The Morse Actors Studio

Audition and Acting Recommendations

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:08:53 -0800

There is only one of me, and a lot of you and information out there. Until I'm able to write and speak about everything I've read or used, the easiest way I can get everything to you at once is to share my Amazon Ideas Lists. I have various catagories for you to choose from based on what you may want/need.

A lot of what you see I own. I've read it, I've used it, and I recommend it. I do understand wanting to get more information to know if it will help with what you may need it for. That is why I'm always available for a consultation if you're wanting to ask questions before you buy anything. You can schedule a consultation here. Come prepared with your questions so I can do my best to assist with what you need.

In the mean time, check out my Idea List here. Your purchases give me a small commision to help support the work I do.

Places I've Learned - Myself

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:08:46 -0700

Welcome back to my June series – Places I've Learned.
This week’s place I’ve learned from? Myself

You probably have noticed you're getting this email a couple day later than I usually send them out. The reason for that is because I have been busy. I do my best to batch and automate these, but I missed one. That takes me to my first lesson I've learned from myself.

1.) I'm allowed to take breaks. Unless I have a hard deadline on something, it's ok to take breaks and give myself space.

I've done the hustle and push culture and it leads to burnout and big drops. When I began to recognize actual hard deadlines and trying to keep up with the Jone's is, I started to do better.

So unless there's a hard deadline (aka on fire), it can wait.

2.) MY values, boundaries, and goals. These three go together for me. MY values, boundaries, and goals are different from everyone else's, and that's ok.

FYI - Being on set / in a production is NOT the place to expect people to teach you. It's a place you can learn from.

1.) Preparing to go in to the production. Prep work is very important before you show up. I learn each time a better way for me to prepare before I show up.

I like to make lists for myself to review. I also add notes on what I've done and learned from this. I do this primarily in my Google Docs because I can highlight things to catch my eye.

2.) Who I want to work with again. I have had some not-so-good experiences. You will too.

I make connections and keep up with those professional relationships with the people I want to work with again.

I can't always pick who I don't want to work with again because I'm not the producer. I don't have hiring and firing powers or that kind of influence. So instead I try to make notes to myself of my experience with folks I prefer to not work with again. That way those notes may help me navigate my working relationship with them better.

3.)Read More

Places I've Learned - Acting Classes

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 12:18:06 -0700

I was (and still am) a student before I was a teacher. I enjoy taking acting classes. It's a great place to work on your craft, learn something new, and connect with other Actors. Here are a breakdown of why I love acting classes.

1. Specific Topics. There are a variety of acting classes out there. Taking a class puts you in a container to learn and focus on a new skill or technique you can take with you on your acting journey.

2. Working with Other Actors. In acting class you get an opportunity to work with Actors you may not be able to in productions.

3. Teacher and Peer Feedback. You get more than one bite of the apple by receiving feedback from your acting teacher and peers.

I've always had mixed feelings about receiving feedback from my peers, but I remind myself that we have different viewpoints. The praise from our peers feels amazing. The constructive criticism doesn't always feel constructive. Take the feedback you receive with a grain of salt. Be open to listening because sometimes you may get something helpful to you.

4. Networking Opportunity.Welcome to my June series – Places I've Learned.
This week’s place I’ve learned from? Books.

I’m a fan of books on acting, directing, actor memoirs, and even those that have nothing to do with any of those things. Each kind has offered me something valuable, so here’s a breakdown of what I read, why I love them, and what I’ve learned.

📘 Books on Acting

There are countless books out there that explore different ways to approach the craft. Some are considered classics, while others can feel outdated.

I enjoy reading them, but here’s something I want to emphasize: Being an actor means doing.
If you're going to read an acting book, I highly recommend doing so while you're in a class or working with a coach. That way, you can apply what you're reading and get constructive feedback.

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:20:30 -0700

Full disclosure I'm not a lawyer. None of this is legal advice. It's my own opinoin.

This week's topic: Props and Costumes

"May I...

Eat, drink, or smoke in my costume? Generally speaking - NO! Ask before you throw a robe on too. This is something to ask your Director, Stage Manager, and/or Costumer. They can give you clear instructions about THEIR policies surrounding food and drink.

NEVER smoke in costume unless it's a part of the production.

Costumes are not your clothes, and even if you're using your own, these pieces of clothes are super important to the work.

Touch someone else's prop, even if it's to help them? I appreciate you want to help, but I'd have to say no again.

Props and Costumes are precious and the less people have contact with them, the better.

May I take a prop or costumes piece home as a souvenir? We have all heard the stories of actors taking things home without permission. I'm going to say your choices come...Read More

"The May I...?" Series - Part 3 Working with Actors

Sun, 18 May 2025 21:15:17 -0700

This week's topic: Working with Actors

"May I...

Get to know my fellow actors better? There is nothing wrong with wanting to become more familiar with the people you work with. However, everyone is different. If people say no, give off vibes they're not interested, or don't include you, it can feel personal. I can't tell you they're thinking or if it has anything to do with you.

What I can tell you is understand that even though we work with our co-workers aka fellow Actors in an intimate setting doesn't mean we will become best buddies with them outside of the workspace.

Yes, you may see some actors get close or come into the space with established friendships. I'd recommend that you let others get to know you and see how things may possibly develop from there.

Remember once we're out of the container or the production real life returns.

Improvise or touch my fellow actors while in character? I'm in the moment of the scene. I'd recommend not doing so without discussing boundaries and the other actors practice.

Sun, 11 May 2025 21:43:31 -0700

This week's topic: Social Media

"May I...

Post my auditions and/or self tapes online?"

No! If you're working on something related to film/tv it's definitely a NO. This is because the material hasn't been produced or published. That means anyone who obtains it could possible steal that idea and use it. So don't make the powers that be mad.

As for theatre - same rules apply for unpublished materials. If it's published, you're in a gray area. That's because it's copyrighted material, so do you homework before you share yourself performing something from a play or musical.

Share pictures of videos while working on set and/or a production?" Another great gray area. Check your contract and/or the productions policies on posting videos and/or pictures while working on set and/or on a production.

Some will allow you to take photos to share once production has wrapped. Some may have closed policies for various reasons.

When in doubt, check it out.

Reach out to casting directors on social media?" Read More

The "May I...?" Series - Part 1 Auditions

Mon, 05 May 2025 06:11:31 -0700

Welcome to the "May I...? Series this month. I'm using the month of May to discuss things I've Actors ask (or not ask) if they may do them or not.

For this first one I'm going to being discussing what Actors May and May not do, or be asked to do. So let's begin!
This week's topic: Auditions

"May I...

Use Original Pieces for Theatre and/or Film Auditions?" Maybe. Most likely no.

This is not a new question because of the big upswing in the use of A.I. This has been a question for decades. The reason the answer will most likely be no is because directors, casting, and producers want specific things that fit the container of auditioning. Using published pieces or materials that have been provided to you are things they know will work best in the container or acting.

So even if you're a playwright or lyricist/composer, unless you have asked and received permission it's best to show up to your audition with the materials the have ask you to prepare.

Use my/the script and not be memorized?" It is a standard practice in theatre to be fully memorized. For theatre callbacks you'll most likely be allowed to use/read from the script(s) provided.

For film it is...Read More

Physical 'Tools' for the Actor

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:28:57 -0700

If you don't know I'm an Acting & Audition Prep Coach, as well as an Intimacy Director & Cooridnator, and Sensitivity Specilist. With all of these positions I work very closely to actors. I'm an actor myself. Something that has stood the test of time is being nervous, jittery, over-stimulated, etc.

Actors are people. They may or may not have neurodivergencies. They may or may not get nervous. When they do feel overwhelmed, nervous, aggitated, etc they've been told to just 'handle it.' It's simply 'a part of the job.'

That's definately true. It's a part of the job.

BUT...what if we encouraged Actors to bring with them items that are small and singular that could help them get their nervous system to relax and allow them to reset so they can focus and work?