ACTING COACH
Claire is guest faculty at Juilliard in the Drama and Extension Divisions; and has worked at Columbia University’s MFA Grad Acting; Syracuse BFA and Tepper Center; Nord Anglia International School; MudBone Arts Center; Juilliard Kissimmee Arts Intensive; and masterclass workshops at Roundabout, the Public, the Old Globe, and the Chautauqua Institution. As a private coach, Claire regularly works with actors on material for film, television, theater, musical theater, as well as MFA, BFA , and other acting program auditions. She can help develop and exercise an overall process to use, not only for auditions, but throughout all stages of your career.
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS: Curious? Start with a free 20 minute consultation.
Testimonials
"Claire is a one-of-a-kind coach. She has a unique way of highlighting your strengths to showcase your individuality. Her collaborative nature and warm personality allows you to open yourself completely to create your best art. Every rehearsal was incredibly educational as both an actor and human, and just down right fun! Without Claire, there is no way I would have gotten into grad school! If you want the best, then you want Claire!"
- Aishling Pembroke, NYU Grad Acting
"I will not walk into an audition without first running through my sides with Claire Karpen. Rather than forcing her ideas upon you (as many acting coaches are want to do), she gently and intelligently helps bring out the best version of yourself, as it relates to the character you are trying to portray."
- Scott Aiello, Juilliard Drama
A View from the Bridge, the Gate Ireland
"Claire Karpen is smart, direct and incredibly helpful. She knows how to guide an actor and ultimately enhance what you already bring to the table. I highly recommend her."
- Andrea Syglowski, Juilliard Drama
How to Get Away With Murder, Venus in Fur at the Huntington
"Claire is a smart and warm director. Working with her, there is a sense that I am being heard and seen fully, and that my own excellence is being demanded of me. She will keep digging for more specificity and clarity."
- Ben Mehl, MFA NYU Grad Acting
Pericles at the Public
"I've had the privilege to work with Claire as a director [A Little Night Music] and as a coach in preparation for my grad school auditions. Her enthusiasm and passion for the material is inspiring and invites the collaborators to bring all of themselves to the work. She perfectly blends the professional and the personal, leading with astute observations and artful generosity."
- Phillip Stoddard, Juilliard Vocal Arts and Juilliard Drama
"Claire was a true partner throughout my 2 year journey of applying to MFAs. Now that I am entering a program in the fall, I feel so equipped to start this journey because Claire has helped me make the application/audition journey such an incredible learning experience. She is authentic and caring, and brings so much craft, collaboration and openness into rehearsal with you. She helps you explore the choices that are most authentic and not the ones that you feel you "should" make, she tells me what I need to hear even when it isn't comfortable. All of this stems from her own dedication to acting and theatre-making. My training journey as an actor would not have been so rewarding if it weren't for Claire."
- Elisabeth Ho, RADA MA Theatre Lab
"Claire is an experienced coach who was able to adapt herself to my needs and guide me through all the steps (including choosing the right texts) of my MFA audition preparation. She is patient and knows how to make the student evolve. She’s easy to work with and makes you feel confident about your work. I would definitely work with her again on future auditions."
- Anne S., MFA American Conservatory Theatre