NYC based Acting Coach with clients booking TV, Film, Broadway, Regional Theater and with acceptances into top University Drama Programs.

Find out more about Amy

• When did you start practicing? How did this passion find you?

  I started coaching and teaching back in 2018. I am a working actor in NYC as well and have lots of friends who often would call upon me for help with their auditions. They’d also call whenever they’d be stuck while working on a scene or role, asking for guidance and tools on how to figure out what they were challenged by. I received great feedback from them about how helpful it was and also received great satisfaction myself, getting to see them grow and succeed. Soon after, I was able to make to turn this into a business. I now have a long roster of clients, who I work with on audition prep and self- taping, as well as private lessons and scene study.

• Which artists or works affect you the most?

  The artists and works that affect me the most definitely vary! I am often drawn to work that is funny until it isn’t. I love to laugh and then have a great earned cry in a film, play or TV show. An actress I’m always inspired by is Laura Linney. I find the projects and choices she’s made to be varied in a wonderful way, from film to theater to TV. The variety of roles she’s played is quite impressive! I’m also inspired by the way she talks about the work. In her interviews, she seems like a constant student, always willing to learn and grow. I admire that. I am also a huge musical theater fan!

• What are the qualities and skills required to succeed in this area?

  There are so many qualities and skills that are helpful to succeed as an actor! I think the two most important things are the love of the craft and also eagerness to learn and grow. There is a lot of competition in this industry, however, if your driving force is the love of the craft, the work put in will be worth your while. Also, as you grow and change, so do the roles you are right for. In order to have longevity, you must be willing to learn and conquer new challenges as you go. A strong work ethic will be your best friend in this industry. Your technique will stay with you throughout every opportunity, however, each time you get an audition, a new scene or new role, your work starts over. Each piece requires something new and the desire to work hard on each one is a trait that is definitely desirable!

• What is the most valuable advice you can give to help someone stay focused on creative projects?

  My most valuable advice that I can give to someone to help stay focused on creative projects is do a little bit every day! If you’re an actor, work on a monologue. Read a play. Do some exercises. Take some lessons. Make sure you tap into something creative every day, even if just for a few minutes.

• How would you describe your passion; how does it make you feel?

  I would describe my passion as never ending. As a coach and a teacher, I never get bored. I am constantly learning from my clients and am so fulfilled when they learn from me. I am thinking about them even when we’re not in session. I’m thinking about good roles for them to work on or pieces of advice or tools to give them. I am often (in a good way!) so overwhelmed by the work that my clients do. They constantly amaze me with their growth and their willingness to try and learn. I am also amazed by their successes, whether it be booking a Broadway show or a role in a film from a self-tape we did together, or gracefully tackling a role or bit of technique that they thought they couldn’t.

• What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  In regards to my own creative work, currently, I’m particularly proud of the fact that I wrote my first play and at the time of writing this interview, it’s opening tomorrow night in NYC! I also recently had a 10 minute play of mine put up that I also acted in. This foray into playwrighting has been super rewarding. I’ve learned a TON and it’s been really fun venturing into something new many, many years into my career.

• Have you ever been surprised by a student; by their ability or quick progression?

  I am CONSTANTLY surprised my students. I had given one of my students a scene that happened to be quite emotional. She told me when she received it, “you’re never going to get me to cry. I can’t do it.” And I asked her, “can we try?” She said, “sure.” We worked on this scene for probably 3 months. It was definitely difficult for her and she was frustrated. All along the way, I kept reassuring her, “Trust me. We’ll get there. Keep sticking with it. We’re going to keep trying different tools and techniques until we find something that works.” And she did. She stuck with it. And then one day, it clicked. She got it. We kept working on it. She gained so much confidence and now, these previously difficult scenes that she thought she couldn’t do, she can now do with ease. Her work in lessons keeps growing and I’m constantly impressed by what an artist she has become. Also, this work has translated into her auditions and she’s booking! This student took the tools I gave her, committed herself, ran with it and grew more in 3 months than I’ve seen some people in classes I’ve taken grow in years. I am also surprised (maybe trilled is the better word! It’s not that surprising. My clients are awesome!) when someone books a great job! My clients have booked roles on Broadway, TV, major feature films, regional theater and have been accepted into top BFA and MFA Acting programs.

• Being a Superprof is an art! What is your secret?

  My secret to being a Super Prof is that one of the things that makes me a strong teacher is that as an actor myself, nothing came naturally to me. I have experienced many of the same struggles my clients come to me with. I had a lot of teachers who were able to point out what wasn’t working, but were unable to give me actionable ways to help make it better. I eventually found a teacher who walked me through step by step and helped me build tools and techniques to figure it out. I come to all my students with a huge toolbox of things I’ve tried myself – so when they are challenged by something or stuck on something, I have a whole bunch of different tools at the ready to give them and we’ll try different things until we find something that works. My students will never leave a session with me without steps forward in their work. Also, as an actor, I’m very detail oriented. I leave no stone unturned in regards to text analysis and emotional and personal commitment. I bring that to my coaching and teaching as well. When I coach auditions, I pay strong attention to text analysis and will work with you to excavate every detail we can, as well as help ybring out the most lived in, realized and invested performance you can give.