If you’re working with us, or thinking about it, first off—welcome. We’re building something that’s not just about hitting marks or memorizing lines. It’s about real connection.

Judith Weston’s Directing Actors has a way of putting things into focus that a lot of people overcomplicate. Her approach is rooted in trust, listening, and collaboration. So whether you’re stepping on set for the first time or you’ve been in the game a while, here’s what we believe, inspired by her work.

🎧 It’s Not Just About Saying the Line

Acting is listening. Really listening. Not just waiting for your turn to speak, but letting the other person affect you. Let it land, let it change you. That’s what makes something feel alive.

The dialogue is one thing, but it’s the subtext that really carries the scene. What’s underneath? What’s unsaid? That’s where the truth is. If you can stay open and keep listening, the scene does the work for you.

🎭 You’re Never Really Alone

Even in solo scenes, you’re still in relationship. A parent staring out at the ocean thinking about their son who passed isn’t alone—they’re deep in a moment with memory, grief, maybe guilt or love. Same goes for someone stood up at a café. They’re sitting with disappointment, doubt, or a flicker of hope that the door might still open.

Weston talks about this a lot. It’s not about pretending. It’s about imagining fully, being in it, letting that imaginary relationship affect you just like a scene partner would.

🤝 Directors Aren’t Here to Micromanage You

A good director doesn’t want to control your every move. They’re not looking to puppeteer your performance or make you mimic something they saw in their head. We’re not about that.

We don’t give adjectives. We use verbs. Actions you can actually play. Instead of “be sad,” we might ask you to plead, push away, or try to hold something together. It’s about giving you tools, not orders. We trust your instincts. You bring the soul to this thing.

💬 If We Ask You Questions, That’s a Good Sign

We don’t always have the answers. But we’re going to ask the right questions. What does your character want here? What are they afraid of? What if they were lying? Questions open doors. They don’t box you in.

It means we’re working with you, not on top of you.

❤️ This Is Personal Work

Everything we do starts with love for the characters and for the people playing them. Even if someone’s being a pain, most of the time it’s just nerves, fear, or pressure showing up in weird ways. We’ve all been there.

Trust goes a long way. When we expect the best of each other, we tend to rise to meet it.

So yeah, we’re building something with care. Something honest. Something we want to be proud of. And that starts with listening, being present, and respecting the work—and each other.

We’re glad you’re here.

Brandon Burkley.