You have probably heard the definition of acting above many times, but it remains my favorite.
My goal is to get you personally connected to what is at stake in the moment. Working together, you and I will find urgency, obstacles, and a point of view. We will find the reason you have chosen this piece and why it speaks to you. We will find a bold, strong reason to “start” the piece. If you start in the right place, you simply leave yourself alone and respond truthfully to the world you have created. I try to keep direction clear, simple and powerful so when you are under performance pressure you can access these tools easily and successfully.
“Curt really helped me with my Acting - he helped me get a featured role in the play!”
—Eighth Grade Student, James Lick Middle School
As an acting teacher and coach, Curt has worked for more than 10 years with a range of students: from conservatory grads and undergrads to middle and high school students. His philosophy as a teacher is to empower the student to make bold personal choices to create a world in which they can truthfully and humanly respond. Curt’s goal is for students to express themselves emotionally – not just to “say” or “sing” the words. People go to the theater to see ordinary people deal with extraordinary circumstances. No two performances will ever be exactly the same: this is the magic of being truly present to what is happening. When working with actors and singers, Curt’s emphasis is on feeling, expressing and responding truthfully to every moment. He encourages students to let their imaginations run wild, to be creative and take risks.
Curt has been a guest artist at SongFest since 2012, at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music since 2019, and online with Los Angeles Opera’s Ambassador Leadership Program. He has also led sessions at the Bucknell University Opera Department, as well as various theater companies and schools throughout the Bay Area.
In 2012, Curt co-founded Pacific Singers & Actors Workshop (PacSAW) in San Francisco, and recently received a prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service. Throughout the academic year, PacSAW takes a 10-week program into public and private schools to help students develop the habits and tools necessary to create a foundation in singing, acting and improvisation. The goal is to empower students to apply the creative process to their personal goals. Whether preparing an audition for a school musical, speech or class presentation, even running for student government, PacSAW helps students build the confidence to participate in a group; to listen and respond, to put their best foot forward in a job interview or whatever life may present them.
