Acting Coaching vs Acting Teaching
What’s the difference between an acting teacher and an acting coach? For some the term is used interchangeably. But I believe there are a couple of core differences in what coaching implies. I understand that some may decide that their acting teacher displayed those characteristics, I should hope so. These differences may apply to coaches and teachers in other fields too of course:
An acting teacher bestows knowledge, explains techniques, prompts their students to use them and makes corrections.
A coach encourages the student to find the solutions for themselves, challenging and encouraging in equal measure, but also willing to confront behaviour they perceive as below the line. A coach isn’t just there to explain something, they are there to set goals, encourage the student to reach beyond their current grasp. A coach still teaches when necessary, helping to implement skills and behaviour change. A coach will certainly teach skills, or impart knowledge, but only as part of a larger individual and personal development plan.
A teacher can do all these things. But generally teachers are encouraged to teach the syllabus, and not the person. Actor coaching starts with the individual. A good acting coach needs to know the person. A teacher often can’t. Coaching is personal. It’s about understanding the student’s mindset, their beliefs, and assessing their current beliefs. Then it’s about helping the individual to change whatever is required to help them achieve their goals.
A coach often comes in where the teacher leaves off. The teacher might teach the basic skills of table tennis, but a coach is required to become a champion.
A teacher might tell you how a door works. A coach would ask you why you felt you needed to use the door in the first place. A teacher might demonstrate how to use a door. A coach would encourage you to safely explore the door for yourself.
Of course, in acting, people often have fairly strong beliefs that training and coaching are optional. Coaching is always optional. But there is a weight of evidence that those with coaches achieve more.
Being coached is more challenging because it’s not information that you’re trying to learn, it’s not concepts that you’re trying to grasp, it’s changes to skills, belief and behaviour – which requires the student to be ready to change. The coach makes interventions, guides, coaxes, challenges, pushes, reminds, inspires and motivates. The coach will not do it for you. They know that when you find the answer for yourself, that ownership is a powerful motivator for you.
Good acting coaches are often obsessed with the basics. They understand that the foundations can never be practised enough. Almost all acting problems are very basic ones, no matter how they come disguised in the script. An acting coach should be able to immediately assess the problem, help the student to look for a range of answers and select the best one. Where additional training is required, the coach will assist or bring in a specialist.
I’m certainly not suggesting that an acting teacher is in any way deficient, and if you recognise these qualities in your teacher, they are certainly more of a coach than a teacher, and the title doesn’t matter.
But if you are seeking help with your acting career or looking to develop your acting tools or technique, look for an acting coach or teacher that demonstrates some if not all of the qualities described above.