I EXCEL AT:
*ACTING THE SONG
*CREATING A ROLE: let's work one on one for a dynamic character
*UNDERSTUDY WORK: covering the part & building a strong foundation for rehearsal & performance success
*MONOLOGUE WORK
*LAST MINUTE CALLBACKS (let's jump on a Zoom!)
*REGIONAL AUDITIONS
*ONGOING ACTING SESSIONS (one on one, group classes)
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About Wendi
The audition room is an exciting place! This is your DREAM- you get to sing, act, dance, or be on camera for that moment of time in the audition, and I am here to help you shine. Let's make your audition the BEST it can possibly be :)
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For the past 2 decades, I have been working on Broadway, off Broadway, on national tours, regionally, and have done a myriad of developmental contracts bringing new pieces of theatre to life. I have also been coaching actors of all ages while they pursue their dreams in NYC. Being a teaching artist, I am immersed in the NYC acting and audition scene, and am very passionate about inspiring the best in each artist I work with to level up and thrive through their auditions, acting, and work in the industry. Whether you are just starting out, or are a seasoned professional looking to deepen your roles or auditions, I will help you get out of your way, and into your light. I am thrilled to now offer virtual coachings so we can work from anywhere, any time.
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Whether it's sides from the show you are auditioning for, your own song or a required audition song, or a monologue, my goal is to get you feeling confident, well prepared, and present for your auditions & work.
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I am in these rooms, too. I get what you are going through. Let's define your audition and give you practical tools to help you feel grounded, and be memorable in the room. I cannot wait to help you soar!
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MY BACKGROUND:
I hold a BFA in theatre with an emphasis in acting from UC Santa Barbara, where I also privately coached with George Backman. I have studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, ACT in San Francisco, Michael Howard Studios, and received a great amount of tutelage from the late Wynn Handman, a master teacher based in the Meisner technique. I have been directing my peers since I was in high school, and recently directed a successful Off-Broadway production of Urinetown in NYC. While pursuing my own career on Broadway and on camera, I have the privilege of coaching many students in their acting, song interpretation, and auditions & callbacks. I have also been hired as a master teacher at various acting studios in NYC for ongoing classes, and specialized master classes. Clients of mine have gone on to book Broadway shows, episodes of TV shows, and national commercials. It is a pure joy to see a student make the leap to the professional level, and to watch each artist truly thrive by taking risks, mapping out their audition, and gaining confidence from coaching their material.
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WENDI'S PROFESSIONAL CREDITS INCLUDE:
BROADWAY: all original companies: SMASH; ONCE UPON A MATTRESS; NEW YORK, NEW YORK; FROZEN; EVITA; DR. ZHIVAGO; PROMISES, PROMISES; SOUTH PACIFIC.
NATIONAL TOURS: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA; GUYS & DOLLS; CATS; EVITA
27+ developmental workshops & readings
Singer on the major motion picture soundtracks of Wicked: Part 1; Wicked: For Good; Kiss of the Spider Woman
So how do we do this?
It's easy. For current rates please email me:
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Please include:
*what your audition is
*IN PERSON OR ZOOM PREFERENCE*
*date of audition (or self tape submission due)
*material we are working on (I do a lot of research for you!)
*TEAM you are going in for: casting, creatives, producers, etc.
FEEDBACK
Check out what others are saying about coaching with me :)
“Wendi is one of my favorite actors. Whenever I see Wendi perform, I am absolutely mesmerized by her performance. Her performances stay with you forever. When I had an important callback, I asked Wendi to coach me because I wanted to perform at her level. During the coaching session, she broke down the character’s needs and circumstances more deeply than I could have done myself. She helped me understand the character on a deeper and personal level, and it gave my performance so much depth. I had trouble concentrating in an audition room, but she taught me how to fully connect with the imaginary scene partner so I wouldn’t be distracted by what was happening in the room. My callback session went really well, and I received another callback afterward. Wendi is deeply passionate about working with actors and helping them succeed. I honestly think having Wendi as a coach is one of the most valuable things you can do to deepen your craft.”
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-Ayako Ibaraki, NYC based actor
"Wendi is a true light! Pulling from her own extensive performance career, she has a knack for getting to the core of the actor, allowing for what is already inside to come to the fore in their work. Coaching with Wendi brings genuine joy to what can in other arenas feel like a confusing and overly labored process. Shedding the weight of some expectation of "how" a scene should work and instead teasing out the authentic humanity that exists within it has led to some truly grounded self-tapes, auditions, and performances. I could not be more grateful to Wendi. Actors: do yourself a favor and dig into the work with one of Broadway's finest."
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-Zach Krajnyak, NYC based actor