Over my years I have collected a group of phrases that capture what I am looking for when coaching actors in scenes. One of my favorites is “Up and Out.” A challenge that I find with young actors is that they may have something real going on inside them – but they lack the ability to get this emotional energy up and out so that it can be shared by an audience. It has been very difficult for me to communicate this with student actors. What often happens is they end up pushing so hard that the moment is forced and ruined – or they give up the energy and the moment falls flat on the floor at their feet. Read more