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Acting with Madison S.

Chicago, Illinois

5.0
(3)
Teaches online
Teaches all skill levels
Age: 8+
Speaks English
Teaching since 2012
Performance

    About Madison S.

    5.0
    (3)
    Hello! My name is Madison, I'm currently a working director and serving as the Artistic Director and co-founder of a small store-front theater company called Death & Pretzels (check us out at www.deathandpretzels.com) we make our permanent home at Nox Arca Theatre in Ravenswood, also the home of my acting studio. I am a graduate of the Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film, where I received double degree emphasis in Directing & Management and Performance, as well as a specialization in Play-writing. I've also taken a year of specialty classes at Second City. I specialize in training for auditions, monologue and scene performance, as well as movement tutoring, speech and spoken word training, improv short form and sketch writing and performing. I had previously been working as a nanny and am more than comfortable working with actors from the ages of 8 and older. I'd love to meet with you to work on some pieces! Directing Resume available upon request.

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Teacher's Studio
    Teacher's Studio
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    N Ravenswood Chicago
    Teacher's Studio
    Teacher's Studio
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    W Berteau
    Student's Home
    Student's Home
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Monday
    4:30 PM-7 PM
    Tuesday
    4:30 PM-7 PM
    Wednesday
    4:30 PM-7 PM
    Thursday
    4:30 PM-7 PM
    Sunday
    9 AM-6 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $25
    45 minutes
    $30
    60 minutes
    $50
    90 minutes
    $75
    ReviewsWrite a review
    5
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    4
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    3
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    2
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    1
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    5.0
    3 Reviews
    Jill
    Student's home
    Madison is Terrific
    Posted Mar 7, 2016
    Lexi
    Student's home
    I cannot praise Madison Smith enough for being a wonderful acting coach. I was lucky enough to get the chance to act in a play she was directing, and also sought out her help for monologues for various auditions I had coming up at the time. She not only was over the moon thrilled to help me with my pieces, but she also was extremely approachable, listened to my concerns and questions, and truly helped me work my pieces until I felt comfortable and confident in them. As a young performer myself, it is really important to have a solid level of trust with the person coaching you, and Madison gave me exactly that. She has my highest recommendation!
    Posted Aug 11, 2015
    Laura
    Teacher's studio
    Madison directed me in a play called The Dybbuk last year and had the very difficult job of teaching me to act possessed. I was having trouble inhabiting the idea of possession physically while also reciting very heightened language in unison with another actor. Madison coached me by allowing me to explore creatively and making adjustments based on what she saw. Her ability to communicate what she wanted while also making sure I was comfortable was really amazing, considering it could have been frustrating for all of us if anyone got impatient. I ended up being very proud of my performance in that play, and without Madison's coaching I don't think I would have been. During that play she was also able to direct a large cast and overcome many of the obstacles fledgling theatre companies face with good humor and quick thinking. I would recommend her as a teacher and director to anyone.
    Posted Aug 5, 2015

    Experience

    Artistic Director

    Apr, 2014 - Present

    Death & Pretzels

    Director

    Jun, 2016 - Aug, 2016

    Team StarKid

    Directed for the second StarKid Summer Season '16

    Director

    Jan, 2016 - May, 2016

    Beverly Theater Guild

    The Beverly Theater Guild is the oldest community theater in Chicago, operating for more than 50 years. This past winter into spring, I helped close out their 54th season by directing a production of The Graduate.

    Director

    Jun, 2014 - Aug, 2014

    Team StarKid

    Directed for the first StarKid Summer Season '14

    Education

    Performance

    Aug, 2008 - May, 2012

    Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film

    Directing & Management

    Aug, 2008 - May, 2012

    Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film

    Awards

    Best Playwright

    Apr, 2010

    Johnny Carson School Theatrix Council

    Nominated - Best Stage Director

    Jun, 2017

    Chicago Reader

    Finalist

    Dec, 2015

    Women's Theater Alliance

    Most Improved Scene

    Jan, 2012

    Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

    Honorable Mention

    Jan, 2011

    Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

    Languages

    English

    Native Proficiency

    Private Lessons

    • 1:1 lessons with a trusted instructor
    • 300+ subjects to choose from
    • Meet online or in person
    • Free on-demand videos and articles

    This teacher is not currently accepting students