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About
MFA Training at Yale School of Drama. Over 15 years as an Acting Coach - in classes and one on one. Broadway actress, co-star in award-winning feature film. Still working as an actress, just adding coaching as a way to continue helping others. Passionate about helping everyone from total beginners to those with experience who want to engage in a way that refines a specific skill. All ages.
Finding human connection and the confidence to express it is a skill that translates in every environment as powerful, helpful, and positive. I love finding this skill and helping others grow strength in it.
Highlights
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Isabel M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We open the lesson with a brief convo on background and review goals for the session. If the student does not have material, I will bring some in where applicable. I will have created exercises and resources that help achieve the lesson goals. Depending on the student's needs, the work session may include acting exercises, breathing training, scene work, monologue work, text study, performance feedback, audition feedback, professional material study, technique training, and more.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
MFA Yale School of Drama in Acting - includes training from various acting masters in a variety of methods and techniques, including Method, Clown, Mask, Shakespeare, Linklater, Meisner, Classic and Contemporary theatre, dialects, improv and games, and more.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Depending on the level and amount of resources I need to gather, the range is $50 for the hour if student has materials needed, $65-$80 for the hour + materials gathered.
How did you get started teaching?
I have been working in theatre since middle school, and by high school had earned credits throughout the city on a professional level. In college at Trinity University, I received the prestigious Baker Duncan scholarship for theatre where I was cast as the lead in a mainstage production my first and second semester, and by second semester was the first freshman to be invited to work as a Teaching Assistant for the course Intro to Theatre. I went on to work as a Teaching Assistant for Acting I, was cast in a mainstage production every semester but the last to focus on graduate school applications and work after college. I received ATAC Globe awards from the Alamo Theatre Arts Council while in college and graduated with a BA in Drama.
I was accepted into Yale School of Drama directly upon graduating and in my time there received a full scholarship provision. I graduated with the prestigious Pierre Andre Salim award, one of the moments that continues for me to be considered a privilege and honor.
Since graduating with my MFA, I have worked all over the world, including numerous Tony-award winning regional theatres, as well as off-Broadway and Broadway.
I have co-starred in a feature film and continue to work in Theatre and film.
What types of students have you worked with?
As young as 5 and as old as 62. I have worked with everyone from absolute beginner to professional and seeking grad school admission.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I was recently fond of the CTAA auditions in Chicago because I believe that providing opportunities to non equity as well as equity is an extremely important part of our theatre process to remain relevant and accessible.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Hire someone you can trust to challenge you, be honest with you, and help you find strengths to embrace confidently while growing in areas needed. It should be great work - and fun!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are my goals? What materials and methods reached me in the past? What materials do I want to work on or master? What are my favorite TV Shows/Film/Plays? Who are my favorite actors? What are my career goals? What are my artistic goals? If just starting off, what sparks my passion for acting?