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FIRST YEAR MEISNER ACTING PROGRAM
Begins January 7th, 2025
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(917) 794-3878
What are the qualifications for an acting coach?
When seeking the right coach for the task at hand, there are qualifications to look for. Acting Coaches who work privately should be able to provide a list of references. Speak to a former client, or ask a studio where they have taught. Online you can look for real reviews from previous students.
Reaching out to an acting school or institution is an excellent way to find a coach. With a long list of instructors, studios are well aware of the specific skills and experience teachers have. Another often forgotten qualification is how plugged in the coach is to the industry at large. Coaches are typically better connected that most with directors, producers, and casting agents. They can give great advice regarding auditions, but they might also be able to get you into the audition room using their connections. If they believe in you and your work ethic, they might be willing to make introductions to decision-makers. If the coach has worked with recognizable names and known actors, they are more likely to be excellent at what they do.
A coach is someone you end up working closely with, so consider their personality and communication style. Are they nurturing or demanding? The schedule plays a part as well. Do they hold sessions in the evening or during the day? This is a tough business. Best to study with someone who matches your temperament and suits your way of working.
Do all acting coaches teach the same techniques?
There are only a few accepted techniques recognized and taught by people in the industry. Method acting is the most impactful actor training method in the history of acting in the U.S. This technique was imported and adapted from a Russian actor/director Konstantin Stanislavski.
Three American actors/directors further developed the approach but focused on different aspects of it. Some derivative techniques focus on the actor’s emotional life; others train actors in truthful behavior and its connection to emotion. Still, others use memory and recollection of personal experiences to fuel the work. Find a coach with an approach that seems appropriate for how you like to work and go from there.
An acting coach should have experience teaching foundational techniques and skills but also have an area of expertise. Certain principles for great acting hold true across the board, but coaches have an instinct for more specific aspects of the craft. Find one that is qualified to teach the skills you need to grow. Perhaps you need coaching in comedy because you tend to be too dramatic, or maybe you rely on a script too much and work too much in your head. These are habits that can be corrected with the right coaching. If you are a Meisner student, it makes sense to find a Meisner trained coach. If you prefer Method acting, a coach with a background in that technique makes more sense. Just make sure they come highly recommended by people you trust.
Top Acting Coach in New York, NY
Learn more about the private acting coaches, acting teachers and acting programs at the Maggie Flanigan Studio by visiting the website for the studio here: https://www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/new-york-ny Interested students should apply online and contact the studio with questions by calling (917) 794-3878.
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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“I was placed in the intense reigns of Charlie Sandlan. I became a better artist, actor, friend, sibling and daughter because of the studio. Even now, I crave the studio every day. What I learned is present in my work every day. I truly believe in everything they stand for.”
“Maggie taught me that I could control my work, my acting, and to throw all of the bullshit out that I had in my head about ‘what I should be doing’ and to just listen and respond honestly, in the moment. She gave me a craft. She is, quite simply put, THE BEST.”
“Maggie Flanigan taught me the true meaning of artistry, passion, and professionalism. I am certain that I continue to work as an actress because of my training with Maggie. At every audition and every performance, her guiding voice is with me. It is a gift beyond measure.”
“Maggie Flanigan is uncompromising, her instincts as a teacher are razor sharp. She doesn’t miss a beat”
“Maggie Flanigan has been one of the most important people in my artistic life. I want to work with Maggie trained actors. As an actor myself, she is my first source. I do not say this lightly, if you are serious about acting, and willing to work very hard, then go to Maggie.”
“Maggie helped me find my sense of truth, an actors greatest asset. Maggie is an expert at instilling that vital ingredient, which allows an actor’s potential to become limitless. My work will forever be rooted in the clarity and honesty she helped me develop.”
“After working for ten years, I did the 2 year program, and now feel that I have the tools I need to become the actor I’ve always dreamed of being. Maggie Flanigan instilled in me a clear sense of truth and a standard of perfection. I am a better actor because of this studio.”
“As an actor, the core of what you have to rely on is your sense of truth and humanity. Maggie allowed me to discover and embrace mine. Trusting my sense of humanity and truth has given me the ability to take risks in my work and my career decisions.”
“Maggie Flanigan has the unique ability to get an actor to the essence of what is true in a moment. She creates a safe and caring environment in which to work.”
“Maggie Flanigan introduced me to my own spirit and my own sense of Truth. Her passion for teaching and ability to communicate are rare gifts to any actor looking for a technique to set his or her talent free. Maggie’s voice has been the one constant guide in my career.”