Jean-Louis Rodrigue

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Jean-Louis Rodrigue (born May 23, 1951) is an acting coach, movement director,[1] senior teacher of the Alexander Technique, and a pioneer in its application to film and theater.[2] For over 40 years, he has worked professionally in Los Angeles and New York in theatre, film, television, and digital media. His unique approach to character movement and improving the levels of performance has also brought international recognition.[3]

Jean-Louis Rodrigue
Born (1951-05-23) May 23, 1951
NationalityUS Citizen
OccupationActing coach and teacher of the Alexander Technique
Websitehttp://www.alexandertechworks.com/jean-louis rodrigue/

Rodrigue is also a world-renowned speaker. He has given talks at the Berlin International Film Festival, Generation Campus in Moscow, Verbier Festival in Switzerland, Universidad de la Comunicación (México) in Mexico City, Berlinale Talents in Guadalajara, USC Thornton School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney, and Digital Life Design Women in Munich.[4]

He is currently a faculty member at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television[5] and UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.[5]

Early life and education

Jean-Louis Rodrigue was born on May 23, 1951 in Casablanca, Morocco and was raised in Milano, Italy.[6]

At eight years old, he became inspired to be an actor when he attended one of the first performances of Ferruccio Soleri in “Arlecchino, Servant of Two Masters” at Piccolo Teatro di Milano. He began his formal acting training in 1967 with Herbert Berghof at the HB Studio and Sonia Moore at the American Center for Stanislavski Theater Art in New York. [5]

In 1970, William Ball awarded Rodrigue a full scholarship to study in the Advanced Training Program at the American Conservatory Theater (ACT) in San Francisco. During his training at ACT, he discovered the Alexander Technique, and stayed three more years to train as an Alexander teacher with Frank Ottiwell and Giora Pinkas at the American Center for the Alexander Technique, San Francisco.

In post-formal training, Rodrigue studied extensively with master Alexander Technique teachers Marjorie Barstow, Walter Carrington, Patrick McDonald, and Dilys Carrington. Rodrigue is also a certified teacher of Jessica Wolf’s The Art of Breathing.[7]

Teaching career

Rodrigue founded Alexander Techworks in 1980, offering private instruction, training, coaching, group classes, and intensive workshops in Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, Toronto, Melbourne, and many other cities. He and Kristof Konrad own and operate the business together and are internationally known as two of the most sought after acting coaches and performance experts, collectively teaching the Alexander Technique in theater, film, television, and beyond for the past 38 years.

From 1998 to 2005, Rodrigue was part of the faculty of Verbier Festival.[5]

He teaches workshops at Larry Moss' Studio.[1] And he has taught masterclasses at the Howard Fine Acting Studios in Los Angeles and Australia.[8]

He founded the Alexander Technique program at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he taught for six years.[5] He has worked with circus artists of Cirque du Soleil’s Ka at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.[6]

He had reportedly been brought in by the FBI to teach stress management and respiratory control for undercover spies infiltrating Middle Eastern terrorist cells.[9][10]

Film and television

Rodrigue has coached hundreds of actors in developing their character’s physicality and movement. His most notable work includes: I, Tonya, Vice, Mary Queen of Scots, Love and Mercy (film), J. Edgar, W., Passion Fish, The Time Machine, Seabiscuit (film), and The Normal Heart (film). He collaborated with director Ang Lee and screenwriter David Magee in the development of the tiger movement for the Academy Award-winning Life of Pi (film), and he choreographed the period movement for The Affair of the Necklace starring Hilary Swank.

Since 2009, Rodrigue has conducted several workshops, within the Berlinale Talent Campus program.[11] He was involved in the development of a new hands-on training programs for emerging actors, the Talent Actors Stage, for which 15-20 international actors are selected annually.[12]

Theatre

Rodrigue has coached at several Los Angeles locations throughout his career. At the Geffen Playhouse, Rodrigue was the movement coach on Nine Parts of Desire in 2005[13] and on Long Day's Journey into Night, starring Alfred Molina, in 2017.[14] He was awarded a fellowship grant from the Montalvo Arts Center to develop and direct a play adaptation of Bernhard Schlink’s best selling novel, The Reader. He coached Chris Pine in The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Mark Taper Forum. He also worked with Gulu Monteiro on The Bacchae at the Getty Villa.

He has collaborated with Larry Moss on Daisy White’s Sugar, Pamela Gien’s Obie award-winning play The Syringa Tree at Playhouse 91 in N.Y. and Bo Eason’s Runt of the Litter at the 37 Arts Theater, N.Y. He has coached with Rita Maffei and Larry Moss in an Italian production of Pamela Gien’s The Syringa Tree at the Teatro Stabile di Innovazione in Udine and at Il Piccolo Teatro di Milano, Italy. For her performance, Maffei won the Gold Medal from the President of the Italian Republic.

Alexander Technique

Rodrigue maintains an impressive international profile as one of the leading experts in the field of the Alexander Technique and is sought after by significant performance artists and institutions in the U.S. and abroad. By using awareness techniques to improve posture and develop a healthy method of movement, he assists his students in their use of the self, creating a natural presence, and preventing injury and pain.

Animal Studies

Rodrigue integrates animal behavior and movement into his research and work. He is known for helping actors develop characters through animal movement studies. His primary areas of research are animal movement, behavior, morphology, nature perception, and human/animal connections. This interest was sparked by two influences: Leonardo DaVinci and Carlo Mazzone-Clementi. While in Milano in 1957, Rodrigue's father introduced him to the scientific and artistic work of Leonardo DaVinci. They would often go to the National Museum of Science and Technology where the largest collection of models of DaVinci’s inventions are kept as part of the permanent collection. They also would visit the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, the largest archive of Da Vinci’s drawings of animals. Later in his life while studying at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, Jean-Louis studied with Carlo Mazzone-Clementi who introduced him to the application of animal behavior and movement to character development, and opened up a way of working that has distinguished Rodrigue’s contribution to acting in the film and theater industry.

Select awards and recognition

He was awarded a fellowship grant in 2008 from the Montalvo Arts Center to develop and direct a play adaptation of Bernhard Schlink’s novel, The Reader.[15][16]

Credits

Filmography[17]

YearFilmActor/Consulting WorkRoleDirector
2020Birds of PreyMargot Robbie/Warner BrothersCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueCathy Yan
2019DreamlandMargot Robbie/Eagle FilmsCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueMiles Joris-Peyrafitte
2019BuffaloedZoey Deutch/Lost CityCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueTanya Wexler
2018ViceChristian Bale/Annapurna PicturesCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueAdam McKay
2018Mary Queen of ScotsMargot Robbie/Focus FeaturesCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueJosie Rourke
2018Set It UpZoey Deutch/NetflixCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueClaire Scanion
2017I, TonyaMargot Robbie/MiramaxCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueCraig Gillespie
2017DisobedienceRachel McAdams/Braven FilmsCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueSebastian Lelio
2017AnythingMatt Bomer/Great Point MediaCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueTimothy McNeil
2017OkjaPaul Dano/NetflixCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueJoon-Ho Bong
2017FlowerZoey Deutch/Diablo EntertainmentCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueMax Winkler
2016UnleashedJustin Chatwin/Braveheart FilmsCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueFinn Taylor
2014Pawn SacrificeTobey Maguire/LionsgateCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueEdward Swick
2014Lucky StiffCast/Arclight FilmsCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueChristopher Ashley
2014The Normal HeartMatt Bomer/HBOCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueRyan Murphy
2014Love & MercyPaul Dano/Roadside AttractionsCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueBill Pohlad
2012Life of PiFox 2000 PicturesConsultant on Tiger MovementAng Lee
2011Citizen GangsterScott Speedman/Myriad PicturesCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueNathan Morlando
2011J. EdgarLeonardo DiCaprio/Warner BrothersCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueClint Eastwood
2010Barney's VersionScott Speedman/Sony PicturesCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueRichard J. Lewis
2008WJosh Brolin/Ixtlan Corp.Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueOliver Stone
2005Bee SeasonJuliette Binoche/Fox-SearchlightCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueScott McGee, David Siegal
2003SeabiscuitElizabeth Banks/UniversalCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueGary Ross
2002The Syringa TreePamela Gien/Trio NetworkCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueLarry Moss
2002The Time MachineSamantha Mumba & Cast/DreamWorksCreature Movement ChoreographySimon Wells
2001The Affair of the NecklaceHIlary Swank & Cast/Warner BrothersPeriod Movement/CoachingCharles Shyer
2001Human NaturePatricia Arquette/Fine LineCharacter and Animal Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueMichel Gondry
2001The Cat's MeowKirsten Dunst/Lions Gate FilmsCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniquePeter Bogdanovich
1996PartnersTate Donovan/Fox TelevisionCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueMultiple
1996HBO Comedy Half-HourWendy Liebman/HBOCharacter and Movement CoachingTroy Miller
1994It's PatJulia Sweeney/TouchstoneCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueAdam Bernstein
1993Little BuddhaKeanu Reeves/MiramaxCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueBernardo Bertolucci
1993FreakedKeanu Reeves/20th Century FoxCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueAlex Winter
1992Passion FishMary McDonell/ColumbiaCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueJohn Sayles

Theater[14]

ProductionActorRoleTheaterDirector
How To Disappear Completely and Never Be FoundBrad CulverCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueBoston CourtNancy Keystone
The Lieutenant of InishmoreChris PineCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueMark Taper ForumWilson Milam
The Syringa TreeRita MaffeiCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniquePiccolo Teatro, MilanoLarry Moss
The ReaderCastDirectorMontalvo Arts CenterSelf
King Lear/The SeagullSir Ian McKellanCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueRSC - UCLA LiveTrevor Nunn
Runt of the LitterBo EasonCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique37 Arts Theater, NYCLarry Moss
The BacchaeCastCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueGetty VillaGulu Montiero
KACastCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueCirque du SoleilRobert Le Page
Nine Parts of DesireHeather RaffoCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueGeffen PlayhouseJoanna Settle
SugarDaisy WhiteCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueEdgemar CenterLarry Moss
Gretty Good TimeAnn StockingCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueFalcon TheaterJohn Regalbuto
Runt of the LitterBo EasonCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueMCC Theater, NYLarry Moss
The Syringa TreePamela GienCharacter and Movement Development/Alexander TechniquePlayhouse 91, NYLarry Moss
The Syringa TreePamela Gien, CastCharacter and Movement Development/Alexander TechniqueNational TourLarry Moss
The Cryptogram & the Old NeighborhoodChristine DunfordCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueGeffen PlayhouseMichael Bloom
SkylightSally MurphyCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueSteppenwolf TheaterMike Nussbaum
The Triumph of IsabellaCastCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueGeffen PlayhouseJohn Achorn
The Prodigious SnobCastCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueUCLA Little TheatreEllen Geer
Scenes from an ExecutionNatalija NogulichCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueMark Taper ForumRobert Allan Ackerman
La Nouvelle Experience (collaborated with Debra Brown)CastCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueCirque du SoleilFranco Dragone
AccompliceNatalija NogulichCharacter and Movement Coaching/Alexander TechniqueBroadwayRupert Holmes

References

  1. Gladstone, Valerie (29 Sep 2002). "Acting coach Larry Moss gains acclaim -- and an invitation to a Swiss festival -- for his shepherding of "The Syringa Tree"". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  2. Gladstone, Valerie. "Teaching Actors to Move with the Gracefulness of Dancers". New York Times. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  3. https://alexandertechworks.com/about-alexander-techworks/
  4. https://alexandertechworks.com/about-alexander-techworks/
  5. "Jean-Louis Rodrigue Biography". UCLA School of Theatre, Film & Television Faculty. University of California, Los Angeles.
  6. "About Jean-Louis". Howard Fine Acting Studio | Australia. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  7. https://alexandertechworks.com/about-alexander-techworks/
  8. "About the Howard Fine Acting Studio". Howard Fine Acting Studio | Australia. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  9. Eason, Bo (2019-09-03). There's No Plan B for Your A-Game: Be the Best in the World at What You Do. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-250-21084-5.
  10. The Actors Process - Jean-Louis Rodrigue (Season One - Episode Four), retrieved 2020-01-07
  11. Talents, Berlinale. "Jean-Louis Rodrigue". Berlinale Talents. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  12. "Experts Jean-Louis Rodrigue". Berlinale Talent Campus. Berlinale. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  13. "Nine Parts of Desire". Geffen Playhouse. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  14. "Jean-Louis Rodrigue". Geffen Playhouse. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  15. Rodrigue, Jean-Louis (2011-08-20). "Alexander Techworks - Jean-Louis awarded grant fellowship at Montalvo Arts Center to direct "The Reader"". Alexander Techworks. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  16. "Montalvo Arts Center | Jean-Louis Rodrigue". montalvoarts.org. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  17. Rodrigue, Jean-Louis. "IMDB: Jean-Louis Rodrigue". International Movie Database. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
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