Is this coaching for you?

  • Working actors

    You're booking auditions but want sharper preparation, deeper character work, and a trusted outside eye on your process before you walk into the room.

  • Aspiring professionals

    You're serious about building a career. You need someone who can bridge the gap between what you're doing in class and what casting directors actually respond to.

  • Drama school applicants

    You're preparing auditions for competitive programs and want to present material that shows real understanding — not just memorized performances.

  • Parents of young actors

    Your child has talent and ambition. You want them working with a coach who develops their craft with care, professionalism, and a track record that speaks for itself.

What coaching covers

Every session is tailored to where you are and what you need next. Coaching moves between technique, material, and career strategy based on your goals, not a fixed curriculum.

Technique & craft

Rooted in Meisner-based training and classical technique, this work develops listening, presence, and emotional truth, while building the ability to make even complex classical text feel clear and effortless.
Scene and monologue work is grounded in strong script analysis — beats, objectives, relationships, and circumstances — leading to playable, specific choices rather than abstract ideas.

Audition preparation

Focused coaching sessions designed for theatre, theatre school, and on-camera auditions — taking material from first read to a polished, performance-ready result.
Work includes text analysis, character development, and physical staging for both stage and camera, with multiple takes and adjustments tailored to self-tapes, callbacks, and live auditions.

On-camera performance

Film and television require a distinct skill set — both in performance and in navigating a highly competitive industry. Drawing on decades of on-camera experience, Paul helps actors develop the technical precision and confidence needed to work effectively on screen.
Sessions focus on sharper eyelines, clean framing choices, and performances that read in close-up. Whether taping from home or working on set, the work builds the technical ease that allows your acting to come through on camera.

Career guidance

With over 30 years in the industry, Paul offers practical, experience-based guidance on how to start, grow, and sustain a career in theatre, film, and television.
Sessions cover what to present and how, which roles to pursue, and how to take direction and adjust quickly in auditions and on set — grounded in real-world experience from a long working career.

Inside a typical session

Check-in

We start with where you are — current goals, recent auditions, what's coming up. This isn't small talk. It shapes everything that follows.

Warm-up & presence work

Meisner-based exercises to bring your listening, responsiveness, and emotional availability online before we touch the material.

Deep work on material

This is the core: text analysis, on-your-feet exploration, and specific adjustments for camera or stage. We find choices that are grounded, specific, and yours.

Action plan

You leave with concrete next steps and optional homework, not abstract notes. Each session builds on a long-term arc in your development as an actor.

Featured Acting Coach

Paul Hopkins

Paul is a Canadian stage and screen actor with over 30 years of professional work in theatre, film, and television. He coaches as both an actor and a director, which means his feedback isn't just about how a performance feels in the room, but how it reads to the people making casting decisions.

His approach is built on the Meisner Technique, rooted in listening, truthful behaviour, and emotional specificity. Sessions are collaborative and conversational. Paul works with you, not at you.

Selected credits

  • Mouse in the Emmy-winning "Tales of the City"
  • Dale in Disney's "Zombies"
  • Guest roles on "Suits," "19-2," and 25+ other series
  • Feature films including "Red 2" and "The Art of War"
  • Former Artistic Director of Repercussion Theatre (Montreal's Shakespeare-in-the-Park)

View the IMDB listing for Paul Hopkins

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What actors say

I have booked 2 auditions with his help, in the last Month alone...

With Paul’s insight, my acting is more grounded and focussed than ever. The work is natural and breathes. I have booked 2 auditions with his help, in the last month alone.

Best known for her roles on Queer as Folk as Cynthia,[1] and in the Degrassi franchise as Diana Hollingsworth...

Stephanie Moore

Toronto

filled with creativity, kindness, and improvement.

"Lessons with Paul are always an open discussion filled with creativity, kindness, and improvement. He helps me create effective performances which feel true to the story and myself. I am truly grateful for his guidance!"

Recently accepted into  Boston University School of Theatre

Sarah Dasilva

Boston

"Paul! You're a huge reason I'm even in this industry at all....

"Paul! You're a huge reason I'm even in this industry at all. There's really no words that can capture that gratitude for you."

 Writer, actor and Associate Director Tarragon Theatre

Coached, taught and mentored Jeff from 2009-2012 

Jeff Ho

Toronto/Montreal

Our Son Nolan...We've seen so much growth

"Working with Paul has been an incredible experience! Our Son, Nolan has been working gain knowledge in acting to move forward with his acting, theatre career. We've seen so much growth and understanding how to look at characters differently on stage. Paul has shown he truly cares about the development of Nolan by making himself available during important auditions."

Tricia, Nolan's mother. Current Client

Nolan Daugherty

Indianopolis

Choose your coaching package

Purchase your sessions, and Paul will reach out to schedule your first meeting.

Single Session

$99
per session
One private coaching session. Ideal for audition prep, a focused tune-up, or your first session with Paul.
Most Popular

6-Session Package

$495
$82.50 per session
Save $99 — one session free
Six sessions for the price of five. Enough time to build momentum on technique, material, or audition season.

15-Session Package

$990
$66 per session
Save $495 — ten sessions free
Fifteen sessions for the price of ten. For actors committed to sustained, long-term development with a dedicated mentor.
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    FAQ

    Common questions

    How long is each session?

    Sessions are [60 / 90] minutes. Paul will confirm timing when he reaches out to schedule.

    Are sessions online, in person, or both?

    Coaching is available online via Zoom. In-person sessions may be available depending on location and schedule. Paul will discuss options with you directly.

    What happens after I purchase?

    Paul will reach out to you within 4 business days to introduce himself, learn about your goals, and schedule your first session.

    Do session packages expire?

    Packages are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

    What's your cancellation policy?

    Sessions can be rescheduled with at least 24 hours' notice. Late cancellations or no-shows will be counted as a used session.

    I'm a parent looking for coaching for my teen. Is this appropriate?

    Absolutely. Paul regularly coaches teens preparing for drama school auditions and early professional opportunities. He'll adapt the session to your child's level and goals.

    Do I need previous training?

    This coaching is designed for serious actors, whether you're emerging or experienced. You don't need formal training, but you should be committed to doing the work between sessions.

    Ready to get to work?

    Choose your package and Paul will be in touch to schedule your first session.

    Choose Your Package