Janet B. Milstein is an actor, award-winning acting instructor, private acting coach, best-selling author, and series editor. She has also written/co-written several screenplays and plays, directed both theater and film, and cast several projects. Janet received her MFA in Acting from SUNY Binghamton in New York and her BA in Theatre with Distinction from the University of Delaware.

Janet has an extensive acting background in both theatre and film. She has performed in plays and films in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Milwaukee and more. In addition, Janet has been teaching acting privately, at studios and schools, and in workshops around the country for the past 14 years. Her film Not Scene (which she directed) was recently produced by Filmmakers in Action and her co-written, award-winning film Power Singles (which she also performed in) was recently produced by Hourglass Films.

Janet is a co-organizer of the film organization Filmmakers In Action. She is also a  member of Women in Film. Janet has represented her publisher, Smith and Kraus, Inc. at conferences such as The Association for Theatre In Higher Education (ATHE), The American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE), The Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA), and Florida State Thespians. Janet was a founding member and the Artistic Director of Symposium Theatre Company in Chicago.

Janet is listed in The Book: An Actor’s Guide to Chicago under Acting Coaches. She can also be found on www.smithandkraus.com under Best-Selling Authors.

"After working with Janet, I have definitely seen a big increase in the number of jobs I book. Now I get sent out more than ever. She gives tangible and practical advice that is easy to understand and implement. I'm so glad I took my agent's advice and got an acting coach!"

"If you where to look up the word great in a thesaurus, all those words listed would describe Janet Milstein. She has been a big factor in all of my success. She is very dedicated and passionate about all of her students. Janet Milstein is the Yoda of acting coaches. I swear she has shown up in auditions with me that she didn't even know I was having. She is very personable and patient. She is there for you as long as you are willing to try. No matter how far and in between our conversation, she is still the same smiling person.  Whether it is a day or months or years, you walk into her presence and it feels like you never left. I'd recommend her to anyone as I always do. I can go on and on but I'll stop here. Get her to coach you. I dare you. I am Arraon "Skippa" Hixson and I approve this message."

 

~ Arraon "Skippa" Hixson, Chicago

Janet B. Milstein continually coaches actors who get cast in theater, film, commercials, industrials, voice-over, and commercial print in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and more!

Here are just a few of her students' successes:

FILM: 

Stranger Than Fiction, The Break-up, Payback starring Mel Gibson, The Even Stevens Movie, Barber Shop, Barber Shop 2, Soul Food, Chain Reaction starring Keanu Reeves, Just Visiting starring Christina Applegate, The Lake House, One Missed Call starring Edward Burns, The Last Airbender, The Dark Knight, An American Crime, Blood Deep, Codename: Simon, Malibu's Most Wanted, Serenity,  Ancient Evil: Scream of the Mummy, The Brotherhood, Mrs. Hobbes' House, D.I.N.K.S., Merry Gentlemen, Meet the Browns, Eagle Eye, Awaken the Dead, Beyond the Soul, Roll, Bounce, Let's Go to Prison, Cover, Dedicated, Chicago Heights, Converging with Angels, RiffRaff, The European Kid, Iris, Blindsided, The Kari Files, Power Singles, Not Scene, The Turndown, Beyond the Soul, Playing Dress-up, Jaded, The New Detective, Pirates, Last Stop, Iodine Ink, Fallen, Turtle, The Big Fish Story, Rough Start, Parallel, Happily After, Two Days in Limbo, Henchmen: At Dr. Death’s Door, Voice of the Vespers, Ephemeralbliss.com, Glamour The Salesman, Denied, Pandemonium and more!

 

TV:

Even Stevens, One Tree Hill, One Life to Live, Gilmore Girls, Carnivàle, Web Girl, Timeless: Live in Concert (starring Barbra Streisand), Habla más, The Giggle Club, Prison Break, ER, Roaring 20’s, The Blue Marble Gang, Ride Along, Pleading Guilty, and more!

 

Theatre:

The Goodman Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Victory Gardens, Chicago Dramatists, Raven, A Red Orchid Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Second City, The Chicago Theater, Stage Left Theatre, The Artistic Home, Bailiwick Repertory, Teatro Luna, The Birmingham Children's Stockyards Theatre Co, Dream Theater, Collaboraction, Free Associates, Steep Theatre Co, Sandhill Theatre Co, Piccolo Theatre, Appetite Theatre, Point of Contention, Village Players, Oak Park Festival Theater, Hubris Productions, The Side Project and more!

Commercials:

McDonald's, Pepsi, Bounty Paper Towel, Chevrolet, Miller Light, Harris Bank, Footlocker, Jordan’s, State Farm, PSP, U.S. Cellular, Toys R' Us, Virgin Mobile, Denny's Restaurant, Bright Start College Savings Fund, Time Life, Ms. Mary's Restaurant and more!
               

Voice-over: McDonald's, Cellular One, Commonwealth Edison and many more!

 

Commercial/Fashion Print:

McDonald's, Sears “Canyon River Blue Jeans”, JC Penney, JC Penney Bridal, Abercrombie & Fitch, Coca Cola, DeVry, Triton College, CNA Insurance, Man Alive, Real Faith in Life Magazine, Hamricks, Proffitt's Department Store, American Girl, Otis Spunkmeyer, Illinois Lotto, .

 

Schools for Acting:

DePaul, Loyola University, Columbia College, USC, Miami University, The Chicago Academy for the Arts, William Esper Studio (NYC), University of Iowa, The School at Steppenwolf, The American Academy for Dramatic Arts, Iowa State University and more!

Janet has taught acting to:

• Undergraduates at Binghamton University
• Students at Je Suis Talent & StarBright Talent at The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
• Acting students at A.S.A. Talent Studio in Skokie, IL
• Acting Students at the Skokie & Wilmette Park Districts
• Students at John Robert Powers, Chicago (where she was named Best Instructor)
• Over 1,000 talent contestants for competition at the IMTA and iPOP conventions in New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles
• Theater Apprentices at Fort Harrod Drama Productions
• Children and adults in various, specialized workshops (e.g., 3-Day Competition Prep, On-Camera Commercials, Getting Started in the Biz, Monologue Boot Camp, 2 hr Commercial Workshop for Kids, Casting Talent for Your Film & Working with Actors)

Janet works as a private acting coach in Chicago. She trains beginning and professional actors in monologues and cold readings.

Janet is listed in The Book: An Actor’s Guide to Chicago under Acting Coaches. 

She offers sessions to meet the needs of each particular actor such as:

• One-time monologue brush-up
• Ongoing sessions to build a monologue repertoire
• Preparation for college/school acting program auditions
• Cold reading technique
• Career counseling and goal setting
• Last-minute callback sessions
• On-camera commercial technique
  
• Scene study (in pairs)
• Headshot & resume help

Janet's rates are very reasonable and she offers discounts for multiple sessions purchased in advance.

If you would like more information, pricing or to schedule private coaching, please click the "CONTACT JANET" button and send Janet an email!

SCENE STUDY CLASSES

Scene study class is the place one truly learns to act. Whether you plan on a career in theater or film, good acting is still good acting—only the technical elements change. Scene study is where you do the actual work – put all of the elements together. It is essential and exciting.

• Actors will be assigned scenes/roles and are required to meet with scene partners outside of class to rehearse.
• Actors should read the plays their scenes are from as quickly as possible.
• Actors will be expected to be off-book and prepared to present their scenes to the class on the dates assigned.
• Actors will work on approximately 2-3 scenes over the course of the class.
• Class meets once a week for 3 hours for 8 weeks. (24 hours of training)
• Students must be at least 19 years old.
• Classes are limited to 8 students to assure plenty of individual attention.
• Janet’s permission is required to enroll in class.
• Cost of 8-week scene study class: $290. ($12/hr)

FAQ

What background is required to take this class? If I am new to acting will I put with experienced actors?

 

There are two levels of Scene Study class being offered at the current time—Level 1 & Level 2. Level 1 is for those students who are newer to acting. Perhaps you have taken a few classes or you did a few shows in high school and now want to commit to a higher level of training. Level 1 is for you. Level 2 is designed for actors who want to really challenge themselves. Perhaps you have done a number of shows but want to work with a higher tier of theatres; perhaps you have an undergraduate degree in Theater and you’d like additional training or a new instructor who will work you to your potential. Level 2 is for you.

 

Where do classes meet?

 

Classes will take place at a theater on the northside of the city accessible by el and buses. I rent out various theater spaces depending on availability and class schedule. Once a class is filled, I book the theater for the full 8 weeks.

 

 

What acting method do you teach?

 

I would say that I do not subscribe fully to any one method but rather offer a mix of what has worked for me as an actor and teacher over the years. I think that the different methods out there have more in common than not. With that being said my technique does draw from Stanislavski, Meisner, Shurtleff, & Robert Cohen to name some main influences in terms of technique. I do offer actors a technique and fundamental concepts which they can apply to various mediums and auditions, not just to approaching a scene for performance. In my private coaching and workshops I offer more specialized and specific instruction for commercial technique, monologue work, and cold reading. However, the more overriding technique and fundamentals are the same.

 

What makes your classes different?

 

First I would say that I am extremely energized, motivated, and passionate about my students’ growth and success in the classroom and beyond. I am not a teacher who tears actors apart and then wonders why they have no confidence. I am also not a teacher who applauds everything and doesn’t challenge my students. I believe in creating a challenging, supportive environment and pushing each individual student to his/her capacity without damaging egos. I also do not have the pressure of sticking to a prescribed school’s/studio’s syllabus so I am free to teach what I believe works and stray a bit when necessary for the current learning situation. I have a committed interest in all of my students. That is probably why the percentage of my students who get cast is very high. I work from word of mouth, so I make sure my students are satisfied.

 

 

When are classes offered?

 

Classes are currently offered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday evenings. Classes are from 6-9pm or 6:30-9:30pm. Currently classes are not offered on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday (afternoons) due to my teaching/private coaching schedule, busiest performance times and theater availability.

 

I see it says your permission is required to enroll in class. What do I need to do if I am interested in taking Scene Study class with you?

 

Hit the contact Janet button and let me know:

1) you are interested in Scene Study,

2) your age,

3) your acting background/experience/training or email an H/R to act4you@msn.com,

4) which days you would be available Mon, Tu, Wed, Sun.

I will then contact you.