Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Colleen Basis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Colleen, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I love this question so much! For me, finding my purpose has been the journey, not the destination. As a kid, I always knew I was creative, but I was really shy—introverted. Luckily, the small town in Vermont where I grew up had a children’s theater program. We wrote our own plays, performed them, and played theater games. That experience was so important in helping me find my voice, work through my shyness, and learn how to navigate it. I realized that if I wanted to have friends, be present in life, or get the things I wanted, I had to show up and participate—even if it didn’t feel easy at first.
Then, I kept acting through high school and college. I had two amazing teachers who really influenced me and kept me engaged as an actor. In high school, it was Harriet Worrell, and in college, Alan Wade. They were both true artists and took me seriously as an actor, even though I was young. They taught me what the professional expectations would be of me as an actor—preparation beyond just knowing my lines and showing up on time. They taught me how to approach complex material, analyze characters, and think critically about the work and storytelling. Both made sure I had a place in the theater community, even though I had lots of other interests. They emphasized how important it was to incorporate what I was learning in my experiences and in other academic classes, like sociology, history, political science, and even statistics, into my work as an actor.
After college, with Alan’s encouragement, I booked a touring theater company doing both American and Shakespearean classics. I could not believe I was making money as a professional actor right out of college! After two years of touring, my friend and actress Kerry Washington reached out to see if I wanted to sublet her room in NYC because she was going to Chicago to shoot a film. I immediately said no because I was scared. But thank god, I changed my mind and ended up moving to NYC. There, I met one of my biggest influences, Larry Singer. Larry was—and still is—a brilliant acting teacher, but what I learned from him went beyond the craft of acting. In hindsight, he taught me how to be a great acting coach. I loved watching actors in class, observing the small adjustments they could make to improve their performances, and thinking about how I could help them find their best work. And often, what I was thinking about in my head would come out of Larry’s mouth when he was giving his feedback.
When I moved to Los Angeles as an actor, many of my friends were starting to book major projects and spend a lot of time on set. I started to realize that I didn’t love being on set as much as they did. I began to understand that what I really loved was working with actors, not being an actor. I was way more excited when someone asked me to help them with their audition than I was about preparing for mine. I wish I could say it was some big “aha” moment and I felt relief, but it was a process. It was a tough thing to accept that I didn’t really want to be an actor. It took me some time to work through that transition.
I thought maybe casting would be a good fit for me. I interned for casting director Paul Weber and learned the logistics of casting. Then I worked as a casting assistant for Tracy Lilienfield and Jeff Meshel on a CW pilot. Both offices taught me how hard casting directors work, and how intense and important their job is. I realized that the casting directors who make casting their career are passionate about it and brilliant at it in a way I knew wasn’t for me. I learned so much from my casting experience, and I am so grateful for what I learned in those offices.
All of that led me to my purpose: coaching actors. It is deeply and truly what I am meant to be doing with my career. I love working with actors, spending time with them, guiding them, understanding them, and walking with them through all the ups and downs of their creativity and careers. All the stereotypical negative (and untrue!) things people say about actors are the very things that make me want to spend my time working with them. Their passion, depth, anxiety, grit, personalization, resilience, empathy, eccentricities—I just love it all! I love actors so much, I even married one!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I often get asked, “What does an acting coach do?” The truth is, the answer is unique to each actor. That’s one of the things I love about this work—it’s deeply individualized. Every actor has their own journey, from where they are creatively and professionally to the kind of career they want to build. As an acting coach, my job is to meet each actor where they are in both their craft and career. I think of myself as a guide on an actor’s journey—someone who walks alongside them, helping them navigate the terrain of both craft and career. For me, the two are inseparable. An actor’s creativity and technique are as important as the business side of things, yet they’re often treated as separate entities. I believe they are deeply intertwined. The business side of an actor’s career can influence their craft, and vice versa. Being with an actor as they grow creatively while also making strides in their career is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
My approach is very personal and hands-on. I consider my business a “boutique” because I prioritize depth of connection with each client over the number of clients I work with. I try not to worry about “growing” my business—I focus on “deepening” it. It’s important to me to have the energy and time to be present with the individuality of each client, ensuring that each actor feels seen and supported.
What’s most special about being an acting coach is the actors themselves. I love working with people who bring such unique perspectives and energy to their craft and careers. Their quirks, their ideas, their idiosyncrasies—I love it all! Every day is different because no two actors are alike, and that keeps me constantly energized and motivated in my own creative journey.
I have an upcoming Script Analysis Intensive on December 7. It’s virtual and open to actors of all levels. It’s a practical dive into efficiently understanding TV/film scenes so actors can make smart, personal choices in their auditions. Additionally, I offer private coaching services. One service I’m passionate about is The Personalized Workshop. This is a one-on-one coaching program where the focus is entirely on the actor’s specific needs. We start with 1 session a week for 4 weeks. It’s flexible and can be extended. During these sessions, we focus on whatever aspect of their craft or career they want to work on—whether it’s refining their technique, expanding their knowledge, or tackling career challenges they’re facing.
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?
1. It’s in the Doing.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned, not just as a coach but as a person, is that “it’s in the doing.” I use this mantra all the time—whenever I get stuck, nervous, or unsure. I remind myself that The Work is in the doing. Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to do things perfectly, but we don’t really know how to move forward until we actually do the thing.
I think this is really important for actors. You might show up to a self-tape session with me and be unsure of a moment in the scene—Do I play it this way or that way? And I’ll say, “Let’s do both. Let’s just try it.” You can’t know how something’s going to land unless you actually do it. It’s the same with headshots or other aspects of the craft and career. You can research, prep, and plan all you want, but it’s only by doing the thing that you start to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. It’s in the doing where the learning and progress happen.
2. Breathing and Being Present in the Body.
This is one of the most important skills I have cultivated in my life. Learning how to literally breathe, and be relaxed and engaged in my body, is essential for the life I am living and building. There’s a book called “10% Happier” by Dan Harris that completely changed how I think about mindfulness and meditation. It has deeply influenced me as a person and as an acting coach. I highly recommend it to actors and everyone! When I’m in a session, I want to be as present as I can be with the actor across from me. That can sometimes take a lot of concentration. And concentration is something you can learn. For me, breathing and mindfulness meditation have been my path to cultivating concentration so I can show up for my clients with energy and focus.
For actors, a big part of your job is to be as present as you can be in your work. Whether it’s a self-tape, an in-person audition, on set, or a meeting with another creative, concentration is not always effortless—especially in the world we live in today. But it can be absolute magic to watch on screen or sit with in person. I think one of the paths to being present is through the breath and bodywork. There are many techniques like mindfulness meditation, yoga, sensory work, and the Alexander Technique that actors can explore to help with their concentration. But it can be as simple as learning to take a breath and ground your feet when the camera starts rolling.
3. Playing the Long Game.
For me, it’s all about the long game. Being a coach isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Sustainability is really important. The industry always changes—it just does. Being adaptable is essential. When I started coaching, it was almost exclusively in person. Then COVID hit, pushing me to shift to virtual coaching. At first, it was a challenge, but it opened up new opportunities, and now I work with clients around the world.
For actors, the long game is about being adaptable and in it for the long haul. Of course, your short-term goals are important—they are for me too. But if you focus only on getting the next audition, booking the next job, or just landing any rep, it can be a heartbreaking journey to sustain. I want my clients to have fruitful careers that last as long as they want them to last, and my goal is to support them along the way. I think playing the long game can bring more ease to an actor’s journey.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Right now, the biggest challenge we’re all facing in the Entertainment Industry is the massive shift that’s happening. The slowdown, contraction, or whatever name you put on it, it’s a huge change. It’s happening to everyone—actors, writers, directors, producers, casting directors, even coaches. And it is really, really destabilizing and scary. For me, one of the hardest things, besides the economic challenges, is that I’m feeling less creatively challenged. Every audition is a chance to dive into a new role, a new script, a new scene, a new challenge—and that really inspires me creatively. But for actors, part of their job is to be deeply empathetic and sensitive. So, when all the other creatives they interact with are scared, they can’t help but get freaked out too. And it’s hard for a scared actor to feel like they’re doing their best work. So, no matter how the slowdown is affecting me, I’ve had to figure out how I’m going to walk with my clients through all of this. These are the highlights of what I’ve been emphasizing to my clients:
Focus on Your Craft
Stay creatively engaged and sane. Take classes, work with a coach, create opportunities to practice and refine your technique. That way, when the opportunities do come, you’ll be ready. Keep showing up as an actor, as an artist.
Take Gentle and Kind Care of Yourself
A very, very important mantra for myself, and one I repeat to actors often. One of the things I’ve been emphasizing is equanimity—the ability to stay present and self-accepting, even when things feel chaotic. This is where mindfulness and self-care come in. See if you can really show up for yourself, especially now. I think having interests outside of acting is crucial—whether it’s family, relationships, sports, hobbies, other artistic pursuits, or side hustles. These things give you perspective and help you feel more grounded when the acting world feels unstable.
Reassure Other Creatives Through Your Work
I know it might sound impossible, but right now, every person you interact with in this industry is just as freaked out as you are. Everyone’s dealing with their own version of uncertainty. So, when you show up in an audition or a meeting with a director, producer, or casting director, lean into having confidence in your craft. It can be a huge relief to the people around you. When you show up concentrated and confident in your work, it has an impact. It might not always land you the role, but it will leave an impression. Even with self-tapes, the other creatives watching will feel that reassurance through your work—they really will.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colleenbasis.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenbasis/
- Other: Podcast Interview on “ActorSpeak”:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/actorspeak-bonus-episode-colleen-basis-part-1/id1578212209?i=1000546689126
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