Learn Acting your way with a TakeLessons expert

Dreaming of making it big on screen or on stage, but worried you don't have the right amount of experience? Read on as teacher Matthew H. shares his advice...    While becoming an actor may seem extremely difficult in and of itself, without any experience it may even feel nearly impossible. However, what we often fail to realize is that the process alone of becoming an actor is filled with lessons that add to our overall experience and skill set. In fact, there's actually no such t

Most people are familiar with the storylines of famous Shakespeare plays like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet - but when you're actually looking at the scripts, sometimes it can feel like you're reading another language! To combat this, here are some tips from Baltimore acting teacher Larry P...   Finally got that audition or that part? The one in the Shakespeare play? Suddenly overrun by the worry that the language will be too much? Confidence that has never left you before suddenly n

Working toward a career in the arts? You're likely taking private classes or refining your skills in school - and with that comes tuition bills and loans, on top of cost of living. How can you survive and still get the training you need? Read on to learn 11 ways to earn extra money with these ideas from New York City teacher Jasmine B...   Recently, I found a definition of a "survival job" as a low-wage, low-skill job that does not utilize one’s professional skills, but is necessary

Stumped on what to wear for your next audition? Dress for success with these tips from New York, NY voice teacher Chelsea F...   You've practiced, studied, taken countless lessons, and you are now ready to go on some auditions... but the night before your audition you peer into your closet and realize, to your horror, you don’t know what to wear! This is a topic that many students don’t ask their voice teachers about because, let’s face it, in a 45- to 60-minute lesson there

Children are natural born performers! In fact, they do instinctually what acting teachers try desperately to pull out of their adult students — they live truthfully in imaginary circumstances ALL THE TIME!  Kids have such wonderful and vivid imaginations, that it makes them the perfect candidates for acting class. And we are now realizing just have valuable theater education can be for children. Research from UCLA’s Graduate School of Education by Dr. James Catterall shows that students

izusek / E+ / Getty Images 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

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

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

The best actors make it look easy: they deliver their performances so confidently, with tremendous commitment and believability. To be successful as performers, actors need to develop certain skills. Natural talent helps, but the most successful actors work on honing their craft. In spite of the work actors do to prepare, it seems as though the confidence part comes naturally. Many famous actors admit that they still feel nervous before a performance or when the cameras are rolling: yet, the

izusek / E+ / Getty Images Wondering how to audition for a movie and make it to the big screen? Here, we'll share six important tips for success. It doesn’t matter whether you are interested in learning how to audition for a movie role as a child, a teen, or as an adult. It also doesn’t matter what kind of movie you’re interested in or what city you plan on auditioning in. Knowing how to prepare for a movie audition will require the same kind of tenacity, skill, and know-how no matt