From Our Students

I love working with Mark. He always gives you something to think about that really connects you to the character, the text, and the meaning of the scene, in a deeper way than you may have initially perceived. He is organized, enthusiastic, and a truly gifted craftsman. There is much to be learned from him.

- Kim

I would (almost literally) follow Mark anywhere - he's such a talented and inspirational teacher, and I develop new skills & tools every time I take a class with him. I couldn't recommend this class enough!

- Savannah

Mark is the most dedicated teacher I have ever had. You can tell he cares so much about his students and how he can best support each of our individual growth as actors. I look forward to his monthly Mine for the Meaning classes where I learn so many valuable skills that I apply when reading a scene for the first time. -

- Sara

In Mine for the Meaning (M4TM), my AHA! moment was when I found out that determining how I feel about characters off the bat was not helping me get 'specific' in the way I thought it was. In

trying to be more "specific", I would try to decide why a character made a certain choice or label a character because of a choice they made. "He is harsh/selfish when he is blaming her for trying to get over their son's death." I am closing myself off to options. The ways a person may be contradictory, imperfect, and more human than I was allowing for. It's important to keep yourself open to all of the options for meaning. When you aren't predetermining the meaning of the line, you can let it be what it wants to be in the moment with your partner. What you feel honestly in those circumstances.

- Brooke

I attended this month’s ‘Mine For The Meaning’ class last night with this phenomenal, open hearted and intelligent crew and for three hours we were immersed in the world of curiosity, exploration and a deep reverence for our personal collective humanity. I left with that warm honey feeling, thinking ‘my god, this is why we do what we do’

- Caylie

“The talent pool is so vast here, it can feel totally daunting. You have to flip that on its head and harness the power of YOU. Uniquely you. As you are.”

These words (or words to that effect - I’m paraphrasing) were among the words of advice Mark gave me the first time we met. Whilst at first they seemed thoroughly disheartening, and a reason to retreat not advance, I was not ready for the holistic support his coaching would provide. The space he would create and hold for me while I figured out exactly what it meant to “be me”. Every session is different. Sometimes we trawl through scripts together, sometimes he directs my self tapes, sometimes he helps me find new meaning in an old song lyric, sometimes we career strategize. He has such a welcoming manner and great capacity to listen to what you need. With his knowledge and expertise I can push forward, and feel proud of my work. If Mark did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.

-Katy

A few weeks ago, in preparation for a callback where I was overthinking my choices and 'what casting was looking for', Mark said, "Whether it is right or wrong, you don't know. It's going to be memorable if you fully commit to your version of it." Believing my unique, bold, and vulnerable choices are enough is a muscle that has been strengthened and ultimately, allowed me to walk into the callback with confidence.

- Matt

Although the trajectory of my career has not been linear, I am so thankful for the success stories that have come my way. Working on A Doll’s House was one of them. After giving birth to my second child (during the pandemic), I deeply struggled with understanding my place in this industry and whether there even was a place for me. I have never been that actor who has been able to go from job to job, and going 6 months- 1 year without a booking was common. I achieved some momentum in 2019, but by 2022, I had lost all hope for the career I had been working towards for the last 15 years and began to pivot into teaching and nursing. I was fortunate to work with the Jamie Lloyd Company in the Broadway production of Betrayal and was overjoyed to have received consideration for the role of Kristine in A Doll’s House. I understudied the role of Emma in Betrayal and although I was being seen for Kristine, if offered I would have been grateful to land the understudy. Meeting with Mark to coach my initial audition tape was influential in preparing me for the callback. His ability to nurture confidence in my choices as well as his keen understanding of subtext and storytelling, supported me on tape and in the room. I booked the role of Kristine and rehearsals began in January of 2023, during the time I had originally thought I would be taking an Anatomy and Physiology class. These wins may not have been consistent in my career, but they have shown to be an affirmation that I am exactly where I need to be. "

-Jesmille

After taking a very long break from studying voice, working with Mark has been a breath of fresh air. Mark’s ability to hone in on what is getting in my way has been instrumental in building my confidence back and helping me find the joy in singing again. He reminds me to focus on the script, to discover details that I might have glossed over, and make it about the other person in the scene. This type of work takes the weight off making a “perfect sound” and allows my artistic sensibilities to shine. I spend less time worrying about vocal placement and more time on being a storyteller. It’s an absolute joy working with Mark.

- Jocelyne.

One major breakthrough I’ve had with Mark is working through one of my defense mechanisms of smiling. It was always something other teachers have told me to drop or learn how to get rid of and, naturally, it became an even bigger insecurity in my work. Working with Mark, I finally began to A.) learn how to work WITH it and B.) learn why I was doing it in the first place. Mark never pushed any of his theories or ideas on why I smiled so much, he just encouraged and helped me discover it for myself. That is the #1 thing I appreciate about his coaching the most. He never projects his opinions onto you and that has TRULY made me grow so much as an actor and an individual. I learned how to understand how I am feeling and not what I should be feeling or doing or saying to please others.

- Paige

I got a selftape request for a TV show last week and felt SO rusty after the hiatus because of the strike. I did an hour of coaching over Zoom with Mark and felt so confident in MY version of the character and actually really enjoyed the taping (which I normally HATE!) I got a zoom callback and now have a producer session next week . I’d love to book it obviously but the bigger ‘success story’ here is that I rediscovered the joy in self taping after months away from it.

- Trystan

The lessons I learn from Mark are not limited to just the classroom, or even acting for that matter. I leave his weekly ongoing class with a sense of confidence in myself and my ability.

- Sara

The highlight of 2023 for me, without a doubt, was playing the title role in my high school’s production of Oliver The Musical. I had never performed on stage before and was terrified. I also convinced myself I only got the part because my real life name is Oliver. My auntie recommended I take online coaching with Mark Evans because she saw him on stage in the West End and said he is a teacher. Mark taught me so much about being confident in rehearsal and on stage and gave me so many good tips to find a good character. I really enjoy acting now and I feel like I’m really good. My teacher’s said I did a fantastic job and my favourite part was hearing the audience laugh and cry when I was on stage. Being in the drama club has brought me new friends and I feel like I know myself more than ever. Thank you Mark. I want to be coached by you every week until I’m old enough to play Fagin.”

-Oliver (not twist)

After four rounds of intense auditions I was just offered a supporting role in a national touring production of a very well known musical! I can’t talk about it yet and the deal isn’t done but I am so excited and can’t wait to travel the country telling this awesome story. Thank you Mark for your specific guidance and coaching for all my callbacks. I felt more confident than ever thanks to the time we spent working on it and the team could feel it in the audition room.

- Anthony

Mark Evans is truly the best a teacher can get. I started weekly classes with him around a year ago, and I’ve seen major improvements in my acting skills. He’s taught me how to truly feel a feeling instead of showing the feeling. Whenever I get an audition from my agent we do specific work that sets me apart from other performers. More recently, he’s helped me embody the role of Beast in a production of Beauty and the Beast I got cast in. Most importantly, he’s such a fun and kind person to work with, making our classes more enjoyable.

- Cayden

I began working with Mark right as I was getting back into performing after a long hiatus. Since we started working together, I've seen physical evidence of my growth as an actor - the amount of auditions and callbacks I've been receiving has increased exponentially. For the first time in a while (or maybe ever), I can walk into an audition room knowing that I am presenting my best work and personal version of a character, in addition to having a firmer grasp on navigating the performing industry as a whole. Most important to me, however, is how Mark has helped me develop a reliable and consistent approach to any type of material; his teaching is rooted in truth, and based on real information provided by the text. He has made my work as an actor less complicated and more organic.

- Adina

I have always been a very shy person who has aspired to become an actor. I originally met Mark through attending “Camp Creative.” This camp was the first time I actually believed that I could become an actor. I felt so inspired and supported by Mark so I decided to start taking private acting lessons with him over zoom. I recently played a part I wasn’t too confident in. I felt frustrated because I wasn’t connecting with my character. I felt so isolated because I was playing a “weird” character and I didn’t understand how to be “weird.” Mark helped me find parts of myself inside the character and embrace the “weirdness.” A lot of roles I have played recently have been very separated from who I am. While working with Mark I have been able to find ways I can relate to and make the character my own. Not only have I grown as an actor, but I feel that Mark has helped me grow as a person. Mark has helped me with my confidence both on and off the stage. I feel that I have finally come out of my shell and embraced the fact that I am enough.

- Elyse