Actors often draw their audience in through strong and seemingly authentic emotions.  Perhaps you watched a particularly emotional scene in a movie or play and wondered to yourself whether or not the emotion the actor was showing was truthful.  Perhaps they were crying and you could see the tears falling.  Are those real tears?  The answer is, probably, yes. Crying on command is tricky business and like everything else, takes preparation and practice. However, there are some tips and tri

Now that vaccinations are starting to roll out, we’re all starting to believe live theater really will return! And while it may be a while before things are totally back to normal, that makes these next few months a perfect opportunity to get yourself as well-prepared as possible for when auditions and productions resume.  We may have spent our downtime mostly binge-watching The Great British Baking Show or learning to knit, but many of us also used the extra free time to tackle house pro

Directors, flymen, producers, actors, and even box office staff – there are so many options available to those who have a passion for the performing arts industry. All careers in acting for stage are linked by one thing: a shared love and appreciation for creating live theater. Because of the associated pressures, and long and surprisingly unsociable hours related to the industry, many people who maintain careers in acting do so because they love what they do. Sequins don’t sew themselves o

Dreaming of attending one of the top acting schools in the US? Check out these tips from online teacher Liz T. to get a head start!    If you are an actor serious about having a career as a performer on the stage or screen, or want to pursue acting from the writing and directing side, it is important that you take the time study your craft and further your education at one of the top acting schools or universities. Getting into an acting conservatory is no easy task; programs are

I’ve said it once and I will say it again, we are all actors by nature! Anyone can be an actor if given the proper tools and training.  There are ways to become a stronger stage actor and as performers we should always be learning and growing. When speaking to new actors, I often quote Michael Shurtleff, the author of my favorite acting text, “Audition”. He once said, “Use what you know. Don't worry about what you don't know.”  This couldn’t be more true! Acting is reacting and

Do you dream of being a professional dancer someday? Beyond just dance skills, you'll need to know how to write a dance resume to start on your career path. Read on for some great advice from New York dancer and teacher Caitlin J.: For the pre-professional dancer, landing your first paid gig can be a daunting task. With only a few contacts, it is difficult to know where to start. Most jobs require a minimum submission of a headshot and resume.  While you might feel like your resume i

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 real time (actors are performing

The art of ballet is undeniably beautiful, graceful, and stunning. But that’s not to say it doesn’t come with its fair share of challenges. After all, there are many different thought processes, techniques, and variations associated with this dance form and it can takes years to master it. Not to mention, there’s no single “right” way to learn ballet for beginners. With that said, many dancers will agree that it’s helpful to approach the barre with a basic understanding of its s

Contemporary dance. You’ve probably seen it on famous dance television shows like So You Think You Can Dance or Dancing with the Stars, but do you actually know what contemporary dance is? With roots in several different styles of dance, like ballet, hip hop, and modern dance, contemporary dance emerged in the mid-1900s and quickly became one of the most popular dance styles in the Western world.  If you are interested in any kind of dance, studying contemporary dance for beginners is a great

Are you dreaming of a career on stage or screen, and wondering how to develop the most important skills for actors? In this article, we’ll outline 10 acting exercises that will get you primed for performance, as well as outlining what to expect from your first acting lesson.  Acting Exercise Purpose Deep Breathing Warming up before rehearsals, auditions and performances Yoga Strength and physicality training, character development Close Reading Audition and perfo