Larry McDonald

Education and Certifications

Biography

Lawrence M McDonald is the Head of Acting and teaches the two-year Meisner Training Sequence in the BFA Acting Program. He initially trained in the Meisner Technique for two years under Don Biehn (graduate of the William Alderson Studio and The Goodman School), and later with William Esper at Esper Studios in New York.

Professor McDonald is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association since 1998, working in regional theatres (LORT, URTA, SPT, Guest Artist) throughout the country. He is a devout practitioner of Transcendental Meditation and teaches a meditation course for actors designed to increase awareness and presence in the actor's process. Professor McDonald periodically directs departmental productions and has been recognized numerous times by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for excellence in directing. Most recently for his production of Stupid F**king Bird in 2024. He considers himself a messenger in the acting studio, standing on the shoulders of several renowned teachers of Mr. Meisner's work he was privileged to study with. "None of this is mine", he'll often remind student actors. "Acting can be an elusive craft and words are clumsy in trying to codify it. Take what sticks to your skin and throw the rest out." 

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