Energy is Everything! Actors, are you ready to level up your craft? Join me, Treisa Gary, for an exclusive "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) session right here on Stage 32 from Wednesday, 1/8 to Thursday, 1/9. This AMA is all about "What to Look for in an Acting Coach", and I’m here to spill the tea on the tools to help actors thrive in this industry!
With 22 years of experience in TV & Film (working with Christian Bale, Zac Efron, and Nicolas Cage), I’ve been blessed to not only hone my own craft but to coach countless actors toward their breakthrough moments. Whether you’re just starting or you’re ready to elevate, this is your chance to ask me anything!
Examples of questions you can ask me:
How do I find an acting coach who fits my needs?
What’s the #1 mistake actors make when working with a coach?
How can I make the most of every coaching session?
Mark your calendars, bring your best questions, and let’s have a powerful conversation! Let’s connect, learn, and grow together!
5 people like this
"Ask Me Anything" (AMA) session right here on @Stage32 from Wednesday, 1/8 to Thursday, 1/9.
5 people like this
Happy New Year, Treisa Gary! I hope you're having a great year so far! Thanks for taking the time to have this AMA! Do acting coaches cover all genres or are there acting coaches who focus on certain genres?
5 people like this
Thank you for doing this AMA, Treisa Gary! I've often wondered if actors should change coaches depending on the role or type of film or should actors work with the same coach regarldess of the role?
5 people like this
Thank you Treisa Gary for doing this AMA and congratulations on your amazing career! I would love to ask you “What’s the #1 mistake actors make when working with a coach, and how to avoid/prevent that!” In my experience, sometimes ego doesn’t allow us to see our mistakes, so I am curious to know more about it! Thanxxx
5 people like this
Hey Treisa Gary - so nice to meet you! Thanks so much for having this AMA and spending your day with us. Question: What are some of the traits that draw you to a client the most? My first guess would be a willingness to learn and be humble but what does your inner teacher want to see long term for both you and your client? Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!
4 people like this
Hello Treisa Gary - thank you for taking the time out to do this AMA. I saw the question above "How do I find an acting coach who fits my needs?" For the individuals who are new to acting (0 experience, starting from ground zero). How would you identify what your needs are? Outside from being new and not knowing anything. What steps should you as a new actor take prior to reaching out to a coach to find those key things?
4 people like this
Thank you Treisa Gary for taking the time to do this AMA. I probably have the same questions as everyone else, so I would like to just learn from your answers as they come in, if that is okay.
4 people like this
Hi, Triesa! Happy New Year, so excited you're here for the AMA and your webinar! Thank you! What is one tip you would recommend for when you get overwhelmed when starting out?
4 people like this
Sandra Isabel Correia Thank you so much for the kind words and for joining the AMA!
You’re absolutely right—ego can sometimes trip us up, but let me tell you, self-awareness is everything in this industry. The #1 mistake actors make when working with a coach is resistance to vulnerability and feedback. Whether it’s ego, fear, or perfectionism, it blocks the very breakthroughs you’re seeking.
Here’s how to avoid it:
1. Shift from “Prove” to “Explore”: Instead of trying to prove you’re already amazing, approach coaching with curiosity. See it as a lab where you experiment and grow without fear of failure.
2. Create a Safe Space: Choose a coach who makes you feel safe to be raw and authentic. Trust is key.
3. Remember Why You Started: Acting isn’t about being perfect; it’s about telling the truth. Be open to stripping away layers and discovering new depths in your craft.
When you drop the resistance, you give your coach the space to see you fully and guide you toward the magic you’re capable of. It’s a partnership, not a critique session!
I’m so glad you’re asking these deeper questions—it shows you’re ready to take your artistry to the next level. Nice!
xo,
Treisa
4 people like this
Leonardo Ramirez Thank you so much for your kind words, and Happy New Year to you too! I’m thrilled to connect with you during this AMA!
You’re spot on—traits like a willingness to learn and humility are huge, but let me take it a step further. Here’s what really lights me up as a coach:
1. Passion Paired with Persistence: I love clients who are unapologetically passionate about their craft and willing to put in the work, even when it gets tough. Acting is a marathon, not a sprint, and that long-term dedication inspires me to go all in with you.
2. Curiosity: The best clients approach every session with a hunger to explore—whether it’s diving into a new character, breaking through a block, or refining their instincts. Curiosity is the secret sauce for discovery and growth!
3. Trust in the Process: This one’s big. Clients who embrace the unknown and trust the journey allow both of us to move mountains. When you lean into the work and let go of the fear of “getting it wrong,” that’s where the magic happens.
Long term, my inner teacher wants to see clients step into their full power—not just as skilled actors, but as confident, grounded artists who know their worth and own their unique voice. When you show up fully, I’ll meet you there every step of the way.
I’m so excited for what’s ahead for you! Keep shining and chasing those dreams!
xo,
Treisa
5 people like this
Cyrus Sales Hi there, Cyrus! Thank you for this thoughtful question—I love that you’re already thinking deeply about setting yourself up for success!
When you’re new to acting and starting from ground zero, it’s natural to feel unsure about your needs. Here’s how you can identify them and take steps before reaching out to a coach:
1. **Get Clear on Your Goals
Ask yourself: "Why do I want to act?" Is it to build confidence? Pursue a dream? Land roles in theater, TV, or film? Your goals don’t have to be perfect, but having a sense of direction helps a coach tailor their guidance to you.
2. **Take small, accessible steps to dip your toes into acting. Watch behind-the-scenes videos, read books on acting techniques (like Meisner or Stanislavski), or join a free/low-cost community theater class. This helps you start understanding what excites or challenges you about acting.
3. **Self-Reflect on Your Strengths and Blocks
Think about where you naturally shine (e.g., expressing emotions, connecting with people) and where you might struggle (e.g., confidence, memorization, vulnerability). Sharing these with a coach gives them a starting point to work with.
4. ** Research Coaches
Look for coaches who resonate with your vibe and goals. Watch their interviews, read testimonials, and check their specializations. A good fit is someone whose teaching style feels accessible and inspiring to you as a beginner.
5. ** Be Honest and Open
When you do reach out to a coach, don’t worry about having it all figured out! Share where you’re at and let them help you identify your needs. A great coach meets you exactly where you are.
Starting out is exciting because 'everything' is an opportunity to learn! With a curious mindset and the right coach, you’ll discover more about yourself and your craft than you ever imagined.
Welcome to this incredible journey—you’ve got this!
xo,
Treisa
4 people like this
Maurice Vaughan Happy New Year to you, too! Thank you for such a great question—this one comes up a lot, and I love diving into it!
Acting coaches come in all flavors, just like actors! Here’s how it typically works:
1. ** Some Coaches Are Generalists
Many acting coaches work across genres, helping actors build foundational skills like emotional truth, character development, and script analysis. These universal tools apply whether you’re doing a comedy, drama, or anything in between.
2. ** Some Specialize in Specific Genres
There are coaches who focus on particular genres, like:
- Comedy: Helping actors nail timing, improv, and delivery.
- Drama: Diving deep into emotional authenticity and vulnerability.
- Action: Focusing on physicality and stunts.
- Commercials: Teaching how to shine in short-form storytelling and connect quickly.
Specialized coaches are great if you know the direction of your career or if you’re working on a specific project.
3. ** Find What You Need
For beginners or those still exploring, a generalist is usually the best starting point because they’ll give you a broad range of tools. Once you discover your strengths and preferences, you can seek out coaches who specialize in your favorite genre to refine your craft.
It’s all about aligning your needs with the coach’s expertise. The beauty of this journey is that you can evolve, switch genres, and grow at any time!
Wishing you an amazing start to your acting adventure. Let me know if there’s anything else I can answer!
xo,
Treisa
4 people like this
You're welcome, Treisa Gary. Thanks for the answer. Fantastic, helpful answers!
4 people like this
Sam Sokolow What a fantastic question—thank you for asking it!
The answer depends on where you are in your acting journey and the specific needs of the role or project. Let me break it down for you:
1. ** Sticking with One Coach
If you have a coach who understands your artistry, challenges you, and helps you grow, sticking with them can be a great move. They’ll know your strengths, patterns, and how to push you out of your comfort zone. Many actors build long-term relationships with one coach, allowing them to create a deep and consistent foundation for all types of roles.
2. **Switching Coaches for Specific Roles
Sometimes, a role demands skills outside your current coach’s expertise—like mastering a specific accent, physicality for action, or comedic timing. In those cases, it’s perfectly okay to work with a specialized coach for that project while still maintaining your relationship with your primary coach. Think of it like consulting a specialist when needed.
3. ** The Best of Both Worlds
Actors often keep a “core” coach who provides overall guidance and occasionally work with others for specific challenges. For example, you might keep your general coach for script work and seek out a dialect coach for a role requiring a Scottish accent.
And it's a great idea to remember to communicate, you know?
If you decide to work with multiple coaches, be upfront with everyone involved. A great coach will support your growth, because we totally understand that every actor’s path is unique.
At the end of the day, your job is to make the role come alive in the most authentic way possible. Surround yourself with coaches who help you achieve that, whether it’s one or several.
You’re asking all the right questions—keep shining!
xo,
Treisa
5 people like this
Yehuda Siegal Oh, my pleasure, Yehuda!
Absolutely—it’s totally okay to soak in all the insights and learn from the questions coming in. Sometimes, just observing is a huge blessing! It can spark new ideas or even answer questions you didn’t know you had yet!
If anything pops into your mind later, feel free to jump in—I’m here to share and connect. I appreciate you being a part of this AMA!
xo,
Treisa
4 people like this
My goodness, Treisa Gary - I absolutely love your responses!! I love all three but I think that "passion with persistence" is what keeps a lot of us consistently moving forward. There's a joy to life in there especially when it comes to connecting with other creatives. And yes, letting go of the "fear of getting it wrong" is paramount. "No" is just an opportunity for a better door to open. Thank you so much!
5 people like this
Sydney S Happy New Year to you, too! Thank you for your kind energy—I’m so excited to connect with you! -- And YES! My webinar on the 14th, "The Acting Blueprint: Steps To Start Your Career", is gonna be packed with so much information! Thanks for mentioning it! I'm so excited.
Your question is amazing...Overwhelm is so common when starting out, but the beautiful thing is that it’s often a sign you’re stepping into something big and meaningful. Here’s my top tip:
Breathe, Focus, and Break It Down
When everything feels like "too much", you gotta take a step back, close your eyes, and take a few slow, deep breaths. This simple act reconnects you to the present moment and helps you shift out of “panic mode.” After that, break things down into manageable steps. Instead of tackling everything at once, focus on "one small win" at a time—whether it’s preparing a monologue, signing up for a class, or watching an acting technique video.
As a certified emotional healer, I also believe overwhelm isn’t just mental—it can show up as blocked energy. Here are a few tools I recommend to move through it:
- Grounding exercises: Visualize roots growing from your feet into the earth, anchoring you.
- Journaling: Write out your fears, hopes, and excitement. Getting it on paper can bring clarity.
- Affirmations: Remind yourself: “I am exactly where I need to be. Everything unfolds in divine timing.”
Starting out is a journey of discovery, and overwhelm is a natural part of growth. Trust yourself, lean into your intuition, and know that you’re capable of navigating this path. You’ve got this!
I’m here if you need any extra encouragement or guidance. Sending you love and light on your journey!
xo,
Treisa
4 people like this
Maurice Vaughan Thank you so much, Maurice! I’m so happy to hear the answers are helpful—It's my first time doing this here on the Stage 32 platform. I'm totally diggin' it. It truly means the world to me. If you have more questions or thoughts, feel free to jump back in anytime. This journey is all about learning and growing together and I'm here for it!
xo,
Treisa
4 people like this
You're welcome, Treisa Gary. You're crushing this AMA! If I come up with any more questions or thoughts, I'll definitely post them.
3 people like this
Leonardo Ramirez Oh my goodness, Leo! (Can I call you that? LOL!) —thank you for this beautiful response! Your words totally resonate. "Passion with persistence" truly is the heartbeat of this craft, isn’t it? That joy of connecting with other creatives, finding inspiration in the process, and leaning into the journey—it’s what makes all the hard work so worth it.
And you’re absolutely right: letting go of the fear of “getting it wrong” opens the floodgates for creativity and possibility. Every “no” really IS just redirection toward something better—what a powerful mindset to carry!
I’m so grateful for your energy and insight. Keep shining, keep creating, and keep walking through those open doors with that joy and persistence—you’re unstoppable!
xo,
Treisa
4 people like this
Thank you for such a terrifc and detailed answer, Treisa Gary - you rock!
3 people like this
Maurice Vaughan Perfect!
3 people like this
Sam Sokolow Aww, thank you so much, Sam! You just made me blush! It’s feels amazing to share these insights with you all. I’m here to help you rock this journey, and if there’s ever anything else you need, don’t hesitate to reach out! Let’s keep shining and lifting each other up.
xo,
Treisa
3 people like this
Wow, thank you so much Treisa Gary. What an inspiring encourager you are!
4 people like this
Treisa Gary Oh my Goodness, we had a Masterclass here today, and I am grateful for that! This AMA is my number one! Your kindness, your wisdom, expertise, are very special. Congratulations for that Treisa. Yes, I absolutely saw myself when you say “shift from “prove” to “explore” because I am like that, first I explore and only after I prove my value. I am my big challenge! I think for an actor will be even more challenging, because isn’t only their talent or self awareness, but how they know themselves. Confidence and self love are also the key and a good Coach as you are, it’s vital for success:)) I love this AMA. Obrigada :)) xx
3 people like this
Sandra Isabel Correia Wow, thank you so much for this heartfelt message—it means the world to me! I’m truly honored that this AMA resonated with you on such a deep level. Your kind words about kindness, wisdom, and expertise truly touch my heart.
I love how you approach things with exploration first—what a powerful and authentic way to grow and learn! And yes, for actors, that balance of talent, self-awareness, confidence, and self-love is so important. It’s a journey, and having a supportive coach can definitely make all the difference.
I’m so grateful to have connected with you, and I feel so inspired by your words. Muito obrigada for your warmth and insight! Sending you love, light, and endless blessings as we continue to grow together.
xo,
Treisa
3 people like this
Leonardo Ramirez Aww, thank you so much! Your kind words mean everything to me. It’s such a joy to share and connect with incredible creatives like you. I’m here cheering you on every step of the way—keep shining your light!
xo,
Treisa
5 people like this
Thank you so much for such a detailed response! love and light :) I needed this "Grounding exercises: Visualize roots growing from your feet into the earth, anchoring you."
3 people like this
You are Gold Treisa Gary thank you for your words! All the blessings in the world for you :))
2 people like this
Sydney S My pleasure. If you can do it standing on the grass with bare feet...you're in there!
3 people like this
Sandra Isabel Correia Aaahhh, thank you Sandra!
4 people like this
Wow, what an incredible experience! I want to thank each and every one of you for joining this AMA and for bringing such thoughtful, inspiring, and insightful questions to the table. You all made this such a fun, engaging, and rewarding time, and I’m truly grateful for the energy and passion you brought.
Your curiosity and openness remind me why I love doing what I do. It’s such a gift to connect with fellow creatives who are eager to learn, grow, and share in this amazing journey.
Let’s keep the momentum going—keep exploring, keep creating, and keep believing in your own magic. Sending you all so much love and light!
xo,
Treisa
2 people like this
Your AMA was a success because of the good energy you brought to this beautiful place, and all together we made magic. Thank you, Treisa Gary :) Let's keep our magic alive. All the love and light back to you :) Xx
2 people like this
You are absolutely right Sandra Isabel Correia. This was one of those where I wish we were in the same room. Treisa Gary has some beautiful light to share and it's so energizing when we get together with creatives who uplift and whose company we enjoy.
2 people like this
No doubt my beautiful friend! It was one of those we wish to be in the same room. And if we ask Treisa Gary and Stage 32 to do a webcast where we can make questions in real time and share the light all together? I believe will be an amazing webcast! What do you think Leonardo Ramirez ?
2 people like this
Oooh, genius Sandra Isabel Correia!!! That would be a blast!!
2 people like this
Happy you liked Leonardo Ramirez I go to mail Ashley and make the suggestion and if we have it, will be amazing. If isn’t possible, we tried :)) sweet night from Lisbon Xx
2 people like this
Sounds good Sandra Isabel Correia! Have a great evening and weekend!