Teacher/Coach
The name “Prof. Tyndall” isn’t just an ego stroke…it’s also the most efficient way of conveying everything about me. I am an educator, at my core; for all ages and levels. Sometimes this takes the form of college-level teaching, sometimes teaching high school, sometimes teaching artist-ing at camps and intensives, and sometimes private coaching…
Expertise
Typically, my teaching work includes some combination of acting, writing, and/or life coaching. Each of these avenues can include practicing craft, as well as studying the theory, history, and philosophy. (It all goes hand-in-hand.) See below for some of the topics I tend to cover.
Acting
Foundations of acting
Script work
Script analysis and methods like Stanislavski, Meisner, Hagen, Adler, etc.
Memorization, improvisation, ad-libbing
Voice work
Anatomy, projection, inflection, pacing, diction, and more.
Movement
Stage presence, turning out
Methods like Alexander, The Viewpoints, Laban, Suzuki, Grotowski, etc.
Application
Monologue work
Scene study
Auditioning, cold-reading, self-taping, etc
Advanced acting skills
Classical work (Shakespeare, Greek, verse)
Accent work
Voice over work
Stand-up comedy
On camera work
Acting the song
Clowning and Commedia dell’arte
Puppetry
Stage combat
The entertainment industry
College applications/auditions
Branding, headshots, resume, reels, profiles
Day jobs
Professionalism
Unions, contracts
Representation and finding work
Mental health, anxiety, rejection
Writing
Creative writing
Playwriting, lyric writing, libretto writing
Poetry, stand-up comedy, journaling
Dramaturgy, storytelling, theatre criticism
Academic writing
Essays
College applications
Blog posts
Research papers
Journal articles, conference papers
Proposals, grant writing
Rhetorical tools and strategies
Public speaking
Business writing
Copywriting
Technical writing
Artistic and personal statements
Vision and mission statements
Resumes and cover letters
Editing
Copyediting
Developmental editing
Formatting (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc)
Life Coaching
Marginalization and disability
Navigating autistic life
Gender identity
Sexual identity
Personal, school, and workplace accommodations
Social frustration
Healthcare advocacy
Grief
Jobs and career decisions and options
Creating and adhering to boundaries
Existential dread and the human condition
Job and school applications
Finding your style
Color season analysis
Hair, makeup
General theatre topics
Theatre history
Theatre genres
Theatre philosophy
Theatre for social change
Current state of theatre
Marketing
Stage managing
Directing
Producing
Theatre management
Stage makeup
Academia
What is the difference between coaching and teaching?
I use the term “coach” (as many people do) to refer to myself when I’m working with a client one-on-one, and the term “teacher” when I’m working with a class of multiple students, but technically, there’s more to the difference between coaching and teaching.
I use both techniques no matter what I’m doing as an educator—practical or studies-based. Both are valuable and collaborative–they just concern different leadership arrangements and preparation expectations.
teaching
The teacher comes in with a lesson plan
The teacher guides activities
The teacher may lecture
The teacher may assign homework
Goal is to learn new information or skills
coaching
The student comes in with material to work on or a topic to discuss
The student guides the lesson
The coach gives feedback and advice
Goal is to hone a skill, polish a piece, or strategize
Sometimes referred to as “tutoring” or “developmental editing” in the writing world
What is a private lesson like?
I tend to structure my lessons as follows:
Warm up
Typically a check-in, free write, or brief sequence of exercises
Tailored to the topic of the day
Work
Whatever topic we’re focusing on at the time
This could mean screen sharing and working on a document together, presenting work and receiving feedback, or a discussion and sharing of resources
Cool down
Recap of what we did that lesson and any action items
Summary of what we’ll work on next time and when that is
Addressing any logistics or questions
-
AKA tailored to you! I will respond to exactly where you are in your career, what you need to work on, want to learn, and are struggling and excelling with.
As a student, you also get access to my personal number, where you can text me questions any time you’d like.
Think of me as your autistic theatrical fairy godmother.
-
This allows me to send you a session note summarizing our session and containing any resources after we’re done. I’ve found this is the best way to help brains (neurodivergent or otherwise) truly absorb information and improve performance long-term.
-
Have a big audition or role coming up and just want a touch up coaching session or two as prep? No prob!
Want consistent weekly lessons to really improve your craft and heal your artistic soul? Sweet!
Monthly or biweekly lessons to keep you on track? Gotcha.
-
HEAR ME OUT: virtual training is actually quite effective! Is it the same as taking a group acting class? No, it’s a different skillset, BUT it really allows for personalized instruction without the exhaustion of in-person interaction.
OR come in person in Washington DC! You can come to my place, or, for an added fee, I can come to yours. We can even meet somewhere in the middle and use a rented space. Whatever makes you the most comfortable.
Fair warning, I do have a sweet crate-trained doggo :)
-
I tailor my teaching to how you learn. Full stop.
My arsenal is full of tools that not only benefit neurodivergent brains, but neurotypical brains as well! That’s the cool thing about accommodations–they help everyone.
Let’s say we’re reading a passage to learn about the cultural context of an accent, for example. I’ll ask whether you want me to read it aloud, you want to read it aloud, or you want us to read silently. This is about your absorption.
I intentionally strike a balance between giving specific, honest feedback, and laughing and being kind–the ideal combination for growth.
I truly believe that good theatre training can change your life. Thus, if you’re interested in recurring lessons, our first session is free! This is to ensure that we’re a good fit for each other.
I’ll lead you through a warm up and walk you through my systems, then we’ll spend time getting to know each other and discussing your experience, interests, goals, deadlines, and more.
As our cool down, we’ll schedule your next lesson and talk policies and contracts, or discuss recommendations for other coaches who might better fit your needs.
Try out private lessons
for free!
“Over the last three years, I have worked with Olivia, and she is truly an outstanding educator and coach. She is understanding of your needs and is encouraging when you are struggling. Through her guidance, I have not only grown in my passion and understanding of the craft, but also have become more confident as an individual. The positivity and support that Olivia brings to each session truly make them a joyful experience!”
-
“i never knew having fun and learning could go hand and hand until i met mx. tyndall. she completely opened my eyes to the world of theater and is so fun to be around”
-Seville Edeler
“liv is an excellent teacher and mentor! she has helped me grow not only in theatre, but in a more personal capacity as well. it's been with her support and help that i've grown to be the person i am today. it’s clear in everything she does how much she cares for her students. i’m forever grateful for all the lessons she's taught me!”
-Lila Noti