ACTOR • WRITER • DIRECTOR • Teacher

Jared Culpepper

DFW based artist willing to travel. Available for voice, TV, film, sketch, and theatrical acting, and theatrical directing.

Now appearing live in Herbbits, Wizards, and Borks! Oh My! at the legendary Pocket Sandwich Theatre through Aug 23!

2024 Commercial Voice Demo

Acting Clips and Interviews

TV-MA
CONTENT NOT APPROPRIATE FOR STUDENTS UNDER 16

Jared Culpepper’s Elements of Acting

Acting Lessons for ages 8+ on Zoom or in-home in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Classes are intended for new and young actors. Emphasis is placed on the basics of acting, from reading lines in character to what to do on stage. Lessons will cater specifically to each student.Free 15 minute consultation via Zoom or phone.

  • Students 8-18 years old: 30 minutes on Zoom - $25 or $75 for 4 lessons (all 4 lessons must be scheduled within an 8-week period).

  • Adult: 45 minutes on Zoom - $45 or $135 for 4 lessons (all 4 lessons must be scheduled within an 8-week period).

  • 8-18: In-home (yours) lessons - $50/hour in Dallas

  • Adult: In-home (yours) lessons - $75/hour in Dallas proper

  • All students: In-home (yours) lessons outside of Dallas - Hourly rate plus $1/mile outside of zipcode 75231 (full-quote available)

  • In-home (mine - zip code 75231) lessons - $75/hour

About the Instructor

Jared has been involved in acting and theatre since he was 8 years old and first got bitten by the drama bug. He directs, acts, and works in other aspects of theatrical production with several theaters throughout the DFW Metroplex. He believes a creative outlet like drama is extremely important for young developing minds, having been a theatre kid himself, so he embraces any opportunity to cultivate that for the next generations. He lives in Dallas with his wife Isabelle (also an actor) and his dog Jedi and cat Sizzy (not an actor, but she's very dramatic). He has one daughter who is a college freshman at LSU, where she is involved in musical theatre, dance, choir, and opera.Jared credits his introduction to acting for enriching his life culturally and intellectually; helping him develop an openness to new ideas and early critical thinking skills.

The Elements of Acting lessons borrow from the book A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK FOR THE ACTOR (Melissa Bruder, 1985). The book isn't needed for lessons.Even at 40 years old, the basics laid out in this excellent guide are still the perfect foundation for an actor.Description for students:
This book helps people learn how to act in plays and movies. But before we start, let's talk about what acting is.You probably know this but, acting is when someone pretends to be someone else, like a character in a story. It's like playing dress-up, but on a stage or in front of a camera. Imagine you're pretending to be a superhero, a princess, or even a talking animal!This book is like a guide that teaches actors how to be really good at pretending. It talks about things like using your voice, moving your body, and showing emotions. It's like learning to become a master pretend-player!So get ready to dive into the world of acting. With this book, you'll learn all sorts of cool tricks to become an awesome actor!

Single Class Curriculum

Single classes are specific to each student. Prior to the class, we'll discuss where the student is to determine the best exercises for our session.

8 Lesson Course Curriculum

Week 1: Introduction to Acting

  • Overview of acting: What is acting? The importance of imagination and creativity.

  • Icebreaker activities: Getting to know each other and building a supportive environment.

  • Introduction to basic acting exercises:

  • Warm-up exercises: Physical and vocal warm-ups to prepare the body and voice for acting.

  • Mirror exercise: Pairing up and mirroring each other's movements to enhance observation and connection.

  • Discussion: What makes a good actor? Exploring different qualities and skills.

Week 2: Understanding Emotions

  • Exploring emotions: What are emotions? How can actors express emotions authentically?

  • Emotion identification exercise: Identifying and expressing different emotions through facial expressions and body language.

  • Improvisation activity: Acting out short scenarios based on given emotions.

  • Group discussion: How can actors use emotions to enhance their performances?

Week 3: Character Development

  • Introduction to character development: Understanding a character's background, motivations, and traits.

  • Character analysis exercise: Analyzing a character from a given script and discussing their characteristics.

  • Character exploration activity: Role-playing as different characters and improvising scenes.

  • Group discussion: How can actors bring depth to their characters?

Week 4: Voice and Diction

  • Importance of voice: Understanding the role of voice in acting.

  • Vocal exercises: Practicing articulation, projection, and breathing techniques.

  • Script reading exercise: Reading aloud from a script to practice voice control and expression.

  • Group discussion: How can actors improve their vocal skills?

Week 5: Movement and Body Language

  • Body awareness: Understanding the importance of body language in acting.

  • Movement exercises: Practicing different movement techniques and gestures.

  • Physicalization activity: Acting out scenes without dialogue to convey emotions and intentions through body language.

  • Group discussion: How can actors use movement effectively in their performances?

Week 6: Scene Study

  • Introduction to scene study: Analyzing scenes from a script and understanding the dynamics between characters.

  • Scene analysis exercise: Breaking down a scene into beats, objectives, and obstacles.

  • Scene rehearsal: Rehearsing scenes in pairs or small groups, focusing on character interactions and relationships.

  • Group discussion: How can actors work together to create compelling scenes?

Week 7: Monologue Preparation

  • Understanding monologues: What is a monologue? How can actors prepare for a monologue performance?

  • Monologue selection: Choosing a monologue from provided options or from a personal preference.

  • Monologue rehearsal: Practicing memorization, characterization, and emotional expression.

  • Peer feedback: Sharing monologue performances with the group and providing constructive feedback.

  • Group discussion: Tips for delivering a successful monologue performance.

Week 8: Putting It All Together

  • Final performance preparation: Reviewing and polishing scenes and monologues for a final showcase.

  • Dress rehearsal: Running through scenes and monologues with props and costumes (if available).

  • Final showcase: Presenting scenes and monologues to family and friends.

  • Celebration and reflection: Celebrating progress and growth throughout the course. Reflecting on lessons learned and goals for future acting endeavors.