Leeann Dearing

girl warming up her voice before acting class

8 Theater Vocal Warmups for New and Old Actors

Oh, hey new or old actor.  Today we’re going to talk about vocal warm-ups. Vocal warm ups, or acting warm ups, have a bad reputation sometimes. I can understand why. Some actors see them as a waste of time. These actors roll their eyes (when they should be rolling their r’s) and dismiss them as …

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Acting Benefits: 8 Top Reasons to Join an Acting Class

I’m about to tell you why acting benefits every single part of your life. But before I tell you why acting benefits your career, communication style, personal relationships and any number of other things, I’d like to introduce you to a friend. (His name has been changed, to protect the innocent.) Let me assure you, …

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After The Audition

There’s nothing more stressful than the audition room. Scratch that. There might be a place that’s more stressful- It’s the inside of your car as you pull out of the parking lot after being in the audition room. Tell us if this inner monologue sounds familiar: “That felt okay. Pretty good. Gosh, my heart is …

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How to Rehearse with a Scene Partner

There’s a saying used by many directors over the years that goes “time is money! And we are running out of both!”  I find this little epigram to be both cute and poignant. The one thing in life that is equal to all people is time and therefore we must be very careful how we …

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“Why the Want” – A Good Improv Question

Phoenix improv classes are essential to becoming a successful local actor in Arizona. Owning an acting studio in Arizona I own and operate a phoenix based Acting Studio. Which, to be honest, every time I say out loud sounds just as crazy to me as it does to you. One of my favorite subjects to teach …

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Actor Goal Setting

As I write this article a new year has just begun and setting new goals seems to be on everyone’s mind. However no matter when you might find this article you can use these powerful tools to jump start your acting career and most importantly create the right mindset for long term success. My personal …

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Why Am I Moving? (Finding Your Character’s Behavior)

You’ll hear actors referring to destination, business and gesture when they are in the process of discovering character. Today, let’s rap about what we mean by “destination”. So sit on your chair backwards (because it’s edgy) and drop a beat. Destination. It’s not as simple as where you’re heading on stage, or your next mark. Although …

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I’m Bad At Improv

I had a singing coach who insisted that the reason she was a good instructor was that she had to work so hard to be good. Her vocal talents were not purely intuitive. She found her technique through pure grind; carved it out of a marble slab with some painter’s tape, a straight edge and a hand chisel. She …

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An Anthropologie Treasure Hunt. (Or Why Imagination Matters)

It was a Tuesday at 3pm. And much like every Tuesday at 3pm, I had dreams. Dreams of sitting at my table with a coffee and the newest anthropologie catalogue, gazing at a laced funnel neck bell-sleeved pullover. (Too many descriptors, anthro. Whatever. I still want it.) OH! Or this! This tutu is perfect for say,  leaning against the crumbling …

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