AspireHigher Coaching

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Introduction: I believe in taking my training, coupled with my work experience as an actor to help young actors devise a "process" by which they can discover more about their character as well as the development of it. I love watching my students have an "A-ha" moment in the work! Seeing their eyes light up when they understand a theory in practice is magnificent!

Overview

Hired 28 times

Background checked

1 employee

14 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

Featured Projects

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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and value.

Great 4.8

23 reviews

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91%

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Read reviews that mention:

Nan Z.

Feb 7, 2016

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Hired on Thumbtack

Miss Carolyn's coaching is very, very helpful for my auditions, in terms of script analysis, creating characters, and career developing. I thought I already knew all the subtext of my monologues. But Carolyn pointed out more details which I ignored but very important for my understanding of the structure and arc of my monologues. For example, for my classic monologue, Carolyn taught me a very important lesson that, instead of cutting the parts I felt like unnecessary to say, I should figure out the reason why the character repeat or exaggerate the same t thing at certain places, what her intention is, and what quality it reflects the character has. Knowing that the "place" my character is in is very important to me, Carolyn asked series of questions to help me to explore the place, which offers me a better sense of reality for the scene. By exploring the physical gesture of my characters, Carolyn helped me to gain better ownership of my two different characters. As a person whose first language is not English, Carolyn helped me with my diction and taught me the method to practice my pronunciation. The relationship of diction and acting was ignored by me. I used to think as long as your intention and truthful feeling are there, your acting will be good. But Carolyn let me realized that the more I make myself clear, the better intention and feeling I can express through my language, the more fluid my acting will be, and the better audiences will know from what my characters say. we also run through the whole audition several times, I got to know what the recruiter expect from students, and what I should put on during the audition. During the five session classes, I gained more confidence about my strengths and I was affected by Carolyn's bright personality, her passion for acting and her professionalism . I just finished my all auditions. And I got callback from NYU. Now waiting for the results. Fingers crossed.

Acting Lessons

Jennifer B.

Feb 5, 2015

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Hired on Thumbtack

My daughter needed an acting coach to help her prepare for an audition to a performing arts high school. My daughter loved working with Carolyn and her coaching made all the difference. My daughter was accepted to the performing arts school and Carolyn's coaching, guidance, and advice not only taught my daughter acting skills but helped her feel confident about her acting abilities.

Acting Lessons

Christina K.

Jun 18, 2017

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Hired on Thumbtack

I contacted Carolyn because I was looking for extra support in a Shakespeare monologue course at a professional acting studio in New York. I had been away from that type of material for some time but Carolyn helped me jump right in and gave me an extra edge when it came to performing my homework with the analysis and character study exercises she taught me which she had learned from Juilliard! I feel extremely lucky to have the chance to study with an actor of her caliber and particularly found the biz coaching portion of our sessions invaluable. She answered every single question I had (and there were many!) so thoughtfully and without judgement that I know feel armed to make important career decisions as a beginner actor.

Acting Lessons

Leena B.

Mar 13, 2020

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Hired on Thumbtack

Carolyn reached out to me within minutes of requesting help on Thumbtack. She was happy to help my son with my last minute help on a audition that needed to be in the next day. We agreed to do the coaching over facetime and it worked really great! Ethan loved all the help she gave and even asked if he can continue working with her! Thank you Carolyn for you help.

Details: 10 - 13 years old • No experience • To prepare for an audition • To build confidence • To continue professional development • TV episode • TV commercial • Film • What the teacher recommends • No specific focus • 1 person • My home, venue, etc.

Acting Lessons

Estefania S.

Jan 28, 2020

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Hired on Thumbtack

My experience with Carolyn was more than satisfactory. She helped me develop tools so that, after discovering the arch of the piece, doing the monologues would always feel fresh and comfortable. I learned how to create a complete scene out of any monologue or song, so that the audience would have an understanding of the other characters in my piece and follow the storyline as it transformed throughout the two minutes it lasted. Also, and most importantly, through her pedagogic ethic in the process of creating my storytelling, I gained great respect and confidence towards my work as an artist. That inner trust goes beyond goals, it translates to all aspects of my everyday life.

Details: 26 - 44 years old • Advanced • To prepare for an audition • Theater • What the teacher recommends • No specific focus • Refine vocal expression • 1 person • I travel to the acting instructor

Acting Lessons

Credentials

Background Check

Carolyn Smith

FAQs

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a graduate of Juilliard's Drama Division and have a Theatre Performance Degree from Fordham University at Lincoln Center.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
It sort of "found me". I was at Juilliard when a friend of mine knew a young girl who needed help preparing to audition for LaGuardia Performing Arts High School. We worked together, and she was accepted! Then I realized..."I really enjoy this!"
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Be sure you know what you'd like the coaching for. Its always great to have finite goals. My job is to help you reach those goals. The clearer you are about them, the more productive our work sessions will be together.

AspireHigher Coaching

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