I wrote this article with no small amount of reservations, but I am getting so frustrated, deeply saddened, and downright disturbed by the stories I have been hearing repeatedly from actors about the abuse they have endured from other acting teachers. I feel called to protect actors from this type of “theatrical malpractice.” When they reach me, their talent and natural instincts have been completely flattened. Just as my good doctor friend is horrified by the care some of his patients have received at the hands of other negligent, ego overdriven practitioners out there, I too am outright horrified by the abuse my students have endured at the hands of other “qualified professional coaches” paying their bills by denigrating actors.
When I was a student, I definitely experienced both my fair share of phenomenal, life-changing teachers, along with ones who should go off and open candy shops in Vermont and leave the entertainment industry well enough alone. Looking back on my experience, here’s what you can learn about human nature and the human condition from even the worst acting teachers.
1. The human ego knows no bounds. Have you ever heard that “love is boundless”? Well
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