Jim Calder and Devin Shacket: Acting Coaches from NYU Grad Acting and the New York Drama Center | Episode 062

Actorcast

Jim Calder and Devin Shacket join me for episode 062 of Actorcast, and they do not disappoint! In this episode, we dive deep into the craft of acting and the important things that actors should keep in mind (or out of their mind) when performing. We discuss why Jim and Devin became acting teachers, what makes a good actor, and the common struggles that actors come up against in the rehearsal and audition room. We talk about experience versus explanation, the illusion of the word "instinct," and so much more.

You can learn more about Jim and Devin's work by visiting https://www.thenewyorkdramacenter.com or @thenewyorkdramacenter.

Jim Calder is the Head of Movement at New York University Tisch Graduate Acting Department. He is the winner of the David Payne Carter Excellence in Teaching Award and Artistic Director of La Pietra Summer Theatre Festival in Florence, Italy. Jim has directed at various locations in New York City including the Lincoln Center Institute, Pearl Theatre, Classic Stage Company, The Public, New York Theater Workshop and HERE. Jim was movement and creative consultant for the upcoming film ‘Silent Retreat” written and directed by Todd Straus-Schulson, on ‘Pericles’ at Berkeley Rep, (Director Mark Wing-Davey), ‘Passion Play’ by Sarah Ruhl (Director Mark Wing-Davey) and movement director on Broadway for ‘Therese Raquin’ staring Keira Knightley, (director Evan Cabnet). Jim has performed at The Old Globe, P.S. 122, and throughout Europe. He was the lead actor and creative consultant in PBS’s ‘Noddy & Friends’. Jim trained at Ecole Jacques and performed under the direction of Jacques LeCoq in numerous TV specials in France.

Devin Shacket is an actress, casting professional, audition coach, and on-camera acting teacher. Devin began coaching and taping auditions in early 2013, while working in the House of Cards: Season 2 casting department. Her casting credits include the second season of House of Cards, alongside Emmy Award winning casting director, Julie Schubert, feature films including Good Funk, Black Nativity, Three Backyards, and theatre projects and the San Francisco Playhouse. Her students have appeared on television shows such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Iron Fist, Happy, Gotham, New Amsterdam, Switched at Birth, Tyrant, Ramy, The Deuce, Jack Ryan, Sneaky Pete, Quantico, Infierno Verde, Jessica Jones, Blue Bloods, Sweet Bitter, The Looming Tower, FBI, Dickinson, The Blacklist, The Godfather of Harlem, and more. In addition to private coaching and audition taping, Devin teaches on camera acting and audition technique to adults and young actors internationally. She has been a guest lecturer at NYU Stonestreet School for Film and Television, SF Playhouse, SF State University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, dBs Berlin Film School, and several private studios in New York City. She is the founder and Artistic Director of the New York Drama Center.

Follow my work at https://www.patrick-mcandrew.com/