An ongoing virtual community that welcomes actors committed to the journey of being an artist.
For actors who want to uplevel their craft:
JOIN ACTING COLLECTIVE
For actors who want to act and create work:
+ ADD CREATORS CIRCLE
An ongoing virtual community that welcomes actors committed to the journey of being an artist.
For actors who want to uplevel their craft:
JOIN ACTING COLLECTIVE
For actors who want to act and create work:
+ ADD CREATORS CIRCLE
Get the encouragement and confidence to do the great work you know you can do.
Acting is so intimate, yet that creative connection we cherish often ends as soon as a gig is over. The majority of actors spend more time auditioning and honing their craft than they do on set. It’s just the reality of the business. The ebb and flow of an actor’s journey is what feels lonely, unpredictable, and erratic.
Actors need an incredible amount of perseverance to stay on the journey. Showing up time after time as every opportunity presents itself is no small task. Burnout is incredibly common and those who withstand the challenging moments have a community of support by their side.
Even the most serious artists can feel disconnected from their inspiration if it’s not cultivated. It takes effort to maintain the passion and drive that propel us forward.
Those actors are fortunate that they get to be on set making films regularly, developing their skills and bending and strengthening their abilities constantly. Think Denzel. Think Meryl.
They have a lifetime of experience in front of the camera. And that is what we witness in their performances: actors who have evolved over time and deepened their craft through opportunities to work with so many different genres, scene partners, directors, and writers.
Whether you are working on set regularly or not, you will experience stops and starts as an actor. It’s inevitable. You need to find a way to do your work and be active. To grow. To evolve. To (re)discover your self in your art.
This community is a place to nurture the creative connection between gigs, lean on each other to keep going on the journey, and find fresh and diverse inspiration anytime you need it.
Cultivate your unique artistry and growth by immersing yourself amongst other visionaries.
Whether you are working on set regularly or not, you will experience stops and starts as an actor. It’s inevitable. You need to find a way to do your work and be active. To grow. To evolve. To (re)discover your self in your art.
Heidi Miami Marshall’s career has spanned over 25 years as an Acting Coach, Film and Theater Director, Casting Director, and Acting Studio Owner. Her entire career informs her coaching eye and influences her aesthetic for working with actors.
Follow some of Heidi’s clients on screen and stage: René Pérez in Sundance Grand Jury Winner In the Summers (on-set acting coach), Little America (Apple TV+, on-set acting coach), Halle Bailey, Jack Harlow, Julianne Nicholson (Emmy Award winner), Jackson Wang, Fantasia, H.E.R., Thomas Doherty, Chaka Kahn, Rueby Wood (Emmy nominee), Maren Morris, Rhiannon Giddens, Danielle Pinnock, Jesse James Keitel, Analisa Velez, Raul Castillo, Saycon Sengbloh, Lily-Rose Depp, Michael Cimino, Angela Lewis, Winnie Harlow, and Alexandra Turshen. She also has clients shining bright across countless Broadway stages.
Originally, Heidi was the lead Casting Director at The Telsey Office for the Broadway musical RENT, as well as for 70+ projects in theater, film, TV, commercial, and voiceover. Heidi has directed on the Broadway shows The Addams Family, Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohéme, and The Color Purple. Renowned Director Luhrmann says, “All of Heidi Marshall’s work has led me to see that she’s a director of first rate talent and ability.”
Now the owner of a top acting studio, she’s coached countless actors into roles. She is frequently hired by directors and production studios to prep actors for auditions, screen tests and performance. Her acting clients have appeared on big and small screens, from network TV to indie film to blockbuster hits. Talent spans from new actors to Emmy award-winning. Notable collaborators include John Turturro, Baz Luhrmann, and Rob Marshall (no relation).
Heidi’s aesthetic is to build with shape and detail from what an actor brings quite naturally. Her actors’ performances are honest and derive from the actor’s instincts.
As someone constantly in audition coaching mode, Heidi has her eye on the ever-evolving biz and loves supporting the actor through phases of audition prep, self-taping, screen tests, and performance. She enjoys shaping material in response to the actor’s natural presence and humor.
Also a director, Heidi’s simultaneous filmmaker career provides a keen sensitivity to what is needed from actors. Her directorial skills quickly shape scenes and help actors make bold, clear, playful, and strong choices. Her filmmaking skills help actors move from analysis into playing the scenes in space and time with incredible attention to detail. Casting Directors, Agents, Managers, and Directors have teamed up with Heidi to get their actors across the finish line in auditions, screen tests, and production.
Heidi has worked with high-level performers who have never acted before, as well as seasoned, award-winning veteran actors. Her actors range from youth to people of a certain age, and they span diverse backgrounds and orientations. Each artist is a talent that she adores supporting in the process of creating strong and uniquely individualized self-tapes and performances.
All of Heidi Marshall’s work has led me to see that she’s a director of first rate talent and ability.
— Baz Luhrmann, Director
Dear actors,
Here’s a story about a life-changing experience of the impact of being in community with artists who are fighting the same fight as you.
Many years ago, I applied to a directing fellowship for women that was way outta my league. I thought, why the heck not try? And, I had no other life plans set up and needed something to put energy and focus towards to escape my frustrations.
SO. I applied. I got interviewed. And I had to defend my proposed script like I was defending a PhD thesis. And then, miraculously, I got accepted.
But what to do now?? I had to relocate myself to Los Angeles for a few months with no funds other than piddly savings from a recent gig and no film resources in L.A. And now, I had to make a short film! I was in need of some major support.
Here’s how it got done. One friend from NYC said, hey, I wanna learn how to produce films, and I will relocate and jump in. Wow. And then the biggest support ever in the world came from…guess who…the other 7 women in the program!!
Colleagues will give you the most (inspired and useful) support.
We boosted each other. We traded resources. We troubleshooted together. Yes, we cried together too. That’s what filmmakers in the trenches together do! Honestly, I was learning more from my colleagues than I was in the boot camp classes. Truth.
And, incredibly, I learned very quickly that I could offer to my peers my own accumulated knowledge about casting and working with actors. Duh. How awesome to have something to offer up in exchange for their brilliant minds and unique skills! I am forever inspired and grateful for that cohort of women directors.
I really needed that exchange to make it through one of the more scary transitions of my life…the transition of really truly doing what I had always dreamed of.
When you are down, your colleagues who understand intimately the same turmoil will lift you back up and redirect you forward!
The Acting Collective is my dream space for you, actors, to create this exact synergy together. I am also bringing into this space other inspired artists to add support and drop useful knowledge. The collective is growing constantly.
It is all designed just for you so that you can engage and grow thoughtfully, respectfully, and supportively. Be with your peers on the journey!
You can do it. You can be the artist you want to be. In the community that we create.
xHeidi
Join Heidi for weekly masterclass-style acting coaching. Drop in whenever your schedule allows to sustain your creative spirit, hone your craft, and realign your mindset. You can rotate into the “working seat” to get 1:1 scene coaching, or learn through observation!
*RECORDED WITH FULL REPLAYS*
Schedule: Rotating over various days/times, announced weekly.
Run scenes in a fun, low-pressure, and collaborative environment! Warm up for auditions/performance, experiment with scenes to stay in practice, or get facilitated support to improve your self-tape submissions. Drop in whenever you have the need to play or prep a scene! You can also bring questions about the industry and your materials. Led by HMS audition coach Jasmine McLeish.
Schedule: Rotating over various days/times, announced a few times a months.
Get face time with Heidi’s expansive community of teaching artists, filmmakers, and industry pros. Each month, new guests are announced. Drop into sessions when your schedule allows, and participate as much as you want—whether that’s observing, getting individual coaching, or joining the conversation with working professionals.
*SELECT EVENTS RECORDED W/ REPLAYS*
Schedule: Rotating over various days/times, announced monthly.
Give and get advice in open chat spaces. Harness the power of community and crowd-sourcing! Exchange feedback and find answers to those tricky actor questions from your diversely experienced peers. Find collaborators and like-minded artists to team up with! You can also find a reader quickly for your last-minute auditions. Members in multiple time zones are quick to respond and assist you by being your scene partner.
Get to know other inspired actors and connect with one another over mutual interests like film clubs, co-working sessions, DIY filmmaking, and more. Join your fellow members, or lead an event yourself!
Explore our links and resources, including crowd-sourced sides and scripts, self-tape FAQ, and more. Watch replays and clips when you need a creative boost from an ever-growing library of inspiring content from Heidi, studio coaches, and guest teachers.
Get mentorship through the phases of producing, including development of story, forming a creative team, and logistical steps to move your project into and through production. Huddle up for small group coaching and accountability sessions so that you can keep yourself on track and make informed, cost-efficient decisions with more confidence.
Coach: Actor-writer-producer Johnny Sánchez is a seasoned champion for artists to blossom and share their voices. He has guided over 100 alumni in creating their own work via coaching, creators workshops, and private Creators Circles.
Schedule: Twice-monthly. Inquire for current schedule.
Sessions will be safe, confidential spaces to share openly (not recorded).
Bring in pages from your script for immediate feedback from a professional screenwriter! Resident writing coaches will lead the group in reading/listening to new work in a moderated setting and using writing exercises to stay activated and intentional. Discuss structure, screenwriting mechanisms, how to find your authentic voice, processes for crafting material, and more. Emerge from this mentorship with a sturdier, more polished script that’s production-ready and budget-friendly.
Coach: Resident Writing Coaches will rotate and bring a diverse range of perspectives!
Schedule: Twice-monthly, alternating weeks with Mastermind Group. Inquire for current schedule.
How does Heidi Hour work?
Heidi’s weekly group coaching is a mix of masterclass-style 1:1 work while others observe, as well as Q&A conversations. When you are available and interested in actively working in a “working seat,” you’ll enter your name into the lottery. We draw names and notify actors by email. All members welcome to drop into any Heidi Hour and observe.
What’s the schedule of events?
We rotate through various days/times so that folks in different time zones can tune in. Once you join, you’ll have access to the event lists and optional RSVP + calendar reminders. Events are added continuously. You can choose which events to attend, or watch any available replays. *All events and schedules are subject to change since our teaching artists are actively working in the industry.*
How far ahead of time is the schedule posted?
Events are dripped out weekly. Members get email notifications and can get 1-hr email reminders by using the RSVP button. (RSVP is encouraged, but not required.)
Do I need to be a studio alumni or have certain acting credits to join the Acting Collective?
No, actors from all backgrounds are welcome! We believe that diverse life experiences make great art. (This community is for actors over age 18, but contact us if your teen actor is looking for training.)
“What an incredible gift last evening was – essentially a coaching session with Jeremy Holm!! He had so much useful information to give – so many tips on playing villains and on auditions in general! He gave me great adjustments on my scene and offered some really intriguing ways to dig deeper (which I definitely plan to use going forward). And he is so supportive and encouraging. It was a really special master class! I’ll be at his next sessions and encourage others to take the opportunity to learn from him!”
“HEIDI! You are the Queen of Community, togetherness, joy-making, and heart opening!!!!!!”
