About Sara Mornell
FOUNDER, AUTHOR, COACH & CREATOR
A classically trained actor, Sara Mornell started booking work shortly after arriving in Los Angeles. At 28 Mornell booked the lead in a pilot for NBC and worked steadily in lead, and recurring roles for years. Mornell was one of the first actors to recur simultaneously on both a half hour and hour show for the same network but was finding her passion for acting and the reality of the business were clashing. Over the years her close relationships with casting, producers, directors, managers and agents gave her a dose of truthful feedback and the reality of what actors are not being taught in school. She set out to change that.
After taking a break from the business, Mornell was asked to coach an actor for an audition. After he got his first callback since being signed the agent and his manager sent more clients. The success was unparalleled. Mornell wasn’t teaching from theater technique she was coaching what she had been very successful at and knew inside and out from recent experience. The audition. How to make fans and book.
In order to book artists had to be fearless in who they are versus acting like someone they’re not. While working with Barry Zito, Cy Young Award-winning former pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, on his baseball game Mornell realized that there were many correlations between artists and athletes. And there grew the seed that developed into the Mornell Method.
The voices that get in the way of performance are not our own but ones we have been conditioned to take on. That leaves most people acting. True power comes from standing in your own voice and authenticity. Mornell adapted the process created for Zito into her work with actors and began crafting a method that clears away the voices and teaches people how to stop acting.
The Mornell Method is about wading through messaging that has been ingrained in us all both physically and mentally to find who you are outside of what you have been conditioned to believe.
Bottom Line: How To Stop Acting
Train like an Olympian to prepare for the arena of life and business of Hollywood, while nurturing your artistic soul.
Anisha Adusumilli
Anisha coaches actors from co-star to recurring level in both drama and comedy, using her 8+ years of experience with the Mornell Method. Whatever you’re coming in with, she’ll support you with warmth and positivity and get very specific with the tone/genre of each role. As a certified Breathwork Facilitator, Anisha also offers private breathwork sessions to release negative beliefs and strengthen the spirit of actors to be their healthy, whole, and radiant selves.
Anna Borchert
Anna works to meet each actor where they are with their audition and career. Her focus is on supporting actors to develop their confidence and bring their unique voice and perspective to each role. She works with actors on everything from co-stars to series regulars, dayplayers to leads and coaches all genres with a special focus on procedurals and sci-fi/action. Anna meets with all new clients prior to their first coaching session.
Iona Leighton
Iona is passionate about empowering actors to bring their authentic selves to every role. As a coach their expertise is in costar, recurring, guest star and supporting roles / auditions. (They offer sliding scale rates to actors in need and those who identify as LGBTQ+)
Jillana Darby
Jillana prepares for sessions by researching beforehand to provide notes to fit the pace, tone and feel of each project. Jillana also offers assistance with package work including selecting headshots, editing reels/clips, and curating emails to submit to targeted agents and managers.
JillanaDarby@gmail.com
Marissa Chanel Hampton
Marissa sees herself more as a collaborator than coach, and believes self tapes are the ultimate opportunity for actors to take control of their career. She is a firm believer in as Sara says, “Be a Detective Before You’re an Actor” when it comes to approaching auditions and enjoys coaching on everything from co-stars to series regulars.
Marissa Cuevas
Marissa Cuevas is an experienced acting coach who works with students of all ages, whether they’re just starting out or already a series regular. She’s great at helping actors nail technical aspects, navigate different tones and genres, and express their true authenticity, all in a supportive and approachable way that makes auditioning fun and effective.
Nicole Johnson
I take a collaborative approach, creating a space where actors feel relaxed and comfortable in their work. I start by meeting the actor where they are at with the material and then build from that point. Together, we discover choices that highlight the actor’s unique self while staying true to the story, regardless of the role’s size.