Michelle Felten
Professor of Acting and Voice, Department of Theatre and Dance
Michelle Felten
Hometown: Lodi, Calif.
Area of expertise:
Acting (Shakespeare and classic realism), audition technique, voice movement
Educational background:
A master of fine arts from the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco; and a bachelor of arts in drama from UC Irvine. I also received specialized training in the Fitzmaurice Voice Technique for Actors.
What’s on your mp3:
I actually don't own one, but as a true devotee of the theatre, the only thing I am listening to right now is the musical Mame, because I am currently directing the show for Summer Repertory Theatre in Santa Rosa.
Favorite book (or last read):
I’m currently reading Three Weeks with My Brother. I come from a very close-knit family and have a strong bond with my three sisters. When I moved back to California from New York City in 2001, two of my sisters flew to New York City and drove across the country with me in a rented Budget truck with all of my belongings. It was the most time we had spent together in years and proved to be a journey of reflection, laughter, tears and sisterly kinship, not unlike Nicholas Sparks' journey with his brother, Micah, in the book.
Favorite city to visit:
New York City. For theatre, cultural diversity, pure adrenaline rush and non-stop excitement there is nothing quite like it. It’s truly a city that never sleeps.
Who most influenced you to become a teacher:
Robert Cohen was the chair of the Theatre Arts Department when I was working on my bachelor’s at UC Irvine. After reading two of his many books on acting and the theatre profession, I chose to study there, specifically under his guidance. He was a hard-core teacher with high expectations, but from my perspective, very relatable and one of the most honest instructors I had ever encountered. I appreciated his candor and his no-nonsense attitude about theater and how his straightforward approach impacted not only me, but the rest of the students as well. It was with this influence that I was able to envision myself as a teacher of acting for the future.
|
