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The father of individual psychology, Alfred Adler, once described empathy as “seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” Doesn’t that sound like the job description of an actor?… Read More

In a PBS News Hour interview, casting director David Rubin, who also serves on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, shares insights about casting. Rubin’s prolific resume includes an impressive list of box-office… Read More

You never know who your next scene partner will be, whether it be in a commercial, film, television show, the theater, or in class. But no matter who you work with next, you’ll be expected to communicate effectively, collaborate artistically,… Read More

Tyler Perry shared several personal stories about pivotal people that helped shape his life and career. During a commencement speech at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, the actor, director, producer, screenwriter, and billionaire said, “Most dreams do not appear in… Read More

In the spirit of Father’s Day, here are some celebrated actors who’ve shared stories, and some of the valuable lessons they’ve learned from their dads. Richard Jenkins He may have kept you laughing as Dr. Robert Doback in “Step Brothers,”… Read More

“Act the part and you will become the part.” –the late 19th-century philosopher and psychologist William James  Acting is a mysterious art form. When actors try to define the craft of acting, expect creative and abstract descriptions that are unique… Read More

Brad Heller is a Los Angeles-based acting coach who has run The Heller Approach Professional Acting Studio since 1995. Brad is the founder of The Heller Approach, which teaches scene analysis, scene study, cold reading, audition technique, improv techniques, and… Read More

The “Actor’s Foundry” webinar led by master teacher Matthew Harrison delves into the topic of stillness in acting. Stillness, in this context, goes beyond simply not moving while in frame, but is more so defined as internalizing the character’s emotions… Read More

Michael Shurtleff was a major force in casting on Broadway shows during the 1960s and 70s. His casting work includes “Chicago” and “Becket,” as well as the films “The Graduate” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Shurtleff’s instruction on auditioning has been… Read More

The acting industry is exciting, fun and rewarding for performers. It’s also a competitive industry. When auditioning, you compete with a seemingly endless sea of thespians for the same role. Some actors find it daunting. Others revel in competition. You… Read More

The Chubbuck Technique is a 12-step method used by performers, writers and directors across the globe in their quest to bring their characters to life. Acting teacher Ivana Chubbuck created the process, and she details each step in her bestselling… Read More

Renowned New York City acting teacher and coach Suzanne Shepherd studied with Sanford Meisner, and her former students include Gregory Hines, Christopher Meloni, Helen Slater, Joan Allen, and Bebe Neuwirth. Shepherd is also a working actress herself, and has appeared… Read More

Sylvester Stallone once famously said, “Plan B. You’ve always got to have a Plan B.” This career approach certainly worked out well for the “Rocky” star, but not everybody follows that advice. In fact, some actors strongly oppose the idea… Read More

No two actors are alike, nor are their career paths. Robert Downey Jr.’s journey is very different from Morgan Freeman’s, which is very different from Meryl Streep’s. With so much variation, it becomes clear that there are a number of… Read More

Insights that others have about actors can be encouraging, or they can sting a bit as well. But those keen perceptions take on a greater significance when coming from those who hold the keys to an actor’s career. Here are… Read More