audition coaching.

Auditions can ignite dread and fear with the feeling that there is so little within your control. As a coach, I aim to encourage your actor self into a place where you welcome, relish, and thrive on that lack of control; to love being in the eye of the storm. I provide my clients with support, resources, and a trained eye.

When auditioning for training programs, our work together will include personalized recommendations of programs and audition material. I will be accessible to you at every step of the process including the application/personal statement, recommendations, interviews, and callbacks. Having graduated from MFA (Yale School of Drama), BFA (Rutgers/Mason Gross School of the Arts), and boarding school training programs (Interlochen Arts Academy), I have been through the process at all levels—giving me a unique understanding of a diverse range of experiences.

I am firmly committed to creating an anti-racist, inclusive space which promotes equity for students of racial, ethnic, gender, cultural, class, ability, and other differences.

If you are specifically looking for a BIPOC coach/teacher, please reach out and I can refer you!

t e s t i m o n i a l s .

“Eli is an incredible acting coach and collaborator. She is especially skilled at breaking down text and finding meaning in language and story. The first time I worked with Eli was on Shakespeare. She constructed an extremely seamless and thorough lesson plan with brilliant exercises that I still use today. By the end of our session I felt confident and expansive. The second time I coached with Eli was when I was in a  professional production and was struggling to fully embody the character. Eli was incredibly adept at seeing me for the artist I am and guiding me towards strong and specific choices. She is kind and supportive (following up to see how the work was going) and her teaching style is that of a natural pro, never missing a beat. Highly recommend!” - Midori Francis (The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO MAX, Grey’s Anatomy on ABC)

“I’m writing this review the day before my orientation for Columbia’s Acting MFA program and I’m so incredibly grateful that I had Eli throughout this process. Eli held my hand through my preparation for auditions the way a trusting parent would. Her trust in my process and choices instilled a confidence that ultimately got me the results I wanted. In the short time I worked with her she provided me with warm-up exercises, positive self-talk that would help me overcome my nerves, and practical suggestions that drastically changed my overall performance. She guided me from being in my head to being in my body and made me aware of my habits while performing. When I shared the news of being accepted into Columbia and expressed that I was concerned about the overall process of entering a rigorous program; she validated my feelings and laid out all of the possible outcomes to which she ultimately said “whatever you choose will be the best decision”. From beginning to end Eli has been there for me and for that I will always recommend her to my fellow acting peers.”   Brittany Camacho (Matriculated: COLUMBIA MFA ACTING)

"Eli Pauley is the best coach I could’ve ever asked for. She was able to educate me about my top schools in such detail that I felt very confident about the energy and atmosphere of each school I was applying to before I even auditioned. She was able to breakdown the practice of auditioning in such a way that I was fully convinced I didn’t have to try to do anything besides lead with passion and curiosity. She highlighted my greatest traits without me feeling I had to embellish or present them, which made me feel graceful and powerful in the room. She communicates with the actor in a way that validates their choices and makes them feel understood, but encourages them to dig deeper and/or loosen up so that they might discover something new in every rehearsal. Towards the end of the initial process I trusted I had achieved something I should be proud of regardless of the result. She stuck with me through the applications, the auditions and the callbacks and through to the end. She always encouraged me to lead with my heart. I feel immensely grateful for Eli and hope that she is able to continue sharing her wisdom with more people who need it as much as I did." - Jahsiah Mussig (Matriculated: YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA, Accepted: NYU GRAD ACTING)

“Eli Pauley

Is a natural coach

patient generous and keen

An elegant locksmith of creative truth

She listens deeply to locate YOU

In the material and then gently and succinctly

Guides you to the most honest interpretation”

-Christopher Sears (Only Yesterday Premiere 59E59, Gently Down the Stream World Premiere The Public, The Harvest World Premiere LCT3, Stupid Fu**ing Bird The Pearl)

"Eli helped me tremendously when working on my Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Foundation Course audition. I came into it feeling insecure, in my head and a little stiff. When working on the audition Eli allowed me to find a sense of confidence in my choices, and in myself that created a much noticeable freedom. I can often go into an audition room making myself small, but after working with Eli I felt that I went into this audition with confidence, and a sense of groundedness that was extremely helpful." - Ximena Medina (Accepted: BRISTOL OLD VIC FOUNDATION COURSE)

“Eli is one of the best acting teachers I’ve ever had. She guided me through the college audition process by preparing me for any and all situations. She’s one of the most grounded people I know and having her as my mentor helped me find that in myself. Her story is amazing and I know that her dedication to her students is just as strong as her dedication to her craft. When I needed a last minute recommendation letter, she was there. When I was debuting for my high school opera, she was there. Eli had my back throughout the college audition process and continues to be there for me as I take the next step into college. For me, she’s become more than a teacher and is now my friend.” - Samantha Lam (Matriculated: OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE Accepted: LOYOLA MARYMOUNT, UC IRVINE, TEMPLE)

“Eli will meet you where you are at and support you through every step of the grad school audition process. Her perspective on how to approach each audition lowered the stakes for me, which helped me to do my best work in the room. Not only will Eli help you discover what you are capable of, she will do it while staying true to who you are, and letting you shine.” - Erik Sorensen (Matriculated: SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY’S ACADEMY OF CLASSICAL ACTING at GEORGE WASHINGTON. Also Accepted: UNIVERSITY OF WEST VIRGINIA. Waitlisted: BRISTOL/OLD VIC)

“Eli - aside from being a fantastically skilled actor- is a generous and practical coach. She meets you where you are in your journey and asks the most disarming (and useful question), “What if you dared to fail.” Eli recognized the homework I had done and then dared me to throw it away and just be. “Being” is about embodiment, where preparation meets the unknown with breathful abandon. Eli helped me bring more of my personality (and specific skillset) to the circumstances of my characters, and frankly- to the circumstances of the grad school process. She is an incredibly bright, funny, and structured teacher. All of her notes are about getting to the truth existing between you and the character. It’s about process, not performance. In the grad school audition coaching of platitudes and generality, she’s a gem of specificity and grounding. “ - Nate Krimmel

"Eli is simply the best coach I have worked with. Her effectiveness in communication, thoughtful adjustments, and ability to connect with you; all of these have allowed me to be comfortable and confident in the work we did together." - Ivan Hernandez