Acting Lessons
We are thrilled to host teachers of a variety of subjects and their studios within our community! We have partnered with those teachers listed below to advertise their services, but please know that prices and policies will vary from teacher to teacher.
Please fill out our private lesson interest form to be personally connected with a teacher that fits your availability and artistic goals.
Katelyn Marie Coryell
ACTING TEACHER
PRIVATE RATE: 30 min - $40, 45 min - $50, 60 min - $65
- Accepting New Students
- Accepting Waitlist Students
- Virtual Lessons
- Visit website
- Studio Policies
Katelyn Coryell is a Lancaster-based educator, creator, and theatre-maker. After receiving her BFA in Musical Theater from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, she has been teaching, directing, choreographing, and performing in the greater Lancaster area for six years. She has been a member of the Creative Pursuits Community since 2020, teaching ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater dance, modern, contemporary, technique, and strength and conditioning, as well as offering audition feedback and acting feedback to her students. Katelyn is the director of the theater department at Lancaster Mennonite School and the Executive Director of Creative Pursuits Academy. She’s a faculty member at Silver Spring Dance Conservatory where she teaches ballet and contemporary dance. She has choreographed solos for students who have gone on to compete and place in YAGP and Jewels performance competitions. Katelyn’s pedagogy is holistic; regularly working with students of all ages, she believes in nurturing every aspect of each performer and creating a safe space for art to be made, exploration to occur, and both personal and technical growth to be fostered. Most recently Katelyn was seen performing in the 2024 Trust Dance Festival with Silver Spring Dance. Other relevant creative and teaching experience (* notes upcoming): director: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Lancaster Mennonite School 2024)*, Animal Farm (Lancaster Mennonite School 2023); director and choreographer: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! (Lancaster Mennonite School 2024), What I Did For Love (Lancaster Mennonite School 2024), Annie Jr. (Creative Pursuits Academy 2024)*, Willy Wonka Kids (Creative Pursuits Academy 2024)* and Winter Wonderland Cabaret (Creative Pursuits Academy 2023); choreographer: Annie (Lancaster Mennonite School 2023), Stop Time (Lancaster Mennonite School 2023), Mary Poppins Jr. (CPA 2022), Rhythm of Life (Lancaster Mennonite 2022), Godspell! (Lancaster Mennonite School 2022), and Seussical! Kids (CPA 2021). katelynmariecoryell.com @katelyncoryell
ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE: Audition Prep, Dance
Cassandra Cummings
acting Teacher
PRIVATE RATE: 30 min - $30, 45 min - $45, 60 min - $60
- Accepting New Students
- Accepting Waitlist Students
- Virtual Lessons
Cassandra was born and raised in Minnesota, but has called Lancaster her home since 2016. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at Minnesota State University, Mankato. While in college, she won many regional musical theatre awards and was honored to perform at the Kennedy Center as a musical guest for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Cassandra first moved to Lancaster to play Esther in Samson at Sight and Sound Theatre in 2016. She has since performed in many Sight and Sound productions including Jonah, Miracle of Christmas, Jesus, and Queen Esther. In 2021, she performed her last show as a full-time performer with Sight and Sound and is now taking on the role of stay-at-home mom. Cassandra has continued to work as a part-time actress along with teaching acting and musical theatre in the area. She stepped into teaching as an adjunct professor at Lancaster Bible College for the Fall 2022 semester and has taught acting and musical theatre classes with Servant Stage Youth Company, as well as serving as a substitute for various classes at Lancaster Academy for the Performing Arts.
In regards to teaching style, Cassandra is passionate about emphasizing lyrics and story through marrying vocal approach and effectively and purposefully telling the story of your character and intention. You can expect to dig deeper into the text while focusing on healthy singing habits. She enjoys coaching performers of any age and hopes to share her love of storytelling through voice and song with both dedication and fun.
ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE: Audition Prep, Voice
- Accepting New Students
- Virtual Lessons
- Visit website
- Studio Policies
Abby J Fields is a tried and true Central Pennsylvanian originally from Lebanon but now living in the Lancaster area. She received an education in vocal performance and musical theater from Florida State University and Point Park University. Abby has performed with the historic Fulton Theatre (Sound of Music, Man of La Mancha, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory), Media Theatre (Sound of Music), Sight & Sound (Behold the Lamb, Ruth, Miracle of Christmas), Revival Productions (Footloose). She most recently was a company cast member with the Strasburg Railroad where she originated many roles in their Murder Mystery, Vaudeville, Stunt, and Christmas shows. You may also remember Abby’s performance as Alice Beineke in Creative Pursuits’ production of Addams Family.
Abby specializes in classical and musical theatre style techniques with a heaping dose of acting. She will help strengthen skills in music theory, technique, and storytelling. Abby loves teaching all skill levels and enjoys the process of watching students improve and grow in their craft through a nurturing, positive environment.
ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE: Audition Prep, Voice
Caleb Heckman
acting TEACHER
PRIVATE RATES: 30 min - $30, 45 min - $40, 60 min - $50
- Accepting New Students
- Virtual Lessons
- Visit website
- Studio Policies
Caleb Heckman is a versatile jack-of-all-trades, having worked around the Lancaster area for over a decade as an accompanist, actor, music director, director, choir director, handchimes director, and a private piano, voice, and acting teacher. He has been immersed in music since starting piano at the age of 7, and is proficient in piano, voice, and tuba, although he loves to dabble in a great many more instruments. Currently, Caleb teaches private lessons at Creative Pursuits Studio; Primary, Jr, and Middle School Choir at the Lancaster Academy for the performing Arts; and is the owner and operator of Creative Pursuits Studio and Managing Director for Creative Pursuits Academy. He works frequently in various capacities with theatre companies around the county, especially Servant Stage Company, Cavod Theatre, Susquehanna Stage Company, and FRWRD Dance Company.
As an educator, Caleb is a firm believer in the philosophy that no two students are alike, and he strives to learn what motivates and encourages each individual student and to teach them according to their own goals and interests. Besides teaching students of all ages to play piano and read music, he loves to help them explore creating and composing music, learning chords and playing lead sheets, and more advanced music theory and analysis. He works well with voice students who have a love for singing, especially musical theatre, and who are invested in growing in confidence with their instrument and who want to learn to work more closely with an accompanist. He also loves to combine his proficiencies as an actor, music director, and accompanist to coach musical theatre students in audition prep.
ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE: Audition Prep, Voice, Piano, Working with an Accompanist
Catherine Walker
acting Teacher
PRIVATE RATE: 30 min - $45, 45 min - $65, 60 min - $80
- Accepting New Students
- Virtual Lessons
A native of Lancaster, PA, Catherine began her vocal training in classical music & earned her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University. She then began training to be a crossover artist in Musical Theater. A combination of study which has afforded her a long and healthy career on Broadway. She is very proud that The Catherine Walker Award has been established at her alma matter, Lancaster Catholic High School and is presented annually to a deserving graduating senior with dreams of Broadway. Catherine Walker was most recently seen on Broadway starring in the Tony Award winning Best Musical, A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER as Phoebe D’Ysquith. Catherine made her Broadway debut in the cast of Disney’s musical hit, MARY POPPINS and became Broadway’s second Mary, flying over the heads and into the hearts of New York audiences for over 100 performances. She left that production to become part of the original cast of the highly acclaimed Broadway revival of RAGTIME. She has travelled nationally, representing Walt Disney Productions and as a guest soloist with major national orchestras including appearances at The Kennedy Center, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & The Library of Congress with friend and composer Steven Lutvak. She has also debuted at New York’s 54 BELOW Supper Club.
Her teaching style focuses on that of the Whole Artist – Mind, Body & Soul and she specializes in training the pre-professional musical theater artist by incorporating vocal technique, vocal expression & acting through song to highlight the strengths of each student and up level their presentation from the audition room to the stage. She brings with her 10 years of coaching experience & 25 years of vocal technique training by world-renowned vocal technicians such as Joan Lader, Robert Edwin, Thomas Douglas & Beatrice Krebs and incorporates elements of Estill Voice Training, having completed her Estill Foundations and Estill Level 1 & 2 training certificate, and Somatic Voicework. She places great importance in introducing her students to a world of self-care avenues including acupuncture, vocal massage, body work, Ayurveda, Vedic Meditation, Broadway secret weapon ‘The Paradox Process’ and more. In addition, she brings with her 20+ years of experience living the Broadway life with access to a vast network of regional and national directors, choreographers, music directors, casting directors & fellow performing artists. While expecting discipline and dedication, she will also nurture and encourage you to be brave and vulnerable. Studying with Catherine will empower you to take the stage by storm with the tools to allow your artist soul to shine bright.
ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE: Audition Prep, Voice, College Prep
Jeannette Wehye
acting Teacher
PRIVATE RATE: 30 min - $30, 45 min - $45, 60 min - $60
- Accepting New Students
- Virtual Lessons
At 20 years of age, Jeannette Wehye began a musical career traveling the United States and Canada as a soloist and inspirational/Gospel recording artist. She is a versatile performer with a passion for touching lives through song and has recently made her Broadway debut with the New York Contemporary Choir in Rocktopia on Broadway. With two decades of experience as a singer, speaker, and youth mentor, Jeannette will help strengthen your vocal, performing, and etiquette skills while building confidence on your musical journey!
ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE: Audition Prep, Voice, Performance Coaching, Praise and Worship, Mentoring, Confidence Coaching, Etiquette
- Accepting New Students
- Virtual Lessons
- Visit website
Reji Woods is a versatile performer with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre. He has performed throughout the United States as well as in Paris, Amsterdam, and India! Reji is the co-founder/owner of Bending Threads Cabaret Company based in New York, NY, and the founder of Reji Woods Productions based in Lancaster, PA. He has also enjoyed an extensive Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tour, and regional theatre acting career.
Reji was featured on the small screen at the 2018 Grammy Awards, in a recurring role on the sixth season of Orange Is the New Black, and in a featured role in the third season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He has also appeared in the independent film, The Karaoke King, the award-winning short film, Moving Violation, and has been featured in DVD Stage Recordings of Jonah, Noah, Moses, and Voices of Christmas all produced by Sight & Sound Theatres. Reji was most recently featured on Season 16 of America’s Got Talent as a part of JW’s Inspirational Singers, and the independent feature, Tapawingo, starring Jon Heder, Gina Gershon, and Billy Zane. Reji is the Executive Director of the Miss Lancaster County Scholarship Organization, an official local title in the Miss America Opportunity.
Reji looks forward to utilizing his teaching, coaching, and choreographic skills to nurture artists of all ages while teaching at Creative Pursuits Studio. He currently resides in Ephrata, Pennsylvania with his beautiful wife Audra, and their adorable cat, Molly.
ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE: Audition Prep, Voice, Repertoire Building, Pageant Coaching, Improvisation
- Accepting New Students
- Accepting Waitlist Students
- Virtual Lessons
- Visit website
- Studio Policies
- Non-Discrimination Policy
Sarah teaches musical theater and classical singing styles, and puts a strong focus on understanding how the voice works as well as music reading and interpretation. She loves to see students blossom in their vocal technique, musicality, and confidence on and off stage. She welcomes students ages 10+ at any level in their music education as well as transgender and non-binary students looking to find their most authentic singing and/or speaking voice.
Sarah holds a BA in vocal performance and theater from the University of Iowa and studied with Professor Dianna Heldman at NYU. She is an active member of Lancaster’s music and theater community and loves to collaborate with fellow artists and creatives. She is proud to be a founding member of Lancaster’s own Reverie Actors Company and regularly curates and performs concerts celebrating soprano music. She is grateful to be teaching at Creative Pursuits Studio! Sarah is a proud member of both the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE: Audition Prep, Voice