OUR FAMILY!
We are an inclusive studio—EVERYONE is welcome here!
We all check our egos at the door and then get right down to the work.
You will be empowered to get there on your own. You will learn to trust your own instrument and make strong choices that deliver.
And you will be fiercely supported by your peers. We are family.
“I live to push boundaries. I find comfort in the uncomfortable. I seek out the “new.” New situations, new combinations, new challenges, anything that will allow me to step out of my comfort zone and prove to myself that I can do something
I have never done before and in so doing, prove to others that they can too.” —Artistic Director, Murisa Harba
Murisa Harba | Founder and Artistic Director
An award-winning actor and director, Murisa Harba lives to push boundaries. She is a leading acting coach, international best-selling author, thought leader, and speaker in Los Angeles, passionate about empowering actors to elevate their truth in storytelling and ultimately unlocking their creative genius.
Her fascination with the infinite ways in which our bodies communicate led her to create two custom signature techniques: THE CHAKRA APPROACH® and THE MACRO METHOD. THE CHAKRA APPROACH® taps into the body’s natural energy centers as a way to build compelling performances, while THE MACRO METHOD is an efficient, empowering way to break down a script complete with strong choice formulas for actors to nail their auditions in less than five minutes.
ABOUT THE WORK Actors Studio was founded by Murisa in 2013 on the principle of challenging actors to dig deep to uncover their truth in performance. Her book Acting With Energy reached International Best Seller status across 10 countries worldwide and has served thousands of actors to use energy versus emotional recall in their work for a more repeatable, compelling performance.
She has directed multiple TV series including Bad Therapist, Gas, Skiddle And Bang It and F#@K I Love U, in which her directorial debut on the show won BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE at ITV Fest and the live production, in which she also played the leading lady, premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Her films include Gruyeres & Dansare, in which she directed, produced and acted in starring a whole cast and crew of ATW students which premiered at NoHo Cinefest Film Festival in Los Angeles. She also directed TELL YOUR STORY, a PSA on sexual assault and women’s empowerment.
She most recently played the lead role of “Claire” in psychological drama The Shattering; directed by Daria Nazarova and produced by Argentic Productions (Amazon Prime). She snagged 4 BEST ACTRESS in a FEATURE FILM awards for her work in this project at Depth of Field Film Festival, LadyFilmmakers Festival, Studio City International Film Festival and SYTYCA Festival. She also starred in Deadly Crush (Amazon Prime), The Secret in the Basement and The Goldfish, directed by Homeland producer Ashley Brim (Omeleto; BEST NARRATIVE SHORT- Brooklyn Film Fest).
As a Boston University CFA Theatre alum, she is proud to continue to share her passion for storytelling by coaching actors at ABOUT THE WORK, as well as the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory since 2011. She serves on the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Committee and is recognized as a Backstage Expert; check out her latest articles on Chakra techniques here and Strong Choices here.
Savannah Schoenecker | Signature Technique Instructor
Savannah graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, LA with a focus on Uta Hagen, Stanislavski & Strausberg Techniques. She later studied Linklater & Alexander Techniques with Adele Cabot(Voice Joy LA,) and Shakespeare with Dennis Krausnik(Shakespeare Company Massachusetts.) Savannah is a former associate member of the Actor’s Gang under Artistic Director Tim Robbins where she rigorously trained in “The Style;” an ever evolving method inspired by George Bigot focusing on Commedia del Arte, states of emotion, and breaking the fourth wall. She continuously trains with the company in “The Style;” an ever evolving method inspired by George Bigot and focused on Commedia del Arte, states of emotion, and breaking the fourth wall.
Savannah has performed in award winning projects including “Made With Love,” (Art House Coup Film Fest Winner) & “Closure,” (120 Hour Film Fest “Audience Award”) and received a Stage Raw Scenie Award for “Star Making Performance” in Patterns at Theater 40 as well as an Eddon Award for “Best Actress” in Laundry & Bourbon at The Lonny Chapman Theater. She is also a practitioner and instructor of Wing Chun Kung Fu and founded Kids Kung Fu Moves in 2015. The successful program works with dozens of schools in Los Angeles to teach children social and emotional learning through the foundations of martial arts and mindfulness.
Before stepping into the role of Signature Technique Instructor at About The Work, Savannah started as an eager student looking for an artistic home in 2013. The Macro Method and The Chakra Approach exponentially impacted her growth as an artist and lead to direct successes in her acting career. She is honored to head the fundamentals programs at the studio and share the techniques with new students through the lens of passion, empathy, mutual respect, risk taking and shared growth. She’s got your back!
Jonathan Fishman | Signature Technique Instructor
Jonathan is a BFA graduate of the University of Connecticut Department of Dramatic Arts and founding member of the New York International Fringe Festival. In the last 30 years, he has collaborated on hundreds of projects for both stage and screen, as actor, director and producer.
Just before moving to Los Angeles three years ago, Jonathan produced and co-starred in the “Fringe First” winning production, Enterprise, by Brian Parks for the UK premiere at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe which subsequently ran Off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse in NYC, as the “best of the world’s fringe shows” in The Fringe Encore Series.
Since making his home in Southern California, Jonathan co-wrote an award-winning script, A Family Affair, that he was commissioned to direct and co-produce as a short film sponsored by BASF and Filmaka.
On top of appearing in several short films, he has also had the opportunity to star on-stage in Death of a Mailman as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival and Constantinople by Aram Kouyoumdjian at the Rose Theater.
On TV, Jonathan has been seen in HBO’s Crashing and he also co-produced and starred in a pilot for a new comedy series, BUDS, an official selection in last year’s Omni Cultural TV Fest and winner of four 2021 Telly Awards.
“I live in the space of being a catalyst for creative change. I love to generate a spark of recognition in someone else, that enlightens them to learn something about themselves or challenges their current perspective. I want to instigate what’s possible so that we reflect on deeper meanings and co-create an abundant world full of connection. I live to champion the efforts of those around me. This very personal work we do — bringing stories to life — elicits an emotional response from our audience. This work materializes for me in the joy I receive by entertaining and moving others. When I get to experience other people’s joy brought about by the blessed opportunity I had to participate in the bringing it to them… nothing better.”
Michelle Merring | Signature Technique Instructor + Studio Concierge
Michelle has BFA in Theatre from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and her most notable credits include: Viola on General Hospital, Dr Browne on the short That’s My Time and she was most recently seen on 911 Lone Star.
Some LA theater credits include: Anne in Trouble the Water by Ellen Geer, Miss Nanalu Branch in Bluebonnet Court by Josh Irving Gershick, Murray in LAME: the Musical by Rich Nathanson and MacBeezy by Kelly Boczek-Petrie. Her Off-Broadway productions include: Spiritwoman at the Harold Clurman Theatre, Down Home Sausage Meat with the Negro Ensemble Company and Space Trek: A Musical Parody at the Chelsea Playhouse, NYC.
As a writer/director, Michelle is known for her short film Yogurt Girl and and the trailer for her upcoming feature County Man. Check out her YouTube channel series “Need Money for College Cooking show” or as a recurring teacher on Secrets of the Heart TV.
Lisa Shows | Studio Manager
Lisa Shows serves as the vibrant Studio Manager. Lisa started out as one of the first students at ATW where she was drawn in by how creativity meets the power of energy and chakras. With a background in holistic arts and a passion for acting, it was only natural for Lisa to transition into the role of our studio manager. As a firm believer in the connection between mind, body, and performance, Lisa helps to foster a safe environment where actors explore their craft while aligning with their energetic potential. Beyond managing studio affairs, Lisa integrates mindfulness practices into the creative process, ensuring a holistic and empowering experience in her own acting career.
Grace Mullen | Signature Technique Instructor + Social Media Manager
Grace Mullen has a BA degree from The Ohio State University with a focus on Theater and Linguistics. While at OSU, she trained with Kevin McClatchy in Chekov, Meisner, and Stanislavski’s method, and Acting for the Camera. Before moving to LA, Grace starred in the short film “Safe Haven’s Hospital Bar” which premiered at Columbus Ohio’s historic Studio 35 Cinema.
Since moving to LA, Gracie has appeared in many short films, and recently wrapped on feature film “Into the Box,” and acted in and produced the short film “The Lakeside Ripper.”
Since studying at About the Work and working with The Macro Method, she has been inspired to start directing projects of her own. She directed the music video, “You Know That I Would” by Ienne, and wrote, directed, and acted in the short film “The Rumination.” After booking a role on “The Passion Project: Volume 1”, Grace was hired to direct 5 episodes.
Grace has trained with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators and earned a ‘Consent Forward Artist’ certificate through their program. She also completed Theatrical Intimacy Education’s ‘Workshop Weekend’ in LA, where she learned effective and ethical tools for staging intimacy. She’s passionate about empowering actors and implementing these tools to promote consensual sets that benefit the artist and the work.
Gracie has been with About The Work since early 2017. The techniques, like The Chakra Approach®, have had a profound impact on her as an artist. She’s gained confidence in her craft, and an entire community of amazingly supportive and talented artists that she loves collaborating with, and cheering on! She delights in sharing her peers’ wins, and ATW’s values through social media, and hopes some of her memes have made you laugh.
Camille Tambal | IT & Design
Joining About The Work in 2020, Camille has become an indispensable member of the team, seamlessly blending her administrative prowess with her design expertise. From graphic design and research to video editing, social media management, technical support, and website maintenance, Camille’s multifaceted skill set ensures that every aspect of the organization’s digital presence is polished and professional.