LB Acting Studio Blog
by lewis baumander
A Hand on Your Shoulder: Community and the Creative Journey
One of the things I often say in classes is that the elephant in the room—the unspoken truth—is that we are all preparing for something that might never happen, yet we must be dressed for the prom, waiting for the prince to knock on our door or ring the bell. You can’t be found sitting […]
Moving Beyond the Objective-Obstacle Approach in Acting
Why Reducing Sophie’s Choice to a Simple Objective-Obstacle Fails to Capture True Human Conflict Acting can not be distilled into simple formulas, like objectives and obstacles. As actors, it’s time to get beyond these overly simplistic methods. At LB Acting Studio, we explore alternative approaches—such as the concept of chemical conflict—a powerful way to produce […]
8 Acting Exercises: Character Choices Over Choices to Please Casting
A major criteria for great acting comes from the ability to make character choices that are real, delivered in the moment, and human. Instead of relying on rigid pre-ordained beats and objectives.These eight exercises focus on nurturing intuitive, in-the-moment decision-making skills that mirror life itself. Whether you’re a veteran or just starting in acting classes, […]
Creatively Nurturing Kids’ Acting Passions Without Breaking the Bank
At LB Acting Studio, we work with children as young as 10 years old and up until the teenage years, in all backgrounds, and with households with varied financial capability. For some families, affording traditional acting classes is simply not in the budget — but there are still plenty of creative ways to support your […]
The 48-Hour Audition Turnaround: Tips for Professional Actors
Auditions often come with tight deadlines, leaving little time for preparation. For actors navigating the challenges of a 48-hour audition turnaround, the process is daunting. However, with the right strategy, actors can transform this pressure into an opportunity to showcase their talent. At LB Acting Studio, a leader in acting classes in Toronto, we focus […]
A Parent’s Guide to Preparing Your Child for Professional Acting Auditions
Preparing a child for a professional acting audition is a multifaceted process that requires careful attention to both the child’s development and the specific demands of the acting industry. Helping Your Child With Audition Preparation Using LB Acting Studio’s unique approach, this guide outlines effective strategies to support your child in audition preparation and help […]
The Rising Cost of Living and Its Impact on Children’s Access to Arts and Acting Classes in Toronto
In recent years, the rising cost of living has posed significant challenges for parents who want to provide enriching extracurricular activities, particularly in the arts, including acting classes in Toronto. For many families, the financial strain has led to reconsidering—or even forgoing—enrollment in programs like youth acting classes and other cultural pursuits. This trend raises […]
Reflecting on Rejection in Acting: Embracing Growth and Authenticity
Rejection is a reality in the world of acting, but it doesn’t define your talent or worth. At LB Acting Studio, we believe the way you approach rejection can transform it from a setback into a stepping stone. In this blog, we explore how to reframe rejection, recognize the industry’s challenges, and focus on your […]
Long Journey Back to Here and Now
We are born with a powerful set of lungs able to emit sounds as piercing as a factory whistle or an ambulance wail. Yet actors dedicate 4 years of their lives in an acting school learning how to master the art of breathing in an attempt to “find their natural voice.” As a child our emotions can fluctuate in […]
Whose Choice is it Anyway?
We all intuitively know that our choices in life tell us (and the world) a lot about ourselves. Ultimately, these choices define who we are. It can sentence us to a potential lifetime of regret or shame or to a confirmation of living by our values, which result in deep satisfaction. We can experience pride […]
Things to Consider Before You Start to Prep for that Audition
You are about to grow a character out of your own being. Like any smart gardener prepare the soil before you start planting. 1. Before opening the email, ask yourself: “what tiny part of the human condition do I get to explore today? What an amazing opportunity! I get to explore myself in relation to […]
The 5 Stages of the Audition Process
BEFORE EACH STEP: HEIGHTEN YOUR AWARENESS THROUGH BREATHING AND BE RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE. 1. You receive an audition. Acknowledge the first thoughts that come to you, both positive and negative. Be aware of how these thoughts alter the feeling in your body and your consciousness. These thoughts might be about your ability, the role, or the […]
Stop Beating Yourself Up: A 12-Point Plan to Keeping Afloat
The song “High Water” by Dylan has been floating in and out of my brain ever since the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes were announced. The steady drip of A.I. has become an ocean, and many of us are playing like children in its waves, gleefully unaware that we are in shark-infested waters. As I […]
Should you thank a Casting Director after booking?
I often get asked from actors whether or not it’s appropriate to thank a Casting Director after a booking. There is a tendency to adopt a “us” VS “them” mentality when it comes to casting. The first thing I love to remind actors is that casting WANTS you to book the job. They WANT you […]
What to Consider When Choosing An Acting Class or Coach
An acting coach or teacher is the only service provider I know, who, when they fail to help you can turn around and tell you that you aren’t talented. If any other service provider where to do this in your life you would ask for your money back. In the acting world you end up […]
It’s About Getting Better, Not Booking
Recognize in your despair you will be vulnerable to tricksters and hucksters who will sell you false hopes. Remind yourself no one beat you out for the part. There were intangibles greater than that. If you believe you could’ve done or handled it better, then get back to work at getting better. Do at least […]
Why Generosity & Gratitude Are Keys to Being a Great Actor
Step 7: Spend time cultivating and being grateful for people who appreciate and believe in you. Generosity is the best gift of all. Actor’s Generosity The highest compliment an actor can give to another is “they were generous.” Many years ago, I worked with a student who had a scene with Michael Douglas. He had […]
Why Complaining Gets You Nowhere
STEP 6 – Stop complaining! Don’t sit around waiting for the phone to ring! Create your own work. Embrace the joy of creation. I grew up with 2 brothers and a sister. As you can imagine, there was a lot of complaining and blaming going on. If we went running to our father, he would […]
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