Miriam Laurence

One of Toronto's most highly respected acting teachers, Miriam Laurence trains, coaches and directs actors. In the thirty years that she has been training actors, Miriam Laurence has been influential in the growth of a long and impressive list of recognized actors, directors, writers, and teachers. Professionals who have studied with Miriam Laurence during the past 25 years are doing extremely well as actors, directors, teachers, screenwriters, and hosts: (Emmy nominated) Tatiana Maslany, James Allodi, Semi Chellas, Raven Dauda, Carlos Diaz, Robin Dunne, Agi Gallus, Samantha Gutstadt, Martha Ferguson, Joris Jarsky, Moshana Halbert, Jacqueline McClintock, Trent McMullen, Leah Miller, Michelle Nolden, Philip Nozuka, Deborah Odell, Liisa Repo-Martell, Alex Rice, Joseph Scoren, Jessica Steen, Brandi Ward, Chandra West, Liz West, Rochelle Wilson, Richard Zeppieri, Warren Chow ... all studied with Miriam - some during their early years of training, some after they had achieved professional status. Ms. Laurence trained at New York's Circle-in-the-Square Theatre School with Madeleine Sherwood. She then studied with Lee Strasberg for three years and was granted auditing privileges at The Actors Studio East and West for four years. At the Actors Studio she observed weekly sessions moderated by the well-known proponents of method acting and directing: Arthur Penn, Elia Kazan, Lee Strasberg, Ellen Burstyn, Shelley Winters and Estelle Parsons. She observed actors such as Rip Torn, Ron Leibman, Michael Moriarty, Teri Garr and Mickey Rourke working on their craft. While in New York, Miriam also participated (acting, observing or assisting) in productions at Ensemble Studio Theater. Miriam holds an M.A. from U.C.L.A. in directing and critical analysis and an M.F.A. in Directing from York University. In Toronto, she trained with Michael Shurtleff and other acting teachers. She assisted Robin Phillips in his acclaimed production of Semmelweiss at Equity Showcase Theatre. She studied extensively with master voice coach David Smukler. Her exposure to many physical techniques includes various forms of dance, yoga, contact improvisation, Grotowski and Suzuki, as well as alignment and massage techniques. Theater directing credits for theatre include: Crimes of the Heart for Sterling Theatre, The Gnadiges Fraulin at Summerworks and the sold-out production of Birdbath at The Toronto Fringe; A Dream Play at Seneca College Studio Theatre, World of Colour at Mel Lastman Square, Lilly, Alta. and Fool for Love at York University. Fool for Love was remounted professionally in a highly acclaimed production at Solar Stage Theatre. Since 1999 Miriam has directed seven short films. She received a second Media Arts grant from the Ontario Arts Council to direct a documentary about Madeleine Sherwood and the acting process, Madeleine's Method which was featured at the Victoria Film Festival, while her short, Rue the Day, was chosen for the LA International Short Film Festival. Miriam is a member of the Playwrights/Directors Unit of the Actors Studio West. As well as being in constant demand as a private audition coach for actors of all ages, Ms. Laurence has been hired as Language/Dialect Coach for Vin Diesel and other actors in The Pacifier; for Sienna Guillory and Thomas Kretchmann, in Resident Evil II:Apocalypse. She served as dialect coach for fifty-three cast members in Harlan County, directed by Tony Bill and starring Holly Hunter and most recently for George McKay and Daniel Webber on 11/23/62. Ms. Laurence has worked as the Acting Coach for Abigail Spencer and Paul Popowich for Angela's Eyes, on CBC's Street Legal and I'll Never Get to Heaven, Don Shebib's Change of Heart, Universal's Billy Madison, Fast Track for Alliance. She has been a personal role preparation coach for several actors, among them, Alex Rice on two projects.