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

Monologues are an essential part of a stage actor’s career, and that includes actors from ALL walks of life! It doesn’t matter what sort of actor you are - comedic, dramatic, classical or contemporary...you will need a variety of short funny monologues to have ready if you’re auditioning for acting work. Professional actors certainly know this, but it is advantageous for those that are active in community theater or school theater, too! Theater in recent years has exploded. It seems lik

If you've ever watched an actor disappear into their role, shedding genuine tears or adopting mannerisms that aren't their own, then you've seen method acting techniques in action. Most people think of this approach as "becoming a character," and some actors do take that literally, pretending to actually be the person they're playing.  Method acting is taught everywhere from Hollywood to Broadway. But a few notable actors are well-known for taking it to award-winning extremes, making enormous

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

There’s a classic saying in theater, “acting is reacting”, meaning it’s not about reciting lines, it’s about listening to your fellow performers, and making your lines a response to the other characters. Which is all great advice – but what if you’re doing a monologue and you have no one to react to? Does that mean monologues aren’t really ‘acting’?  Fortunately, there are a few warmups and tips you can utilize to make your monologues just as believable, character-driven,

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

Whether you're just starting out as a dancer or preparing for your solo debut, a professional instructor is a mandatory ingredient in your recipe for success. But do you know how to learn to dance at a pace that's right for you? If you're having trouble deciding between group classes and private lessons, consider some of the ways in which each instruction method can benefit you. Is Dance Class Your Best Bet? When students first enter the world of dance, it's often through enrollment in a gro

What do Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Natalie Portman all have in common? They all began acting professionally at a very young age (and have successfully maintained their careers into adulthood). Young people are naturally drawn to the excitement of pretending to be someone else; but do young people who dream of an acting career really know how to prepare for the life of a professional performer? As an actor, especially when you start out, you’ll spend much more time looking for r

You've thought about it. dreamt about it, researched your options, weighed the pros and cons...and now you're ready to do it: take the plunge and invest in your growth as an actor with formal training. Whether it's a university course, online group seminar, or private one-on-one sessions with an acting coach, here is a guide to a few things you can do to be sure to get the most out of your acting training. 1. Be Prepared  While many may believe that successful actors are simply gifted wi

Watching people dance can be both inspiring and intimidating. Their graceful movements and the fluid transitions between steps can make you want to dance while making you feel extremely self-conscious. Something you should know is that there are very, very few people who look this good when they first learn how to dance! Taking dance classes and private lessons are the perfect way to learn dance basics without the public exposure. Regardless of the type of dance you are interested in, the