Acting Coaching

“All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the author put on paper. That’s what makes theatre live. That’s why it persists.” - Stephen Sondheim

I love preparing auditions! I know…I’m a freak. But helping you find your way through an audition side and discovering what you can bring to a role that is uniquely YOU is one of my favorite things. My teaching (and acting) is Meisner-based, an approach to acting that emphasizes emotional truth, spontaneity, and authentic reactions in a way that's healthy and empowering for the actor.

Check out what students and their families have had to say about working with me as an acting coach, teacher, and director:

“Jessica helped me with so many things and made me feel really confident with the material I was working on. I was so nervous going in but coming out after working with her I felt like I could get up on stage and own it. Jessica not only helped me with thinking how the character would say the lines but also who they are as a person in the show's world, this helped so much to be able to really get into that character on stage. Jessica is so talented but also just a great person, she made me feel so comfortable and welcome every lesson which made it that much more helpful and fun.”

- Acting Student, aged 16

“My daughter had several sessions with Jessica and I could immediately see a huge difference in her confidence with the material. She was so excited and couldn't wait to tell me about all of the things that they worked on. Jessica helped her with pieces of character development that she had never thought about on her own. The level of growth achieved in a few sessions was impressive and unexpected. We will continue to book sessions with Jessica for each and every show to get the extra depth necessary to bring the character to life on stage.”

- Heather C.

“Jessica’s teaching is nothing short of remarkable. The unyielding support she provides to her students, regardless of whether it is within or outside of her job duties, has positively impacted my child both as a student of theater and as a student of life. Jessica has a keen ability to identify the strengths in each student and to further develop those skills while also teaching new ones. As a result of her work with my child, he has become not only more knowledgeable of theater but a more confident and self-assured young man. Jessica connects with her students on a human level, empathizes with them, engages them, teaches them, and provides them a safe environment to ask questions and learn. I am forever grateful to her for the positive and lasting impact she has made in my son's life, teaching him skills that he will carry with him throughout his lifetime.”

- Erika G.

“I can't say enough about Jessica as both a teacher and a person. As a teacher, we've watched her guide our child through auditions and shows and she's given her the guidance, and also the freedom, to become a better and more confident performer. As a person, it's abundantly clear that she truly cares about her students and is every bit as concerned with their growth and well-being as a person as she is about their performance.”

-Billy W.

“Jessica taught a year-long playwriting class that my son experienced, and it was amazing. Her topical expertise and instructional skill made the content great. In addition, her ability to offer formative feedback in the most supportive, positive, and effective ways possible allowed my son to grow his skills substantially while retaining his enthusiasm and his confidence. My son also enjoyed having Jessica as a director and had the same experience: her skills and attention to detail were extraordinary, and matched her capacity to honor our actors (including my son) as whole people throughout the production process.”

-Michelle K.

“Working with Jessica is such an incredible experience. I was able to assist her as student director of Romeo and Juliet, and the insight she provides on the process of directing is phenomenal. She treats your opinions as valuable, even if you’re a student. There is a level of respect going both ways. I also served as the Dramaturg for Sweeney Todd, and she gave me the space to do my role to its fullest. I love working with Jessica not only on projects but in class as well. She is a wonderful teacher and director and provides great advice and guidance.”

- Gabriella R.