This past semester, award-winning actor/director and Artist-in-Residence John Turturro met with Drama’s third-year acting students for a series of master-classes. These once-in-a-lifetime opportunities gave students the chance to present their class work for feedback and to further explore and develop character and scene work.

“Never once did John make us feel we were in the presence of a ‘star,’” remarked Nate Faust, third-year actor, “but he related to us as fellow artists, giving us practical advice based on his experiences. What I liked most about working with him was his ability to pull the best out of us—he spoke to us in a language we understand, because of the training we’re getting here at Drama; it was all about the craft.”

Third-year actor Bridget Ori concurs: “It was very much like our acting classes here at Drama,” she explains. “His approach was very similar to our teachers—he asked what we were trying to achieve, he commented on what did and didn’t work, and what he observed, then gave us suggestions on how to fix them—always reminding us that what he says is only pointers—ultimately, the work comes down to us.”

As part of his year-long residency, Turturro will also speak to the entire Drama school in the Town Hall this semester, as well as conduct a master class for the directing students.