Biography & Class Description

Cooper Shaw has been performing Regionally, Off-Broadway, and in film, television and Voice Overs for the last fifteen years.  She received her MFA in Acting from The Actor’s Studio Drama School, and has been teaching Improvisation/Acting for Second City’s NY Training Center, as well as coaching privately, for several years.  She has worked closely with directors such as Stuart Vaughaun, Arthur Storch, Gene Lasko, Gary Austin (founder of The Groundlings in L.A.), Susan Aston and Michael Gellman, all of whom have been instrumental in helping her to form her own philosophies on, and approach to, the art and craft of Acting.  Cooper is best known for her “Earth-Mother” and fun-loving approach to acting, and is also a locally produced playwright and co-founder of Shawland Productions with actress and playwright Kate Holland.

Acting/Improv

This class is geared towards actors (and non-actors) of all levels of experience. There is a strong focus on the breath, being present in one’s own body, and seeking one’s own joy within the work. The class will start with a physical warm-up, followed by basic improvisation “games”. Students are encouraged to: work on monologues, cold-readings, scenes, and to use class time for audition preparation.