My son's school drama teacher could not prepare him for a screen audition. Freya did.
Acting classes in Illinois.
One-to-one coaching from a working screen actor, serving students across Illinois. For children 7 to 17 and adult actors at every career stage.
Acting classes in Illinois at Tingley's Acting Studio are one-to-one sessions serving Chicago and regional Illinois students. Coaching is remote over video in local CDT or CST. All coaches working with Illinois minors hold a current DCFS background check.
Coaching for young actors and for adult actors
Choose the path that fits and skip to the section written for you.
For young actors (7 to 17)
One-to-one coaching for child and teen actors with a parent present or in an adjacent room. All coaches hold a current Department of Children and Family Services background check.
Coaching for young actors →For adult actors
Audition prep, self-tape, scene study, and the industry realities of Illinois's casting pipeline.
Coaching for adult actors →What casting in Illinois looks like
Illinois's screen market is Chicago-centric, with Cinespace Chicago Film Studios anchoring a pipeline of network television and streaming productions. The city's historic theatre scene (Steppenwolf, Goodman, Second City) feeds directly into screen casting.
Coaching for young Illinois actors
We coach performers aged 7 to 17 in one-to-one sessions. A parent or guardian is always in the building, and in the room or an adjacent room depending on the child's age and preference. Session material is agreed with the parent in advance.
All coaches working with Illinois minors hold a current Department of Children and Family Services background check, issued by the Illinois DCFS. Documentation is sighted by us before the first session with a minor, and by you on request.
Coaching for Illinois-based adult actors
For adult actors at every stage: pre-representation, signed but underworked, mid-career, and working actors preparing for specific high-stakes auditions. If you have a callback next Friday, we work the callback. If you are preparing a self-tape in 24 hours, we work the self-tape.
Material reflects the casting pipeline in Illinois. Accent work is available when the role demands it.
Coaching disciplines for Illinois actors
Stories from Illinois
Real stories from Illinois-based students will appear here as they publish with consent.
The callback prep changed how I walk into rooms.
My daughter came home from her first session talking about objectives, not lines.
Illinois questions
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Is Chicago a strong casting market?
Yes, particularly for network television and comedic material. The city's theatre and improv institutions mean Chicago-based actors typically arrive with deep ensemble training.
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What check applies?
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services background check.
Ready to start in Illinois?
Scroll back up and use the form, or book a 15-minute call. Free, no pitch, reply within two business days.