The Brian Mulligan Acting Studio

I am a specialist in Meisner and Hagen Acting Techniques, and Johnstone and Second City Improvisation training; interested in guiding the actor to the present moment– in which technique falls away, and truthful living begins. 

 
“The Zoom Studio is open!

Prepare your acting instrument for the day when theatres and sound stages fully re-open. Strengthen your acting skills so you stand out in self-taped auditions and deliver at the top of your game when you book the role on a physically-distanced set.

Sessions: One-on-one, or scene coaching with partners.
Flexible hours.

Hit JOIN THE STUDIO to contact Brian.”
““Brian is one of those teachers whose lessons I go back to year after year. He laid the slag for my career. He introduced me to technique in a simple, gentle, unpatronizing way until I got it. Endlessly patient, collaborative, and encouraging. Brian’s love and respect for theater and performance is infectious. He taught me to respect the work. I would not be the artist I am without him.””
— Daniel Hartley, Law and Order: SVU, All My Children
Cal State Long Beach

Cal State Long Beach

Past Students: Kate Hudson (Almost Famous, Deepwater Horizon), Zooey Deschanel (New Girl, Elf, 500 Days of Summer), Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory, Florence Foster Jenkins), Jack Quaid (The Hunger Games, Vinyl, The Boys), Dennis Chun (Hawaii 5-0- series regular), Midori Francis (The Wolves-Lincoln Center, Ocean’s Eight, Divorce), Francesca Carpanini (Juilliard School, The Tempest- NY Shakespeare in the Park).

Brian is a professional actor, teacher, and director, working in the US and Canada for 35 years. I began my journey Studio 58 Theatre School in Vancouver, Canada, where I later studied improvisation with Keith Johnstone (Impro!). In New York I trained at HB Studio with Uta Hagen ("A Challenge for the Actor", "Respect For Acting"), Herbert Berghof, and Carol Rosenfeld ("Acting and Living in Discovery); and studied Meisner Technique with at William Esper Studio with Mr. Esper ("The Art and Craft of Acting"), and Maggie Flanagan. I completed my Meisner Training with William Alderson (Neighborhood Playhouse) in Los Angeles. I also attended Second City Los Angeles's Conservatory Improvisation Program (Dave Rozowsky). 

M. F. A., Acting and Directing, California State University, Long Beach (Recipient of Distinguished Achievement in Creative Activity) 

  • Faculty, Department of Theatre, California State University, Long Beach

  • Faculty, HB Studio, New York, NY

  • Faculty, Drama Department, Crossroads School, Santa Monica, CA

  • Faculty, RISE Academy at Debbie Allen Dance Academy

  • Co-Founder, Actors Core Training, Honolulu, HI

 

TEACHING

  • 1996 - present Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, Santa Monica, CA

  • 2014 - present California State University, Long Beach, CA

  • 2014 - present University of Hawaii-Manoa

  • 2016 - present HB Studio, New York, NY

  • 2016 - present Debbie Allen Dance Academy

  • 1991 - 1993 Riverside Shakespeare Acting Conservatory, New York, NY

  • 1989 - 1993 Nada Theatre, New York, NY

DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER

Improvisation Theatre Company performing Off-B’way and at Young Audiences, New York

DIRECTING

  • Hollywood Fringe Festival 2011 Director Evolution of a Kiss – Winner, “Best of Fringe”

  • Impro!, New York, NY 1990-1996

CROSSROADS MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL, SANTA MONICA, CA

Created the Drama Conservatory Improvisation Theater Program

Created a Shakespeare for the Actor Program

Selected Crossroads Directing Credits:

  • The Good Doctor by Neil Simon

  • The Dark Lady of the Sonnets by George Bernard Shaw

  • Haroun and the Sea of Stories (Middle School Players)

  • Dust by Sarah Daniels

  • The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

  • The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Middle School Players)

  • As You Like It

  • The Two Gentlemen of Verona

  • The Hotel Play by Wallace Shawn

Excited to launch my weekly Scene Study/Acting Technique class starting in September in Hollywood – bringing the timeless lessons of the visionary actress and teacher Uta Hagen to LA. Discounts available for former students (CSULB, RISE, Crossroads) and for early registration. 

Class meets from 2-4 pm Sundays on Zoom (until further notice). Class size will be small. Actors will work every class. Price remains the same if there are 5 Sundays in a month. Hit JOIN THE STUDIO TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY.