About
I am an independent artist with experience as an educator for ages ranging from 10 to adults as well as an actor, producer, and director in the Houston industry.
I have a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Tech University, and I have been teaching, coaching, and directing in the Houston area since 2016. In the fall of 2016, I started providing audition prep and college application reviews to high school students. In 2018, I began teaching at BETA Theater. Former students who received coaching from me are now studying theatre at Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Houston. I take every opportunity as a learning opportunity and do not consider my college degree the end of my education but the beginning of it. I make it a habit to consistently seek out workshops, classes, and projects that will challenge me and expand my knowledge and skills which I then implement in the classroom.
Helping my students achieve the greatest level of presence and energy in performance is one of the best parts of my job. When the text comes together with the actor's body and voice, and it all clicks together with that burst of energy, we get an "AHA!" moment. It's that moment I strive for in all of my coaching sessions. In addition to scene and monologue work, I also conduct special sessions in Improv and Devised theatre.
I implement many different acting methods, movement studies, vocal techniques, and script analysis tactics to push and challenge students to a deeper level of understanding for a scene or monologue. When you walk onto the stage, or when you walk into the audition room, I want you to be prepared, ready, and excited to play a part you can play well. It's your moment to show off, and ultimately your chance to tell a story. This is the moment I want to help you be ready to experience.
For more information, please consult the link below:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-stranahan-b7a752145/
I love the creativity and facilitating a space where my students feel free to be vulnerable. The best stories come from acute vulnerability, and I want very much to provide a space where that can be achieved. Watching my students become bolder and more truthful and watching them truly let go is one of my favorite parts of my job.
Reviews
Jacqueline V.
Jacqueline V.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first session is always a consultation. We will sit down face to face, video call, or speak on the phone to discuss what your goals are and in what time frame you would like to achieve those goals. I will ask you a few questions regarding your learning process, your interests, and your knowledge base regarding acting but also regarding things like general education, art, literature, etc.
I always outline expectations of respect and transparency at the very beginning, and I will usually start our sessions with methods that I gage the student will be most receptive to, but I also will adjust and change tactics should I see later on in the process that the student is not receptive to the methods I am using.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts, I have trained with BETA Theatre and taught at BETA Theatre, I work as a teaching artist with Express Children's Theatre, and I have studied under some incredible artists at guest lectures, workshops, and masterclasses including Lindsey Peisinger, Elaine Bromka, and Jaston Williams. I am constantly looking for more ways to expand my skills and hone my craft.
I have taught theatre in all of its aspects, on the performance and the technical side, to ages ranging from 5 to 55 since 2016. I mostly teach students between the ages of 11 and 19.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
standard rates are as follows:
$50/hr for beginners
$60/hr for devised work
$60/hr for adult acting classes
$60/hr for scene work classes
$50/hr for college application and portfolio review (theatre arts tracks only)
$40/hr for resume consultation
$50/hr for college audition prep classes
There are times where I will bundle classes. For example, there is a college audition prep package that includes a resume and college application review in the price that I provide usually beginning in August or September, sometimes in January. Discounts are available for certain clients. Make an inquiry to see if you qualify.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching when I was very young when I tutored young children in the neighborhood in reading and writing. Tutoring was my first job. I later started coaching basketball to elementary and junior high girls. Coaching sports, particularly basketball and volleyball was something I did from high school well into college. When I graduated college I moved back to Houston and got a job as an Assistant Director at a local private high school. Soon, I started working in private high schools, junior high schools, and summer programs all around Houston. I started teaching improv a year later, and I started one on one audition prep for high school students in 2017. I currently work as a teaching artist at children's Express Theatre outside of my coaching seassions