From Stage Fright to Spotlight: Acting Coaching for Youth (Ages 9-18)
In this 60-minute private coaching session, Mara will help you take an acting goal and move it forward, whether its going deeper on character work for a show you're in or preparing a monologue for your audition
What's included
Meets on Demand
schedule meetings as needed60 mins
per sessionTeacher support
Homework
1 hour per week. If you are wanting help with a monologue, scene, or audition side you already have, please send me a copy of this monologue/scene/audition side plus any audition information you have when you book, so I can prepare to help you. Please have your parent send me a message the day of booking or you/your parent can contact me on Outschool by posting in the classroom, since it will be just used for you, letting me know what you'd like to work on. This way, I can plan ahead of time and gather any scripts or materials I may need for our private acting coaching. Parents cannot send attachments through email, but can upload scripts to the classroom.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
Growing up, I was a shy kid who got stage fright trying to speak up in class and much preferred to read than to go out and socialize... until I joined my middle school's drama club and discovered a love for the spotlight! Since my theater teachers instilled a love of acting, I have been inspired to help other young people develop their acting skills for the stage. In this 60-minute private coaching session, I will help you work on an acting goal and move it forward. These topics might include... - Bringing in a scene from the community theater production you're working on - Preparing for an upcoming audition for your school's production - Improving your character work, including physicality, text work, and voice and speech - Selecting material for auditions into performing arts programs Prior acting experience is not required. Learners ages 9-18 will get the most out of this session. My teaching style is interactive and relationship-based, meaning that I will take the time to check in and share the context for the session before diving into the content that is most relevant for my student's goal. I am inspired when students grow in confidence and self-expression! Because each student processes information differently, the teaching will be personalized based on how they learn best. A typical session will begin with a check-in. We will go over the goals for the session, whether that's to review the material sent in or to discuss what script, scene, monologue, or song is the focus. I will then begin with a short movement warm-up, voice and speech warm-up, and an imagination/acting warm-up. Then once ready, we will dive into the primary goal for the day where I will ask some questions about the work that the learner has already completed, or if its a new piece, any previous prep work the learner has started. Together, we will then look at the context clues within the text to find even more information about the piece. Then, we will rehearse and cycle through the piece several times. Each practice round will include some inquiry with the student, asking for them to reflect on their experience and then I will share some feedback on what I observed and suggestions for the next cycle.
Learning Goals
By the end of the session, students will prepare written text, whether in monologue or scene formatBy the end of the session, students will understand what their strengths are and improve their acting skills for theater
Other Details
Parental Guidance
If a student wishes to work on non-acting goals, parent guidance is requested. Please reach out to Mara on Outschool or by posting in the classroom.
Pre-Requisites
There are no prerequisite requirements for learners -- beginners are welcome.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a professional actor, director, and playwright for the theatre. I have also been teaching in-school and in after-school programs for almost 10 years for youth ages 4-18. These classes have included introduction to acting, introduction to musical theater, introduction to playwriting, and introduction to improvisation.
THEATRE (Acting Highlights)
Book It Repertory Theatre, ArtsWest, Centerstage Theatre, Cafe Nordo/Nebula Seattle, Wellesley Repertory Theatre, upstart crow collective
TEACHING ARTIST (Highlights)
Center Theatre Group, About...Productions, Campbell Hall Creative Arts Academy, Unusual Suspects Productions, Seattle Theatre Group
Training:
Innovative Voice Studio, Jenna Pastuszek and Tim Russell
Mighty Tripod Acting Studio, Angela DiMarco and David Hogan
Education:
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Studies, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Classical Acting (Short Course Diploma), London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), London, United KingdomReviews
Live 1-on-1 Lessons
$20
per sessionMeets on demand
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-18
