Phone: +972-58-467-7974
Email: [email protected]
Languages: English (native), Hebrew (fluent since 1981), French (basic)
Teacher of acting (English or Hebrew), Gestalt therapist, musical theater director, playwright, composer, and klezmer musician.
Franklyn’s work fuses Gestalt therapy, personal myth, and awareness training with traditional actor techniques (Chekhov, Brecht, Mabou Mines).
He focuses on spirituality expressed through nature and Kabbalah—especially Breslav—within the wider tradition of dialectical philosophy.
He has created hundreds of videos, dozens of performance projects, and extensive essays on Judaism, Gestalt Therapy, the performing arts, and Kabbalah.
For over five decades, my work has combined Gestalt therapy—awareness, dreams, and personal relationships—with traditional actor-training techniques, especially those of Michael Chekhov, Bertolt Brecht, and Mabou Mines.
I focus on the performer’s inner experience: peeling away social layers, ego patterns, and unresolved personal narratives to uncover what Chekhov called “psychological gestures.” From these essences, I reconstruct character, dramatic movement, and theatrical structure.
My approach seeks spirituality in nature and creativity, drawing inspiration from Jewish mysticism, particularly Breslav Hasidism. I integrate these concepts with avant-garde musical theater and dialectical philosophy to generate authentic artistic work — not imitation.
Music is another pillar of my practice. I perform as a klezmer musician using trombone, trumpet, piano, and 12-string guitar, often incorporating live instrumentation into theatrical storytelling.
Born: 1941, New York – Age: 84
Certifiable in: Music, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science
Additional Training
Videos organized by category, title, and duration when provided.
1. Gestalt work with actress Bel Baca — 4 sessions (~30 min each)
2. Gestalt work with actress Svetlana Ben — Hebrew w/ English subtitles (2 parts)
3. Personal myth projects — final presentations (Svetlana Ben, Boris Gorelnik) (~15 min each)
In Those Days (Cantonists in Russia, ~100 min)
https://vimeo.com/21227936
The Cave of Machpelah and Us (Genesis → modern day, ~100 min)
https://vimeo.com/13618622
The King’s Son & The Emperor’s Daughter
(Rebbe Nachman of Breslav & Rahel Varnhagen, ~90 min)
https://vimeo.com/22220523
Bye, Bye Sh-Nuke (Purim & Iran, ~20 min)
https://vimeo.com/18116702
King David, Absalom & Us (~28 min)
https://vimeo.com/21738312
~150 essays published on WordPress: “About Franklyn Wepner”
Topics include:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +972-58-467-7974
“I highly recommend the director Franklyn Wepner for the actor training I received under his guidance using Gestalt therapy. The process helped me deepen my self-recognition, use my deepest emotions, and express myself with greater truth. I improved both as an actress and as a person. The training helped me build a personal show about my life and strengthened my ability to enter a character. Thank you, Franklyn!”
“Working with Franklyn is working with a true master. The process was well-organized, detailed, and deeply transformative. His vast knowledge and dedication help actors and people reach their potential. The final product is a better you.”
“Franklyn’s Gestalt work amazed me. It increased my emotional freedom and helped me see how much power I have over my thoughts and awareness. It transformed both my acting and my life.”
“For a singer used to traditional directing, working with Franklyn was a new experience—deep, internal, and powerful. This method can add important dimensions to opera performance.”
“Franklyn’s method combines Gestalt therapy with acting. It helped me connect body and emotion, uncover the essence of my monologue, and work through personal impasses that improved both my acting and my life.”
“Franklyn’s work is an original and unique combination of modern therapy and acting. It is a process not previously practiced in Israel, and I recommend it.”
“‘Merkavah,’ founded by Franklyn, is a very positive attempt to create a center for alternative theater. Based on his experience with leading experimental theater figures in New York, his work is an important and highly recommended experiment.”
“His approach is basic and in-depth. His demands are serious and uncompromising. His work is of great value for those willing to commit to deep, disciplined training.”
“Franklyn’s work deepens awareness and perception and significantly helps singers and actors develop as interpreters.”
“Highly recommended for the actor willing to invest in serious, in-depth self-study.”
“Inspiring, original, and dedicated. I witnessed instant results. Franklyn has deep insight into the potential of his students.”
“Working with Franklyn renewed my whole approach to theatrical action and increased the musicality of my work.”
“Franklyn has many years of experience in Hassidut, music, and Gestalt therapy. He worked with our students in Otniel, who were very impressed with what he offered.”
“Gestalt helped me focus on life and discover new possibilities. Franklyn worked with me, my wife, and my child with wonderful results. I highly recommend his work for personal growth.”
“Franklyn assisted us with counseling through Gestalt sessions with many members of our community. He is kind, sensitive, humane, and highly respected. His work was very successful and well-received.”
“Using his unique approach, Franklyn activated the imagination of the children and elicited their best. They loved him and enjoyed every session.”
“In our school for socially and emotionally maladjusted teenagers, Franklyn used theater and music to unlock communication in students who were otherwise unreachable. He demonstrated intelligence, creativity, and strong professional discipline.”
“Franklyn relates well to patients, works out of deep motivation, and blends compassion with technique. His creative arts therapy work for adult schizophrenic patients was valuable and effective.”
“Franklyn taught emotionally disabled boys using science integrated with music and drama. His innovative approach produced very positive results.”
“Franklyn was an excellent tenant—polite, quiet, responsible, and always paid early. I warmly recommend him.”
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +972-58-467-7974
