Contemporary dance is the most expressive and subjective dance form, making it more accessible to outsiders and helpful as a supplement to other dance training. Contemporary choreography techniques help dancers harness the energy and emotion of their own bodies, resulting in a more fluid and organic form of movement that can appear effortless and completely improvised to the casual observer. You have a lot of options when it comes to learning, practicing, and performing modern dance. And with t

What do you need to succeed in the arts? Is it possible to make a living with an actor/actress salary? Learn the ins and outs of the on-screen or on-stage life in this guest post by Saint Paul, MN acting teacher Emily B...   While you may not have chosen a traditional career path, pursuing the life of an actor does not mean you must be flung out into the abyss without a safety net, prepared only to fly or fall. There are many ways to build a life worth living as an actor. In my experien

Dreaming of making your debut on TV? Here, acting teacher Liz T. shares her tips for how to audition for a TV show...  Want to be on TV? You'll first need to get some acting training under your belt and establish a strong knowledge of current dramas and comedies on TV. Then what? Here are your next steps... How To Audition For a TV Show Not only are we going to give you top tips for auditioning, but we’re going to tell you how to ace an audition for a TV show! Follow these 5 steps:

If you’re interested in the wonderful world of acting, you’ll want to eventually familiarize yourself with the concept of method acting. But what is method acting exactly? It is an acting technique that allows the actor to associate with the character on an emotional level. This often involves the actor fully identifying with the character, feeling, expressing, and evoking thoughts and emotions that resonate with the character’s role. Essentially, the actor “becomes” the character.

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: it is indeed possible to be a professional actor and turn acting into a career, even in today’s world.  Sure, well-meaning friends and family and the media may scoff at the idea - but they don’t have insider knowledge! When somebody says “I want to be a professional actor”, they don’t always have dreams of becoming a Hollywood or Broadway superstar. The truth is, you are a professional actor no matter where you are being paid to act!  Here ar

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

You’ve studied Stanislavski, Meisner, Adler, and Suzuki. You’ve learned the Circle of Fifths and mastered your second turns. But are you ready for the real world? Here are a few golden tidbits to help any recent grad transition from the acting school environment into the working world, written by actor and teacher Jasmine B.: 1. Competition is Real (But it doesn't have to bring you down.) Right around showcase time, students at acting colleges and conservatory programs start

Vying for your dream role on stage or on screen? Any audition can be scary, but especially so if it calls for reading cold read audition scripts without ever seeing them before. Here are some helpful audition tips from Huntington Beach, CA teacher Natalie E. to help you prepare with confidence…   Whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete novice, auditioning for a cold reading can be nerve-wracking. But with these 4 easy steps, you'll be well on your way to acing your audition and

If you’re itching to learn belly dancing, you may be wondering where to start. Here, teacher Morwenna A. explains the differences in belly dancing styles: What is belly dancing? This article will help cut through the hype. You will be able to make an intelligent choice of classes to take. To begin, you may be wondering what constitutes belly dance. I believe it falls in three main categories, like a coin with two sides and a rim: Side 1: This might be a dancer that dances in a restaurant

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