All posts by "Ilana Rapp"

Senior Writer
Ilana Rapp is a media-savvy Generation Xer with instinctive wit, quick humor and a taste for deep human emotions. As a former (child) actress with Broadway, film and television credits, she is adept at, well, lots of things. She currently blogs on The Huffington Post and writes entertainment pieces for NYCastings. She is a huge fan of the television show V. Ask her why her favorite number is 22. Follow Ilana on Twitter @LizardLadyNJ.
Struggling With Occupational Stress

The acting industry can be an incredibly stressful environment, with high levels of competition, long hours and a lot of uncertainty. Not only do actors have to compete against their ...
Unhappy Child Actor

Child actors, who often work long hours on set and maintain grueling schedules, are paying a heavy price for their success in the entertainment industry. While the bright lights of Hollywood may ...
The-Actors-Lexicon-Understanding-Acting-Terms-and-Phrases

Acting, like any other field of art, has its own unique terminology. If you’re looking to enter the world of acting or just curious to learn more about this creative ...
10-Proven-Tips-and-Tricks-for-Delivering-a-Great-Acting-Performance

Acting is a complex and multi-faceted craft, requiring both imagination and technique. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced actor, there are certain tips and tricks to help you achieve ...
Idina Menzel in Wicked. Photo by Jane Marcus.

Acting is an art that has captivated audiences for generations. Its power to evoke emotion and transport onlookers to another world is undoubtedly a skill admired by many, so it’s ...
Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein

This article delves deeper into body language, particularly, the negative kind. It’s a follow-up to our previous article Too Much Body Language can Destroy Your Performance. Be sure to check it ...
Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest

The power of body language has been established and recognized in many aspects of life, especially in the field of acting. It’s a potent tool in communication and can express ...
Babylon’s Telvin Griffin

You may recognize Telvin Griffin from the Emmy-Award-Winning ABC comedy, Blackish and a bunch of national commercials including Dodge Ram. Well, Telvin just made his big screen debut alongside Brad ...
5-Tips-for-Mastering-Method-Acting

For aspiring actors looking to take their craft to the next level, method acting is a powerful tool. It involves becoming fully immersed in a character in order to create ...
Running-a-Theater-Business

Running a theater business is an exciting but daunting task. It requires immense dedication and hard work to make sure the show is successful, especially if you have kids in ...
Youthful-Stardom-Pros-and-Cons

Youthful stardom can be a dream come true for some, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. From the outside looking in, it may seem glamorous and ...
Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy

Capturing the audience’s attention is a challenge all actors face. Whether it’s delivering a monologue, performing a scene, or even telling an anecdote on stage, the actor must be able ...
Jennifer-Babiak-of-Fiddler-on-the-Roof-Discusses-Her-Pre-Show-Rituals

Every actor has their own unique pre-show rituals that help them prepare for a performance. Whether it’s an intense warm up or just a few moments of meditation, these rituals ...
3-Keys-to-Building-Trust-and-Rapport-with-Kids-on-Set

Working with children on set can be both incredibly rewarding, and incredibly difficult. With so many people involved in the production, it’s important that actors are able to build trust ...
Harry Styles and Florence Pugh in Don't Worry Darling, directed by Olivia Wilde

Acting has been a staple of the entertainment industry for centuries and its influence on society cannot be denied. There has been an increasing concern that acting may be linked ...
How-Acting-Promotes-Negative-Values

Acting is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it has the power to both entertain and educate audiences. However, when executed poorly or without proper consideration, ...
The-Impact-of-Film-and-Television-on-Society

Now more than ever, society is being exposed to the influence of film and television – both in our personal lives and in the public discourse. While film and television ...
Steven-Skybell-Fiddler-on-the-Roof-On-Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism is creeping back up. Or perhaps it never went away but is more prevalent in our lives due to instant news and social media. What does anti-Semitism have to ...
Actors-with-Dyslexia-Overcoming-the-Odds

Dyslexia is a common learning disability (a neurological disorder) that can affect reading, writing and spelling abilities. Although it’s most often diagnosed in children, it can also affect and/or continue ...
Even Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer

There are many different aspects that go into creating a believable character — there’s more to it than just memorizing and delivering lines. One important element is the physicality of ...