Williamson Technique

Green Shirt Studio instructor Rachael Yoder is an incredible actor. She performs with an intensity that radiates through her entire body, and when she experiences emotion on stage you can feel it from the back of the audience. 

I’ve often wondered how she manages to let authentic impulse and emotion travel so freely in her body and express herself through text so honestly.  Last Friday, Rachael took me through some of her process and lifted the veil on how she works her magic.

Rachael has an MFA from Northern Illinois University, where she studied Williamson Technique in addition to the Meisner Technique.  This winter, she’s bringing Williamson Technique to Green Shirt via 2 introductory workshops (November 15 & December 13) and a full 8-week class (“Physical Freedom for Actors” running Jan 10 - Feb 28, 2027).  

I’ll paraphrase here, but Rachael explained that Williamson Technique is a physical counterpart to the emotional work we do in the Meisner Technique; Lloyd Williamson studied under Sanford Meisner, and developed his technique to be taught alongside the Meisner technique.  When our bodies are full of tension, we can often lock up and hide our emotions and behaviors. When we feel loose, open, and grounded, we can be affected by a scene partner from head to toe.  

Rachael took a few of us lucky instructors through one of the movement sequences used in Williamson Technique, and it reminded me of a cross between yoga and tai-chi.  I found myself in sort of a flow state, and while in that state Rachael directed us through a series of partner exercises.  My partner remarked during our debrief afterwards that she could “really see me”, and that resonated with me too.  We felt a little silly being present with each other while moving our bodies in somewhat strange ways, but the physicality started to amplify our emotional responses to each other.

This short intro made me feel so excited that the Green Shirt community will get to experience this work - anyone can benefit from physical freedom in their acting, and I can’t wait to see how these classes and workshops will help students who are also going through the Green Shirt Meisner program.