Community. Conversation. Craft.

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The seed for this project was planted on set one night in 2014. I was shooting a half-page scene on ABC's How To Get Away With Murder — a quick moment, just a few lines, playing a news reporter chasing the truth. Nothing life changing, just a co-star. But the episode was directed by Eric Stoltz, and the way he treated that little scene — and me within it — opened my eyes to what was possible between actor and director.

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Eric created a space where risk felt safe. He gave my scene partner and I four takes, each with precise, playable direction. His hand on the scene was like a conductor shaping music — layering depth, pulling out texture, tuning the silences. His notes were alive, tangible, sparking our imaginations. He trusted me. He spoke my language. And because of that trust, I felt free enough to explore, to stumble, to surprise myself and my scene partner. It’s no coincidence Eric is also a lifelong actor — he knew what I was navigating. That night I realized something essential: the secret to great work on stage or in front of the camera is trust between director and actor.

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For three decades I’ve been chasing that truth. I’ve told stories on stage and on screen and have learned and grown with all of my directors — some who have Oscars, others holding only a fragile idea and the courage to try. I’ve also studied and learned from teachers like Larry Moss, Kristin Linklater, and Rudolf Laban, all of whom deepened my understanding of how trust, craft, and imagination fuel this work.

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The Actor's Director has taken years to grow. It’s built on the foundation of every rehearsal, every late-night set build, every conversation in traffic or after a show. This project is my attempt to give back to the craft that has given me a life in the arts.

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Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, I hope this work invites you to stay curious, to trust more deeply — in yourself, in your collaborators — and to keep shaping stories that reveal our most human truths.

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With gratitude,
Graham Sibley