THANK YOU for the classs, the atmosphere, and the space you created/led for the 4 classses. I really enjoyed your approach to each sscne and the conversations that sparked from the text, directing, and acting. I feel that even besides learning a lot about acting, I also learned about directing from your comments - which is so exciting. I also appreciate you giving me Fefu, challenging us, and really making us go deeeep deeeeep deeeep ino the non-traditional American play world/absurd/poetry/out there.
"I really loved this class (you make everyone so comfortable, you're amazing) and I would love to come back next session"
I loved our class and wanted to thank you for the safe environment. I saw you fight and advocate for it on several occasions, with a gentle hand, and I so appreciate that. I will definitely be recommending this class to friends and colleagues.
I enjoyed learning from Jaclyn and the rest of the folks in class. Hearing all of your different perspectives and seeing a bit into everyone’s process was informative and makes me want to craft a better formula for myself. Thank you for getting me out of my comfort zone and helping me live in it!
I have learned so much, read so many new plays, and felt such a sense of community I don’t think I would have otherwise.
It was so refreshing to get to practice my craft in a room full of women and not have to worry about managing men’s egos/insecurities/etc. I learned a lot about my process and have some new things I know I want to work on. I’ll definitely be back for another session in the future!
I’ve taken two sessions of the class so far, and in each have had the opportunity to play characters that went beyond my usual “type”– a newly out lesbian on a date with her future wife and a self-centered alcoholic gossiping and talking trash with her equally problematic coke addict sister. Both were immensely fun. Much of the strength of the class is the actors it attracts. Working with my talented scene partners has been as eye-opening and joyful as watching other the other pairs work.
I've really learned so much and was incredibly glad I took the class.
I’m so incredibly grateful for the space and mindset Jaclyn created through your class. The plays were dope, and your focus on agency and specificity was something I really needed to hear.
I always enjoy the supportive, playful, and of course, feminist atmosphere in her classes, and look forward to the next session
I had the opportunity to take Jaclyn's DIFFICULT WOMEN Scene Study class, and it completely elevated me out of a sleepy winter into an energized spring! Jaclyn creates a safe space and a brave space by building a class for women+ and selecting material with characters that are three-dimensional and devoid of feminine tropes. I felt safe to take risks in this environment, whereas - in a more patriarchal environment - I might feel more fearful. Jaclyn is patient and wicked smart, and no matter your skill-level, she meets the actor where they are. She was both chill and challenging. I walked away with great respect for her, and made a mental note to call her for future private coachings! I choose to surround myself with other feminists - and Jaclyn speaks my language, both as a feminist and theatre artist. She is simply the best.
Working with Jaclyn really helped me feel prepared and more confident during my graduate school auditions.
Jaclyn has the knowledge and intellect to expertly steer a coaching session from scene selection to audition ready in the time available. She was able to rapidly assess my qualities as an actress and offer very specific - and actable - options, whilst also asking me exactly the right questions to help me to find myself in the role. I was also impressed that Jaclyn was able to offer some of the best dialect advice i have ever received, easily detecting my natural speech patterns and again suggesting modifications that were entirely sensible and effective. Most importantly Jaclyn has a great sense of humour, which made our session enormous fun, as well as being hugely productive. i cannot recommend her highly enough.
Jaclyn knows people. She approaches her work with honesty and humor, which makes an actor feel immediately comfortable opening up, sharing, exploring, and most importantly failing. She started on the stage herself, which gives her an immediate understanding for the needs of actors during their process. She is highly trained and has studied and worked along side some of the most respected theatre artists in America, but what I found most important and impressive was her incredible capability to combine her extreme intelligence with the basic humanity of the human race to express ideas about the play and characters in the most clear and actable ways.
Jaclyn Biskup really is an exceptional coach. I've worked with her as a director and as a coach (and won a role after our first coaching session!) She brings a unique, thoughtful and effective approach to coaching, using a director's eye to help you articulate your own choices and show your best self. If you are a smart actor who wants to work with a real coach I highly recommend Jaclyn Biskup.