Ben Hauck

With over 20 years of performance experience and a BFA in Acting from Otterbein College, I bring an informed perspective on acting and a natural coaching talent to monologue coaching. At college, my developed ability at coaching acting was sought after by fellow classmates as well as non-acting majors.

In New York City, I have continued coaching acting by working with actors to improve their monologues for college and graduate school auditions and theater and film auditions. My unique training in general semantics makes me an exceptionally receptive monologue coach, allowing me to provide uncanny objective and practical feedback. I’m also an internationally renowned improv teacher, with a great sense of humor and play that aids in the development of a killer monologue.

My years of experience training non-performers in improvisation aids me in getting quality work rapidly from beginning actors and novices. In addition to training at Otterbein College, I have trained in New York City at The Barrow Group and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

Click the headings below for information on your monologue coaching session.

Not only does Ben have a careful and well-trained eye, he was able to coach me away from some bad habits and bring a naturalism to my monologues. And while his sense of humor is unmistakable, he takes his students seriously and gives advice with great heart and specificity. In short, I was able to audition with more confidence and really enjoy performing thanks to Ben.

- Lyssa Mandel

I’ve enjoyed working with Ben more than I can say. On my bad days, he’s helped me create characters from nothing at all; on good ones, he’s given me the extra vote of confidence I’ve used to get a callback. All in all, a great, PATIENT, and efficient coach, and a great human being as well.

- Kara Jackson

Thank you for working with me, Ben! You were incredibly helpful and I will definitely be working with you on some more pieces. I had a great time and I made so much progress with it! You rock!!!

- Casey Weaver

Ben’s extensive experience as an actor and director along with his ability to bring out the best in others make him an excellent monologue coach. He has a tremendous talent for evoking a deeper understanding of text and character, and he helped me to explore my monologues in ways I never would have on my own.

- Lisa Moses

Ben’s enthusiastic, practical coaching helped me to truly connect with the material and the character of my piece. He infuses creativity, kindness and insight into his teachings, inspiring me to greatly improve on my performances.

- Aimée Davison

During your session, I concentrate on developing your imagery, specifically the imagery of the character you’re addressing in the monologue. I also help you clarify what your character’s objective is in the monologue to make sense of every choice your character makes in the monologue. The ultimate aim is to get you to a level of emotional truth to allow you to simply “live” through the monologue whenever you tackle it.

In your session, you will learn how to own your material. You’ll leave knowing what you need to do to make your work fresh, alive, and undeniably good every time you do it.

I attend more to making a solid monologue performance independent of the play in which it is contained rather than making the monologue completely consistent with the play that contains it. That being said, any information you bring to the session about the play that informs the monologue may be helpful in taking it in a direction. Read the full play if you can, but if you can’t, I work you toward making a solid monologue that stands on its own as a performance.

1. First, use the form (scroll down) to contact me for my availability for a session. Recommend a few times you’d like to work. I’ll get back to you usually within the day and work out a time to meet you. I can be booked for emergency monologue sessions for that awesome audition you just landed.

2. For your monologue session, you book and pay for the studio space we work in. Booking a studio space is easy. I recommend trying some of the following rehearsal studios in Manhattan for their most affordable available offerings. (You may try another Manhattan studio if you wish.) Some rehearsal studios may have discounts for union members or for same-day bookings. Just ask when you call.

Recommended Rehearsal Studios in Manhattan
Ripley-Grier Studios	(212) 799-5433	3 Locations: 520 8th Ave., 939 8th Ave., 131 W. 72nd St.
Weist-Barron Studios	(212) 840-7025	35 W. 45th St.
Shetler Studios	(212) 246-2555	244 W. 54th St.
CAP21 Studios	(212) 807-0202	18 W. 18th St.
For additional rehearsal-studio options, try NYC Theatre Spaces.

3. Once you’ve booked your space, contact me with the confirmed date, time, and location. If you haven’t already at this point, email me a copy of your monologue(s) so I can study up and so we can maximize time in your session.

That’s it!

Typically, you work on 1 or 2 monologues per session. I recommend you come to your session with your material memorized so that we may focus more on your performance and less on the script. (As your monologue coach, I focus on developing the material you want to develop rather than on making monologue recommendations.)

At your session, expect a positive, receptive, enthusiastic coach who will work you hard and budget your time. I will balance work and discussion and leave you satisfied with your experience and your accomplishments.

My monologue coaching sessions are guaranteed. If you are not satisfied with your session, or if I feel I cannot help you, your coaching fee is waived. (However, you will still need to pay for your rehearsal studio.)

Standard monologue coaching rate for Ben Hauck	$50/hour
Specifically,
1 hour of private monologue coaching with Ben Hauck	$50 + studio hire
1.5 hours of private monologue coaching with Ben Hauck	$70 + studio hire

Please note that for your private coaching session, you book and pay for the studio space.
Your studio hire is not included in the coaching rate.