March 8, 2012

What an amazing Intensive Studies Program we just completed this past week!  Actors from Ireland, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Australia, and the great states of Florida & Illinois… they spent 2 weeks at my studio learning to “Live the Life” with a very special classmate – my best friend, Mary WIlson.  That’s right.  MARY WILSON FROM THE SUPREMES!
Mary and I have been friends since we met each other in 1968.  It was fate that brought together this “supreme” singer and, (as Mary wrote in her book), “…this nice crazy Jewish girl who soon became my best friend.”  I had switched my singing lesson with a friend and had arrived early for my session with Teddy Hall.  I recognized her immediately as I was a huge Motown fan.  She asked me if I would like to hear her new song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.”  I was flattered and listened in awe.  Mary was wonderful.  She invited me to come to see Diana Ross and the Supremes at the Waldorf that evening and our paths were united from that moment on.  In 1970, at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas during the final show of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Mary and I toasted to our future. Two months later, I packed my clothes and left Long Island, New York to arrive in Hollywood, California.  Mary changed my life.  They say there are a few people in your life that can affect your destiny.  Mary was there for me.
Over 40 years of friendship, I finally have been able to “pay it forward.”  Mary wanted to start to fulfill a dream of acting and who better could assist her with that goal?! She began in the Fundamental Intensive that is taught by Zak Barnett at the Haber Studio.  After she got that under her belt, she took a leap of faith and joined the two-week Intensive Studies Program with actors from all over the world.  She never shared who she was.  Mary wanted to be what she loves most – a student.  Everyone fell in love with Mary, even before they discovered who she was.  Mary has that way about her.  Her warmth and positive outlook are genuine and we just feel good being around her.
As the workshop progressed, so did Mary.  One day she returned to my home from class, glowing with happiness. With tears of joy in her eyes, she said, “Margie, Margie, I get it.  I understand ‘Living the Life.’  I did your Phrase Technique.  Oh Margie, thank you for this amazing opportunity.”
We celebrated her birthday this week at a Beverly Hills Restaurant.  Her friends, Natalie Cole, Freda and Sherrie Payne, her son, and many others came to toast to her.  And so did all of her new friends from her class!  What a way to close this chapter.

I love you, Mary!!

Margie

Pictured – Mary Wilson, me, and the Intensive Studies Program class at her birthday party this week in Beverly Hills.

12/1/11

I received an email from my friend (and publisher of my book), Jeff Black, who now is the publisher of Backstage, asking if my actors would like to come to a screening of Emilio Estevez’s movie, The Way, starring his father, Martin Sheen.  Some of my beloved students met me at my house for Chinese food, then we caravanned down the block to the Landmark where the movie was showing, followed by a Q&A.  I didn’t expect much except that I had always appreciated Martin Sheen’s work.  I had no idea what was in store for all of us.   The film is about an American Doctor (Martin Sheen) who tragically loses his son in an accident while walking the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage trail through France & Spain.   He goes to France to retrieve his son’s body but then decides to go on the journey.  He meets others who are also broken and are looking for greater meaning in their lives.  They discover the difference between the life we live and the life we choose.

At the end of the film, everyone in the audience knew this was something rare and special – an opportunity to watch a man, isolated from the world, strip his clothe of protection and be touched by humanity.  His physical burden exemplified the heaviness he felt as he walked down the path. We witnessed his discovery of himself as he lightened those burdens and opened his heart to new relationships.

When the cast came out, they asked for reaction from the audience.  I immediately stood up thanking them for this extraordinary evening.  I explained that I am an acting coach who teaches what I experienced on the screen. There is no such thing as acting.  Human beings are imperfect and that is what is fascinating to watch!  Martin Sheen was encouraged by his talented son to keep it simple and let us take the journey with him.  Written all over my website is “embrace your imperfections” and “live the life”.  How wonderful to see in this theater right in front of me!  It’s all about relationships.

My student, Sarah, sat next to me sobbing.  I knew this was a difficult film for her.  She suffered a terrible loss.  She had gone to a hypnotist a month ago who told her that she would need to meet Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen who had gone through a similar journey in the movie The Way. And here we were standing 2 feet away from him.  I worked my way through the crowd and introduced myself to Emilio.  He said “Oh you are the acting coach that brought your students with you.” I told him that too many actors hide behind the story or the character and need to let the relationship guide them.  He wanted to know if he could come and work out at my studio.  I said, “Anytime” (no kidding – I would LOVE to work with him!)

Then as we were leaving, I saw Martin Sheen smiling with a group of people.  I shook his hand and introduced my students and myself.  He looked at Sarah and said a warm hello.  I whispered to him how difficult this film was for her since she had a recent similar tragic experience.  He took her hand and moved her to a private area of the room saying he had something to give her.  I watched the two of them in such an intimate connection for a good 20 minutes.  It was as if the world stood still.  The party was going on.  Everyone was waiting for him.  But all he cared about was giving kindness to my student.  I have never met anyone like him.  A real human being, a man with compassion, a spirit of love.  They hugged.  Sarah walked towards us clutching something in her hand.  He had given her rosaries with a wooded cross on it from his walk down the Camino de Santiago and told her, “I don’t know if you are religious or spiritual, but when you feel sad, touch this and it will give you comfort.”  What a wonderful, genuine man.

It was a night we will all remember.  I thank you both Emilio and Martin for reminding us that we are all the same, that we are put on this earth to connect and help each other live an open and fulfilling life.

A new year is beginning.  I can’t think of a better present. Please take your loved ones and experience The Way with them.

Happy New Year!

What an incredible night!  Last night some of my students came with me to see my old roommate, Mary Wilson (of The Supremes) perform in L.A.  It was a night to remember!

It is hard to believe that summer is now officially over.  The studio was busier than ever – two teen intensive programs(Hollywood Teen Week), two I.S.P.s (Intensive Studies Programs), two new intensive programs for kids (ages 10-13), and two Australian Hollywood Immersive groups… as well as our usual workshops that were filled to capacity – wow!

As well as teaching my advanced actors in Los Angeles, I ventured out to the hottest cities in the country to teach them my philosophy, “Stop Acting and Live the Life!  First stop was in Del Rey Beach, Florida just to give my almost-101-year-old mom hugs and kisses.  She lives with my sister who I cherish for taking care of my mom and keeping her happy. Then off I went to Atlanta for my first seminar.  It was great seeing my old friends, Della and Bob (who own YourAct Studio).  They teach the Intermediate Haber workshops, getting people ready for my 3-day intensive that I teach twice a year at their studio.  There was a great turnout of actors and industry guests for my one-night seminar:  165 people learned the value of “living the life.”  It never ceases to amaze me that in 3 hours, actors can learn so much about the specifics of auditioning without being stuck in their head and instead by living in their body.   It really is a seminar on opening up and risking to be seen, rather than trying to impress and get the part.  How limited life is if all I want to do is get a job.  How fabulous it is if I get 40 opportunities (auditions) to live 40 lives!  Before leaving I watched my student Lindsay Harding, the point guard for the Atlanta Dream Team, lead their team in victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. (I may be from Los Angeles but I am devoted to Lindsay)! How cool was it to be there and see how confident she is on the basketball court!  My niece, Jennifer, and her adorable 3 -year old son, Austin, drove me to the airport as I flew to the next hot city (and I mean HOT!) — Dallas, Texas!

My wonderful business manager, a.k.a my assistant, a.k.a my irreplaceable Molly, invited me to her wedding in Dallas.  How could I say no?!  So I built a seminar around it.   Little did I know what an Indian wedding would be like.  Unbelievable!  4 days of partying with 700 guests- eating, dancing, celebrating the most important event of her husband’s life.  Even in 110-degree weather, nothing could stop all of us from dancing in the streets as the groom rode on a horse toward his soon-to –be-bride.  Fantastic!  I seriously cried when I saw her dressed in this gorgeous sari after 4 hours of hair, make-up, jewelry and henna tattoos magnificently designed on different parts of her body.  She was breathtaking and I was honored to have been a part of this event.  At the end of the weekend, the acting seminar was the icing on the cake.  100 of them showed up ready to learn and grow as a human being.  One of them flew out a month later to be a part of the two-week I.S.P. and loved every bit of it.

August ended with a family visit to Cape Cod and my last seminar in the great New York City.  Also hot and humid, but alive and adventurous, New York welcomed me with open arms of love.  It was great seeing some of my old actors join the seminar for a refresher and new ones thirstily grabbing on to this new knowledge.  I took the opportunity to see 2 wonderful shows (The Book of Mormon and War Horse) as well as some fabulous food.  It was the weekend of the feared hurricane.  As we drove to JFK airport, it was hard to believe that New York looked like a ghost town – no cars, no people walking down the streets – it was a creepy sight that I don’t want to experience again.  We were the last plane allowed to leave the abandoned airport.  Though New York prepared for the worst, I was glad that it was secure.

Home at last.  Glad to be back with my devoted LA actors.

Until we meet again.

Margie

The end has come for my I.S.P. (Intensive Studies Program, formerly known as the International Studies Program).

We now call it the Intensive Studies Program because it’s open to students across the U.S., as well as overseas.

This was our first 2 week program vs. the 4 weeks we used to do, and it was extremely successful.  We ended it at my home with a pool and ping pong party as well as industry guests and some of my students sharing their knowledge of working in Hollywood.

I was so humbled the first day I met them.  They came from so far away – some from Australia, Ireland, New Amsterdam, England, others from the United States and some from countries that I  couldn’t imagine how they heard about us– Angola and Ecuador!  They quickly bonded and became a group of loving friends that I know will keep in touch forever.

We change people’s lives.  That is what makes this program so exciting for me.  It’s watching these actors realize how special they really are as human beings and celebrating with them their birth of creativity.  That’s what brings tears to my eyes.

They all jumped out of their comfort zone.  Audition technique classes, improvisation, voice coaching, working with agents, managers, casting directors – all took them to a place of confidence and  a journey that none of us will forget.

I thank them all for sharing themselves and participating in another wonderful Intensive Studies Program.

Looking forward to the next one in November!

Safe trip my friends….

Margie

This morning was the start of a four-week journey with actors from all over the world!  – Japan, Ireland, Hong Kong, Australia, Puerto Rico, Central America, Bolivia, Canada, and the great “countries” of Florida, Atlanta,and other parts of the good old U.S.A.  The energy in the studio was electrifying!  Everyone is ready to enjoy the process.  They will work with 3 different teachers from my studio, an improv and voice coach, me, and industry people to give them feedback.  Of course we will be celebrating with a cocktail party and a demonstration at the Haber Studio on June 1st.  Looking forward to sharing their experiences with all of you as the program continues.  Let it begin ……..!

Margie

International Studies Program - May, 2011

ISP Students Eating Bagels!

Another amazing trip to Atlanta!   First I had the pleasure of teaching 70 teens and adults in an evening seminar that I held at YourAct (The Haber Studio affiliate owned by Bob & Della).  It never ceases to amaze me what we all learn in such a short time together.  It was the evening of the terrible tornado that swept the South.  I was very impressed that so many people showed up from outside of Atlanta.  I knew that my son’s birth mother was driving with her son (who wants to be an actor) in this treacherous storm all the way from Nashville, Tennessee.  Nothing was going to stop her from coming.  After not seeing her for 21 years, in walked Leslie and her 14 year old son.  As we hugged with joy, I introduced them.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  That was the beginning of a very intimate 3 hours where I shared my philosophy:   embrace your imperfections, be a human being not an actor, and it’s all about the relationship.  Though the group learned about auditioning and left with some great acting tools, no one imagined that they would leave with better communication skills and indeed that is what I love to teach – to open up and share who you are – to risk to be seen.  What a wonderful journey!
Later that week, I held my weekend intensive with 12 actors who had an opportunity to spend 9 hours a day for 3 days jumping out of their comfort zone and really learning about themselves.  What breakthroughs we had!  It seems when I come to Atlanta, actors know they only have me for a short time and are so appreciative that as they watch themselves on video, they become aware of what is blocking them from going forward, both as an actor and a human being.  Two of these actors were so touched that they have come to my one month International Studies Program,which begins this week, to fully commit to this amazing experience.  I am so excited for them.

So thank you again, Atlanta, for such a powerful week.  I am looking forward to my return!

Always,
Margie

My Master Class in Atlanta - April, 2011

Seminar for Teens & Adults - Atlanta - April 2011

Students at the Haber Affiliate Studio in Atlanta - YourAct!

What an amazing journey that both my students and I took during over three nine-hour days I spent with them.  I thought the Indonesian actors would be closed off and skeptical.  How wrong I was!  All of them, different ages and levels of experience, came out of their safe place and grew both as human beings and actors.  We cried, we laughed, we stripped away that invisible wall which exists between 2 people and experienced intimacy at its most zenith!   The stories they shared as they opened up their hearts were so touching.  The young innocent actress, abandoned by her parents and left alone to find her way, the radio announcer who shared his pain during an object exercise, reliving the loneliness of isolation in a bubble when hospitalized at 7 years old with only his torn up doll to keep him company, and the successful Indonesian “Star” who had an epiphany when realizing he could let go of his “acting” and start “living the life.”  So many stories  -  such brave souls willing to live in the unknown!

A trust was established so quickly between all of us.  At the end of the weekend, all 40 actors were touched by each other and what seemed to be just another acting class became a life changing experience for the actors, for Sam’s wonderful family, and for myself as well.  I have been asked to return in October for the premiere of Eat Pray Love (which I read for the 2nd time on the return flight to Los Angeles – quite appropriate!)  I am looking forward to returning to this friendly place and share more of my philosophy with some very talented actors.

Stop Acting and Live the Life!!!!

Until then, “TERIMA KASHIH ” (Thank You), my Indonesian friends.

Margie