienced... ie; alcoholism/Gulf War Syndrome. The two things that helped me immensely were my (Hagen Exercises) Changes of Self and my living from Moment to Moment.

... the script was changing every day. They gave me layers that I didn't know I had so the story would flow better. No matter what they wrote for me, I looked at the task at hand. What was my need at that moment? Since a lot of this was improvised, the beauty of truly living in the moment came out. I didn't know how the other actors were going to react so I was able to give free rein to my emotional and psychological experiences.

I hope you can see my work and how you've helped me. I've learned how being vulnerable to the moment has made me stronger not weaker. Thanks again, Marc.

Pat Battistini - Thibodeaux, MURDER IN SMALL TOWN X, FoxTV - Los Angeles

***

I had an awesome audition...I saw!...Hagen's process really works...It was the best audition I ever had. And I was in control of the room!!!...I did it! I did it!...Thank you so much! I finally get it. I understand the process and what I need to do. I felt so free.

Deborah Cox - R&B Recording Artist - Los Angeles

***

The main reason that an actor turns to a coach is so the coach can fine tune what the actor knows and bring to life all the skills he/she has learned throughout the years. A coach must be well read and educated in all areas of acting styles. Marc Durso is a coach that brings everything to the table.

Working with Marc allowed my inner child to be exposed through the use of his technique. He made me feel free of insecurities. As an actress my main problem was the issue of watching myself act, I would critique myself while I was performing; which in the end hindered my acting. Marc was able to give me options with my work; he never said there is the only way to do it. He would let the actor work through the problem and then simply fine tune the work.

I think that it is important that each actor, if given an opportunity should work with Marc Durso. I promise that he will change and open up your acting to a whole new level.

Natalie Koury - "GABBY" - OCEAN AVENUE

***

"I can not tell you how much I appreciate you for opening up my world into the world of "True Acting". Out here, LA is bombarded with what I call "wanna be actors" but not all of them are perfecting their craft.

I was fortunate to study with you and learn how to search for the character. I can honestly say that I am a totally different actor and I can make better choices for the character than a few months ago."

Carmelita Hughes - Los Angeles

***

"Marc, thank you for your encouragement, passion, focus and dedication to your students... you are an inspiration to me! Even though I'm out in Los Angeles now I remain connected to your lessons via the email updates."

Michele Lepe - Los Angeles

***

Thanks for working so diligently on my behalf and that of all of the other actors with whom you communicate. I truly appreciate it, and you.

Barbara Broz - Los Angeles

***

The Los Angeles ActTrue workshop was amazing...I became empowered out of the workshop as an actor...you are always giving us tools to perfect our acting skills and to take with us into the audition process. Thank you for a wonderful workshop

Eva Leong - Miami/Los Angeles

***

Thanks for the great class on the weekend, I really enjoyed and benefitted from it. It was fantastic to do the Linklater exercises and be reminded of the simple things that make the imaginery real; that is what it is all about. Thanks for keeping it real.

Marc Caldera - Los Angeles

***

After six months of being in LA with commercial representation and dreading my inevitable search for a theatrical agent, I had a meeting with an agency that wanted to expand their Latino clientele. The meeting... "...bla, bla, bla... What have you done... Resume examination... Credentials... Special Skills... horseback riding, motorbike riding, martial arts... bla, bla, bla..." All great and fine but despite any Agent's great impressions of an actor, the dough is what really counts. So he handed me an excerpt from a play, a 1 page monologue, and tells me to take 5 min and return for the test.

Your ActTrue LA workshop had finished 3 days prior to my meeting and I still had everything fresh and alive in my blood system. So many of your teachings that I had adopted as mine during the workshop came to my aid. From not clinging to the words but to what the script was about, the meaning, the feeling; to visualizing and SEEING what I was talking about; to being in the moment, the moment to moment... I came back and left the book on the desk. Agent was like "what... uh... you didn't have to memorize it". "I didn't", I told him. And I hadn't, although all the words were in my mind, they were just there because the scene was all there, not because I tried to think of the words. I did the monologue (even added a cowgirl accent, since the scene took place in Texas).

Once I finished, the agent offered me a 3 year contract right there on the spot. So that's the story. I ended up taking my time to "shop around" and didn't sign up with them but the experience left me with a deep sense of self-confidence and control. I had turned my fears into accomplishable possibilities.

Just wanted to share it with you. All the best,

Iran Daniel - Los Angeles

***

...I can't wait for you to come back (Los Angeles Workshop) and give us an opportunity to work with you for a longer period of time...it was interesting to be able to watch from masters of the craft specific examples of what you were trying to convey to us. Watching those tapes truly helped visualize what we had to work for. I was happy to be reminded of how much the relaxed voice in its natural state is a great part of a performance. I tend to sometimes try to "sound sexy" or "sound worried", etc, without realizing that if the body and behavior are allowed to be a part of the process, all the changes will automatically happen by themselves.

As many classes and teachers as I have had, I don't think I had ever actually realized (as you made me do it) how unimportant words are in any event. How behavior is what really dictates what is going on in a specific moment. I believe this will especially be helpful in my career... especially at the moment of auditioning, because I am now more confident and secure that I do not even have to learn the actual words on the script so long my behavior, actions reflect what's on the paper. This is what a director really wants. Now, the most important thing I learned is how it all begins with "Simplicity." ... Simple... if you don't fully understand the concept of simple, and you cannot freely perform a "simple task" how can you possibly be convincing when the big "Oscar moment" comes. This was invaluable, Marc.

I thank you for a great weekend. I honestly hope you can somehow work it so that at some point you can come to the West Coast and offer us 4 or 6 weeks of intensive work. I understand it will be expensive for all of us, but I believe it's worth it...Please come back soon, I have already told a lot of friends about you, and that you're coming back....after all... "you want to be a better actor?... Become a better person..."

Sevy Di Cione - Los Angeles

***

...thank you again for a great weekend of inspiration, knowledge, and most importantly the truth (in every aspect of acting, the business and our work)! The weekend workshop in LA reminded me that what we do is hard work, and to get lazy and sloppy only lets me down. I really enjoyed how you showed us how Ms. Hagen's premiss of thought into behavior can be applied from auditions to close-ups. As I told you during a break, you inspired me. One of the things I know I need to work on is getting strong images and using them. So I've decided to use my commercial auditions as imagery exercises as well. Instead of trying to come up with circumstances, I have a whole place, relationship, etc determined for me. Plus, I hope this will give a spark to my commercial auditions. ...starting with Linklater voice process was a great way to get focused and energized for the rest of the day ahead...you gave us such a great taste of how it (Hagen Exercises) can impact and improve our work, it made me want more, more, more. I hope you have the opportunity to come back, and if you do, and I am available - I would take your class in a heartbeat. So, if Charles Nelson Reilly doesn't start teaching again, you better get back out here to teach us! I honestly think there would be a great market for your class out here, once word got out. I look forward to seeing you again and learning even more.

Jeff Witzke - Los Angeles

***

...facing reality, thinking life deeper gives me confidence as a human being, then as an actor. This is exactly what Marc talked about in the Los Angeles Workshop. "If you want to be good actors be better human beings first." ... The Hagen Exercises let me know about myself as I never knew before...This is one of the very interesting parts of Uta Exercises. I love it! I can discover many things at home. THEN by presentation in the class I can learn MORE!...Get stronger, then go to the real world!

The Exercises give me not only technique, but also positive attitude, respect, appreciation to acting, people, life. We actors play life - human, animal, alien...- we'd better know life better ...I understand more what he taught us. How to apply these Exercises to stage, film work -- we can find out easily if we commit hard. It's really fun. Try!!

The same as Marc's new Camera/Imagery Exercises. I was impressed he invented from observing actors' problem on camera...they improve concentration, quick thinking, imagination, strong action, and more.

Kumi Shirisaki - Los Angeles

***

I am seeing the principles that you taught in class (Los Angeles Workshop) ring with greater truth in every movie I see and in real life as well. It is fascinating to have the insight into observing human behavior! I am very excited about the Hagen Excercises and really feel improvements in my own personal growth. I have learned many things this past month and hope to keep learning and put them into practice. Thank you for your help and commitment to your work!

Jeanine Castle - Los Angeles

***

His teaching process is based on nothing but truth and honesty. …he exposed the students to a whole new world of acting. His philosophy, which is based on one of his former instructors (Uta Hagen), opened up my eyes to a whole different understanding of acting. I realized that what I had been trying to do was wrong because I was "trying" to do it.

He showed me how to take the characters that are found on paper and turn them into human beings. Within five months, I played husbands, priests, a restaurant owner and an over-the-hill small town hero. Things that I have never experienced in my life. But due to Marc, his process and his integrity, I was able to turn these people into believable characters.

I am thankful to Marc because I have a great understanding and the beginnings of a technique. I know what is expected of me and what I expect from myself.

Pat Battistini - Los Angeles, CA

***

Your commitment is total; to yourself, your students and to the Hagen exercises. Your explanation, demonstration and practical application of the process is easily understood, and questions are encouraged and welcomed You created an environment of growth and expansion, not only for the artist but for the totality of the individual, as a person, as well as for yourself through the teaching and exploration. You encouraged everyone in the class to take chances, make mistakes and do it again and again. In that way, I felt safe to succeed, fail, and succeed again. In the "doing" of the exercises, I became more mindful of who I was "being" in the moment. It made me think more carefully about choices and my commitment to them.

My understanding of the material I worked with deepened in the "doing", or action(s) I took. By breaking lines down thought by thought, action to action, moment to moment, I didn't have to "act" anything; I just had to "be". I felt a growing excitement as I watched what was created as a result - the possibility of all possibility. Through the combination of the physical exercises and the Hagen exercise, my understanding of the Mind/Body/Spirit connection deepened, as it is applies not only to the acting profession, but to all of life. I felt more freedom and strength to express myself, as a person and as an artist.

Prior to taking your class, I was feeling (oh, oh, that "feeling" word!) disappointed in the work that I have done so far, knowing there was something more to reach for, but not knowing what or how. I have tools now that will help me in that process.

Prior to taking your class, I had not been in an acting class or performed for about 1 year. I was feeling "stuck", both personally and with regard to acting, and wondering if I should even be thinking about performing; I felt stale and "out of shape". The weekend I took your class and did some of the Hagen exercises, I gained access to that creative part of me that I had ignored for too long. I felt more capable of making choices that were strong. I gained a new awareness of my body/physical instrument, and I found a renewed interest in myself, on a personal level as well as that of an artist. Just in the practice of making choices and the commitment to them, I felt more capable. As a result, I am working with my physical body, home environment, relationships, work, etc. in a new way, with a new perspective. I guess you could say I "woke up" some that weekend to what is important to me, personally and creatively.

Barbara Broz - Los Angeles, CA