Meet Joanne Mosconi of The Performing Arts Coach in Malibu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanne Mosconi.

Joanne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am the creator and President of The Performing Arts Coaching Services, Inc. Few theatrical coaches have had the opportunity I have had to work as both a theater professional and an educator in both New York City and Los Angeles. For over 17 years, I have used my educational and theatrical expertise to help thousands of students to unlock their talent. After earning my Bachelor degree from Hofstra University, I immediately decided to pursue a Master of Education in Theater and English from New York University. I then began my career in New York City and started the first drama department at William H. Carr, Junior High School 194. My student run productions earned awards, and I am thrilled that the drama department still exists and thrives today. After five glorious years of teaching theater in New York, I moved to California and then went on to teach drama at the prestigious Brentwood School in Los Angeles to 7th and 8th graders.

Discovering my talent for bringing out each of my student’s potential was eye opening for me. I realized it was my purpose in life. So I decided to open up my own theater in Los Angeles, California called: The Magic Mirror Theater, in September 2009. The youth theater company specialized in providing young actors of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to learn, create, explore, and perform theater together in an educational, supportive, and professional environment while developing self-esteem, teamwork, positive communication skills, and professional theater experience. What made this theater unique from any other in Los Angeles was the combination of my educational and theatrical experience in one. Students were not just working with an actor/director, but a licensed teacher. LA newcomers and beginning young actors, as well as child actor veterans, came to me to develop their talent, build their resumes, and increase their confidence while gaining industry exposure. Through being a part of my company, actors learned the Ins and Outs of theater, and gained acting skills that improved their auditions and performances. These tools translated smoothly from theater to film and television, which is why I am proud to say that many of my students have gone on to book lead and recurring roles on hit shows, award winning films, and stage performances. Many actors still call The Magic Mirror Theater their creative home.

I also created and ran The Mirror Theater Company at the famous Avery Schreiber Playhouse in North Hollywood, which I assumed ownership of from former owner Linda Fulton. While there, I wrote, directed and produced two hit plays: “Marry, F*** or Kill ” and “You Love That I’m NOT Your Wife.” “Marry, F****, or Kill” was so successful in Los Angeles that it went on to NYC and ran Off Broadway at The Player’s Theater for 4 successful months. This November, I am very excited to be opening my play “You Love That I’m NOT Your Wife!” in NYC. I also produced and directed over 50 plays with my company, many of which I directed myself.

Through my experience, I quickly discovered that most of the artists I worked with needed support in not only their art, but how they approached it. So I began coaching artists of all sorts-actors, directors, writers, and producers. As my company grew, I saw that offering a comprehensive support for artists required a combination of theatrical expertise, relationship building, and a system for accountability and integrity in the artist’s work. To better meet this need, I developed The Performing Arts Coaching Service, a highly structured program to mentoring that addresses each artist’s unique creative, organizational, and motivational needs.

I am very committed to the process and growth of each artist receiving The Performing Arts Coaching Services. Upon being hired, I conduct an extensive introductory consultation. I then create a workable plan, oversee my artist’s progress and provide ongoing support and guidance for their creative journey!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been many obstacles along the way of my creative journey.

First, theater is not as big in Los Angeles as film is. I have had to motivate film actors on the importance of theater training.

Probably the biggest obstacle so far is Los Angeles was not my home at first. Coming to a city like LA, from a more pedestrian one like NYC made it harder for me to meet people. I found that networking in LA LA LAND took more effort and time than it did for me in NYC. I also had to be more creative in how I marketed my productions, as no one in LA just walks down the street and runs into a cool theater. Instead, they make a plan to see show days in advance. In addition, the traffic and the city being so spread a part made it harder to sell tickets than I was used to. So it was always my goal to provide audience members with the knowledge that they were going to experience a night that would make all the hassle of getting to the theater worth it! Other obstacles include money. Creative people tend to be living pay check to pay check. Therefore, working with actors who need a weekend night job was always an issue when casting a play. And finally, cast members getting along. Doing what I do, you must be able to handle all kinds of personalities, insecurities and egos. Most importantly, you have to make them all get along in order to create a magical show- this has sometimes been challenging, especially when I just started out.

In terms of my coaching, getting artists to do what they say they want to do is my biggest obstacle. I work with dreamers, but it is my job to help them turn their dreams into a reality. And with that comes work, sacrifice, rejection and failure. Not everyone who works with me is up for that.

The Performing Arts Coach – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My philosophy is rooted around giving clients the confidence to be their authentic self. The Performing Arts Coaching Services approach draws on the best practices in teaching. My clients can expect individualized attention aligned with different theater methods. My one-on-one coaching services are designed to give each artist a system in which they can tackle their work from. My business focuses on helping and empowering theater and film artists to start their careers and develop their talents. The individualized instruction promotes creative and personal growth and instills a passion for the artist’s journey.

I believe that audiences want to experience “real” people. Finding all the unique and different qualities and points of view of my actors, writers and directors, are what make each client’s work original. By building positive and collaborative relationships in a supportive environment, I am able to optimize my clients’ skills and help them to bring their best “self” to the work.

I have noticed from experience that artists of all levels come to me with one common problem: “They have no idea of where and how to start.” That is where The Performing Arts Coaching Services can help.

I am most proud of our online instruction. I no longer tell a client I am unavailable. Through online coaching, I can teach clients from anywhere around the world. They no longer have to just come to Malibu, California to find me.

What sets my company apart from others is the accountability factor. I don’t just coach clients within the hour I work with them. I am in constant contact with them throughout the week until our next lesson. I also follow up with extensive notes after each session. I am not just their teacher, I am their coach- and integrity is essential to our process in order for real growth to occur.

I am also a working writer, director and producer. My clients get to work with someone actively involved in the business.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success by: …continuing to be passionate about the journey you have chosen for yourself. Sometimes this requires you to recreate your passions!

Successful people don’t have “jobs” and don’t call what they do for a living “work”.

Successful people do what they love and are unstoppable. They are persistent and can face rejection, failure and criticism, but still show up the next day ready to do it all over again.

Successful people are not afraid of hard work, but because they love what they are doing, the work is fun!

Success equals practice, rehearsal, practice, rehearsal. The more you practice and rehearse, the better you will be at what you chose to do. When you get good at something, you will radiate confidence. Now that’s success!

Contact Info:

• Website: theperformingartscoach.com
• Phone: 424 346 0474
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: theperformingartscoach
• Facebook: @theperformingartscoach
• Twitter: @actingcoachnyla
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-performing-arts-coach-los-angeles

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.