Acting Coach Elizabeth Kemp Returning to Perth in July

ACCLAIMED acting coach Elizabeth Kemp - private teacher to three-time Academy Award best actor nominee Bradley Cooper (American Sniper, Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle) - is returning to Perth this July.

Perth's The Actors' Hub and Melbourne's 16th Street Actors Studio are bringing Elizabeth Kemp back to WA for her Character Dream Workshop masterclass after its success last year.

"'The first thing I do when I get a role is call Elizabeth to begin the Dreamwork [Kemp's workshop process]," Bradley Cooper says. "No question about it; she's a really incredible teacher."

Kemp is associate artistic director of The Actors Studio, a New York-based organisation for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights best known for its work refining and teaching method acting.

Founded in 1947, it is currently run by Al Pacino, Ellen Burstyn and Harvey Keitel - an actor Kemp still coaches.

"Her Dreamwork, which she has formed and conducts both within and outside of The Actors Studio, is extraordinary," Keitel says.

"Her knowledge of the work has been demonstrated both on the stage and off, as a teacher and innovator, in the way she has further developed new aspects to add to the technique of acting employed by the Dreamwork.

"I'd consider her one of the finest acting teachers around."

Kemp says: "I only want to work with people who give everything they have to give and make their work the most important thing to them in their life."

The Actors' Hub director Amanda Crewes said being part of Kemp's masterclass was a rare opportunity.

"I had the absolute pleasure of doing this workshop last year with Elizabeth Kemp and it is by far one of the best acting workshops I have ever done," she said.

"Maybe it sounds a little corny but it was more than just an acting workshop - it is something that every actor should experience.

"It teaches you how to deeply explore character and how to fully utilise the self to create the rich characters our amazing playwrights demand from us."

WA Academy of Performing Arts graduate Angus McLaren attended Kemp's masterclass in Perth last year.

"It's without a doubt the most exciting, confronting and satisfying work I've ever had the pleasure of being involved with, the benefits of which continue to be revealed to me on a daily basis," he said.

"The environment created by her is one of utmost respect, courage and compassion - an accurate reflection of Elizabeth herself.

"Her vast reserves of wisdom, intuition, vitality and stamina cannot be overstated."

Maria Mercedes, winner of a recent Green Room Award, adds: "[It was] the most terrifying, exhilarating, profound, beautiful, human, emotional and happiest moment of my life - I am so happy to have participated in the masterclass."

The Character Dream Workshop masterclass runs July 11 to 16 in Perth - go to www.actorshub.net to apply.

The Actors' Hub is located at the Subiaco Arts Centre, 180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco.

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