Larry McDonald

Education and Certifications

• M.F.A in Acting from Illinois State
• B.F.A in Acting from East Carolina University

Biography

Lawrence McDonald is the Head of Acting and teaches the Meisner Training Sequence at Columbus State University. A native of Burlington, VT, he initially trained for two years with Don Biehn (graduate of the William Alderson Studio and The Goodman School) and has worked closely with Mr. Biehn for over fifteen years learning the intricacies of teaching the Meisner approach. He also studied intensively with William Esper, at Esper Studios in New York.

Professor McDonald is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association since 1998, and has worked in regional theatres (LORT, URTA, SPT, Guest Artist) around the country. Most recently with City Equity Theater (Birmingham), Springer Opera House (Georgia), and Vermont Stage. He is an acting coach to the Irene Ryan nominees for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (CSU Performance majors were Southeastern winners in 2009, 2010, and 2012). Professor McDonald is a devout practitioner of meditation, and teaches a meditation course for actors designed to increase concentration and presence in the actor's process. He also regularly directs departmental productions and has been recognized several times by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for excellence in directing, most recently for Spring Awakening in 2018.

Academic Areas

• Acting/Meisner Approach