LB Acting Studio Blog
by lewis baumander
Watch Movies and TV Shows with Others, Discuss, and Form Tribes
Do You Need to Be in an Acting Class to Get Better? Actors often ask: Do I need to be in an acting class to get better? An acting coach will always say yes, and with good reasons. Training in an acting class provides camaraderie, peer feedback, and valuable practice time on the mark, giving actors the […]
Understanding Shame
Part 1: Understanding Shame—An Overview Humans have a number of different emotions that we utilize in acting, and ‘shame’ is one that we need to understand deeply. Let’s be clear, shame is not just a social construct or a punishment handed down by society. Shame is an evolved, adaptive emotion that has helped people find […]
Part 3: Consistent Comic Devices, Timing & Techniques
Consistent, Main Comic Devices from Roman Times to Contemporary Comedy Below is a concise list of essential comic devices—tools or techniques that have recurred throughout comedic history, from ancient Roman stages to contemporary sketch shows and sitcoms.These comedic devices often overlap or reinforce each other, but each device plays a distinct role in generating laughter […]
Part 2: Commedia’s Echo In Contemporary Comedy—and Politics
Commedia dell’Arte and Warner Bros.: Character-by-Character Before we look at modern sketches and sitcoms, let’s take a look at the parallels between the Commedia’s stock characters and Looney Tunes: Arlecchino (Harlequin) → Bugs Bunny Arlecchino: Clever, resourceful, mischievous. Bugs Bunny: The ultimate trickster, outsmarting foes with wit and disguises. Brighella → Daffy Duck Brighella: A […]
Part 1: The History Of Comedy and Honoring The Past
Of the many fears actors have about auditioning, the obvious one is that they’re not good enough. However, the twin peaks of fear are, How do I cry on cue? And I’m not funny? We will deal with just the issue of comedy and not be funny and leave our tears for another day. One of […]
COLD READ AUDITION GUIDE
COLD READ AUDITION GUIDE How to Approach & Practice Cold Reads with Confidence and Skill For Aspiring & Working Actors PART 1: MINDSET & COMMITMENT Own the Script – No Shame If you’re holding the script in a cold read audition, hold it with confidence. Don’t pretend you’re not using it. It’s not cheating—it’s the job. […]
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 […]
Make Human Choices Not Actor Choices
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 […]