The Training Studio
Advice & Insight For Aspiring Theatre Artists
Three Ways to Spot a Promising First-Time Actor at Auditions
I firmly believe that every community theatre should actively seek out first-time performers when putting on a new production. And when I say actively, I mean ALWAYS.
Before You Take the Group Photo, Make Sure the Entire Group Is There
Before you take that closing-night photo, look around. Is everyone actually there?
Don’t Leave Strike Early
If you agreed to help with strike, don’t just grab your stuff and leave. Your castmates want to go home too.
I Just Auditioned for the First Time, in My 40s.
After nearly 10 years of writing about auditions, casting, actors, and theatre, I finally did something I’d never actually done before: I auditioned for a play.
The Worst Types of Audition Songs, Part 1: When Your Song Doesn’t Fit the Show
Part 1 of a new series on the worst types of audition songs and why matching the musical world of the show matters more than showing off your favorite 32 bars.
When a Kid Farts On Stage: Teaching Young Performers How to Handle Embarrassment
A kid farted into a floor mic during a school production of Beetlejuice. It sounds funny. But it also raises a bigger question: Are we actually teaching young performers how to handle the embarrassing, unpredictable moments that inevitably happen onstage?
Don't Stop Learning as a Director
Some of the best leaders in the rehearsal room are the ones willing to admit when they don’t know something, trust the expertise around them, and keep learning along the way.
Actors, There is a Right Way to Disagree With a Director’s Note
A good rehearsal room isn’t about blindly agreeing with the director. It’s about trust, timing, and knowing how to have the conversation when something doesn’t feel right.
The Loudest Person in the Rehearsal Room Isn't Always Right
In theatre, we’re surrounded by big personalities, but some of the best leaders and thinkers are the ones quietly taking everything in before they speak. Maybe we should get better at making room for them.
5 Things I Did Wrong As A Young Actor
I loved theatre. I wanted the roles. I thought I was serious about acting. Looking back, I also made a lot of mistakes.
5 Reasons Schools and Local Theatres Should Do More Plays
Musicals are great. They sell tickets, build excitement and can bring an entire community together. But if your school or local theatre is doing almost nothing but musicals, you may be missing out.
If You’re Thinking of Producing These Popular Plays, Give These Other Titles a Look
Community theatres and schools tend to come back to the same handful of plays for a reason. But here are some alternatives worth considering.
Last Night I Had the Director’s Nightmare
Last night, I had the director’s nightmare. Except I wasn’t the director. I was the actor causing the problem.
Should Height Really Determine Who Gets to Play the Romantic Lead?
Does height still play such a big role in who gets cast as a believable romantic partner onstage? Shorter men and taller women are often judged by how they look beside a co-star before their chemistry is ever given a chance.
Is Emotional Recall a Useful Acting Technique, or Can It Be Unhealthy?
Emotional recall can help an actor reach something real in a scene. I’ve seen it work beautifully, and I’ve also seen the toll it can take. Where should actors, teachers, and directors draw the line?
You Can Want the Role and Still Root for the Person Next to You
Auditioning is already stressful enough without treating every other actor in the hallway like the enemy.
Playing a Villain? Stop Acting Evil.
The best theatre villains don’t walk onstage thinking they’re evil. They walk onstage thinking they’re right. If you’re playing the villain, stop asking how to “act evil.” Ask what your character wants and why they believe they deserve it.
Theatre Doesn't Need More Talent. It Needs More Professionals.
Talent may get you noticed, but your reputation is what gets you invited back. In theatre, people remember who showed up prepared, treated others with respect, and made the room better simply by being in it.
Community Theatre Codes of Conduct Should Also Say What Good Behavior Looks Like
A community theatre code of conduct should do more than list what gets someone removed from a production. It should also tell people what kind of room the theatre is trying to build.
Great Ensemble Members Make the Whole Show Better
The strongest ensemble members bring focus, generosity, preparation, and energy to every rehearsal and performance. Here’s why great ensemble actors often become the people directors remember most.