Sonya Cooke

Sonya Cooke is an Assistant Professor of Acting and Head of Undergraduate Performance at Louisiana State University’s School of Theatre. She is a professional actor with extensive experience in film, television, and theatre, affiliated with SAG-AFTRA and the National Alliance of Acting Teachers. Her career spans network television (e.g., Chicago PD), independent films (e.g., Lily Grace), and regional/NY theatre (e.g., Julius Caesar at New Swan Shakespeare Festival).

• Education:
  • BFA in Drama, NYU Tisch School of Arts
  • MFA in Acting, UC-Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts

Her research interests focus on acting pedagogy, performance training, and the development of the Seven Pillars Acting technique, which is now used as a textbook in universities nationwide. She also leads the Teacher Certification Program for Seven Pillars Acting and owns the Actor’s Studio of Orange County.