Matthew Arkin's Acting Technique and Scene Study Newsletter

I hope the holidays treated you and yours well, that you are looking back at the past year with a sense of contentment, and forward to the coming year with joyful enthusiasm. I know that I am.

My Acting Technique and Scene Study Class resumes on January 7th. We have a wonderful group of students, but there is room for more, so please come by and check out what we're doing any Monday night. We'd love to have you. And feel free to to your friends and tell them to get in touch.

Also, as promised, below is the second in a continuing series of articles on my preparation to play Charlie in the West Coast premier of Samuel D. Hunter's The Whale, at South Coast Rep.

Check it out if you get a chance. The play will run from March 10th through March 31st, and ticket information is available here.

Happy New Year, and Peace.

Matthew Arkin
Matthew Arkin's Technique and Scene Study Class

NAVIGATING THE WHALE, PART II

Being a record of my journey as I undertake a new role that, unlike many others I have played, fills me with a sense of immense challenge and a promise of growth, both as an actor and a seeker.

"And stop shaving. It will soften the lines around your jaw, give more of an impression of weight.

Just what I wanted to hear. It's December 20th, a couple of days after I take on the role of Charlie in The Whale. I have stopped by the office of Martin Bensen, one of the founding artistic directors of SCR. Martin will be helming our ship as we navigate this play.

I am not averse to growing a beard for a role. I had to grow one several years ago, to portray Matt Friedman in Talley's Folly, and as I look at this photo from the production I actually think that I looked . . . read more . . .