Meet Liz Shipman and Lisa Berger | Co-Artistic Directors & Master Teachers of MCITStudio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Liz Shipman and Lisa Berger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Liz Shipman and, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Originally, there was a chance meeting at a department luncheon, a stimulating conversation and a plan to continue that conversation in the near future. The conversation was about art, good acting and effective actor training. I had already decided to pursue opening an acting studio in San Diego, but it was the possibility of an unusual partnership that pushed the idea forward and eventually to fruition. And the time was right. I was leaving Academia and my future partner was trying to grow her private teaching business into a larger entity. So, because of changes in our personal circumstances and a belief that opportunities existed in our community, we created the Meisner/Chekhov Integrated Training Studio (AKA MCITStudio). We met at lunch in June, then in August for coffee, shared our dreams and professional intentions, made a decision to make something together and set the plan into action. On March 18 of the following year, we launched MCITStudio with 12 students committed to a 2 Year Actor Training. By that time we were a legal Partnership with all the Ts crossed and the Is dotted.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
LIZ SHIPMAN Co-Artistic Director–Chekhov Technique ​

“I am inspired to share a practical and effective psychophysical approach to both students and professional actor/artists through classes at MCITStudio and Workshops here and abroad.” ​ Liz is a specialist in psychophysical actor training. Her work integrates the theories and practices of Michael Chekhov, Rudolph Laban and Arthur Lessac voice work. Liz was Co-Founder/Artistic Director for the Kings County Shakespeare Company (KCSC) in NYC from 1983-2001, where she was involved in over 50 productions. She has directed and/or choreographed for New Avenue Theatre Project (NYC), Utah Shakespearean Festival, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Old Globe Theatre, Playwrights Project, New Village Arts, OUT ON A LIMB New Plays Festival and lots of little loft-type theatres throughout NYC. She has directed, choreographed and taught movement and acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Technique for the Whole Actor Studio, T. Schreiber Studio, Manhattan Marymount College, The Atlantic Theatre Company, Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts, USD’s Theatre Arts Program and The Old Globe/USD Graduate Acting Program. Favorite projects include Genet/Hamlet, Winter’s Tale, Rough Crossing, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Midsommer Night’s Dreame, Taming of the Shrew Aphra Behn’s The Rover, Blood Wedding, On The Verge, Lysistrata, Fifth of July, On Air and The Creation Project. LizMoves.weebly.com

LISA BERGER Co-Artistic Director–Meisner Technique
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​Lisa Berger is a Meisner Teacher, Professor of Theatre and Freelance Director. In her 30 year career, she has directed over 60 productions. Theaters include: The New York Fringe Festival, LaJolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Diversionary Theatre, Backyard Renaissance, Cygnet Theatre, New Village Arts, Compass Theatre, Mira Costa College and the University of San Diego. She began her teaching career as a teaching artist for Walt Disney’s The Lion King, The Metropolitan Opera Guild, Camp Broadway and the LaJolla Playhouse. She received her MFA from the University of Montana and is a graduate of The William Esper Studio in New York City where she studied with Maggie Flanigan. Lisa currently teaches The Meisner Technique at The Actor’s Academy at Mira Costa and the University of San Diego.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Great Theatres–The Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Diversionary

Parks–Balboa Park

Restaurants–there are so many places to eat–Sushi & Thai are go-tos.

Places to Visit–Any Beach; Julian, Mt. Laguna, Cuyamaca…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Liz Shipman: Shout out to Joanna Merlin, Lenard Petit, Ted Pugh, Fern Sloan and all the generous Faculty of the Michael Chekhov Association; my colleagues at the Chekhov Coop; all my teachers and mentors at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies; every student and professional actor I’ve ever worked with…

Lisa Berger: Shout out to my teacher and mentor, Maggie Flanigan, for the inspiration and lifelong training in the Sanford Meisner Technique; my husband and partner, Mike Sears, actor/playwright/creator; my students and the many actors I have directed through many projects over the years.

Website: MCITStudio.com

Instagram: MCITStudi0: Actor Training

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-shipman-4205515 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-berger-ab632667

Twitter: @StudioMcit

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meisnerchekhov