Introduction: Thanks for checking out my profile! I offer a variety of services on Thumbtack. You may have to scroll down to find what you're looking for.
WRITING/ESSAY COACH:
Greetings, anxious parent! I'm sure you're scanning these ads in desperation over your teenager's lack of motivation. You've had screaming matches, confiscated the iPhone, tried expensive tutoring services that your teen dreads as much as going to school, maybe even completed a homework assignment yourself... Enter me: cool New York City actress with a passion for the written word, and an innate talent for communicating with even the grumpiest teen. My primary editing experience is as a freelance dramaturg, which is essentially a "script-doctor" for theatre. As a dramaturg, I work collaboratively with a playwright on a work in progress, adjusting story arcs, editing dialogue, checking research, and projecting the impact of the piece in relation to similar works. This requires a wide breadth of both pop-culture and historical knowledge, as well as an innate feel for drama. It also requires a patient, empathetical care when working with a writer who may be very stubborn. These are the skills that I carry into my work with students. My job is not to be creative for them. My job, rather, is to unlock their own creativity. An emotional connection to their writing can be the defining factor that gets your child into their college of choice. Admissions folks drudge, day after day, through thousands of boring cookie-cutter essays in the hopes of finding one that stands out from the crowd, and makes them think: this student cared about writing this.
Why am I so adept at coaxing writing out of students, you ask? Because, not so long ago, I was a moody, unmotivated, attention-deficit teen, who stared dejectedly at blank word-documents for hours, in hopes that something would magically appear on the screen. I, too, experienced the looming dread of 17 (yes, SEVENTEEN) college applications, and responded with catatonic ineptitude. That is, of course, until my own mother - like you now - procured the perfect tutor: a young woman, not much older than myself, who could talk to me like a peer, and helped me to realize that what I was experiencing was not stupidity, but fear. The teenage years can be the most frightening of a person's life, and it's easy for many educators, administrators, and even parents, to forget that. What I enjoy most about what I do is giving confidence back to my students. I believe every student has the ability to write beautifully, and even evocatively, if they allow their walls to come down.
ACTING COACH:
Maybe you have wanted to begin acting for a long time, and you've finally built up the courage to try. Maybe you're a seasoned pro who just needs help on a self-tape. I'm here to be your all-purpose acting coach. I have years of professional acting experience, a BFA degree in acting from The University of Michigan, additional training from The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, HB Studio, and T. Schreiber Studio. I am also a director, producer, designer, and dramaturg, with a deep passion and knowledge for theatre, film and television. I pride myself on being a patient and empathetic teacher, with a keen attention to detail. Whether you are a new or seasoned performer, I adhere to the basics: an available and grounded body and voice, an active objective, and a deep understanding of the text. I will help you find new monologues or sides, recommend plays and movies, help you find your "type", and prep you for auditions. If you need to film a self-tape, I can supply a tripod and [iphone] camera, microphone and backdrop. I can provide style advice, coach you in the scene, film the scene, and edit it.
DRAMATURG:
Your all-purpose script doctor. While I read your play, I take meticulous notes on spelling, grammar, syntax, character, dialogue, story structure, historical context, relativity to existing media, realistic expectations in terms of how the text will be translated to stage, political correctness, and projected impact or import of the piece as a whole. In addition, I will compile relevant research for your use in editing. After all this is done, I like to meet in person to discuss my notes and brainstorm solutions to outstanding problems (I can record our conversation for your use), and then check in every so often to "trim the edges", so to speak, as the play develops.
I enjoy helping YOU. Seeing an improvement in your work is the best feeling in the world to me. When you're great, I feel great.
