Cordie Nelson is a playwright and director based in Chicago with a deep-rooted passion for Meisner Technique and over a decade of teaching experience. She received her BA from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2012, where she assistant taught both graduate and undergraduate Meisner classes under Professor Sean Boyd, who trained under Steve Rapella and Bill Esper at UTA. After graduation, she led independent Meisner training in Chicago, preparing students to move beyond intro levels in many local storefront studios.

In 2014, Cordie began her training as both a student and instructor at Green Shirt Studio, studying under Sommer Austin and Andrew Gallant, whose lineage traces back to Larry Silverberg. She has since taught every course level at Green Shirt—from intro to advanced scene study—and continues to bring her sharp eye and empathetic approach to each class. Her additional role as a Quality and Assurance Market Trainer for La Colombe in Chicago and Texas speaks to her strength in developing others, and her belief in the “see one, do one, teach one” method fuels her work. Cordie now serves as the Director of Teacher Development at Green Shirt Studio, a role that not only allows her to shape the next generation of teachers, but also deepens her own practice. She cares deeply about her students and knows that, with dedication, this technique can transform them into powerful, truthful artists.

Kristy Lockhart is a Chicago actor and teacher who helps actors connect with honesty, presence, and real human behavior. After years on stage, she found her way to Meisner training and immediately recognized that it reflected everything great acting should be: alive, spontaneous, and grounded in truth.

She trained at Green Shirt Studio, completing Level I and the 100-hour Ensemble Intensive with Co-Founder Andrew Gallant. She also completed Meisner 1 & 2 at Black Box Acting, studied at Boston University Theatre School, and earned her BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studied under Gerald Freedman.

Kristy’s approach avoids emotional recall in favor of honest, moment-to-moment work. Like Meisner, she teaches that powerful acting comes from listening, doing, and living truthfully under imaginary circumstances—skills that benefit actors and non-actors alike.

A longtime performer in Chicago’s storefront and fringe theatre scene, Kristy’s credits include Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Curious Theatre, Trapdoor Theatre, Sweetback Productions, and Canterbury Summer Theatre. She is honored to be included in the Greenshirt community of artists, actors, and performers.