Your SitCom & Drama Coach - Maggie Reed

Your SitCom & Drama Coach - Maggie Reed Empowering actors with creative comedy skills so their auditions & bookings stand out from the crowd days at Cornell University. Holding a B.A. of CA.

YOUR SITCOM & DRAMA COACH - MAGGIE REED has taught comedy & acting since her M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the U. at Santa Cruz, she has taught both on-camera & theatre courses at NYU's Stone Street Studios, NY Film Academy, NY Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, School for Film & Television, Smith College, Cornell U., etc. YourSitComandDramaCoach.com offers private coaching intensives, on-camera comedy

& auditioning workshops, as well as NYC, NJ, & international online coaching services, audition taping, and demo reel editing. An award-winning professional actor, Margaret Reed's most recent roles include her 8th role in the Law and Order universe (4th on SVU), Bull, Pose, The Blacklist, and recurring as Arms Negotiator Belinda Oliver on The Americans, plus starring in the indie film She Follows Close Behind, acting with rising stars Jack Kilmer & Maren Lord in two upcoming indie films, appearing opposite Tim Blake Nelson & Bobby Cannavale in the John Turturro's 2020 comedy The Jesus Rolls. Notable comedic performances were her 8-year run as Shannon O'Hara on As the World Turns, Jerry's vengeful ex-date on Seinfeld, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Spin City, Babes, and many other TV shows & webseries. TheMargaretReed.com YourSitComAndDramaCoach.com

It’s texts like this one that make a coach’s day. 🥰Break-a-leg on your callback, my generous-spirited client. TYSM for k...
01/10/2026

It’s texts like this one that make a coach’s day. 🥰

Break-a-leg on your callback, my generous-spirited client. TYSM for keeping me in the loop. Such a pleasure working with you on this major feature film🎬🎥🎭 audition, as always.

11/09/2025

Email [email protected] for your free copy of my COMEDY SCRIPT CLUES.

ANALYZE FIRST, ACT LATER

Script analysis is crucial for an actor when performing in both comedies and dramas.

COMEDY SCRIPT CLUES (CSCs) are found in multi-camera TV sitcoms & mockumentaries, single-camera comedies
& dramedies, as well as stand-up & sketch comedy, improvisation, and of course, plays.

Discovering the CSCs in your scripts will get you into the rhythms and mindset of your character, giving you the confidence to perform the clues with spontaneity and fun.

CSCs can be found in both dramatic and comedic scenes. Drama writers might use them for comedic relief, in their unique style of writing, or as part of a character’s personality.

Comedy writers very often rely on the CSCs in this booklet, among many others, when crafting their scripts.

Learning how to spot CSCs will help you Set-Up Punchlines, play with Patterns Of Three, detect Callbacks & Echos, & zip
up your scenes with Buttons & Blows.

Set up coaching appointments at my website link in the bio above for comedy and drama auditions, script analysis, skills training, prep work for bookings, etc.

Or email: [email protected]
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11/08/2025

REPEAT THE LINE

After a character says a line to your character, repeat their line (silently, in your head), but change the pronouns and add a question mark at the end as if to ask yourself “Did I hear that correctly?” or “Is that what they said?” with whatever world view or relationship attitude your character has toward that person.

For instance:
Other character says, “I’m sorry, what exactly are you asking for?”
Then you silently say to yourself, “You’re sorry?, what exactly am I asking for?”

Then, your character will have a feeling about that.

And then you will respond, saying your character’s next scripted line, having truly heard the other character’s line.

Now, this doesn’t work with EVERY line sequence - sometimes your character is not listening intently - but it’s a very good rehearsal tool to see exactly when your character IS listening intently and when your next scripted line is something other than a direct response to the line spoken by the other character.

THAT’S subtext. Sometimes our characters are choosing NOT to say what they might instinctually say or are choosing not to answer the other character’s line.

It’s a great discovery tool in , but also on set, on , or especially in to keep you present with moment-to-moment listening and responding.

Let me know how it goes for you

Set up coaching appointments at my website link above for comedy and drama auditions, script analysis, skills training, prep work for bookings, etc.

Or email: [email protected]
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Such a lovely time coaching Roger Rathburn on this audition for the lead in a dear and poignant film. Congrats on the bo...
11/04/2025

Such a lovely time coaching Roger Rathburn on this audition for the lead in a dear and poignant film.

Congrats on the booking, Roger! They’re very fortunate that you’ll be starring in their film!!

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SUBTEXT TIP - Academy and BAFTA award winning actor, Michael Caine from his master class workshop & book called “Acting ...
10/06/2025

SUBTEXT TIP - Academy and BAFTA award winning actor, Michael Caine from his master class workshop & book called “Acting In Film, An Actor’s Take On Moviemaking”:

“When I was very young in repertory theatre, I was given some advice by a clever director.

He said:
What are you doing in that scene, Michael?

Nothing. I said. I haven’t got anything to say.

That, said the director, is a very big mistake.

Of course, you have something to say.
You’ve got wonderful things to say.

But you sit there and listen,
thinking of wonderful things to say,

and then you decide not to say them.

THAT’s what you’re doing in that scene.”

Brilliant advice. Read his entire book for more practical and very helpful tips. It’s based on his 1987 BBC acting workshop that you can find on YouTube.

Let me know in the comments if you try this and how it worked for you. BONUS POINTS if you can tell me why I added this Dionne Warwick song to this post.😉

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Congrats to super-talented on his first booking rep’d by ! I can totally see why they booked him. He knows how to fill...
09/10/2025

Congrats to super-talented on his first booking rep’d by !

I can totally see why they booked him. He knows how to fill every moment of his auditions / scene work / bookings with authenticity, curiosity, and aliveness, telling an entire storyline in just a very few words — from his moment-before through the lines of the scene and onward to what he describes below from one particular class session we had together at :

“…I wanted to personally thank you for this…I remembered our class and you teaching us about ______ that we can add. So instead of me just saying my line and waiting for my reader to finish the lines, I added _______ which I think helped me get the booking. So thank you! 🙏”

Bravo, Chris! I’m so happy for you and Take3 are so lucky to represent you. And the production that hired you are so fortunate you said Yes to their offer!

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Repost from Master the craft. Live the truth.✨•• 📝🤣 🎭📝
09/10/2025

Repost from Master the craft. Live the truth.✨
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Congrats to and to for joining forces! All very talented, highly skilled, and intelligent women dedicated to sharing a...
08/12/2025

Congrats to and to for joining forces! All very talented, highly skilled, and intelligent women dedicated to sharing artistry and storytelling through film, television, and theatre. Brava‼️ Welcome to the “club”, Kim.
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Wise words from my dear colleague Re-post: “Everything you experience in your own life - the many challenges and triump...
08/12/2025

Wise words from my dear colleague

Re-post:

“Everything you experience in your own life - the many challenges and triumphs you move through on your journey - can nurture your growth as an artist; if you take the time to explore and examine them.

If you find the process of self-exploration tiring or scary, just remember this is not about you: it’s all in service of your audience. And as one great actor once told me: take care of your audience, and they will take care of you.

“ ❤️

Congrats, Jeri! You’re a star! Have fun shooting yet another well-deserved gig! 🎥🎭💻 🎬🎥🎭🎉
06/06/2025

Congrats, Jeri! You’re a star! Have fun shooting yet another well-deserved gig!



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“Acknowledge your ✨magick✨& 😊inner power😊. Take note of all you have accomplished, 🤗especially on days that felt harder ...
04/28/2025

“Acknowledge your ✨magick✨

&

😊inner power😊.

Take note of all you have accomplished,

🤗especially on days that felt harder than others🤗.

💞You made it to today💞.

Honor the desires you have fulfilled

and

💗realize the love💗

🥰already available to you🥰.”

Thanks for the inspiration

Another awesome coaching session with terrific, longtime acting client .santiagosuarez for a series regular role in a ne...
04/28/2025

Another awesome coaching session with terrific, longtime acting client .santiagosuarez for a series regular role in a new comedy series.
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You can catch Jay in many film & TV roles including 26 episodes of “Ghostwriter,” and 4 upcoming projects.

Break-a-leg, my friend! I know you rocked those scenes!!
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Address

New York, NY
10018

Telephone

(929) 224-4514

Website

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