Acting & Performance Coaching

For Actors Who Want to Up Their Game
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Acting and Performance Coach

Hi, I’m tom

Acting & Performance Coach
  • Wondering why your self-tapes are not converting to callbacks?
  • Want to find depth in your characters, but getting stuck in your head?
  • Worrying about getting it right, rather than making bold choices?

I can help you!… How?

I’ll identify what is getting in your way by creating a safe, judgment-free space where you are free to make mistakes and feel comfortable being vulnerable.

Drawing on my training in Active Analysis, Meisner, and Michael Chekhov technique, I’ll help you ground your performances in physical truth, deep listening, and imaginative freedom.

During my tailored, bespoke 1:1 coaching programs, you’ll build a go-to process and a toolbox of techniques so you know what to do with any material and find yourself in any character!

We’ll combine these rich acting frameworks with practical career coaching to build a strategic roadmap for your future.

Let me help you believe in your capabilities, rebuild your self-belief, and reach your full creative potential!

You’ll impress any casting director, creative, or audience member with your confidence, connection to character, and authentic performance.

Juliana Dever

Tom is the coach you want if you want to feel like you’re ‘winning’ again! Tom’s holistic approach to coaching was exactly what I needed at this stage of my career. His sessions are a joy rather than a painful slog through frustrations and self-recriminations.

Tom genuinely cares for actors in a way I haven’t experienced before. His willingness to hold space for you to break through the self-doubt and internalized defeat that come with years of being in a tough industry is so refreshing. It felt like a dam finally burst inside of me, unleashing all of the joy and fearlessness I started with.

Tom’s kindness and expert guidance moves you beyond ‘getting it right.’ When you work with him you stop trying to be perfect and go back to bringing your unique you-ness to the role. You get back to that feeling of harnessing messy, gorgeous humanity in your performance and it’s so exhilarating – you can’t wait for the next job!

– Actor (LA)

Castle (ABC), Scandal (ABC) and 9-1-1 (Fox)

Stephanie Siadatan

Tom is the most generous director I’ve ever worked with, and he can really get you out of your comfort zone.

When I auditioned for a Netflix film, we had a couple of sessions online. He really helped me with a sort of character background and hitting certain beats that I hadn’t thought about. And I booked the gig.

– Actor (London, UK)

Vanessa, The School for Good & Evil (Netflix), Silent Witness (BBC)

Tori Scott

I highly recommend working with Tom O’Brien if you have the opportunity. He is a master at what he does, and he will make you feel more than comfortable and prepared for your next audition.

-Actor (NYC, USA)

The Cher Show, UK Tour, Upcoming – Better Nate Than Ever (Walt Disney Studios motion pictures)

Ethan Le Phong

During Tom’s session I gained the importance of learning to deconstruct an audition scene and focussed on the main points of the writer’s intentions for the actor.

Since my session with Tom I’ve noticed improvements to my time management, expanding my curiosity on the ‘why’ of my roles and being braver with my choices. I’d recommend Tom’s sessions to actors that go from beginners to Professionals.

– Actor (USA)

Aladdin – Aladdin (Broadway), Luntha The King and (UK Tour), Allegiance (LA).

Coaching Programmes for Actors

with Tom O’Brien

Dread remaining stuck in the “audition loop”, getting callbacks but never booking the role, or never developing a reliable, repeatable process to take your career to the next level?

I’ll be on hand for character preparation and accountability, backed by 20 years in the industry!

I’ll be your sounding board for questions, frustrations, and solutions to manage both your acting process and career—delivering a deep mindset shift beyond craft.

You’ll stop dreading auditions, rediscover joy, and find the play again. You will actually be excited when you get a tape and rebuild complete faith in the quality of your work. Most importantly, you’ll achieve tangible, verifiable results.

Work with me and feel calmer, clearer, and more confident sending off your self-tapes or entering any audition.

Most importantly, you’ll achieve tangible, verifiable results.

Got a project coming up you need to bring your A-game to?

I’ve provided coaching for clients preparing for roles on TV shows and movies for BBC, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and both independent and studio films.

Let’s discuss how I can give you the tools, process, and confidence to transform and elevate your career!

“I’ll remove any blocks that are in your way & stopping you from taking your career to the next level.”

- Tom O'Brien

BOOK NOW for a FREE consultation with me.

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Melanie MacHugh

Work with Melanie

Associate Acting Coach

Hello! I’m Melanie, I’m an actress, acting teacher, performance coach, and voice artist.

After my training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in these multi-roles I’ve worked extensively in Britain and Ireland, including at the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, and I’ve directed many students at the Urdang Academy, Islington and Mountview Theatre School.

My TV work on both sides of the Irish sea, includes the award-winning Red Rock and Holby City. I’ve recorded over a hundred audiobooks, and when I’m not in a studio or in a coaching class, I’m developing my film scripts with a lovely team of creatives.

I was lucky enough to work with Tom O’Brien nearly 10 years ago now on a highly successful new play in London (indeed, for that I got nominated for Best Actress at the OffWestEnd Awards) and since then we have collaborated on many theatrical and coaching ventures. 

“We share the same ethos and passion for the benefits of well-honed performance technique, and the belief in the importance of passing these skills on to others.”

- Melanie MacHugh

Laura Dalgleish

I really needed something to get my energy back, and to get my spark back, because it was gone. And honestly, working with Tom did the trick, the process that you do with Tom isn’t prescriptive, it’s not ABC, and then we do this, it’s really tailored to the individual.

I got an audition literally just after we finished. I sent the self tape, got the part, didn’t need to do recall. And I’m convinced it’s because of the work Tom and I had done together. It has to be. I was just way more focused and ready to do it and feeling really prepared.

– Actor (Cardiff, UK)

Ordinary Lies (BBC), Call The Midwife, (BBC) Eastenders (BBC)

Philippa Flynn

I LOVED my first post-pandemic theatre audition feeling confident and match fit. I used the same techniques when the second audition came in which led me to being recalled and booking a West End job.

Tom’s guidance was invaluable in dusting off and improving the acting skills I hadn’t had the opportunity to flex for so long.

I’d recommend Tom to any actor wanting to explore new techniques and gain confidence in a safe space with a hugely resourceful and encouraging practitioner.

– Actor (London, UK)

How to Kill a Mockingbird – West End.

Sianad Gregory

I always feel so incredibly prepared and rooted within my character. You know, regardless of any premeditated choices that I’ve made, there is just that little bit of extra room to play.

To play and be a little spontaneous, and for me, that’s always where the most interesting work comes from.

– Actor (London, UK)

Celia – The Age of Tony (Sky), Mr Malcom’s list (Bleecker Street/Universal Pictures), Shandy – In My Skin (BBC 3)

BOOK NOW for a FREE consultation with me.

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Embodied process

Digital Acting Course

This digital course is for the actor that needs control, clarity, practical tools and a process, to ensure their talents and instincts are at the forefront of their work.

With this course, you will find a deeper & more connected way into character.  You’ll feel liberated and more confident, because you will be performing at your best, excelling in auditions and working towards booking the roles you really want.

This is a 6 video program with downloadable worksheets by Acting & Performance coach Tom O’Brien. 

"I'll teach you a simple yet powerful way to unpick text, break down a character & use that information to get into the body of the character & transform." - Tom O'Brien

This course is an entry point for anyone wanting to learn Tom’s embodied process & discover how he gets actors out of their heads and into their bodies.

You’ll not only gain a blueprint for an efficient & in-depth way to access your character - you’ll go on a  journey of self-discovery, developing a deeper understanding of yourself and the human condition  & how we as individuals move about the world.

This course will make you proactive, not reactive, in your preparation for auditions, rehearsals or filming.

Like many actors who’ve worked with Tom, you’ll start to notice the changes in your confidence, life & career after committing to this transformational course.

It’s time for you to take control!

Find Out More