Q&A With Acting Teacher, Marcie Smolin

Back in September, I thought it might be fun to take an acting class. I signed up at The Actors Circle in Culver City and have had the time of my life. Before I asked Marcie Smolin, Director and Founder of The Actors Circle, LLC, to grab a glass of wine and tell me her backstory, I did a little research on the one they call, the “Star Maker.”

Marcie Smolin began as a child actor. She has been a series regular on two TV series as well as guest-starring and recurring in numerous television shows. In addition to acting, Marcie was a stand-up comic for 19 years, appearing on: An Evening at the Improv; Girls Night Out; Later NBC; as well as a primetime NBC comedy special. Smolin toured the country for many years appearing regularly in Vegas and appeared in more television commercials than she cares to count. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts and Master’s in screenwriting. Marcie has been coaching both children and adults for over 27 years.

With her fiery red hair and gleaming green eyes, Marcie was kind enough to tell me all…

How did you get into teaching?

I was always teaching. In high school and college I was a camp counselor. Being that I already had a large background in acting, they made me the drama counselor. I was fortunate to study with amazing coaches; the kind of coaches who wrote books about acting, that still hold up to this day. Even as a road comic, I found myself coaching the other comics, to prepare for auditions.

When I graduated college, I did a work-study at my acting school, to fund my tuition. At some point, they started a children’s department. I was assigned to assist the guy running the department. We got along very well. When he left to start his own school, he stole me away, and I started teaching for him. I was only 19 at the time. I taught there as I was coming up as an actress, but my work as a stand up in television work took me away from teaching.

Several years ago, I got into an accident and had to do a lot of physical rehab. I had to take a break from performing. Coincidentally, during that time, the same guy who had originally hired me to be an acting coach, called me out of the blue, and asked me if I could substitute teach. And, voilá, I went back to teaching.

Tell us how you came to open the Actors Circle.

16 years ago I open the Actors Circle with a partner (the same coach who gave me my start). After a few years he decided to retire, and I have owned it on my own ever since.

What are some of your funniest moments teaching?

Wow I could write a book of funny moments I laugh every day because my students are brilliant improvisers and I love watching them work.

One time girl asked me to coach her for an audition to get into a theater conservatory and she was supposed to do a monologue and song and she decided to turn The Diary of Ann Frank into a musical comedy.

There was the time when a brilliant young actor was doing his first big romantic scene in class and as he landed to go in for the kiss a very loud fart escaped. He froze and then we are friends but then of course there was the laughter.

Another time someone asked me to coach them, an older gentleman in his late 70s. When he showed up, it turns out he was auditioning for an “Adult” project. When I came into the room, he had decided to wear a costume that made him feel more in character. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen someone who looks like your grandpa in a rhinestone speedo and cowboy boots.

What are some of your most poignant moments teaching?

For me the most poignant moments are always when I see the light go on in someone’s eyes and I know that is exact moment I have fallen in love with acting. It gets me every time. There are those moments in class when people tell stories that break your heart. But at the same time I always feel so honored that they feel safe enough to share them in class. I work hard to create a safe environment; a place where people can grow and share with no judgment.

What are your proudest moments teaching?

My students make me proud every day. Every actor is on their own path so each of their moments of growth are very big to me. I am proud of all of them.

Tell me about the success of some of your students?

Oh wow that is a tricky area because I do like to respect the privacy of the actors whom I work with. Maybe if you push me harder, I will tell you. But I will say this: I went to four movies this week and there was an Actors Circle actor in every one of them, and in one, there were three. I had a student last summer who was in both of the biggest blockbusters of the summer. I have an actress currently enrolled in class recurring on three TV shows, and five actors recurring on shows are still in class. One of my students created the most popular livestream soap opera and has won many Emmys for producing and starring in it. I have students who have won Oscars, Emmys, Tonys and even a Grammy.

How was teaching help to you as a performer?

Well I get a cold read every day of my life. I never get rusty. Cold reading is something that you can get rusty on very quickly. I watch people having breakthroughs all the time and I learn from them.

Tell me about your successes.

Eww..no, gross!

What days are your classes?

Adults -Monday & Tuesday at 7 and Wednesday at noon.

Teens- Saturday 2-4:30

Kids- Saturday 11-1

How do we learn about pricing? How do we contact you?

Http://www.theactorscircle.com

Marcie@theactorscircle.com

310 837 4536