Name: Yes and……The Cornerstone of Improv
Uploaded: 2022-01-16T20:07:30.000Z
Duration: 6 min 21 s
Description: The most important building block for the improv actor is mastering the yes and! Learn how to use this technique to build a strong foundation for your future scenes! (Photo credit: Andrew Lesny)

The most important building block for the improv actor is mastering the yes and! Learn how to use this technique to build a strong foundation for your future scenes! (Photo credit: Andrew Lesny)

Acting

Hello friends! I'm so excited to be a part of your journey as a performer. Whether your dream is to be an actor or you just want to pick up a new creative skill, you're in the right place. My teaching approach will help hone you or your child's emotional and social learning, as well as developing excellent communication and leadership skills.  I'm a working professional actor and playwright based out of NYC. I've been a member of the Dramatists Guild of America for over five years. I have over ten years of experience in tutoring and childcare with students ranging from Kindergarten to High School. I graduated from Bennington College with a BA in Drama and Anthropology, but I never stopped taking classes in order to improve my skills and learn new things (neither should you)! Based on my experience moving between writing and acting, I understand the importance of building your confidence in your craft. I want to be your guide towards building your craft and your voice so that you can be a confident actor and/or improviser! You have a story to tell, and a voice that needs to be heard, so let's make them hear you! 

I started acting in Elementary School (perhaps the same as many of you!) I took part in school plays throughout Middle and High School, but by the time I entered College, my focus shifted to playwriting. I had several readings by professional theatre companies, including The Classic Theatre of Harlem. I continued taking acting classes as well, since one of the keys to writing a good script is understanding the way actors and directors think. I studied Stanislavski, Jersey Grotowski, Viewpoints, Commedia del'Arte, Musical Theatre Performance, Devised Theatre, The Method, Brecht, Shakespeare, and took a class in audition preparation as well. Although I enjoyed acting, I never imagined I'd be able to pursue acting as a career. 

After I graduated from Bennington College, I started my own Theatre Company, NOplays. Our mission is to promote and produce works by underrepresented artists in the American Theatre, specifically emerging female writers. We produced five festivals of new plays in collaboration with the 365 Women a Year Project. We also created a one-act devised performance piece titled The Masks of the Goddess. Although working as the Artistic Director and Executive Producer of NOplays was an incredibly rewarding artistic experience, it wasn't always a financially rewarding one. I found ways to supplement my income through working as a children's entertainer for private and corporate events. Through this, I fell in love with acting again. Particularly with acting for younger audiences and interactive theatre. 

I decided to face my fears and insecurities, move to NYC, and pursue acting in earnest. I quickly found the wonderful world of interactive theatre and comedy improv! Since then, I've worked with the best interactive theatre companies in the country. I'm currently a core cast member for Eight is Never Enough Improv at the Broadway Comedy Club in Time Square. Recently, a play I co-wrote and co-starred in titled Story Gauntlet: Love, Death, and Wallpaper, received an award at the Portfringe Festival and was invited to perform in the Reyjavik Festival this past June. Other credits include THEY Improv, The North Pole Express (the number one interactive Christmas Experience aboard a moving locomotive) the Wyldwood Players, and Liarsville Gold Rush Camp in Skagway, Alaska.

That's been my journey so far, but now I want to hear about yours! What are your goals? What do you want to learn? How can I help you navigate this challenging time we're all in as performing artists and prepare to live your best post-pandemic life? 

**Lesson details**
We'll start with a basic warm-up for your voice, body, and breath. Next, we'll move on to specific acting exercises custom tailored to you or your child's needs, interests, and experience level. We'll end by reviewing the next steps needed in order to improve what we covered in class, a cool-down, and a high-five!

**Equipment**
I have a large collection of plays, and books on acting techniques, as well as access to the HowlRound New Play Exchange, the largest online database of new works.

Yes and……The Cornerstone of Improv

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Theater Acting

Child Acting

Improv Acting

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

The Dramatists Guild of America was established over eighty years ago, and is the only professional association which advances the interests of playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists writing for the living stage. The Guild has over 6,000 members nationwide, from beginning writers to the most prominent authors represented on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in regional theaters.

Elizabeth Callahan Holzwarth Memorial Scholarship for Writing

ACIM Greater New Haven Woman's Division Award for Artistic Merit

Brockway Faculty Scholarship

TELOS Grant for the Advancement of Public Action

Reykjavik Award

Interactive and Immersive Theatre Performer

The premier interactive theatre troop in the country, we bring the town of Warwickshire to life through our interactive shows and street theatre.

Wyldwood Player

A heartfelt, interactive musical theatre experience, guests traveled to the North Pole aboard a moving steam train while being treated to stories, songs, and games by residents of The North Pole. The North Pole Express was ranked the number one show of its kind in the country. Natalie will be returning for her fourth

The North Pole Express

Our troop brought the historical site of the Liarsville Gold Rush camp back to life with interactive street theatre, gold panning demonstrations, and a full vaudeville style show featuring songs and stories from the 1800s.

Liarsville Gold Rush Camp

This play was produced as part of the Play in a Day Festival

Season of the Witch

This play was produced as part of the Paragon Festival of new works.

Dragon Rider Visits Vermont

This play was produced as part of the HERSTORY Festival of new works.

The Legend of S. T.

My monologues are currently published on the platform, and have been ranked as two of the most popular pieces for young female performers.

Author

K.C. Reporting

This play was produced as part of the Fractured Fairytales Festival.

My Monster and Me

NOplays's mission is to produce and promote works by underrepresented artists in the American Theatre, specifically emerging female writers.

Artistic Director and Executive Producer

Mentored girls ages 11-14 in the craft of writing for the stage. Some of the students work was featured as part of the Athena 		Project Festival and performed at the Denver Center of Performing Arts.

Playwriting Mentor

Taught English, reading, and theatre skills to students at the Gurukalam. The school was located in Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India.

Volunteer Teacher

Performed as various characters for children of all ages at 	private parties and corporate events. Structured activities for children based on their ages and needs.

Actor/Resident Artist

A short play festival themed around springtime. Performed the character of Daphne in the play The Year of the Fall of May, written by Susan Goodell. The performance was live-streamed on youtube and featured in BroadwayWorld.com.

Rites of Spring

Narrated and produced the audiobook based off of the children's play I wrote. Both the audiobook, ebook, and paperback are available on Amazon.

Author and Narrator

Winner of the Reykavik Award at the 2021 Portfringe Festival. An improvisational group creating work through a telephone style game of video narration, where one story is told by each member of the group, but the person telling the story can only see the video of the actor who went before them. The final presentation is all of the videos put together, in which the audience and the performers can see how much the story changed.

Story Gauntlet Member

Currently performing at the Broadway Comedy Club in Times Square with the hit improv troop Eight Is Never Enough

Core Cast

Winner of the 2021 Reykjavik Award at Portfringe.

Touring to various private and corporate events.

English

Italian

My classes are designed to challenge you so you can improve your skills, while having fun and taping into the power of your imagination! My private online classes are customizable based on your needs, whether that's preparing for your next big audition, honing your craft, or developing confidence in a brand new hobby. We'll explore Viewpoints, The Stanislavski System, improvisation, and other acting methods so that you can build your own unique tool-kit that works for you! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! All levels welcomed.

The hour was packed with various ideas and techniques that will be valuable to me with my upcoming play.

She was super nice and gave me so many useful tips.

Very accommodating with scheduling and understanding our requirements because of different timezones. My niece didn't take the classes in the end but Natalie could not have been more helpful and understanding.

Natalie was great.  This was my first time.  I didn't know what to expect and I was a little intimidated.  Natalie guided me through and made it a very pleasant experience.  I would highly recommend her.

My first class. Already feel more confident Natalie is great,

Natalie is great: full of energy, encouraging and knows the improv comedy routines to get things loosened up!

Natalie is a wonderful teacher.  I am taking Improv acting classes with her, and I love the energy and enthusiasm that she brings to each class.  The improv exercises have definitely made me feel more confident.  Thank you so much.

Amazing improv teacher! Recommended for regular ongoing sessions. Useful for learning improv as well as practicing how improv skills can apply broadly. Thanks!

Excellent first lesson. Got right to business. Gave me solid basics right away.

I loved her! She helped me THINK about coming out of my shell because she gave serious validation inside improv classes. I will learn from her again when I find something I want to audition for!

Love her enthusiasm and energy. Doesn't phone it in. Makes engaging super easy. Always generous with her comments and evaluations

Natalie is awesome.  She teaches my 8 year old grandson and he loves Natalie’s class each week.  She is so patient and fills his lessons with fun and spontaneity.
Thank you Natalie.

Natalie is a great teacher! Very patient, energetic, and experienced! Definitely recommend!

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As much as we love acting, at times it can be stressful! Wondering what to do when struck by burn out, or how to keep yourself motivated? As actors, our bodies and our minds are the instruments we use to create our art, so it’s important that we take good care of ourselves. In this video, we’ll go over mindfulness and self-care tips for actors, as well as a simple meditation exercise (Photo credit to Hannah Bushing). 

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Headshots are one of the most important tools for actors. So how can you make sure you get the best photos out of your session? In this video, we'll go over how to find a photographer, what to wear, and how to pose for your headshots. 

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In this video, we'll go over some of the different exercises I use in warm-ups for my classes. You can use this video to practice warming-up your mind and body outside of group classes (photo credit Hamish Kale). 

Warm-Up With Me: Acting Edition

Looking to up your improv game? Love to get cozy with a good book? Check out some of these must read books for improvisers! This books are full of great advice and ideas to strengthen your improv skills. Of course, the best way to improve your improv is to practice, so make sure to sign up for one of our group classes. 

Top Three Books for Improvisers 

Learn how to create funny, dynamic characters right on the spot, from the top of your intelligence! (Photo credit: Jane Almon) 

5 Tips to Create Dynamic Characters in Improv

A high quality demo reel can push your career to the next level. But how to go about making one that represents you well? In this video, we'll go over how to find materials for your reel, how to organize your clips, and how to use your reel to market yourself to casting directors (photo credit Le Minh). 

How to Shine Like a Movie Star in Your Demo Reel

In this video, we’ll go over how to find the perfect monologue for your next audition, so you can book you’re next role. 

Yes and……The Cornerstone of Improv

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