Meet Virginia Vale | Actress & Acting Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Virginia Vale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Virginia, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I found far greater success in my acting career when I stopped caring so much. I don’t mean that I didn’t put my heart and soul into it but instead I stopped trying to be the person I thought the industry wanted me to be. Instead, I began to fully love and embrace who I was and by coming into my own, I was able to know my worth as an actor and as a teacher. When you are starting out, it is difficult to navigate any profession but with acting there is a lot of pressure on you as an individual and there is also a lot of rejection. I think the importance behind my success in both my acting career and my coaching business is the power of confidence. Having confidence in yourself, trusting the process and the path you are on allows you to take risks, to be bold and to change things up when you need to. It also helps to not be afraid to change the path completely in order to carve out the life and career you want. My coaching business evolved out of my love for acting and the industry coupled with my true passion to teach.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my career as an actress when I graduated from The Juilliard School in New York City. I was fortunate to work with some incredibly talented people on various projects in TV, film and theatre. A few of my favorite acting jobs being on New Amsterdam, Madam Secretary and in the world premiere of A Doll’s House, Part 2. I spent 10 years splitting my time between New York and Los Angeles with my husband Ryan, working as an actor and building a life which has been full of adventure. I developed my interest in coaching when I got to Los Angeles and starting taking classes at Stan Kirsch Studios. I then began teaching a bootcamp class and coaching aspiring actors at that same studio. It was from there that I discovered my love for teaching. I began my coaching business with some young actors I met through my agency in New York City. The joy I got from teaching and helping them pursue their dreams was special to me. Before the pandemic, I was a guest artist teaching at Denver School of the Arts. As for everyone, the pandemic changed my priorities in terms of my career. I became a mother to two beautiful sons and I cherish my role as a mother. Although I do still audition here and there, I took a break from acting full time when we moved to Colorado. Rather organically, my coaching business really started growing and evolving into what it is today. My clients are no longer just actors and I have been able to extend the techniques I use to people in various professions, young and old. I coach professional actors for TV and film but my work now also includes public speaking, voice and body work in addition to acting and audition technique. I love watching my students evolve, grow their confidence and find their voice. I have developed several classes that specialize in learning the connection between the voice and body. This is a terrific way for people to find success in any profession whether it be running a corporate business or on the set of a film. Commanding a room while public speaking , leaving an impression at an interview or finding the truth in a character becomes easy and natural with the right tools. I am not finished with my acting career as my heart will always be in it and I am excited for what the future holds on that front. There is something special about being able to teach, to foster growth and watch people succeed which in turn makes me a better actor.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think Colorado Springs is one of the most unique cities I have lived in. The history here is rich and it feels like a small town community in what is the second largest city in the state. Places at the top of my list are Garden of the Gods, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Cave of the Winds, and Royal Gorge to name a few. One restaurant that stands out and is a must-try is Fargos. It is a pizza restaurant with a player piano, over the top decor and a vintage arcade.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Ryan Bell who I met in 2009. He has been my biggest support and advocate throughout my entire career thus far. He has taught me the importance of taking risks, trusting myself and how to persevere through anything. His creative mind is brilliant and it has helped me to always “think outside of the box”. I appreciate him more than I can say. His work ethic and absolute passion for the arts has inspired me to be the best artist I can be. I am incredibly lucky to have Ryan in my corner.

Other: For Coaching Inquiries: please email virginialucyvale@gmail.com

Image Credits
The Berkshire Edge Orange County Registrar Theatre Mania Playbill South Coast Repertory