Hi! And welcome to my website.

My creative side needs to express itself in many ways -- painting, writing, directing, acting, producing, and teaching acting classes. I am grateful for the talent I have been given and hope to nurture it in others as well.

Painting

I have had some of my paintings in juried exhibitions, La Jolla restaurants, private collections, and a two-woman show with a sculptor at a gallery in Venice, California. Painting gives me a sense of calm and an outlet for my vision, energy and passion.

Writing

A wonderful junior high school English teacher, Helene Zinzarella, encouraged to me write and I'm still in touch with. She recognized my talent and posted one of my humorous essays on the bulletin board, where it was displayed for Parents’ Back to School Night. I remember how proud my mother and father were.

I won an essay contest in high school and I had a poem published in my high school literary magazine, The Scriblerian.

I’ve had several poems published and I love writing them.

I sold a TV series to Aaron Spelling when I was 22 and was told that I was the youngest woman admitted at the time. It was Spelling-Thomas Productions – Aaron Spelling and Danny Thomas, Marlo’s father. That was a thrill! I was admitted to the Writers Guild of America and later joined the Women’s Committee, where I served on several subcommittees.

I had the pleasure and honor of being a member of the combined DGA-WGA-SAG Women’s Committee Panel on Sexual Harassment in the Entertainment Industry that also included Gregory Harrison (Trapper John, M.D., The Homecoming) Christine Lahti (Chicago Hope, The Pilot’s Wife) and Sheila Kuehl (Zelda on “Dobie Gillis), who is now a California Congresswoman.

I studied at the American Film Institute and took the Robert McKee Screenwriting Course in Los Angeles, and was accepted into the Edward Albee Master Class in Playwrighting. The play I wrote for that, "The Viewing," I then turned into a short film script, and directed it as a short film, which is being sent to various film festivals around the world.

I’m hoping to produce it on Broadway as well as make it as a full length feature film.

I’ve written five full length screenplays – two romantic comedies, one comedy, two romantic dramas.

Comedy

I also write jokes for comedians, lots of my own personal Top Ten Lists, and help others with their stand up routines.

I have performed at Open Mike Night at the Comedy Store on Sunset in Los Angeles and The Improv in Santa Monica.

Christopher Wiggins directed and taped my stand-up comedy skit, “I Would Marry My Computer,” that was featured on WKMG-TV (Orlando’s CBS affiliate) on Doug Gordon and Don Tynes’, “Comedy Night School,” which is now on the National Lampoon Channel.

I’ve performed with the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Troupe at the Speakeasy Comedy Club, which was a blast!

My training at the Lembeck Improvisational Comedy Workshop was fantastic training and I thank Helene and Michael Lembec, and Cal and Colleen for being such excellent teachers!

Acting

I participated in talent shows in high school and acted on the stage in Los Angeles and New York. Upon moving to Orlando, I had the fun to be in many student films at Full Sail, as well as many indie films in Orlando and Florida.

I offer private acting lessons, give acting classes, and offer weekend acting workshops - the calendar is listed below.

Having a Ph.D. in psychology and being a licensed psychotherapist, I use my skills to help acting students delve deeper into a character to understand motivation, background, and appearance. I assign books and articles to read and places to observe people for students to broaden their experiences.

I have had the fortune to study acting with Mark Feder, renowned actor from Cleveland and San Diego; with Laura Rose and Larry Rice of LR Studios in North Hollywood, California, and at the Lembeck Improv Comedy Workshop in Beverly Hills.

Since I've been an actor and worked with many directors, I feel that the way someone gives feedback is crucial to a performance. I attempt to say what's working and what's not working in as diplomatic a manner as possible. We actors are sensitive people and preserving that sensitivity is crucial. That is our gift! We must use it and protect it wisely.

I teach and recommend many classes - scene study, cold reading, how to nail the theatrical and commercial audition, and character arc and breakdown, as well as the difference between film, TV and stage acting.

I also suggest students take classes in various dialects, body movement, sword fighting, make up, costuming, and all the wonderful courses that are offered in colleges, junior colleges, and acting schools.

The testimonials from my students are listed here on my website and you can certainly contact them for any other feedback.

Producing

Producing is also a talent that is one I cherish -- networking with the community, contacting backers, selecting the best crew possible, helping with casting if necessary, lining up vendors, catering, craft services, and putting out fires with clear, direct communication where both parties feel understood and can collaborate on a win/win solution. Here, my experience as a marriage counselor and business consultant serve me well.

I am proud to have produced Adam Arnali’s, “The Creed,”, Adam Arnali's "Hurdles" (www.arnalifilms.com) and Kit Phelps’ comedy, “The Busser,” two excellent films.

Directing

Being a writer and having a vision of what the film or play or TV show should look like and being able to carry that out is the best of all possible worlds. Seeing characters in your mind's eye and auditioning talented actors who can bring your concept to the stage or screen is a joy.

Being open to suggestions for a better line, scene, or character is what a good director should expect to do in a collaborative process like film, TV, and the stage. Guiding sensitive actors to bring out their best is a gift that is crucial to directing. Temper tantrums, criticizing and harsh language don't work. Shaping a performance, encouraging actors to try something new and different, and providing a safe and nurturing emotional environment are all mandatory to a good director and I hope I do that for my cast and crew.

If you have any questions, please contact me. I look forward to working with you!

My best,

Linnda Durre'