With an MFA in Acting from Juilliard, a career on Broadway, and extensive teaching experience, I help actors tell the truth under imaginary circumstances.
© Calvin Leon Smith. All rights reserved.
Calvin received his MFA in Acting from The Juilliard School, his BA in Theatre from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he was awarded Most Outstanding Graduate in Theatre and the British American Drama Academy (BADA). He has taught and/or assisted at Lincoln Center Theater, The American Brass Quintet, Lone Star College, Borough of Manhattan Community College, Actor’s Theater of Louisville, StArt Osceola in Kissimmee, FL, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and The Stage School in Brooklyn. He is currently a monologue coach with Musical Theatre College Auditions (MTCA) and monologue teacher with Anna Deveare Smith's Pipeline Girls Project.Broadway: Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Fat Ham
Off-Broadway: The Miser (Moliere in the Park) The Animal Kingdom (The Connelly) Fat Ham (The Public Theater; Obie Award)
National Tour: Sweat (Public Theatre’s Mobile National)
Regional Theatre: Several plays at the Actor’s Theater of Louisville and the Clarence Brown Theater; The Long Wharf Theatre and Shakespeare on the Sound.
TV: Recurring roles on the Golden Globe winner, The Underground Railroad (Amazon) and The Deuce (HBO), and guest star on the critically acclaimed anthology series High Maintenance (HBO).
Film: Benny & James (Best Cast – Diversity in Cannes) Paper Friends, Better Man (Best Actor in Short at Queens World Film Festival) RSVP, Surprise and others.
Photo: © Thomas Brunot
JUSTUS WHEATLEY
Matriculated: CARNEGIE MELLON
"Calvin is an extraordinary coach. He transformed the way I approached my craft, helped me build confidence, face my fears, choose material that authentically represented me, and push myself in a healthy way. Thanks to his guidance, I was accepted into nearly 25 programs and ultimately committed to Carnegie Mellon’s Musical Theatre Program. I recommend him wholeheartedly."
MARCO JOHNSON
Matriculated: THE HARTT SCHOOL
"Before my lessons, I had little experience with monologues or self-taping. After working with Calvin, I felt 100% confident going into auditions. He gave me incredible monologues to choose from, and I got so many compliments from college faculty—several said it was the first time they’d ever heard mine. This rare edge made me stand out in auditions."
FLETCHER HOOTEN
Matriculated: BALL STATE
"Although I didn’t have much acting experience, Calvin met me where I was and never made me feel behind. He got to know me as a human being first, which made our lessons safe and enjoyable. To this day, I still refer back to what he taught me. Calvin is one of the most genuine actors I know—and an even better human."
JOEY MEJIA
Matriculated: RIDER UNIVERSITY
"Working with Calvin was one of the highlights of my college audition process. I came in completely new to BFA auditions, and he caught me up right away with excellent training and smart repertoire suggestions. He made me feel comfortable as both an artist and a person, bringing out my best with patience, encouragement, and sharp insight. His guidance strengthened my monologues, gave me confidence, and helped me discover new aspects of myself as a performer. I’m so grateful for his support and recommend him to anyone seeking a thoughtful, inspiring coach."
OLIVE CONOVER
Matriculated: WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY (WESTCONN)
"If I could choose a monologue coach for life, it would be Calvin. He taught me technique from the ground up and was an amazing mentor during stressful audition times. I was accepted to 7 of the 11 schools I auditioned for—including into an Acting BFA instead of Musical Theatre. My monologues became the strongest part of my auditions, all thanks to him. Even now in my BFA, I still use his techniques. Truly life-changing!"
CASPER
Matriculated: NORTHWESTERN
"Calvin is a brilliant teacher and mentor. He is incredibly kind and knowledgeable, and approaches teaching with the goal of finding personalized material for every student and then helping them perfect every sentence of it. Thanks to Calvin, I walked away with several polished monologues, various acting tips, and multiple text breakdown strategies I still use today."
1. Who do you coach?
I work with those auditioning for BFA and MFA programs and performing arts high schools, as well as professional actors looking to refine their craft.
2. How do sessions work?
We meet online via Zoom (or in person if applicable). Sessions are one-on-one, focused on monologues, scene work, or audition prep, depending on your goals.
3. How should I prepare for a session?
Bring in the material you’d like to work on. You can also book a Monologue Selection session with me if you're looking for material. Just come ready to explore.
4. How do I book a session?
You can book directly through my scheduling link (Calendly) and choose the time that works best for you.
5. What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Life happens! You can reschedule or cancel up to 24 hours in advance.
○High School, BFA, MFA
○Audition Prep
○Monologue Selection
○Professional Audition Coaching
○Beginner Acting
Coaching Sessions
○ 60-minute session—$100 (Virtual or In-person)
○ 30-minute session—$50 (Virtual Only)
Bundle Packages
(60-minute sessions)
○3 Sessions—$255
($85/session, save $45)BEST VALUE!
○5 Sessions—$400
($80/session, save $100)
Monologue Selection (Virtual)
○ 60-minute session—$100
Career Strategy Session
○ 30-minute session—$50