Archive for November, 2009

I am deeply grateful for my family, my friends, my extraordinary students, and my very blessed life.

My appreciation extends to the newest addition to our Acting Studio – Star Power!, the book and the workshop. I am thrilled that the results of the book are increased Star Power, personal growth and a more defined Individual Signature, along with a deeper acting technique.

The workshop is giving people of all professions a new direction or a clearer and more defined blueprint of an already established one.

I love helping people to transform, to be the best that they can be at every given moment, of opening new possibilities for a better life, career, and easier access to creativity.

Star Power! is another vehicle to get us all there. It is my contribution of clarity in these uncertain times.

Let us trust that we are all making our best efforts to help ourselves and others to adapt to these turbulent times and to transform them from darkness and fear to the excitement and adventure of living in the unknown.

Sande Shurin Thanksgiving 2009

The day before presenting the first STAR POWER! Workshop in NY, I received an e-mail from Voice America to inquire if I’d like to do my own radio show.

That same day, Bruce received well over 40 e-mails congratulating him about his acting job in the trailer of the award-winning film, “Definition of Insanity,” which is available on YouTube and directed by Robert Margolis. He also got all call from a publisher informing him that his full length play, “Sada,” which will be premiering at the Warehouse Theatre in South Carolina this coming March, will be published in its original one-act form in an anthology of the best one-act plays from the 2002-2003 season.

Two hours before the STAR POWER! event, the radio show called to interview me. We spoke for 1 hour, at which time I told him I had to get dressed for the event. So I went in knowing this was taking place in the “ZONE”, the Magical field of Creation. Why aren’t we there all of the time??? Well, that’s another Blog for another time.

The results of the workshop were contagious. One after the other, people came to a new ability and way of being. After a few hours, a participant who took the workshop with the agreement she would not have to get up and speak was the first out of her chair to speak in front of the room. Another left her long time and successful career to work more fully with her hobby of buying and renting out vacation Villas and into a new profession. Yes, I’ve followed up and this is happening. Another started writing a book that would enhance and further the Career he is in. Someone left so inspired, they booked an 11-city book tour. Another is being interviewed in the NY Times. A few Actors committed to having Star Power! and their desires ranged anywhere from a Star Career to continually being an employed working actor…and on and on. The results of Star Power! are the emergence of a new Blueprint for Career and Life, or a clear and expanded Blueprint of an existing Path.

The Star Power! Workshop far exceeded my expectations; not only in the results for participants (there I always aim high) but in the content.

I’ll explain.  The idea began with an inquiry: why does one Actor always get the job, build a great career rather than the other? Both are talented, good use of technique, similar look. Both are ambitious, get out and get seen. What gives “The Winning Edge”?

This question led to many processes and exercises, themes and topics that became the basis for my acting classes for about 2 years. (2006-2008) It then became the Genesis for my book Star Power…Defining Your Individual Signature.

I added Anecdotes, Acting technique exercises, Interviews with Industry Professionals, Acting for different Mediums and it worked its way into Star Power: what is it? And how do I get it?

It also intertwines with another theme which is that The Creative and Spirit world are One, two seemingly divergent ideas that are reconciled within the book.

Star Power! has a life of its own. My husband and creative partner, Bruce Levy, realized that Star Power! works for everyone in any Profession. Who doesn’t want what I call the Winning Edge?

Once I started creating the Star Power! Workshop, I was confused. The first part of the workshop deals with variations on a few Signature exercises. But the bulk of the workshop is all new, never done before and not included in the book. Of course I went with where it was taking me… and that is, it takes off from where the Book ends, resulting in a new blueprint for Career and Life. Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled that I worked through the confusion, and allowed its creation to guide the way.