Sean Critchfield Professional Acting Coach

It's important for me to establish rapport with a student and get to know them, in order to understand their specific needs. After that, I work collaboratively with my students to build a plan of action -- a plan that will take them on their own, personalized journey toward becoming a professional actor. We typically begin by exploring various techniques, and I allow the student to choose the one(s) they feel most closely align with their needs and goals. From there, we start to explore monologue selection and preparation processes. This is a crucial element for me helping my students prepare themselves for auditions and beyond. It's important that my students know the importance of choosing a monologue that works well for them and that they can connect to. Beyond this, my students choose other areas -- other techniques, scene work, or script analysis, for example -- that they know will be beneficial for them, and I begin the process of working those things into their plan.

Though my educational studies are not traditional, they have created in me a solid foundation for working with young people in a theatrical environment. I had the honor of working with Larry Gold at the Strasberg Academy, who not only taught me acting technique, but also how to teach that technique to others. I have carried that with me throughout my professional life. Similarly, Michael Bahr, the educational director with the Utah Shakespeare Company, taught me how to teach classes to large groups of young people while I was working there as an actor. Those classes included acting, stage combat, text analysis, and improv, and I went on to teach them for three educational tours and three Camp Shakespeare seasons. Additionally, my education includes learning how to teach young people of all ages. I worked with Chris Morasky on his outdoor education program for elementary-aged children and, under his tutelage, wound up learning how to successfully run the entire program. I learned how to teach high-school aged children through Helen Sax, who ran the theatre department at Palo Verde High School while I was under her wing. During that time, I taught Shakespeare segments in her classroom and directed multiple shows. Lastly, I learned how to teach an older crowd through Doug Baker and Russ Benton. Both men, mentors of mine when it came to acting and performance skills, taught me how to teach acting technique at CSN and eventually hired me to teach for them at the Cheyenne and West Charleston campuses. I have also learned a great deal from Phil Shelburne, my current director at Tournament of Kings. He taught me how to direct, and led me to some of my most successful directing experiences. In all, I have had the honor of working with some of the industry's best, both in learning how to be a performer and in learning how to teach others to be performers. My educational background, matched with my professional background, make me uniquely prepared to work with young people -- particularly those who wish to pursue a career in the performing arts.

Price per one-hour lesson: $100

Price per month (one 1-hour lesson a week), if booked and paid for in advance: $320

My prices are very competitive for professionals in this industry. I try to keep myself accessible to all students. However, if prices are unattainable, please reach out personally so we can discuss possible arrangements.

I accept cancellations if they are made 24 hours or more before a lesson's scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before a scheduled start time, as well as no-call-no-shows, will be charged full price for the time I have set aside. Emergency cancellations will need to be taken up with me on a case-by-case basis.

For the last 20 years -- as long as I have been a professional actor -- I have been teaching in some way, shape, or form. The first time I took up teaching in an official sense was for the education department at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, as part of my contract under the instruction of that season's educational director. Since then, I have worked with students around the country. My most recent work has been with various high schools around Las Vegas; ensemble classes with the Rainbow Company Youth Theatre; and private lessons with aspiring professionals. I consider teaching to be, even above acting, my one true passion.

I have worked with all levels of students, at all ages. My students have ranged in age from elementary school kids to adults in their 70's. Most of my students do seek a professional career in acting, and my specialty is audition prep for fine arts high schools, colleges and universities, and professional gigs. At the end of the day, though, regardless of what a student is looking for -- be it a new hobby, a role in a community theatre show, or a lifetime career in front of the camera -- I am always eager to help take them to their highest potential.

This a hard question. Breakfast was pretty good. My waffles were perfectly golden brown and toasty, and that event will be hard to top ... for at least the rest of today. ;)

Not every teacher or method is right for every student. Your first lesson is an audition for both the teacher and the student to make sure they are a good fit for each other. You'll learn more from someone you trust, so don't be afraid to trust your own instincts in choosing your acting coach.

Any teacher should be ready and willing to talk through any and all potential questions that arise during the process of choosing a coach. No coach or student is the same, and so the questions you'll likely seek will be different from another person's. My hope would be that you could bring any questions to me, as your coach.