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
W Berteau
Teacher's Studio
N Ravenswood Chicago
Student's Home
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
Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Pricing
30 minutes
$25
45 minutes
$35
60 minutes
$50
90 minutes
$70
ReviewsWrite a review
5
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4
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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 - PresentDeath & Pretzels
Director
Jun, 2016 - Aug, 2016Team StarKid
Directed for the second StarKid Summer Season '16
Director
Jan, 2016 - May, 2016Beverly 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, 2014Team StarKid
Directed for the first StarKid Summer Season '14
Education
Performance
Aug, 2008 - May, 2012Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film
Directing & Management
Aug, 2008 - May, 2012Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film
Awards
Best Playwright
Apr, 2010Johnny Carson School Theatrix Council
Nominated - Best Stage Director
Jun, 2017Chicago Reader
Finalist
Dec, 2015Women's Theater Alliance
Most Improved Scene
Jan, 2012Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Honorable Mention
Jan, 2011Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Languages
English
Native Proficiency
Madison's Gallery
Instructor details
Location:
Teacher's Studio
W Berteau
Teacher's Studio
N Ravenswood Chicago
Student's Home
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
Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Pricing
30 minutes
$25
45 minutes
$35
60 minutes
$50
90 minutes
$70
Private Lessons
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