Acting Teacher. Performance Coach.

In life and art, we aren’t necessarily taught how to communicate with authenticity. Let me get you plugged in to the parts of yourself that live beneath the habitual and familiar, so you can express your talents with ease, clarity and passion.

Actors

Actors have to ready themselves to deliver peak performances across a variety of media, which means rigorously conditioning the body, mind and spirit. I can develop your technique, coach you through blocks and help you build courage in the moment. Beginner, mid-career or seasoned professional — I will guide you to your next good thing.

Public Speakers

Whether you are preparing to deliver a keynote or ace a big interview, all of your well-researched content and hard-earned expertise mean nothing if you can’t connect with your audience organically and clearly, to share your vision and make an impact. I work with clients in a wide range of industries to move them from stiff to stellar, colorless to compelling.

Theatre Companies

My decades-long experience in acting, directing, teaching and coaching has generated a proven, portable toolbox including Michael Chekhov technique; Rasaboxes; Colaianni Speech & Phonetic Pillows; dialects and more — methods that will invigorate your company, bridge gaps, and create shared artistic language among the members of your ensemble.

Hi, I’m Kristen

A lifetime member of The Actors Studio, I spent the first chapter of my career as an actor and singer-songwriter, performing at The Cherry Lane, Theatreworks, The Kraine, Theatre at St. Clements, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre, Joe’s Pub, The Bitter End and on HBO’s The Sopranos. My fascination with the process of acting led me to pursue teaching the craft full time in academic programs around the country, including SUNY Purchase, Oklahoma City University and The University of Kentucky. I approach actors and the craft holistically: I’m certified by the NMCA in the Michael Chekhov technique, and by Louis Colaianni in his Voice, Speech and Phonetic Pillows method.

I’ve also had a parallel career as a trainer and facilitator in a variety of industries, from big law and investment banking to non-profit organizations. While my background as an artist informs everything that I do, how I see the world and the presence and care I bring to my clients, my experience collaborating with leaders in other fields gives me a practical breadth of knowledge and a unique perspective on how to apply the creative process to performative situations outside the arts. 

I currently teach and coach privately in New York City and via Zoom, and spend my downtime with my partner and our awesome rescue dogs, Ellie and Memphis.

NYC Classes: Spring 2024

Registration Open!

  • Expanding on the tools learned in Michael Chekhov Technique I: Foundations you will continue developing stretch in your instrument and imagination. This class will focus on Chekhov’s tools for characterization, including Centers, The Three Sister Sensations and Imaginary Body. As you bump up against the limitations inherent in choosing what is comfortable or familiar, you will notice the craving to make changes in yourself and your art. In the second half of the course, you will experience the integration of your individual psychophysical practice with a partner’s, via paired scenes.

    April 1 - May 20. Pre-requisite: Michael Chekhov Technique I or by permission.

  • For the committed, adult actor at any level of skill and experience, this class provides a place to work out your actor muscles, work through your creative growing pains and work with other actors who are equally dedicated to their craft. Receive custom-tailored coaching on a wide range of material, from monologues, songs and audition sides to theatre, tv and film scenes. Bring what you want to work on — I can guide you if needed. Hamlet said the readiness is all. To be ready, you have to get ready with consistency, practice and support.

    Ongoing admission, each 4-week cycle starts at the top of the month. Class is limited to 8.

  • “Kristen aided me in opening up a channel that tapped into my truth on stage. Her class allowed me to dive deeper! For the gifts of truth and depth in my work, I am forever thankful to Kristen Cerelli."

    Brandon Stalling, Actor

  • "Kristen listens, intuits, analyzes and guides her clients to reach their goals from the Broadway stage to the corporate boardroom. She's concise, funny, nurturing, whip smart and unbelievably gifted."

    Blair Ross, Actor, Broadway’s My Fair Lady

  • "Kristen's work with our Wall Street Scholars greatly improved their professional demeanor, interview readiness and speaking and communication skills. Her approach helped them achieve their goals.

    Dr. Wendy Liu, Associate Professor of Finance, Vanderbilt University

  • "Kristen taught me how significant it is to pay attention to the 'why' in my work. She led me to probe more deeply into my choices and what's underneath them. The second I started to do that, the better actor I became."

    Laura Kariuki, Actor, ABC’s The Wonder Years

  • "Kristen’s intergenic, warm, personalized coaching creates a safe and inspiring place to learn, understand, and explore. I now have more confidence in my intuition and imagination. Highly, highly recommended!"

    Marshall Glass, Actor

One-on-One Coaching

One-on-one coaching is tailored to your needs, and one focused hour can yield big results. If you want to develop your process, prepare for an upcoming role, climb over, around or through creative walls you’ve been hitting, or explore something deeper with the luxury of time, book a package and save on the hourly rate. Many clients prefer the convenience of meeting for one-on-one sessions over Zoom, or we can meet in person in New York City.

Bespoke Workshops & Events

If you are interested in bringing a bespoke workshop or learning event to your people, let’s talk. I have worked with arts-in-ed organizations, community groups, theatre companies, high school and college theatre departments, non-profits and teams in the corporate space. I also create and facilitate custom classes and process labs for smaller groups of actors, writers and performing artists of every sort. Send me an email or book a free consultation to learn more.