Movement Classes (Character Embodiment)

Taught by Jonelle Gunderson

Early-bird fee for a 3-week Class Series$225 inc. hst
Regular Registration fee $250 inc. hst
Early-bird fee for a 2-hour Workshop $75 inc. hst
Regular Registration fee $85 inc. hst

Do you have questions about how movement and physicality can be beneficial to your acting work, or wonder what it means to build a ‘physical’ character?

Are you looking for something new to shake up your practice, and give you a fresh perspective?

Jonelle Gunderson teaches how to focus on the foundations of how to use your body to drop into character, when acting on stage or screen.


We will be looking at a series of simple movement exercises using breath, that can be used to warm up and focus prior to any gig, audition, or class.

We will then explore three points in the body (the feet, the pelvis, and the sternum) that can be used as activation points when building character.

Jonelle Gunderson’s

2-hour Movement (Character Embodiment) Workshop


This workshop is ideal for students interested in physical character building – it’s a way to get more foundational knowledge about how to approach this work.

This workshop can be taken as a pre-cursor to the 3-week Class Series.

More questions? Please email jonelle@dirtunderneath.com

Maximum number of students: 6 [Sign-up will be first come, first serve.]

Click here for Class Times (2-hour Workshops are typically offered Monday afternoons [not offered every Session]

Type of Class: OPEN

Jonelle Gunderson’s

3-week Movement (Character Embodiment) Class Series

Each two-hour class will focus on two parts:

Hour one:

This is not a dance or choreography class – students will be able to benefit from the exercises (chair, floor and standing work) regardless of your movement background.

Please reach out with any accessibility questions you may have, as most things can be modified!

Hour two:

Each student will get 30 minutes of dedicated time during the 3-week session to work on physical character building within a role of their choosing.

This can be:

  • a role from a past or upcoming class
  • a role from a past or upcoming audition
  • a character you are interested in exploring in your own creative work


Who would benefit from this class? Someone who:

  • is interested in how physicality and movement can influence your acting work
  • is looking to feel more ‘in your body’ and confident
    has often wondered where to begin creating a physical character
    can feel physically ‘locked’ during auditions or on-camera work

Maximum number of students: 6 [Sign-up will be first come, first serve.]


Click here for Class Times (3-week classes typically offered Monday or Tuesday afternoons).

Type of Class: OPEN

Jonelle Gunderson + Shaun Gunderson’s

The Sandbox Intensive (Acting + Character Embodiment)

The Sandbox Intensive provides the curious actor of all levels with a training ground for scene study and character embodiment. Co-taught by Shaun McComb and Jonelle Gunderson, this ensemble class offers a playful yet purposeful approach to the technique of acting with an emphasis on transformation.

Click here for more info

Click here for Class Times (typically held on Thursday evenings)

Type of Class: OPEN


I can’t wait for Jonelle to do more classes with the Dirt – I really feel her practice will enhance anyone’s on-camera or other acting work.
It was refreshing to go to a Movement class where there was an invitation to be in dialogue with the practice and work with your own unique body, to notice the tensions that arise and be able to work with them.
Jonelle provides such a supportive and informative environment and uses practical examples to demonstrate how this work can not only enhance your work but help sustain it in a healthy and positive way.

Zara Jestadt