Growing up in the north-east of Scotland, our home was often filled with the sound of music. My father was the local violin teacher, and students often came to the house for lessons. In fact, as early as the age of three, I too had picked up a violin and had begun “playing”. There was also a regular stream of music from our record player. My parents had a sizable collection of old 33 and 78 rpm vinyl records; no doubt a collector’s item these days. Among my favorites were recordings of the

You have probably heard that it’s standard for those that want a career in comedy to do extensive training in improvisational technique. For a while, it seems that anyone that was anyone on the major comedy shows was once a member of the famed Second City, among other esteemed improv companies!  What if I told you that everyone that wanted any sort of performing career could benefit greatly from some improv training? It’s absolutely true! In this blog article, I am going to further expla

No one becomes a great actor without studying for their masters. While different acting techniques work for different people, there are some commonalities that can be found in the best of the best.  By watching and studying 8 classic films, you can improve your own five most important classical acting techniques.  Whether you're just starting out or you've been performing for years, these movies will help you to develop and hone your craft. So put on your thinking cap and get ready to

Wondering how to be an actor on TV shows and film? Professional actor and acting coach David Tom shares his best acting tips for those looking to get into the industry... I’ve been asked many times over the years, "How can I break into the entertainment industry?" Oftentimes, that question is answered with one word: Don't! And yet, I’m writing now to say that if you’re passionate about acting - go for it! If this is truly the craft you wish to pursue as a life-long career, ke

So, you want to be an actor. Perhaps you’ve taken the plunge and moved to a new city with a bustling acting industry. Maybe you just graduated school, where you majored in the performing arts. You might even have attended your first open call audition. If any of these are true, you will realize very quickly that you will need a talent agent. For the actor, one of the most important relationships you will cultivate is with your talent agent. This is why it is vital that you find an agent that y

hobo_018 / E+ / Getty Images Considering doing an online performance, and wondering how to stage a virtual play? Of course, we’re all hoping to resume live performances as soon as possible, but it’s going to be a while before things open up completely. And while virtual theater isn’t the same as connecting with a live audience – but the good news is, there are some easy ways to make your performance as effective as possible! There are two basic types of virtual performances – in

It’s become much more difficult to convince youngsters to get their bodies moving after the surge of tablets and the growth of home televisions, gaming systems, and smartphones.  Why would they want to go out and play with their pals when they can play video games with them virtually from the couch? Why go all of the way to the bowling alley when we can play bowling on the Wii?   However, there are times when you need to expend all of that pent-up energy to make sure your body stay

Are you learning how to dance to some hit music video dances? Then, these easy and fun dance moves tutorials are for you! Music videos contain some of the most impressive dance sequences ever, and many of us love to emulate the moves of our favorite artists. Whether you’re looking for popular songs with simple, fun dances to learn or a more advanced music video dance tutorial, you’ve come to the right place! While many of us can’t learn an entire dance routine just by watching a mus

Happy first day of spring! Now that the days are longer and the weather is warmer, it's the perfect time to start a new hobby. And don't worry -- there are tons of hobbies to choose from that don't require expensive equipment or pricey commitments. In fact, many of these cheap hobbies can actually save you money in the long-run. Check out our recommendations below, and see what sparks your interest! 1. Languages Did you know that learning a second language can increase your brain power, ex

Music existed for thousands of years, long before notation came into being. The creation of music speaks to an innate human need, for it has existed for almost as long as humans have been in existence: there are prehistoric cave paintings illustrating instruments, as well as discoveries of actual prehistoric instruments such as a bone flute from the Stone Age. Music was also an important aspect of ancient civilizations, like the Egyptian and classical Greek civilizations, and was used for