Eric Stone started his career as a stage and television actor in New York City. He first studied privately in New York with Herbert Berghof, Uta Hagen, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, William Hickey. Eric is well versed in most major acting techniques and ideas of the 20th Century including the Meisner & Chekhov Techniques. He was made an Honorary member of the famed New York Actors Studio in 1981 and is also a graduate of Uta Hagen's highly acclaimed private acting studio in New York. In addition, Mr. Stone was privileged to work with Judith Unland in New York. Ms. Unland had been a private student of Michael Chekhov. "Michael Chekhov's breakthrough work in freeing performers has greatly influenced me and still continues to amaze me." Eric Stone Eric Stone first began teaching in 1983 and has contributed to the growth and success of many actors and performers including some well known stars in the US and abroad. As his acting, directorial and coaching skills began to represent a potent body of distinctions, Eric realized it was time to make his discoveries and love of acting and performing more public. He founded the Eric Stone Studio in 1989, which was renamed the Hollywood Actors Studio. His sheer passion for artistic expression and his relentless pursuit of freeing performers of all walks of life led Eric to establish a new field of practice dedicated to public speakers. "It happened out of a series of requests and recommendations from internationally known public speakers I knew personally, who saw the potential in the techniques and approach already delivered to actors." Just a couple words on our approach: Training individuals, whether in private sessions or in groups, is without a doubt an organic process. Individual and group dynamics are all unique. Drawing from a vast body of distinctions, tools, techniques and experience, the programs are always individually tailored and delivered. Eric Stone owes his expertise and particular sensitivity to speakers' concerns to a variety of trainings, experiences and encounters with hundreds of individuals and group dynamics since he began his career as a stage actor in New York City in 1976. Teaching and directing actors and performers was the first step in beginning a long second career as a public speaking skills trainer. Back in 1987, a series of open invitations to work with individuals and group outside of showbusiness was the decisive element which contributed to the creation of Speakers & Artists International, Inc. to serve Los Angeles and Orange County, California. The success and undeniable results it produced for people very early on prompted me to make myself available on a regular basis. "I am very much a target oriented coach or trainer working on key issues and problem areas related to public performance. Issues of personal power & effectiveness, clear communication & authentic self-expression have become the cornerstone distinctions which over time, have helped so many individuals. I follow and empower the purpose of the speaker at all levels. By focusing on the "public personae" rather than the "private" person, it becomes overwhelmingly clear what aspects of public speaking to focus on." Public speaking relies on very simple yet wonderfully telling "dynamics" between the speaker and his/her audience. That is the true competitive edge of this style of coaching which targets "organic, spontaneous and authentic" enrollment techniques not outdated "external" body language techniques and frozen gestures, postures and various similes. I have found that almost every problem a speaker experiences is related to those few and simple dynamics." ~Eric Stone