Acting Genres and Medium Blog Posts

Stylish young woman with a cup of coffee by a grate.
Nov 25, 2024

3 Different Types of TV Acting Roles for Actors Looking to Break Into Television

Whether you’ve been a film actor or working as a stage actor for a period of time or you’e on your first acting job, the hierarchy of TV acting can get a bit confusing. Unless you’re a series regular or… Read More

Male actor filming a car commercial, smiling and driving a red car inside.
Oct 14, 2024

How Do You Make a Commercial Performance Stand Out?

“How do I make a commercial performance stand out?” This question makes me cringe. It seems to infer you may be looking for some quick-fix tricky technique. There aren’t any that would lend to showcasing an authentic performance. The better… Read More

Actors on stage dressed in fantasy themed costumes.
Sep 11, 2023

Your Guide to Navigating Different Genres in Film and TV Acting

In the ever-evolving landscape of film and television, versatility is the cornerstone of a successful acting career. For aspiring and early-career actors, this ability to adapt and thrive in diverse genres is essential. Understanding the intricacies of different genres, as… Read More

Actors on a set preparing their lines.
Aug 4, 2023

Exploring the Vibrant World of Acting Mediums

When it comes to acting, creativity, expression and passion collide to bring stories to life. Whether you dream of commanding the stage or gracing the silver screen, the journey of an actor is as diverse as the mediums they explore…. Read More

An actor in old time clothes delivering a monologue onstage during a play.
Jun 27, 2023

Tips for Performing Your Best Monologue

At an open house event hosted by Spotlight, our sister site, Joe Richardson of the Guildford School of Acting led a wonderful session on auditioning for drama school. Here’s a recap of Joe’s sound advice on how to get your… Read More

Actor and comedian Chris Gethard in a suit in front of a black and white backdrop.
Apr 25, 2023

Chris Gethard’s Lessons on Improv

Chris Gethard is an actor, comedian, and writer who is known for his 2017 HBO stand-up special “Career Suicide,” based on his off-Broadway show of the same name. In the genre of self-disclosure monologues, Gethard delves into the topic of… Read More

Viola Spolin's Improv Method
Nov 30, 2022

Viola Spolin’s Improv Method

An important innovator of 20th century theater, Viola Spolin is often called the “mother of modern improvisation.” She authored the bestselling book “Improvisation for the Theater,” which has been referred to as the Bible of improvisational theater. Spolin created directorial… Read More

Celebrated Actors Perform for Eric Bogosian’s ‘100 (monologues)’
Sep 7, 2022

Celebrated Actors Perform for Eric Bogosian’s ‘100 (Monologues)’

Ethan Hawke, Peter Dinklage, Winona Ryder, Sam Rockwell, Natasha Lyonne and many more. In 2014, playwright-novelist-actor Eric Bogosian published a book titled “100 (monologues),” featuring a collection of monologues he had originally performed as part of his six off-Broadway solo… Read More

Feb 22, 2022

4 Tips for Playing Villains

Some actors in cinematic history portray such spine-chilling villains, it can be hard to separate the actor from the character. How do they do it? As Leonardo DiCaprio once said, “Don’t think for a moment that I’m really like any… Read More

Improv actors following the 5 guidelines for improv.
Oct 6, 2023

5 Guidelines for Improv

In this TEDx Talk, improv instructor Jennifer Hunter and members of her ensemble demonstrate five fundamentals of improvisation and how these skills are useful in creating a better, more enjoyable life. The parameters of improv provide structure for performers and… Read More

Jul 18, 2022

What’s Your Type…in Commercial Casting?

It may be hard for you to admit this because you are a tremendously diverse, uncommonly nuanced, unpredictable, multi-talented actor who refuses to be labeled. But labeled you are. Every time you’re called in for a commercial audition, you are… Read More