AWD’s Directing the Actor Lab is a popular annual program taught by AWD Founder and USC Professor Emeritus Jennifer Warren. The selected Directors meet for monthly sessions to enhance their experience working with actors. Topics covered include in-depth scene breakdowns, rehearsal exercises and techniques, and playable direction and adjustments for actors.
Throughout the lab each of the participating directors chooses a scene from an established screenplay, casts it, and holds a rehearsal during class, where they receive feedback. The directors will then work with their actors using the critique, and present the scene again in a showcase to invited guests.
2025-2026 Lab Participants
2025-2026 Directing the Actor Lab Fellows (left to right): Lisa Cole, Jasia Ka, Radha Mehta, Grace Potter, Letia Solomon, Maria Valdez, Kali Veach, Donna Wheeler, Cindy Di Xin
2024 Lab Participants
2024 Directing the Actor Lab Fellows (left to right):
Maeyen Bassey, Mikaela Bruce, Christianna Carmine, Anna Chi, Whitney Clinkscales, Kelsey Fordham, Justine Raczkiewicz, Sacha Smith, Alla Volkova.
2023 Lab Participants
2023 Directing the Actor Lab Fellows (from left to right) Kay Barnes, Dilek Ince, Erin Lau, April Moreau, Kelly Pike, Monique Sorgen, Marissa Vonn, Kameishia Wooten, Dorothy Xiao.
2022 Lab Participants
2022 Directing the Actor Lab Fellows: Candice Carella, Mora Carew, Sofia Garza-Barba, Eva Midgley, Anna Sang Park, Natalie Simpkins, Sarah Smith, Cameo Wood
Testimonials
“My in person rehearsal was so incredibly helpful and eye-opening – I gained more awareness about my own directing habits, and learned areas where I can improve when I’m talking to my actors. I’m grateful that I had a safe space to practice different directing techniques (instead of on set, of course!) and my fellow directors had great tips on making the scene stronger. I’m excited to bring these methods to my future projects!” – Dorothy Xiao, AWD Directing Member & 2023 Lab Fellow
“The Directing the Actor Lab was in incredible experience, and has given me much more confidence in my work with actors, and that’s only because of the wonderful tools that I’ve learned throughout the class and especially because of Jennifer’s thoughtful and encouraging feedback.” – Sarah Smith, AWD Directing Member & 2022 Lab Fellow