Performing Arts Lessons near Watchung, NJ

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

Do you have a child who loves to "playact"? Or perhaps have a child who is shy and reserved? Maybe you know a child who fits either description, or maybe you're a teacher with children like this in your class? Have you wondered how you can engage a child through theater? Why Theater? Studying theater, either through viewing performances or by playing acting games, offers many benefits in cognitive, intellectual, and behavioral development. According to theater educator, Gai Jones, “Theat

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

Actors, your voice is one of the most powerful tools you have to make a character come to life. Next time you're getting into a character, use these tips from Baltimore, MD acting teacher Larry P. for improving your stage presence... Remember when your mother used to remind you to “use your indoor voice”? You have all sorts of indoor voices, and in order to best portray any character and improve your stage presence, be it in an audition, a rehearsal, or a production, you have to decide w

The job of an actor is to tell a story. Generally, that story is about the journey of a specific character with the confines of a larger story. So, how do we do that? How do actors feel the moment? How do we take a moment that was conceived in a writer’s head and make an audience feel that it is alive? Let's Look at an Example from "A Chorus Line" There is a song in the musical, A Chorus Line about this. The character, Diana Morales, is in an acting class and the teacher asks her what she is

  If you dream of pursuing an adventurous career in acting, you'll definitely want to learn how to source and work with scripts for auditions. And with the near-infinite number of screenplay genres to choose from, you'll also need to determine which acting scenes to practice to improve your talents. On your search for scripts to practice acting, it is advisable to narrow down the type of scripts you desire. For instance, if you're interested in a comedy-acting career, look for amusing

So you've been preparing for an audition for a few months, and the big day has finally come. But even if you have the talent to back up your performance, there are a few things you'll need to remember to get on your potential director's good side. Read on as St. Augustine, FL teacher Heather L. explains...   Auditions can be the most unpleasant part of being a performing artist. But with great preparation and forethought, they can also be the most valuable and exciting part. Audit

Like any skill, acting benefits from natural talent, but that can only get you so far. Countless hours of patience, practice, and a good amount of confidence are required to take your acting level into another stratosphere, and one of the major steps involves partaking in improv acting. But what is improv acting and how do you do improv acting?  Also known as improvisational theater, improv acting refers to an unscripted performance in which the actors spontaneously perform scenes on stage

Maybe you're trying to get ready for your first dance on your wedding day. Or maybe you're feeling inspired after watching Dancing with the Stars and seeing the celebrities learn to ballroom dance from scratch. Or perhaps you've always wanted to learn how to ballroom dance, but have never had the time, opportunity, or courage to learn. No matter what has drawn your interests to ballroom dancing, it can be a bit intimidating if you feel like you have two left feet! The tips outlined below will ge

Performing a monologue is much different from acting as part of an ensemble! Make sure you're ahead of the pack with these tips from New York City actor and teaching artist Jasmine B...   We all want to be that actor that everyone wants to work with. I’ve been in quite a few ensembles (one I’ve had the pleasure of being in for four years!) and have found some keys to working well with others and producing quality work. Here are a few simple ways to improve your ensemble acting an