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coaching and technique development

ABOUT ME

I am an acting coach in Los Angeles working with actors of all levels but mainly focused on coaching working actors and actors with representation who are actively auditioning. I help actors craft well-prepared, truthful auditions and execute self-tapes that reflect the actor’s talent and quality of work.
My gift is identifying what is in the actor’s way and offering tools to help them overcome blockages and self-consciousness in their work. I’m an expert in script analysis, imagination development, emotional preparation and also teach how to trust your preparation and live fully unanticipated moment to unanticipated moment.
My formal training is Meisner Hybrid (mainly Meisner but influenced by the disciplines of Uta Hagen, Stella Adler and the legendary filmmaker John Cassavetes). However, my personal experience as an auditioning and working actor for several years has given me the practical training that helps actors navigate the reality of the journey from craft to profession.
Why am I a coach and not just an actor? Because I’m deeply in love with the craft and teaching the work is the closest I can get to it as often as I can possibly get it. And well, I’m just a natural at it – coaching. I love the opportunity to reflect back to actors what I see in their work to give them the power to explore their instrument and their craft more deeply and compassionately.

I currently teach at Los Angeles Acting Studio, San Diego and recently opened Los Angeles Acting Studio in Toluca Lake alongside Irene Muzzy. (Website is still under construction but if you are interested in learning more about classes we offer or would like to book at private coaching, please email me at coach@losangelesactingcoach.com.)

GREAT TOOLS TO HELP

I'M GOOD AT

One-on-One Coaching

Contact me for private coaching for auditions, role prep, or if you're feeling stuck and are in need of a breakthrough in your work. You can also send me a handful of self-tapes and we can analyze your work together to figure out what you need to do to level up! Also available for consulting about the biz. (In person or via zoom!)

Self-Tape Services

We can tape your audition in studio, or I can help you remotely over zoom as your virtual coach and off-camera reader. I recommend jumping into your self-tape right after a coaching and using me as your reader might save a relationship with your non-actor family members that usually get recruited for this job.

Adult Acting Classes

Great for actors in need of development and also the professional actor that needs a place to work out and go deeper into the work. A lot of auditioning actors start to develop bad habits since the only time they are acting is when they are making a self-tape. Get into a class to keep yourself exploring and keep your work raw and in-the-moment.

Teen Classes

My twice-monthly teen class is perfect for the teen actor who needs development in technique and an opportunity to work with other actors as opposed to only getting practice in when auditioning. The actors in this class are not treated like kids - they have the same curriculum as the adult actors. Serious actors (aspiring or working) only please.

"I have worked with April both as an actor and coach over the past decade. I have also worked with many other coaches in that time. I always go back to her for a reason. It's important that a coach knows first hand what it's like to be in an audition room. There is so much going on with the actor's instrument in that time and she knows how to navigate that. Most importantly though, April works with the actor's honest instincts. She doesn't try to push you into her interpretation of the character as so many coaches do. Allowing you to explore the audition in your own way let's you bring what's unique about you to the character. It lets you shine and stand out from the rest. She is my favorite tool in my audition tool box."

MATT DALLAS, Denver CO
KYLE XY, BABY DADDY, EASTWICK, ENTOURAGE
"I met April in an acting class several years ago. The first time I saw her perform on stage I was absolutely mesmerized. I thought she was a force to be reckoned with and an artist I could definitely learn from. I was right. She quickly became one of my closest friends and the only acting opinion I truly trust. I was thrilled when she made the wonderful decision to share her gifts with the rest of the world.
"Let me be clear: I ONLY coach with April. She doesn’t try to change me as an actor but instead uses my particular strengths to enhance my performance. She breaks down a script and sees things that I may miss or aren’t necessarily obvious in the writing. April is a loving, empathetic and patient person who’s capable of pulling that same vulnerability out of you. The first two times I coached with April I booked both major auditions in a matter of two days. (Ya, she’s that good.) Since then she’s helped me with numerous auditions that have led to callbacks, tests and bookings. The only reason I’m hesitant to write this is that I’m a little scared she’ll get so booked up she won’t have time to coach ME anymore. And she’s my little booking secret!
"So just remember: I call dibs."

MANDELL MAUGHAN, Santa Monica, CA
ME, MYSELF & I, BAJILLION DOLLAR PROPERTIES, BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE, BLACK‑ISH
"One on one coaching and group acting classes with April have been invaluable to me for growing my acting skills. Every class has left me enriched, exhausted and energized. April draws on her vast professional experience to provide specific, individual observations that benefit the whole class. Though I have had over 40 years of actors training, I continue to learn so much from this talented instructor."

PATTI O'HARA, Boise, ID
6 DYNAMIC LAWS FOR SUCCESS, CANYON COUNTY
Working with April has reminded me why I originally wanted to study acting. I had had a lot of training and experience that was making me not enjoy this craft and question if it was really something I wanted to keep in my life. Her approach and knowledge gave me the room to be honest about what I was feeling as well as gave me hope and excitement in finding new approaches and love for doing this work. She is great at meeting you where you are at and helping you get to where you want to be.

KATIE PRESTON, Boise, ID
KATIE PRESTON, Boise, ID
“April is the best kind of acting coach—she’s knowledgeable, experienced, intuitive, imaginative, and understands, intimately, the way the business works. She has such genuine enthusiasm for the craft that it is invigorating for someone like me who has been working for a while, but is so playful and inspiring in her instruction that it reminds me to approach every scene freshly with a sense of curious discovery. She has much experience working In the business herself, so I have a lot of confidence in her guidance. And she cares so deeply about her clients that I always feel safe and truly seen. She’s just the best!l”

JAMA WILLIAMSON, Los Angeles, CA
PARKS AND RECREATION, THE GOOD PLACE, SCHOOL OF ROCK, SINGLE PARENTS