Get to know TAS Coach Maddie Compton

All of our acting coaches are highly qualified working actors who participate in the Film/TV industry in a variety of ways, in addition to coaching acting classes. But we want to give you a more in-depth look at who they are as people.

This month we are sharing some insights that will help answer the question,

“Who Is Maddie Compton?” Read on to find out:

What Makes You Feel Confident?

I feel most confident when I’m prepared. The more time I spend working on something, the more grounded and sure of myself I feel—especially when it comes to acting. I like to dive deep into the details of my character and their circumstances, and I always research the creative team behind a project to gather as much context as possible. Preparation fuels my confidence, but so does perspective. I like to remind myself that no one else can bring exactly what I bring to the table. Knowing that I am 100% uniquely made gives me confidence—because it means I have something special to offer, just like everyone else does.

How did you first get into acting?

Ever since I could talk, I’ve been telling stories and playing pretend. As a kid, I loved putting on performances for my parents—thankfully, they noticed that passion and enrolled me in acting classes at TAS. That’s where I truly fell in love with the art of storytelling, and I haven’t looked back since! When I first started, I only saw myself as an on-camera actor, but over the years I’ve grown to love all mediums of performance, including theatre and voiceover.

What has been your biggest struggle in the industry?

My biggest struggle has been staying motivated and encouraged during slow seasons. While balancing acting with high school and college, I often had to prioritize my education over my career. On top of that, navigating the COVID shutdown during my performing arts degree—and later, the SAG strike—meant facing long stretches without professional opportunities. During those times, I had to get creative and find new ways to keep my love for performing alive.

How do you tackle the slow seasons and make the most of your down time?

I’ve tackled—and continue to tackle—slow seasons in the industry by practicing my craft in any way I can, whether it’s through a professional job or not. Acting in student films, creating content with my creative friends, or simply working through a scene with a fellow actor are all ways I keep my artistic spirit alive. I also hold the mindset that I’m never done learning. There are always new techniques to explore and skills to refine. Taking classes, reading acting books, and staying active with monologues or scene work are just a few of the ways I keep myself growing, even when things are more quiet professionally.

Besides acting, do you pursue any other interests in the entertainment industry?

While I haven’t formally pursued other roles in the industry yet, I’ve always been fascinated by the casting process and could definitely see myself exploring casting one day. It plays such an important role in fantastic storytelling, and I’d love to find out if I have an eye for it! I’m also a voice actor, which has been an exciting new pursuit over the last few years. I really enjoy the specificity and nuance that voice acting requires—since you’re relying so much more on your voice and expression than on other acting tools.

Why did you get into coaching?

I began teaching because I wanted to share my love for the performing arts with others. I’ve seen firsthand how acting training can transform a person—not just in skill, but in confidence, empathy, social abilities, and creativity. Being an acting coach is also just so much fun! I love helping others work toward their goals while also supporting their personal growth. Plus, I’m always learning from my students, which is an incredible bonus for someone like me who is passionate about growing and evolving alongside them.

What is one bit of advice that you always love to share?

I always want to tell my students that their biggest strength is their uniqueness. None of us are exactly the same, so no one can bring exactly the same performance to a character. When you enter a room (audition, rehearsal, set) with a strong sense of confidence in who YOU are, you have an undeniable power to bring something awesome to what you’re doing.

What is your proudest coaching moment?

I don’t necessarily think I have one single proudest coaching moment. I feel proud every time one of my students experiences growth in skill, confidence, or joy in their craft! It’s particularly exciting when my students approach me with curiosity or a desire to understand something even deeper. To me, that means they’re excited about what they’re learning, which makes me feel like I am doing something meaningful for my students.

What do you hope that your coaching legacy will be?

I hope that each of my students leave with confidence in being themselves, curiosity about what excites them artistically, and a stronger sense of empathy. My favorite thing that acting teaches us is how to understand and put ourselves in other people’s shoes, and I hope that’s a quality that my students will carry with them outside of the classroom.

Finally, do you have any acting resources that you love?

Erica S. Bream’s Instagram account has some great info, directly from a casting director! (@ericasbreamcast)

I recently started doing The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, and it’s been such a cool experience so far.

Maddie Compton Bio:

Hi! I’m Coach Maddie Compton. I’ve been acting for almost 15 years, and I’m so excited to be coaching at the very studio where I once trained as a student. I have a BFA in Acting and experience in both professional theatre and on-camera work. I’m also a voice actor and work professionally out of my home studio. I love being creative in any way I can—especially through arts and crafts—and when I’m not teaching or performing, I’m usually traveling or spending time with friends and family. Teaching is one of my biggest passions, and I love helping students grow in confidence, skill, and self-expression. I believe in creating a supportive, playful environment where students feel safe to take risks and express themselves fully!

Want to follow Coach Maddie?

Check out her:

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Get to know TAS Coach Maddie Compton