Elizabeth Terrel

Elizabeth Terrel is a professional actor and coach with a passion for work that is vocally and physically free, expressive, and grounded in truth.

She teaches the Voice and Movement Core Curriculum and the majority of the courses in the popular Lab Specialty Series - rotating full semester courses unique to the Western Michigan University BFA Acting major. (Musical Theatre Performance majors may also enroll in Lab courses as space allows.) Full semester course offerings include:

◆Animal Lab (in-depth, fully realized animal study and embodiment)

◆Michael Chekhov work (includes out-of-the-classroom environment work)

◆Archetypes (includes out-of-the-classroom environment work)

◆Dialects

Elizabeth is an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®, a 500-hour Yoga Trainer specializing in Yoga for Professional Voice Users, the creator of Terrel Presence Training®, a certified practitioner of Quantum Energetics Structured Therapy®, and the author of Second Edition: Auditioning for Actor Training Programs, published by Cognella press. She earned her undergraduate degree from the School of Theatre, Television and Film at San Diego State University (distinction in the arts and magna cum laude) and her Master of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University where she studied with acclaimed Meisner Master Teacher Kathryn Gately-Poole.

As a strong proponent of exposure to varying ideas, cultures, and art forms, Elizabeth is active in the Department’s Study Abroad Program. The optional Study Abroad program is offered every two to three years and includes a strong focus on movement training as well as the opportunity to act, study, and experience culture and theatre in different environments. Elizabeth is, herself, a life-long learner and has received numerous grants to study and present, staying current with trends in the industry. She regularly performs, teaches, and presents nationally and internationally as an active member of VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association) and the Sangha Yoga Teacher Training Institute. She participates actively as a learner and teacher in the Fitzmaurice Voicework® and Knight-Thompson Speechwork® communities and is an editor-at-large for the International Dialects of English Archive.

Elizabeth shares her time between Chicago and Kalamazoo, working professionally as a performer and coach, training actors and other professionals. She is also a UM-CGSP recommended Gender Embodiment specialist and an Intimacy Director.

She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity (AEA) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.)

 Second Edition: Auditioning for Actor Training Programs (ISBN 978-1-5165-2915-5) features interviews with 28 acting recruiters from all over the U.S. and is available here.