About
I am a professional Stage and Film/TV actor with over 15 years of experience. I'm a graduate of The Old Globe/University of San Diego MFA Acting program, a classically based training that brings together voice, body, and imagination in service of any style of acting. My professional work includes on camera, classical and contemporary plays, and musicals. I was a resident company member at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA, where apart from acting in over 25 plays over the course of three years, I worked as a mentor and teacing artist. I've also worked and studied in New York City, and in regional theatres around the country. Since moving to the Washington, D.C. area three years ago, I've acted with Arena Stage, Theatre J, Washington Stage Guild, in numerous industrial/commercial projects, and appeared in two episodes of American's Hidden Stories on Smithsonian Channel.
I've been lucky during my career to have worked with some of the country's best known directors and actors, both professionally and in the classroom. That means I have been exposed to a huge variety of techniques, methodologies, and practices and I've seen success in acting take many different forms. I have no doubt that I can help you meet your artistic goals.
Whether you are brand new to acting, looking to continue your training in a more focused setting, or are a seasoned professional looking to sharpen or expand your skills, I would love the opportunity to help you achieve your goals. I love showing artists at all levels they already posess all of the tools necessary for creating professional-level art.
Anyone is capable of great acting, and talent has little to do with your success. Instead, your success is built upon:
1) A vision and plan for your art and your career
2) A mastery of the foundational principles and skills of acting, which draw upon the abilities of your mind, voice, and body, and which depend upon a committment to life-long learning
3) A working and flexible knowledge of the business and culture of acting, including how the work you desire and the work for which you are appropriate fit together, where to find that work, and how to be a be a positive voice in the professional artistic culture
Body, voice, and imagination are an actor's tools and bringing them to life in service of truthful story telling is an actor's craft. As your acting coach, I will teach you how to play your instrument -- your body, voice, and mind -- to express your truth, in whatever way you desire. What I focus on is unlocking the fullest power of the instrument you were born with.
Great acting, no matter the medium, is about TRUTH. It is about telling stories and bringing characters to life with passion, imagination, and bravery, yes... but always with truth. I want to help you bring your mind, body, and voice into harmony in service of telling your truth, and I want to help you tell that truth in as many ways as possible. Maybe you want to be on TV; maybe you want to act and sing on stage; maybe you want make money in commercials or doing narration or voiceover; maybe you just want to be a more confident speaker, or find more freedom of experssion in your daily life.
I hope you will reach out to me so we can learn more about each other. You can learn more about my acting work on my website: www.nathanwhitmer.com
Highlights
Reviews
Danielle S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
My process depends greatly on the student. I need to get to know you, your goals, experirences, and what kind of learner you are.
Our first step is to talk about your goals for the student to share What they hope to get out of our time together. The next step is usually for me to see the student work with some material -- which I can select or they can maybe show me something they've working on or would like to work on -- and we can get to know each other while working on that material.
From there I set, with a student, a concrete syllabus for the next few lessons, complete with material they can work on outside of class. I will also share resources to look at -- books I would like them to read or videos would like them to watch -- so they can gain as much knowledge between our lessons as possible.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
MFA - The Old Globe/University of San Diego
BFA - Ohio University
Acing Internships - The Cininnati Playhouse in the Park, Barter Theatre, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
I am a current, working, professional actor working on stage and in film and television.
Visit my website for my professional credits - www.nathanwhitmer.com
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I price on a variable scale depending on one often we meet, whether we meet virtually or in person, and what the client can afford.
I can offer a group or multi-person rate, quick virtual session rate, as well as a first session guarantee. The price of your first session is fully refundable if you do not decide to take me on as your coach.
How did you get started teaching?
My path to teaching arose organically out of my professional work and the coaching and mentoring I was doing with my peers. I have always enjoyed helping actors find the truth in their work.
I get just as much satisfaction exploring and sharing my acting expertise as I do acting myself.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with school-age students, high school and undergraduate college students, As well as my peers and working professional actors.
Most commonly I practice my craft by working with in coaching my wife, who is also a professional actor, and in-turn she works with and coaches me. We are each other's built-in audition coaches and acting mentors, so I am constantly practicing the skills of coaching and teaching.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
The most important thing to consider when finding an acting teacher is to look for someone who you will connect with, and someone who listen as well as talk.
There are so many different paths to finding artistic success in the performing arts. Just because someone has expertise in one area and just because something has worked for them doesn't mean that will be the path for you. Seek out a teacher with a wide breath of knowledge who can adapt to what lights your artistic fire, rather than one Who can only show you theirs.