Tara Blau Smollen

Presentation & Acting Skills Coach

Tara Blau Smollen is a Presentation & Acting Skills Coach based in Mill Valley, California. With over 35 years of professional and academic experience, Tara helps fellow coaches, entrepreneurs, and creatives become more comfortable speaking in front of an audience. She is a three-time Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle (BATCC) Award Nominee and a two-time Dean Good Award Recipient. She was an Associate Professor of Theater and Drama at SF State, Contra Costa College, and at Los Medanos College where she taught Beginning Acting and Theater History. Tara received her BA in Theater and English from the University of Wisconsin and her MFA in Theater and Acting from The National Theater Conservatory.

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Co-authored Articles (9)

How to

Fake an Injury

You may want to fake an injury to get out of work or gym class for a few days, or maybe you’re researching how to act injured for a play. You also may want to fake an injury so you get out of chores or schoolwork. What...

Othello: Game Rules & Strategy Guide

Set up and learn how to play this fun strategy game in minutes Are you looking for an exciting 2-player game that’s super simple to learn but takes years to master? Othello, also known as Reversi, is the perfect game t...

How to

Design a Playbill

Every level of theater performance—from a play at a local elementary school to Broadway productions—comes with a playbill. This pamphlet informs the audience about crucial elements of the play: its title and show dat...

How to

Design a Stage Set

Designing an artistic, effective, and practical theatrical set poses many challenges. The good news is that although set designs differ greatly, there’re several basic principles you can follow for any play, opera, or ...

How to

Do Stage Lighting

Stage lighting for theatre, dance, musicals, concerts, and other performances is an art in and of itself. Done well, it will enhance the performance for the audience. In order to operate the lights, you will need some pr...

How to

Produce a Play

When it comes to putting on a theatrical production, the role of the producer is distinct from, but no less important than, the director's. Producers are typically in charge of the financial, managerial, and logistical d...

How to

Be a Living Statue

Human statues have a long history in the European street theater tradition. In many large cities worldwide, you can see human statues busking for money with great patience and physical control. If you would like to becom...

How to

Become a Good Stage Manager

Stage Management is an art that is learned through extended study, mentoring, and experience. In the world of professional theatre, the stage manager is one of the most important players. Far more than just calling cues,...

How to Walk and Act Like a Zombie

Perfect your zombie walk for your next costume party Want to commit to your Halloween costume? Hope to win a role in a zombie movie? Learn how to walk like the undead!