The Collective Spirit

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio The Joy Of Acting The Power of Joy: Reigniting Your Passion for Acting Have you ever found yourself questioning your love for acting amidst the pressure, the hustle, and the emotional demands of the craft? Let’s talk about something deeply powerful and often overlooked: the joy of acting. Not just the big, rewarding moments on stage or screen, but that raw, playful, heart bursting joy that made you fall in love...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Eyes: Windows To The Soul Eyes On Film In the world of acting—especially on film—the eyes are nothing short of magical. They are powerful storytellers, capable of revealing a character’s deepest emotions with a single glance. When used with intention, the eyes invite the audience into the very soul of a character. For any aspiring actor, realizing the importance of the eyes as part of your instrument is a major...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Comedy The “Try To Be Funny” Trap Ever find yourself sweating bullets when a sitcom or comedy audition pops up in your email? If you’re a dramatic actor at heart, the mere thought of needing to “be funny” in a scene can feel like a high-pressure challenge. But here’s the thing—being funny doesn’t always mean you have to try to be funny. Instead, there’s a smarter way to approach comedy that will make...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio A Meditation On Self-Tapes Self-Tapes & Self-Directing: Transform Your Audition Game In the ever-evolving world of acting, one thing is certain—self-tapes are here to stay. For most actors, self-taping requests continue to outnumber in-person auditions. And while this shift may feel like a challenge, it also opens up exciting possibilities! To truly excel at self-taping, actors need to wear a new hat—the...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Overcoming Creative Blocks Everyone Feels Blocked Sometimes It happens to the best of us: you're sitting at your desk, brush in hand, or staring at the blank screen—and suddenly, the flow of creativity just stops. Whether you’re a painter, writer, musician, or any kind of creator, feeling blocked is a frustrating but completely normal part of the process. Sometimes, the block feels like it has a clear cause,...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Why Bother Auditioning When I Don’t Hear Anything? Crickets You just got another audition from your agent. It’s for a TV show you’ve always wanted to be a part of, and the role fits you perfectly. You work your ass of on the material and pump out a self tape that’s nothing short of genius. You’re sure your agent is going to call any minute to let you know that you booked the role! But then a couple of days go by...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: Imagination How Does Imagination Work in Acting? Imagination is a powerful tool that lets us break free from the ordinary and dive into a world of endless possibilities. In acting, it becomes our greatest ally—helping us step into the shoes of our characters, understand their world, and truly empathize with their emotions. It’s what makes us believe in the characters we play and, in turn,...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Work Ethic Passion: The Heart Of A True Work Ethic As artists, the idea of "work ethic" often brings back memories of dreaded school book reports or the endless hours spent cramming for the SATs. But what if we could redefine that phrase? What if, instead of seeing it as a chore, we embraced it as something much more exciting and personal? For us, as artists, "work ethic" can be distilled into one powerful word:...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: Moment To Moment I Am Aware In Susan Batson’s acting classes, every session began with the same exercise: she would ask each actor, “I am aware…?” This simple prompt encouraged us to turn our focus inward, helping us express the truth we felt inside. The exercise wasn’t about saying the “right” thing; it was about recognizing our awareness as the foundation for creating our characters. It...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Your Artistic Purpose What Does It Feel Like? Every artist has felt that deep, burning desire to create. But let’s be honest: sometimes, the grind of an acting career - - the auditions, the networking, the constant hustle - - can cloud the very spark that made us fall in love with the craft in the first place. You know that fire—the one that flared up the moment you stepped onto a stage or in front of a camera?...