"I have been fortunate enough to work with Deborah over the past few years, and it has truly been the most inspiring and enriching experience I've had as an actor. She creates an open and welcoming space for all the actors to work out and work on their craft. Deborah also guides and pushes one to look deeper and go further while simultaneously offering complete support and respect. She has totally changed the way I approach all my work. And above all, she has taught me to never be complacent or satisfied but to” allow my curiosity to be endless."

 

-Aaron Tveit / Les Miserables (2012), GRACELAND (USA network, 2013)  Premium Rush, Howl, Ghost Town, Gossip Girl, Body of Proof, The Good Wife, Law & Order SVU, Ugly Betty Broadway: Catch Me If You Can, Next to Normal, Wicked, Hairspray

"I can say without hesitation or reservation that working with Deborah Hedwall took me to another level as an actor. I received an excellent education as a BFA at Rutgers and was ready to take on the world. After graduating I worked on a soap opera for two years and so many questions arose not only from that experience but from auditions and workshops over that time. I enrolled in Deborah's studio in new York city after having worked with her on "The Subject Was Roses" at Penguin Rep. Seeing Deborah, in rehearsals and on stage every night, opened my eyes to the way a real actor prepares and performs: she implemented and executed all of the techniques we learned at school with such ease and mastery. I was very nervous and excited to study with her as her student. I had every reason to be excited and no reason at all to be nervous. Deborah creates such a positive, creative, and supportive atmosphere. She encourages all of her students to deeply explore ourselves and to be brave in expanding our boundaries. Deborah reinforced in me such an organic way of working from the inside out, and this process was explained thoroughly and enforced through repetition so as to become intuitive. She communicated in a clear way with a vocabulary that was simple and direct. I still have my notebook from class and I always will. I have had her voice in my head on every job I've done since. Deborah's class is my first recommendation to anyone in New York looking to deeply explore their craft and expand their boundaries. In Deborah's words, paraphrased, "You have a universe inside of you and you're all capable of anything. Know that and stop limiting yourself with judgments." In that piece of wisdom may lie a large part of what makes Deborah such a gifted teacher... she inspires and encourages us as human beings. Deborah wants us to be more aware, intelligent, and empathetic. She pushes us to be Bigger. In this way we work what else do we have? 

 

-Tom Pelphrey / Broadway: End of the Rainbow, Regional: Guthrie Theatre/End of the Rainbow, Dorset Theatre Festival:Mauritius TV/Film: Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, Law and Order: SVU, Junction, Excuse me for Living, Anchors, Guiding Light (2006, 2008 Daytime Emmy Winner)