Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Espinosa.
Hi Lily, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Certainly! My journey into teaching acting is a passionate and fulfilling one. It all began with my own love for the performing arts. From a young age, I was captivated by the magic of theater and the power of storytelling through acting. I took part in school plays, children’s tv shows, and local community theater productions, which allowed me to explore my creativity and develop my acting skills.
As I continued to immerse myself in the world of acting, my experience grew over the years in various aspects of the entertainment industry. Aside from performing in TV, theater, and stage appearances, I also worked as a casting director and an on-set coach in productions around Texas, as well as an assistant director in film productions and TV commercials. I also trained school teams for competitions such as Odyssey of the Mind, who then became state champions and went to the world competition, placing in the top 10.
Through the years and all my accumulated experience in different aspects of the industry, I discovered that my biggest passion was to teach and direct. So, I decided to turn all of my attention to the art of coaching acting, and that’s when Star On!! The Acting Studio was born in 2009.
Since then, our studio has been offering first-rate group acting classes and private coaching in Texas and later in Los Angeles. Now, I have returned to Frisco, Texas, and have reopened my acting studio!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While it has been an incredibly rewarding journey, I must admit that it hasn’t always been a completely smooth road, especially at the start. Teaching acting classes, like any profession, comes with its own set of challenges and obstacles. One of the initial challenges I faced as a Mexican American entrepreneur was building credibility despite my accent. Being physically White passing, no one questioned my ability to teach until I spoke in a then White-dominated industry. (Luckily, racial/ethnic diversity in the industry has evolved). However, I worked twice as hard to prove my skills and expertise and my great capacity as an acting teacher. I used every opportunity at hand to demonstrate my passion for the craft and my commitment to providing top-quality instruction. Quickly, I gained the trust and respect of my students and their parents through the results they achieved in their acting abilities and the positive learning environment I fostered, which was incredibly rewarding. I also realized that my accent is a part of who I am, and it adds a layer of cultural authenticity to my teaching that some students appreciate.
I also discovered that my accent actually became an asset in some cases. Apart from having connected with my US-born students, it allowed me to connect with students who come from diverse linguistic backgrounds or are learning English as a second language. They found comfort in knowing that they could communicate with someone who understands the challenges of language barriers and felt less alone.
Embracing my accent has also made me a stronger advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the performing arts. As a Latina entrepreneur, I recognize the importance of representation and visibility in the entertainment industry. My accent has become a symbol of the richness and diversity of the performing arts landscape, and it encourages me to foster an inclusive space where students from all backgrounds feel welcomed and empowered to express themselves freely.
We’ve been impressed with Star On!! The Acting Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
One of our primary objectives in my Acting Studio, is to instill in our students the belief that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. We work closely with each individual, helping them boost their confidence, refine their public speaking skills, and enhance their personalities. My aim is to train them so they can pursue their dreams effectively.
From ABC Family to FOX, the CW Network, and beyond, including guest roles and principal characters in major studio films and TV network pilots, National TV campaigns, and Super Bowl commercials, I have had the privilege of training actors across various platforms. A generation of actors in Hollywood and Texas has passed through my studio, and we take immense pride in all their accomplishments, whether they choose to pursue acting as a profession or apply the skills they’ve gained elsewhere.
At Star On!! The Acting Studio, we Empower Confidence through Acting, from Kids to Grown-ups. What sets us apart is our mission, which goes beyond simply nurturing professional actors. We are equally committed to boosting our students’ confidence, fostering their self-esteem, honing their personalities, and refining their public speaking abilities.
We employ a range of communication and confidence-building exercises to bring out the inner star potential within our students. Our approach covers aspects like body language, voice modulation, fluency, and the art of public speaking, all of which play pivotal roles in our students’ future successes.
We encourage them to make bold choices, shed their fears, take risks on the stage, and ultimately become the best versions of themselves. They have the power to transform into the confident individuals they aspire to be.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is finding fulfillment in my passions and making a positive impact on others’ lives. One of the most rewarding aspects of my life is teaching acting. It brings me immense joy to witness the transformation and growth of my students as they discover their creative potential and gain confidence in expressing themselves off-stage and on stage. Looking back at the student who first walked in the studio and comparing them to the now flourished and developed person they have become is extremely rewarding. Witnessing my students’ progress, seeing them overcome challenges, and observing the genuine enthusiasm they develop for acting fills me with a sense of pride and satisfaction that is hard to put into words. As for my personal life, what makes me happy is spending quality time with my family. I love watching my husband and daughters grow and accomplish their dreams. Traveling around the world, exploring beautiful scenery, and immersing myself in new cultures brings me much joy. On a regular basis, I love going to the movies, going to brunch with my friends, trying new restaurants with my husband, and shopping.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://starontheactingstudio.com/about/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starontheactingstudio/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Star-On-The-Acting-Studio-Acting-classes-in-Dallas-Metroplex-100069869452122/
