Why an Actor's Success is About Action

Maybe you've gotten bored with your career because the roles you want just don't come to you. Consider private coaching.

You know you're talented. You know the network loved you because - well, they said so. But your phone doesn't ring. The last thing you want to do is invest more time and money into your career but someone has recommended an acting coach with results. What do you do?

FIRST. Ask for an assessment. This is similar to a consultation but a lot more thorough. An assessment should include a review of your resume, your past training, a discussion about your ultimate goals, your genre or category, and a quick performance of a monologue or scene. Time should be spent exploring how you see yourself as compared to how others see you. This could reveal why you're not getting the interest you expect from your auditions. You can work with your coach to customize your training to address your specific needs rather than depend on the general guidance you find in a classroom.

SECOND. Be upfront about your ability to pay. A good coach has plenty of paying students, so they'll take promising actors on, and work out payments. In my case, for example, I've coached actors who are willing to work the ticket booth at my production events, serve refreshments at the concessions bar, or build a set in exchange for sessions.

THIRD. Get an outline of what the coaching program will cover, and for how many weeks. You can always go longer, but knowing the end game and the (estimated) amount of time it will take to get there, will make it easier to stay on track as you pursue your goals and to stick to your budget.

The best thing about private coaching is you can always call for help when you have an audition coming up. Not only will your coach work through your lines with you, but he/she will be honest about what is (or isn't) working, which ultimately gives you much more confidence in your choices, and it shows.