Meet Lesly Kahn

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lesly Kahn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Lesly, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

During high school I participated in Forensics, an amazing program in which we took part in speech and debate-related competitions, in front of actual judges, every weekend. I performed in acting events like Humorous and Dramatic Duet Acting and the Forensics play for four years under the direction of my amazing acting teacher, Barbara June Greener Patterson. I think it knocked the fear out of me. Plus, I won. A lot. (That helped.)

As an instructor I developed conviction in my work because I am the poster child for teaching what you need to learn. Decades of coaching and educating actors in classes caused me to gain so much knowledge that I am now just rarely at a loss regarding the writer’s intentions. It feels good to actually know what you’re doing – not to be making stabs in the dark and hoping for the best. I didn’t feel that way when I was an actor. It’s heaven to feel that way now. I wish it upon all of you.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the Artistic Director, Owner and Creator of Lesly Kahn & Company, Actor Training, one of the top acting schools in the country. As such, my literal job is to exist in fictionalized stories about 12-16 hours a day — every single day of my life. I get to play scores of different characters in countless and varied circumstances, relationships and genres all my waking hours. I never have to be in my real life (except when I’m dealing with replacing the roof, new tax laws and human resources). And in doing so I constantly get to work with, coach, direct and help other actors who are playing their characters in their circumstances, relationships and genres! It’s the best job a person could have. I get to experience all the great things about acting act all the time, and never have to deal with any of the difficulties: no rejection, no representation, no lack of communication. I just get to act on my terms. All the time.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

These apply mostly to actors but can be applied to most people in most circumstances.

1. The ability to not take ANYthing personally. I’m not suggesting that you assume that you are a genius and those who choose not to cast you are idiots. (Although, on occasion that may well be the case.) I’m simply proposing that you probably didn’t book it because a name agreed to do it or because you’re too young. Not because you suck. However, if you do suck? Please fix that ASAP.

2. The willingness to be very, very bad for a while. Yes, at acting. Most of us are not great our first time at bat, and then we get down on ourselves and end up feeling worse. STOP IT! Assume you’re going to be pretty awful when you start out working on a role. You don’t know the character; why should you be good? And then happily, blissfully and enthusiastically keep going until you get great at it. Don’t psychologically kick yourself out of the game before it’s begun.

3. Loving, worshipping and adoring criticism, suggestions and direction. It is way too easy for us to assume that we are terrible when someone gives us a note. Instead, we need to learn to yearrrrrrrn for notes, knowing that every single hint we’re given (good or bad) will make us better. Even if we don’t like it! Getting a note with which we disagree (even if it’s bad) completely clarifies our job. If a director gives you a “bad” note, do it as well as you possibly can. Hopefully they will see they’re wrong and suggest something else. So, no matter what the advice, we need to learn to say, “Thank you!” Take the note and move on.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

Brilliant actress Lisa Linke conducted an assessment for one of my classes called Clifton Strengths. It suggests that we are far better off utilizing our strengths than spending time trying (and frequently failing) to improve upon our weaknesses. While I agree with that in general, there are certain things you really ought to be able to do as an actor if you want to be considered for all different kinds of roles. For example, actors are far more marketable if they can do accents. They have a better chance at booking a role in a musical if they can sing. They are more likely to book the role of a basketball player if they can, I dunno, play dribble? So, I’d say – both. Do both. Do it all. Never stop learning. Never stop growing. Never stop developing wonderful new abilities. But first and most importantly, be able to act. And do that exceptionally well. Because without that ability, sadly, none of the rest of it matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leslykahn.com/

Image Credits

Lesly Kahn