Lesly Kahn, MFA
Acting Teacher & Coach
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Co-authored Articles (19)
How to
Look Sick
If you're trying to take a day off of school, get out of work, avoid the in-laws, or have to play the role of a sick person in a play, faking an illness is easier than you think. If you don't look the part, you will have...
How to
Roleplay
Roleplaying is where you pretend to be another character in a make-believe setting. There are three main types of roleplay: text-based, live-action, and tabletop. Text-based roleplaying takes place online and focuses on ...
How to Stage Kiss like a Professional Actor
Nail your on-stage kiss with our helpful tipsWhether you're pursuing an acting career or just having fun performing in school plays, the time may come when you have to kiss a co-star on stage. It can be an uncomfortable ...
How to
Be Cat Like
Whether you need to learn to act like a cat for an acting role, or you just admire feline behavior, there are several ways you can imitate cats. Each cat is different, but many of them share similar behaviors. Unlike dog...
How to
Play Dead
Whether you're an actor or an expert prank-player, the skill of playing dead is a good one to have. Learning how to play dead can be useful when you're acting in movies, television, or theater, and can also come in handy...
How to
Act Sad
''Convince other people you're sad or depressed with these tips''There are a variety of reasons you may want to act sad. You may want to be left alone, or have some time to reflect, or even try to get attention from some...
How to Make a Professional Acting Portfolio: Tips & Tricks
Land auditions and book roles with a stellar acting portfolio If you'd like to work professionally as an actor, you'll need to make an acting portfolio. This portfolio showcases your experience as an actor and helps cast...
How to
Write a Theatre Biography
If you're involved in a musical or play, you may be asked to write a biography (“bio”) about yourself for the show's playbill. A bio is a short summary that introduces you to the audience and, potentially, to indust...
How to
Audition for a TV Commercial
How to
Be a Great Actor
Although professionals onstage or in your favorite movies might make acting seem effortless, their performances are generally the result of years of effort, intelligent research, and careful observation. You can achieve ...
How to
Start a Career in Acting
Here's how to get into acting with little to no experienceHave you ever stood in front of a mirror enacting a scene from your favorite movie, or visualized yourself making the acceptance speech with an Oscar in your hand...
Audition for a TV Show: Complete Guide & Career Advice
Kickstart your acting career with this comprehensive guide Being on a successful TV show is a dream that many aspiring actors and actresses have. Having the talent and skill to rise above the competition, however, can s...
How to
Memorize Your Lines
Learning you landed that leading role will have you jumping for joy, but then it hits you: now you have to memorize all of those words! While it seems daunting at first, rest assured that thousands upon thousands of acto...
How to
Become a Broadway Actor
Many people aspire to make it on Broadway. The steps to get there can seem long and hard, but if you are willing to put in the work, you just may see your name in lights. Train hard, work hard and put your name out there...
How to
Act in a Play
The thought of acting in a play may seem overwhelming or even frightening. Though there’s a lot to do, there’s no need to worry—if you read and understand the entire play you’re already halfway there! Spend time ...
How to
Practice Acting
A high-quality actor must work hard in any role in order to appear natural. Such a professional reads scripts, practice monologues, and takes creative risks in acting classes. It takes a lot of hard work to come off as a...
How to
Learn Lines for a Play
It can often seem difficult or intimidating to be handed a script and told to learn your lines. Whether you’re learning lines for a school play, an Amateur Dramatic Production, or for a professional stage job, you can ...
How to
Become an Extra in a Movie
If you’re interested in acting, becoming an extra is a great way to gain on-camera experience. Even if you don’t want a career in the entertainment industry, it’s a cool way earn a little extra money. Search online...
How to
Prepare For a Stage Performance
In these steps you will learn a few ways to prepare you for the stage. With this information you will be ready for anything with singing, dancing, and dialogue.