👋🏼 Hello! I’m CJ Craig, a USC School of Dramatic Arts alumnus. USC was my top choice, and it was a good one because the skills & knowledge I gained in the university acting program helped me to land a supporting role in a Hollywood multiple award-winning theatre production (including Best Production) within the first year of my graduation.
📍 I am dedicated to helping young adults gain admission to their top-choice programs, as achieving this dream is a journey that requires both dedication and effort.
🎭 My passion has always been acting since "landing" my very first lead role when I was 5 years old in a summer theatre camp production (cute, right?). As I aged into my teens, it became my dream to attend a top college theatre program, and I made that dream a reality through research, upskilling, practice and preparation for my college application, audition and interview.
🌱 The work pays off! During my university tenure, being in a top program gave me direct training and mentorship from experts in the industry such as Kate Burton, Rodney To, and Elisa Bocanegra. It also prepared me for selection into prestigious programs such as 'Midsummer in Oxford' through Yale and British American Drama Academy, which was beneficial to my Shakespeare repertoire and making personal connections while at Oxford.
C² College Prep Studio for Young Actors
My coaching service specializes in guiding students through the complex college prep process of applying to university BA programs and university BFA programs.
My BA/BFA coaching service is a key factor for helping to get you into your dream university because I provide personalized guidance tailored to your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. I help identify suitable college theatre programs, offer insights into what each university seeks in an applicant, and assist with crafting compelling personal statements, perfecting your audition, and preparing for interviews.
KEY BENEFITS
- Exclusive insights from an experienced coach
- Research to identify the best-fit university BA programs and university BFA programs
- Crafting compelling personal statements and supplemental materials
- Tailored monologue selection and preparation to showcase range and individuality, aligning with specific program requirements, and incorporating audition insights
- Comprehensive interview and mock audition preparation
- Ongoing support throughout the process
CJ Craig in the multiple award-winning production of Kill Shelter (2023)
Coaching CurriculUM
Time & Location
Coaching sessions are 30-minutes or 60-minutes online using Zoom video (whichever length the student prefers)
I suggest booking sessions once or twice weekly, depending on how in-depth the student would like to go and timeline for applications and auditions.
Program
During coaching sessions, students can anticipate the following agenda items:
- Discussion and extensive research of different BFA and BA programs to help clarify which schools are best fitted for the student in their current phase of their craft.
- Crafting compelling personal statements and supplemental materials, for the admission applications, that highlights the student’s unique artistic journey.
- Choosing the perfect mix of contemporary and classical monologues, for the admission auditions, to showcase the student’s range and individuality.
- Strategize which monologues to share with which specific programs in order to give the student the best chance of aligning their individuality with the training type of the schools.
- Most importantly, the coach and the student will collaborate and deep dive into each monologue in order to prepare for the college audition process.
- The coach will share personal insights from his recent audition experience for BFA and MFA programs alike, to help the student carve out a niche for themselves by knowing actual current admissions scenarios.
- The coach and student will prepare extensively for the interview process, covering how to present yourself with as much confidence as vulnerability.
- The coach will lead the student through mock auditions and interviews to fully prepare them for audition day.
- The coach will guide the student through strategies to maintain motivation and feel empowered especially in the unsettling time waiting outside the audition room the day of audition.
- The coach will provide the student with access through email and text throughout the entire application process.
Rate
30-minute online session - $30 (click here to book)
60-minute online session - $60 (click here to book)
*New/Prospective students should set up an online 15-minute initial consultation at $15 before booking coaching sessions (click here to book)
Disclaimer
Sessions are not intended to give employment or promises of any kind.
Sessions do not guarantee admission or promises of any kind.
Sessions are purely for educational purposes.
Refunds are not available.
College theatre programs, admissions and process
It's a journey
- I have been in the same position as young actors, dreaming of training at a top school; I am excited to share insights having gone through the college audition process a few times already (bachelors and masters). I believe that while this time in a young actor’s life can be especially daunting and high-pressure, reframing the mindset makes the process more exciting & fun and yields the most success.
- I have experience and success with an actor’s journey from developing my craft at a very young age to ultimately perfecting monologues and audition technique for the top conservatory programs including USC, UCLA, NYU Tisch, Pace University, Columbia University, The Juilliard School, Yale School of Drama, Marymount Manhattan College, UNCSA, CCM, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory and more.
- I bring to our sessions extensive training in classical and contemporary theatre, on-camera techniques, comedy, and improvisation. In addition, I had the privilege of one-on-one mentorship and direction from high-profile, accomplished artists and actors during my time at USC.
- Today I am living in Playa Del Rey and working in the Los Angeles theatre industry, bringing real-world work experience to the C² College Prep Studio coaching program where/as it fits.
My Mission
C² College Prep Studio for Young Actors empowers aspiring young actors; I am committed to fostering students' growth by delivering comprehensive tools and resources. I aim to meticulously prepare individuals for unparalleled success in gaining admission to the top Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) college theatre programs nationwide.
My Philosophy
Navigating my own journey as a young actor with limited theatre exposure beyond my North Carolina high school, I felt a lack of resources and support available to students like me who eagerly desired to attend the best college theatre programs in the country. I was uncertain and unprepared to navigate the challenges of the selective admissions processes. Based on my own experience navigating the college audition process for BA, BFA and MFA programs, I am driven by a desire to bridge the gap of uncertainties and provide a mentorship experience to students —something I wish I had at a younger age. My objective is to offer intense and personalized coaching while equipping young actors with the confidence and skills needed to allow them to shine in all of their college auditions.