The Art and the Audition with Karen Kohlhaas
New York, NY
US

CONTACT NAME

Karen Kohlhaas

DESCRIPTION

Dear Actors,

I'm looking forward to this weekend—we have limited space open—all info below!

FEARLESS AUDITION TECHNIQUE is

• A fun 10 point system that helps you make bold choices and be present and spontaneous for all kinds of auditions with sides—from self tape to in person. See more about the 10 points below

• Techniques for handling all of the non-acting moments of an audition with confidence and ease—slates, entrances, exits, and chit-chat

and most of all

• A positive, adventurous mindset that helps you be an artist in your auditions, beat perfectionism and negative self talk, and audition with actual JOY More about that below too

Join us!

~Karen

KAREN KOHLHAAS is an Atlantic Theater Co. founding member, senior teacher, and Off-Broadway director. She was named Best NYC Cold Reading Teacher and Best NYC Monologue Teacher by Backstage readers and is the author of 3 books on monologues and auditioning. She offers private classes in monologues, cold reading, advanced acting, and Tennessee Williams online and in person, and guest teaches around the country. See below for comments from alumni.

NOW ENROLLING

NYC Weekend at Atlantic Acting School

• Saturday Feb 21st | 9:15am-1:15pm and

• Sunday Feb 22nd | 9:15am-1:15pm

Tuition $250

HOW TO APPLY | Email [email protected] with your resume or description of previous training

What we do in class

In addition to the 2 class days, you have 3 weeks post-workshop to send me unlimited video of your post-class practice reads, your slates, or actual self-tapes/auditions you are working on, for feedback :)

DAY 1 | We start with a diagnostic read that's recorded so you can compare it to your reads in the last class. (The results are often dramatically different!) Then, I'll teach you my 10-point system: the ten skills and qualities that you need to stand out in any audition. I also introduce the “Oh, Good” mindset and how it can help you transform audition experiences are challenging, enraging, or just PITA's!

I'll teach you about key moments—when something shifts or changes in a script, and how to take advantage of those moments to give your reading more surprise, variety and depth. We record your slates “befores", and I teach you a technique that will help you stand out with the quality of your slates.

My friends have noticed a change in me, not just professionally, and it's partly because of the 'peace' your class has brought me. My auditioning has become stronger and my “Oh S***” moments are much fewer and farther between. —MAYA LYNNE ROBINSON

DAY 2 | I'll give you 10 minutes with new scripts and tell you what to prioritize if you only have a very short time to prep. We work those scripts, and also focus on working well with good, neutral, and terrible readers (you'll also learn how to be a great reader!).

We fine-tune and re-record your slates, then work "Industry Chat": how to handle yourself effectively in the room, answering common industry questions & requests like "How do you see yourself?" and "Tell me a little about you." Knowing how to chat effectively can sometimes tip the balance to a callback or a booking. I’ll finish by introducing a positive self-feedback system for your reads, slates and mindset that will help you learn from and grow with each audition.

Post-workshop, I'll send you films of your reading and slate befores and afters. Everyone leaves with feedback on what and how to keep working on everything from class! Frequently, groups and partners continue to meet and support each other long after classes end, which is my favorite outcome.

I just got a callback for the first audition I've had since your class and it made an extraordinary difference in both my performance and ability to be open to direction. And, best of all, the audition was really fun. —ANNA KULL

MORE OF WHAT ACTORS ARE SAYING

I was asked to cold read in a firing squad type situation where three agents watched me read while sitting on a couch about 3 feet away from me. I aced it, and even after previously telling me he had no more room for me on his roster the agent was suddenly trying to make some room. Honestly I would have choked on that cold read and those interviews before I took your class. I feel so much more prepared and I just want to thank you again.—CLEM McINTOSH

One of the producers pulled me aside to tell me my audition/cold read was one of the best she had seen in the auditions, and that obviously whatever audition classes I had taken paid off. This came only weeks after completing your cold reading class.—JASON BARKER

I had to cold read at an audition the other day with a casting director and she said, "I can't believe you just got that side 2 minutes ago!" I felt so confident in making bold instinctual choices, so thank you again!—MONICA WEST

My cold reading skills are becoming really sharp by practicing what you taught us in class!—HILARY GREER

Your fearless cold reading technique helps me feel like I am in so much more control of any character that I am auditioning for and gives me more confidence in the audition room. Your techniques have helped my career tremendously.—BRIAN MORGAN

Your valuable class completely shifted my perspective on auditioning. My auditions have already improved significantly, and I believe this is just the beginning.—EREL PILO

Just auditioned for a movie & they said they were blown away by my listening skills - that they could have watched me listen all day! That's thanks to your fearless cold reading lessons. Feeling empowered;)—ALLISON THREADGOLD

It was just me and the filmmaker. She gave me a quick sketch of my character, then gave me the script and let me read through the page once. Then I read with her while she recorded me on her phone. I kept in mind a few important points that Karen has taught us. When I was done, the filmmaker literally said, "I'm impressed with how well you can cold read." She told me she liked me and that I really "got" what the character was all about. She cast me on the spot.—MIRIAM LIND

DURATION

Feb 21, 2026 - Feb 22, 2026

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