Donald is an amazing acting coach. I have four daughters in the business that
have landed roles in film, tv, music videos and commercials over the past
several years, and Donald has been extremely instrumental in helping them get
the parts. Donald has such a caring--but professional--way with kids of all
ages, and goes above and beyond to make sure the kids feel comfortable with a
role, using unique and exciting acting methods that allow the kids to stay focus
and achieve the best outcome possible. I would recommend Donald to any serious
professional actor....you will not be disappointed.
Sue Prantil ( Mother of Teen Actor)
actress and model. He walked us step by step on a journey
that
changed Kiera's life forever. She is so thrilled to be
pursuing her
dreams! Donald is honest, caring and very knowledgeable.
Not only
did he get Kiera started, but he continues to guide us and
support her
in perfecting her craft!
Donald is a really great coach. When I first met him, Donald helped me get ready for a national talent competition and I placed in the top 5 out of 600. Whenever I go to see him, he always greets me with a smile. I have so much fun! He helps me learn in a way that I am comfortable and I always take away something that I can use when I am filming. Thanks Donald for everything!!
Kiera McNeil ( Child Actor)
I decided to take some classes in the philly area. One of the first was at Cathy Wickline Casting. The class consisted of 3 parts, commercial, monologues, and improv. Cathy taught the first two aspects of the class and brought in this guy for the improv part. That's when I first met Donald McKenna. I was hooked!! It was like nothing I had ever done. Two weeks after the class ended I got a call to go to New York for a Amtrak commercial audition. When I walked in they said, There's no script, the audition is all improv. WHAT THE WHAT ! ......I nailed it !! It almost sounds like a bullshit story , but it's the absolute truth. I became SAG eligible because of booking it and felt a real feeling of accomplishment because I worked for the eligibility. A couple years after that, Donald got a hold of me because he was starting an Improv class and he called it " off the page" . I'm telling you man, with all the other classes I had taken, this is the one that really opened me up to a whole new world of acting. Because I had started a family so early in my life and needed a full time employment and paycheck, wasn't able to pursue acting full time. Through the years I've called Donald and met with him to go over some auditions that I had coming up.... in fact, one time I called him from across the street from the casting agent of the show "Homicide" in Baltimore for a few pointers on a part that was literally one line…booked that one two!. Mostly, I seem to get something decent about every 2 years, that's right, about every 2 years. I've had speaking roles on, Homicide, Philly, Hack, Cold Case and The Happening. Recently I've had a little better luck and currently have a Verizon commercial and an PSA for the Philadelphia council for anti-smoking. BUT, and this is a BIG BUT. Two weeks ago, on September 13th, I had a callback for the new Bradley Cooper movie, "Silver Linings Playbook". Dianne Heery had told me that this director was big on improv, Dude, who else could I call. I was able to get a hold of Donald the night before for a quick re-fresher. Today I found out I got the part. It is the father of one of the main characters, my scenes are with Bradley Cooper and it's a several day shoot at 4 different locations. .....needless to say, Donald, I have to get together with you in the next month, probably a few times right?? thanks for everything dude. see you soon.
Rick Foster (Adult Actor)
I can easily credit almost all of my acting techniques to Donald, techniques
that I have learned to live by and have prided myself on for the past four
years. Donald knows his stuff, and he's the best acting coach I've ever had.
My 15 year-old
daughter has been working with Donald McKenna for the past two years. If it were
not for the introduction to Donald, we would still be frustrated trying to find
our own way in the show biz world. Instead, Donald gave my daughter the proper
training, mentored her, boosted her confidence at a crucial point in her life
and inspired her to follow her dreams.
Additionally he introduced us to a top-notch manager who in turn was able
to secure representation for my daughter by a huge bi-coastal talent agency.
Two years later, my daughter is a member of SAG, has had a guest-star
role on major network TV show, a part in a film, numerous commercials, and is a
member of a developing girl group based in NYC.
Donald knows all aspects of the business, is a gifted teacher/mentor and
will guide you through the tricky maze of show business.
Donald has been instrumental in assisting Brandi in getting auditions and
nailing them once she does! We were stuck in a rut wondering why she is so good,
but no one would take a chance on her. Donald showed her just what she was doing
wrong and how to improve to show the CD's just what they want to see. Since
skyping with Donald on a fairly regular basis, Brandi has gotten extremely busy,
even having direct bookings from video auditions only!
This is a summary of Brandi's increase in acquiring jobs with Donald's input:
Jan/2011:Student film, and a local, indie, feature, supporting role, (yet to be
filmed). FEB/2011: Audition for a major feature film, and what we considered a
CB. March/2011: booked a music video in LA to help the kids of Japan after the
earthquake. April: won a CARE Award and had to go back to Hollywood to accept
it. Booked a short film as female lead. May/2011: Booked a student film, female
lead has had 3 SAG CB's and a local webisode CB. June/2011: Got a lead in the
local 48HFP. Obtained a Supporting Role in a FF, and a Lead in a local PSA.
July/2011: The 48HFP won 4 awards, including Best acting and Best film.
August/2011: CB for FF. Sept/2011: Principal Role In Inara the Jungle Girl, FF.
Nov/2011: Signed with the oldest and most prominent NC agent: Carolina Talent.
Dec/2011: 8 auditions in 10days, obtained the Lead as Darla Stewart in The
Hollow Oak, FF, a Supporting role in a short film. Jan/2012: AFTRA CB for a
Pilot. Made her first IMDb list, obtained monthly Voice over roles, FEB/2012:
Principal role in a short film, March/2012: went to the 48HFP International
finals for Broken Pieces. Got recognized by genuinely 'starstruck' people! Lead
in a local play was smashing w/ rave reviews. April/2012: Nomination for her
role in the 48HFP for a Young Artists Award, for Best Performance in a Short!
SO, YES! Donald is a working, wonder, a plethora of knowledge and the skill to
bring out the best in his students!
Please see her IMDb and website:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4221352/
http://brandialyssayoung.weebly.com
I do not remember who said “behind every successful actor is a lot of luck and a
team of supporting professionals who believe in him/her”. When my daughter
started acting in 2006 we got lucky – we were referred by a PA casting director
to Donald.
Sincerely,
The mother of Patricia Raven
Philadelphia acting coach Philadelphia One on One Acting Coach Philadelphia Acting classes Philadelphia film producer