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Alessandra Manon

April 30, 2019

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I am so grateful for your fire, grit and compassion. I could never thank you enough for creating such a beautiful and powerful artistic community.

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“If we empty our cup as artists (as opposed to look for how we can get more), we enter any collaboration in a position to do our best work.” -Cate Cohen

@cateeco is a BGB Master Teacher who supports her actors in and around confidence, presence, and emotional availability.

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Questions? Contact Us

info@bramongarciabraun.com

Studio Location

10950 Burbank Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601

*We are currently conducting our classes online! Curious about what online class is like? Click HERE!

bgbstudio

"If we empty our cup as artists (as opposed to loo

"If we empty our cup as artists (as opposed to look for how we can get more), we enter any collaboration in a position to do our best work." -Cate Cohen

Cate @cateeco is a BGB Master Teacher who supports her actors in and around confidence, presence, flexibility, and emotional availability. "I encourage leadership - to empower the actor to take command of their career and creative lives, rather than wait for the Industry, agents, and casting directors to take care of them." We love Cate's approach to "self-compassion" which is key for anyone looking for longevity in this business. Overall, we just love that she values generosity & freedom in the work so strongly.

And fun fact: she was a Rockette! And she has FIVE sisters. She says that it taught her that people are complicated. What you see on the outside is not what’s underneath. She has two daughters of her own, she loves being surprised, and she just got her first dog...ever!

We asked her for an "AHA" moment, and this is what she generously shared:
"After I had my first daughter, I remember lying on the floor with her and obsessing about what I thought was a bad audition. I kept running it over and over in my mind… and, while distracted in my head, she sat up for the first time, so proud. I almost missed it - too caught up in the past perceived 'failure.' I remember thinking: that’s it. I’m not going to do this anymore if I can’t find a way to BE in my life. To enjoy it here and now. Everything shifted after that. I focused on the word EASY. EASY. Just wrote it everywhere. I vowed to make the work EASY, my prep EASY, to take it EASY on myself, on those around me… and voila! I started to book. I go back to this constantly. I think it’s a lie that this work has to be hard. And it’s a matter of practice, sure, to get used to it being easy. But that’s what I am looking for. Ease. It might still be scary (it’s always somewhat scary or exciting), but it doesn’t have to be EFFORT and PAIN."

Comment below and share your love for Cate! We're so thankful for Cate and the inspiration that she is.
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@risabg @stevebrauncoaching
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"I'm completely committed to guiding my actors to

"I'm completely committed to guiding my actors to find freedom and liberation in their work; which has a direct impact on their lives, outside of the work. As an African-American man, it is my desire, intention, and goal to create spaces that are inclusive and empowering for every actor I have the honor of working with."

Eric B. Anthony @ericbanthony is a powerhouse, heart-forward BGB Master Teacher who aligns with us so strongly on his desire to foster a supportive, encouraging, and inspiring community of artists. We are better human beings in Eric’s presence. We’re inspired to be better artists.

We asked Eric about an "AHA" moment in his artistry. Here's what he shared:
"September 11, 2001. I was in The Lion King on Broadway, and was forced to miss a handful of shows with the rest of the community, as we recovered from that horrible attack on the Word Trade Center. The first day back in the theatre, I realized how necessary being an Artist was to society. We did that first show back for less than 400 people, in a theatre that holds 2500. I'll never forget looking out into that audience at the people who decided to come see a show; to help them escape from the reality that was right outside the theatre doors. It was in that moment that I was given the truth of Art as Ministry. That's been my view of what we do since 2001. I'm so grateful for that realization; it has carried me far!"

Outside of his artistry, Eric's favorite things to do are cook, hike, and spend a lazy afternoon on the beach (most likely, Zuma) by himself or with the people he loves.

Share the love with Eric below, let him hear you!
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@risabg @stevebrauncoaching
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The best advice Mike ever got as an actor? To deve

The best advice Mike ever got as an actor? To develop a part of his life that the Industry couldn't affect. "The importance of having an arena where you feel nourished, connected, purposeful, and safe comes in handy after you’ve had your heart broken by losing a job or suffering through a long spell of inactivity. Plus, a compelling actor usually has a rich life outside of acting."

Mike's work as a teacher and guide centers around actors creating their own art and owning their individual voice. He believes that "the most personal choices are the most compelling." And we fully agree.

Mike is a also drummer, a surfer, and an advocate for street based and foster youth. He says that keeps him out of trouble... "mostly!"

Mike is incredibly gifted, smart, and down-to-earth. Share what resonates with you most about Mike in the comments below!
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#bgbstudio #bgb #actingstudio #actingclass #bgbactor #bgbcommunity #onlineactingclasses #actingclass #teacher #actingteacher #actingcoach #masterteacher #masterclass #artistry #family #multihyphenate #artisticprocess #sharelove #selfdiscovery #artisticjourney #artform #artistathelete #drummer

"Actors can become discouraged and even traumatize

"Actors can become discouraged and even traumatized as a result of trying to find their place in an Industry that is not designed to be caring or careful with the actor in any way. I want every actor to feel seen, to feel heard. And I want to share my love of the work with them, the goal is to empower actors in their relationship with their work and in their relationship with their career and their journey."

That just says it all. @coreyparker11

Corey is widely traveled and loves riding motorcycles. He spent 5 years training in dream interpretation. He currently lives in Memphis with his wife and one of his two sons. Together, they've rescued over 35 animals- dogs, cats and squirrels.

Corey loves actors. Wholeheartedly.
"I feel compassion for the actor and grateful to be available to inhabit space with them. There are times when actors can feel isolated, and I am willing to stay with them no matter what comes up. I love acting and I honor actors for their passion, their courage and their unique authenticity."

We asked him about one of his biggest "AHA" career moments, and this is what he shared:

"I had been an actor for 30 years when I was asked to teach at a studio in New York. As an actor I had trained with a number of great teachers, but had found in my career that there were many aspects of working in the business that none of my teachers had prepared me for. The moment I started teaching other actors I felt so clearly that I could share with them not only the things I had been taught, but also everything I had not been taught and had really needed, things I learned the hard way. I feel compassion for actors and grateful to be available to inhabit space with them. There are times when actors can feel isolated, and I am willing to stay with them no matter what comes up. I love acting and I honor actors for their passion, their courage, and their unique authenticity."

Share with us below what affects you most about Corey and how he teaches from these values. ♥️
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Our second #BGBMasterTeacher who we're featuring t

Our second #BGBMasterTeacher who we're featuring this week is @sydsource - She is deeply invested in the power behind an artist's voice & presence. And... Sydney loves being a Mom & watching British crime shows.

Sydney told us about being "in the wilderness" in her early 30s... "without any sense of what I was doing creatively, without a sense of my own voice, without a map or any happiness or why I was doing this acting career... I felt broken and beaten down and uninspired and really small, and this was after becoming a working actor with a lot of 'success' …So I went back to class and dove back into process and not knowing and learning, and working on great material that I would never get to work on in Hollywood... and that shift, that instinct to start over, rescued me from deep despair and isolation and gave me back my joy… and an unshakeable foundation… Going back to class taught me how to be a worker amongst workers again, how to have a process, how to change course in rough seas… to always have an artistic home, to be part of an ensemble and gave me the desire to learn to be a teacher."

In her artistry as an actor & a teacher,
Sydney values-
Partnering.
Collaboration.
Authenticity.
Always connect, listen, and respond.
Be in discovery in real time.
The time is now.
"Your Voice is Your Power and your birthright."
"Humanity is your superpower."

We couldn't be more thrilled to have Sydney teach at BGB. Share what you love about Sydney most in the comments below!
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#bgbstudio #bgb #actingstudio #actingclass #bgbactor #bgbcommunity #onlineactingclasses #actingclass #laactor #nyactor #atlantaactor #teacher #actingteacher #actingcoach #masterteacher #masterclass #artistry #powerfulwomen #family #multihyphenate #artisticprocess #artistparent #worklifebalance #sharelove #chef #cooking #selfdiscovery #artisticjourney

This week we're featuring our extraordinary #BGBMa

This week we're featuring our extraordinary #BGBMasterTeachers- who they are, their stories and POVs, and just a few of the reasons we love them. As we go, share your love for them too in the comments!

This is Ashley Rideaux @ashleyrideaux who has graced us as a teacher, actor, and creative force, bringing her soul, her talent, her wisdom, her beauty, and her artistry to everything she does. She is all present, all in, all heart. She brings peace and depth to her work, drawing from an infinite emotional well and an intuition centuries old.

Ashley values community, artistic leadership, and tapping into your own unique voice above all. She deeply aligns with BGB in her desire to help actors rediscover the joy that originally brought them to the work. We continue to hear from actors in her classes about how she re-lights that spark in them.

Ashley grew up on 4 different continents, in 14 different cities, in houses, apartments, and high school & college dorm rooms, before landing in LA, which she now calls home.

Today, we want to share some of her thoughts on this quote by Deng Ming-Dao:

"The moon does not fight. It attacks no one. It does not worry. It does not try to crush others. It keeps to its course, but by its very nature, it gently influences. What other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore? The moon is faithful to its nature and its power is never diminished."

Ashley says:
"When you look at the moon through it's different phases, it is sometimes full and large, and at other times it's just a small little sliver in the sky. The moon isn't actually getting bigger and smaller throughout the month, it just appears that way from our vantage point in its orbit. My goal as a teacher is not to fix or change anyone who steps into my class, but instead to paint a backdrop that allows them to see/realize that they are whole, full, complete humans and artists, and that anytime they feel less than that, it's just a phase, or the vantage point from which they are observing themselves."

Share your favorite values that you share with Ashley or a favorite moment with her in class... or just some Ashley LOVE below!

@risabg @stevebrauncoaching

This business is really difficult. You better know

This business is really difficult. You better know why you're doing it or else you'll lose your way and quit before you find the success you're looking for. Ask yourself WHY. Answer the question. Then ask yourself again the next day. The answer may be different and you'll need to know that it changed.

Share your why below!
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It's always a joy to share the love with great act

It's always a joy to share the love with great actors, and especially so when they are the unsung heroes and heroines of the movies, shows, and plays that move us.

Risa just contributed to this list of incredible character actors for @vulture @nymag - some of her favorite actors working today. These are phenomenal talents- who may not household names- but who deepen the human landscape of every story they inhabit.

Let their brilliance inspire you. Check out the full article at the link in our bio & comment below with what YOU value most in a great character actor. And TAG one or more brilliant characters actor you love!
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@theofficialjencoolidge @kingofbingo @waltongogginsbonafide
@bethgrantactor @missjudygreer @loueyfromthehood @stephenmckinleyhenderson @briantyreehenry @gretalee @mrjclynch @tzima8 @fredmelamed @randorobmorgan @ohdenis @johnortiz718 @thereallancereddick @michaelsruhlbargig @lorrainetoussaint @realisiahwhitlock @wongrel #bgbstudio #bgb #actingstudio #actingclass #bgbactor #bgbcommunity #onlineactingclasses #actingclass #characteractor #characteractors #actorlife #professionalactor #workingactor #castingdirector #casting #castinglovesyou #listicle #vulture #sagactor #filmactor #tvactor

"Make It Short!" taught by Actor-Creator & BGB Mas

"Make It Short!" taught by Actor-Creator & BGB Master Teacher Dominic Burgess, starts May 2nd.

This is the spark you need to start creating your own work. Sign up now at the link in our bio. Spots are limited!
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Mike has a profound impact on every actor he teach

Mike has a profound impact on every actor he teaches. He leads with artistic autonomy, fostering artists to claim their voice, create their own work from a place of leadership, and tell their unique story in everything from original work to self-tapes. It's the kind of guidance, support, and inspiration that make him a true BGB teacher.

Mike's Ongoing Class, "Becoming" has just launched. Apply now at the link in our bio to join this ensemble of Actor-Creators and practice the fullest, deepest, purest expression of your creative voice. It will change the way you work forever!
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@risabg @stevebrauncoaching @caddenjones #gramlessmikefaiola
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