Richmond, Virginia, is home to a thriving youth performing arts scene, with established organizations like SPARC Richmond and CharacterWorks offering extensive theater programs, camps, and mainstage productions for kids and teens. Alongside these larger community institutions, independent coaches provide specialized, one-on-one guidance to help young performers hone their craft and navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry. As the founder of Alyse Michelle Acting, Alyse Michelle Actin draws on her own lifelong experience in the industry to mentor the next generation of talent.
Alyse began her acting journey at just eight years old, starting her career in opera before eventually transitioning to both stage and screen roles. Today, she balances her private coaching practice with her role as the music teacher at the Child Development Center at Wyndham (CDCW), making her daily life deeply intertwined with youth education. We recently caught up with Alyse to discuss the unique challenges young actors face, the importance of vocal health, and her practical advice for parents navigating the professional audition world.
Navigating the Shift from Stage to Screen
One of the most common hurdles for young actors is adjusting their performance style when moving from a live theater environment to on-camera work. In traditional stage acting, performers are trained to project their voices and exaggerate their physical movements so that their emotions read clearly to the very back row of an auditorium. However, this theatrical approach rarely translates well to film or television, where the camera captures micro-expressions.
"I would say overacting - on stage you have to be emotive and performative for the people in the last row as well as project, but on camera since it is close-up every little detail is caught, so you can really be much more natural and softer than on stage," Alyse notes when asked about the biggest challenge her students face.
To help her students bridge this gap and find a more grounded performance style, Alyse uses a relatable visualization technique. "I like to work through that transition by pretending I'm alone in my room doing a scene instead of on stage, and then bringing that with me to the screen," she explains.
Prioritizing Vocal Health for Developing Singers
For young singers whose voices are still physically developing, proper technique is crucial to prevent long-term strain or vocal injury. Alyse emphasizes that vocal care needs to be a comprehensive, daily practice rather than a quick afterthought before a big performance.
"I encourage both warming up and warming down voices, emphasize spending a good amount of time doing vocal warmups and not just making it a five minute thing before singing, and prioritize learning about your voice and knowing what healthy singing feels and looks like," she says.
By teaching kids to recognize the physical sensations of healthy singing, she empowers them to protect their vocal cords throughout their careers.
A Practical Roadmap for Parents
When parents realize their child has a natural knack for performing, it can be tempting to rush straight into professional auditions and agent meetings. However, Alyse advises taking a more measured approach to ensure the child actually enjoys the creative process before adding the pressure of the professional industry.
"Sign your child up for classes and/or theater camps!" she recommends. "You want to make sure that they find the joy in acting, and then the professionalism can come."
Once a young actor has built a solid foundation, gained confidence, and is genuinely ready for the next level, Alyse suggests practical steps for parents to support their journey. "If they have been doing this training for a while and are ready for the next step, help them put their best foot forward by making them a website, finding mentors and an agent, taking them to open calls, etc."
Coaching "Tiny Humans"
Working with children requires a specific pedagogical approach—one that respects their intelligence, emotional depth, and acute awareness of their surroundings. Alyse’s coaching philosophy is rooted in treating her young students with the same professional respect she would offer an adult actor.
"Even though they are tiny humans they are still humans!" she emphasizes. "Don't talk down to them - kids are like sponges, very observant of the world and everything around them."
By acknowledging their capacity to absorb information and read the room, Alyse creates an environment where young actors feel valued and understood. "Use that and remember that they are always listening and learning based on what's happening around them," she adds.
Through her dedicated work, Alyse continues to give back to the youth of Richmond, helping them find their own voices and identities through the performing arts—just as she did when she first stepped onto the stage.