4 Things to Look for in an Acting Coach
4 things to look for in an Acting Coach in New York City (or anywhere really)
1. Does the acting coach have experience in the medium in which you need coaching?
Different coaches have different areas of expertise (New York City offers a remarkable amount of specialization within the genre of acting coaches.) Since you won’t go to the electrician if you have a problem with your drain, make sure your acting coach has the expertise you need for the audition, show, event for which you are preparing.
I work primarily as a Shakespeare coach. However, I also have a lot of experience teaching and working with contemporary writing. So, I can help you with that too. However, I’m not the person you go to if you want to get those high tenor notes. I’m not a vocal coach, I don’t have the experience you need.
2. Is your acting coach connected to an institution of merit?
Anybody can put out a shingle and say, “I’m a coach.” However, connection to a known establishment, an institution of merit says, “Hey, someone else believes in this acting coach enough to keep them on the payroll.”
What constitutes an institution of merit? Do you recognize the name? How long has the institution been around? Do you know anybody who went there/works there?
For example, I had a career developing programs and teaching at The Public. Now, I am on the faculty of The Stella Adler Studio; one a theater, one a conservatory but both known and established institutions in the theater world.
3. Does your acting coach have experience teaching?
This is often overlooked. There is a great truism, “If you want what someone has, do what they do.” Now, that may mean going to that particular person for instruction; or it also might mean finding an acting coach that works for you, like that actor found an acting coach that worked for them.
Here in NYC we have access to a lot of different artists and teachers. Sometimes there are great artists who just aren’t great teachers. It happens occasionally. So, someone’s resume of acting work or training might not be the best way to judge her/his coaching ability. Look at the resume. Do they teach? Do they coach? How long has this person been coaching and teaching? Are there testimonials that attest to the teaching ability?
For example, I have been teaching for over 20 years, I have taught at multiple institutions and always gotten rave reviews for my teaching. In addition, I not only have decades of theater experience, I also have a degree in education, from Harvard.
4. Does this acting coach post testimonials?
Whether it’s a recommendation from a friend, or a page of testimonials a mile long. Make sure this acting coach has a record of people that benefitted from their expertise. Read the testimonials see what they have to say. Do the testimonials bring up similar problems to your own? Did the acting coach address them? Are there testimonials from recognizable names in the industry? Do they make this acting coach sound like someone with whom you’d like to work?
For a sample of a page of varied and diverse testimonials click the link below.