About
- 20 years of professional industry experience
- current working professional
- coached actors to major successes on Broadway, National Tours, Film & TV work as well as acceptances to major conservatories and universities for college
- Northwestern University graduate; taught acting at my alma mater as well as at Roosevelt U (Chicago), Orange County School of the Arts (CA), Johns Hopkins U (Baltimore) and various others.
- trained in & can teach on-camera acting, classical Shakespearean text, movement, and great at working with beginners.
www.jessicaredish.com
I love when clients feel confident, succeed and reach their goals! It's so exciting to hear when they book!
Specialties
Dance style
Number of dancers
Experience level
Learning for
Choreography
Photos and videos
Reviews
Gene L.
Sarah C.
Chris U.
Becky a.
Willie S.
Shauna-Maria A.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I assess the student's goals, needs and experience. Second I learn about what they've already learned, either in previous acting training or in a job or experience non-related to the arts. Third, I create a common language translating their previous experiences with the methods in The Practical Handbook for The Actor, a utilitarian-style method of acting founded on the basis of Stanislavski's principles.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have worked for 20 years in the industry as an actor, director & award-winning choreographer. I've been successfully coaching actors for 15 years to great successes. I am originally from Chicago and my teaching is towards a very practical style: action based, acting -- getting to the essence of what you're physically and essentially doing so you can toss away nerves and bring the play to the room. This way of working allows you to show your best self and know what the character is *doing* so you as the actor need to only play this action.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Rates vary, I will list them in quote. Thanks!
How did you get started teaching?
I was offered a teaching position at Northwestern University, my alma mater, to substitute one year after I graduated, and the students were so enthused by my work they wrote to the department chair to ask me to stay on. I did for a year!
What types of students have you worked with?
College auditions, high school students, Broadway professionals, professional actors in film and television.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Recently taught at Orange County School of the Arts and working on actions - watching lightbulbs go off in the students is so exciting! I have great success with actors of all abilities and ages, and am able to communicate principles of acting in a clear, relatable and enjoyable format.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be thorough - makes sure the things you read from a teacher resonates with the work you'd like to do.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Ask to see what a teacher's approach is or how they might approach a certain monologue or scene. You're the client and it's you're time -- make sure the person you're working with is a professional and isn't trying to sell you their "method." There are a lot of ways of working but make sure you enter into a practice which keeps you emotionally safe but expressive as it relates to the script. A studio that promises crying on cue you might want to skip. :)