Jean-Louis Rodrigue (born May 23, 1951 Casablanca, Morocco,) is an acting coach, movement director, author, [1] and senior teacher of the Alexander Technique.[2] He has worked in Los Angeles and New York in theatre, film, television, and digital media.[3]

Jean-Louis Rodrigue
Born (1951-05-23) May 23, 1951 (age 73)
Casablanca, Morocco
CitizenshipAmerican
Occupation(s)Acting coach and teacher of the Alexander Technique
Websitehttp://www.alexandertechworks.com/jean-louis rodrigue/

Rodrigue has taught 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] Rodrigue has been a faculty member at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television[5] and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music[5] for the past 34 years.

Early life and education

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

At eight years old, he decided to become an actor after viewing Ferruccio Soleri in “Arlecchino, Servant of Two Masters” at Piccolo Teatro di Milano. In 1967, he began working 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 Rodrigue's training at ACT, he discovered the Alexander Technique. He then stayed three more years to train at the American Center for the Alexander Technique, San Francisco.

In post-formal training, Rodrigue studied with 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

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In 1980, Rodrigue founded Alexander Techworks. The company provides private instruction, training, coaching, group classes, and workshops in Los Angeles, New York, and other cities. He and Kristof Konrad own and operate the business together.

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

Rodrigue teaches workshops at Larry Moss' Studio.[1] 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 hired in by the FBI to teach stress management and respiratory control for agents infiltrating Middle Eastern terrorist cells.[9][10]

Film and television

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Rodrigue has coached actors in films including: 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 film Life of Pi. Rodrigue choreographed the period movement for the film The Affair of the Necklace.

Since 2009, Rodrigue has conducted several workshops at 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

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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 in 2017.[14] He was awarded a fellowship grant from the Montalvo Arts Center to develop and direct a play adaptation of the 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.

Rodrigue has collaborated with Larry Moss on Daisy White's Sugar, The Syringa Tree at Playhouse 91 in New York 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 The Syringa Tree at the Teatro Stabile di Innovazione in Udine and at Il Piccolo Teatro di Milano, Italy.

Animal Studies

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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 Leonardo da Vinci and Carlo Mazzone-Clementi.

While in Milano in 1957, Rodrigue's father introduced him to the scientific and artistic work of DaVinci. They would often go to the National Museum of Science and Technology to view the models of DaVinci's inventions . 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 Theater in San Francisco, Jean-Louis studied with Mazzone-Clementi who introduced him to the application of animal behavior and movement to character development.

Select awards and recognition

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Rodrigue 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

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Filmography

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Year[17] Film Actor/Consulting Work Role Director
2022 Lou Jurnee Smollett/Bad Robot Character Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Anna Foerster
2020 Bill & Ted Face the Music Alex Winter /Orion Character Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Dean Parisot
2020 Birds of Prey (2020 film) Margot Robbie/Warner Brothers Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Cathy Yan
2019 Dreamland (2019 American film) Margot Robbie/Eagle Films Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Miles Joris-Peyrafitte
2019 Buffaloed Zoey Deutch/Lost City Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Tanya Wexler
2018 Vice (2018 film) Christian Bale/Annapurna Pictures Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Adam McKay
2018 Mary Queen of Scots (2018 film) Margot Robbie/Focus Features Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Josie Rourke
2018 Set It Up Zoey Deutch/Netflix Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Claire Scanlon
2017 I, Tonya Margot Robbie/Miramax Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Craig Gillespie
2017 Disobedience Rachel McAdams/Braven Films Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Sebastian Lelio
2017 Anything (film) Matt Bomer/Great Point Media Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Timothy McNeil
2017 Okja Paul Dano/Netflix Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Joon-Ho Bong
2017 Flower Zoey Deutch/Diablo Entertainment Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Max Winkler
2016 Unleashed (2016 film) Justin Chatwin/Braveheart Films Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Finn Taylor
2014 Pawn Sacrifice Tobey Maguire/Lionsgate Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Edward Swick
2014 Lucky Stiff Cast/Arclight Films Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Christopher Ashley
2014 The Normal Heart (film) Matt Bomer/HBO Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Ryan Murphy
2014 Love & Mercy (film) Paul Dano/Roadside Attractions Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Bill Pohlad
2012 Life of Pi (film) Fox 2000 Pictures Consultant on Tiger Movement Ang Lee
2011 Citizen Gangster Scott Speedman/Myriad Pictures Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Nathan Morlando
2011 J. Edgar Leonardo DiCaprio/Warner Brothers Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Clint Eastwood
2010 Barney's Version (film) Scott Speedman/Sony Pictures Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Richard J. Lewis
2008 W. (film) Josh Brolin/Ixtlan Corp. Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Oliver Stone
2005 Bee Season (film) Juliette Binoche/Fox-Searchlight Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Scott McGee, David Siegal
2003 Seabiscuit Elizabeth Banks/Universal Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Gary Ross
2002 The Syringa Tree Pamela Gien/Trio Network Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Larry Moss
2002 The Time Machine (2002 film) Samantha Mumba & Cast/DreamWorks Creature Movement Choreography Simon Wells
2001 The Affair of the Necklace Hilary Swank & Cast/Warner Brothers Period Movement/Coaching Charles Shyer
2001 Human Nature (2001 film) Patricia Arquette/Fine Line Character and Animal Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Michel Gondry
2001 The Cat's Meow Kirsten Dunst/Lions Gate Films Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Peter Bogdanovich
1996 Partners Tate Donovan/Fox Television Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Multiple
1996 HBO Comedy Half-Hour Wendy Liebman/HBO Character and Movement Coaching Troy Miller
1994 It's Pat Julia Sweeney/Touchstone Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Adam Bernstein
1993 Little Buddha Keanu Reeves/Miramax Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Bernardo Bertolucci
1993 Freaked Keanu Reeves/20th Century Fox Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Alex Winter
1992 Passion Fish Mary McDonell/Columbia Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique John Sayles

Theater

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Production[14] Actor Role Theater Director
How To Disappear Completely and Never Be Found Brad Culver Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Boston Court Nancy Keystone
The Lieutenant of Inishmore Chris Pine Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Mark Taper Forum Wilson Milam
The Syringa Tree Rita Maffei Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Piccolo Teatro, Milano Larry Moss
The Reader Cast Director Montalvo Arts Center Self
King Lear/The Seagull Sir Ian McKellen Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique RSC - UCLA Live Trevor Nunn
Runt of the Litter Bo Eason Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique 37 Arts Theater, NYC Larry Moss
The Bacchae Cast Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Getty Villa Gulu Montiero
KA Cast Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Cirque du Soleil Robert Le Page
Nine Parts of Desire Heather Raffo Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Geffen Playhouse Joanna Settle
Sugar Daisy White Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Edgemar Center Larry Moss
Gretty Good Time Ann Stocking Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Falcon Theater John Regalbuto
Runt of the Litter Bo Eason Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique MCC Theater, NY Larry Moss
The Syringa Tree Pamela Gien Character and Movement Development/Alexander Technique Playhouse 91, NY Larry Moss
The Syringa Tree Pamela Gien, Cast Character and Movement Development/Alexander Technique National Tour Larry Moss
The Cryptogram & the Old Neighborhood Christine Dunford Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Geffen Playhouse Michael Bloom
Skylight Sally Murphy Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Steppenwolf Theater Mike Nussbaum
The Triumph of Isabella Cast Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Geffen Playhouse John Achorn
The Prodigious Snob Cast Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique UCLA Little Theatre Ellen Geer
Scenes from an Execution Natalija Nogulich Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Mark Taper Forum Robert Allan Ackerman
La Nouvelle Experience (collaborated with Debra Brown) Cast Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Cirque du Soleil Franco Dragone
Accomplice Natalija Nogulich Character and Movement Coaching/Alexander Technique Broadway Rupert Holmes

References

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  1. ^ a b 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 (16 December 2001). "Teaching Actors to Move with the Gracefulness of Dancers". New York Times. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Alexander Techworks - ABOUT".
  4. ^ "Alexander Techworks - ABOUT".
  5. ^ a b c d e "Jean-Louis Rodrigue Biography". UCLA School of Theatre, Film & Television Faculty. University of California, Los Angeles. 8 September 2011.
  6. ^ a b "About Jean-Louis". Howard Fine Acting Studio | Australia. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  7. ^ "Alexander Techworks - ABOUT".
  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. ^ a b "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". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
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