Jacqui Calloway

My Approach to Teaching:

Acting is an amazing way to build confidence, relieve stress, and make discoveries about yourself. It should be fun and rewarding, and I try to create a positive, supportive environment where we can explore without judgment.

Since the joy of acting is getting to live in the moment, we are up on our feet and working as much as possible each class. We use improvisation and imagination exercises based on the teachings of Uta Hagen and Sanford Meisner to build strong connections to your character and to the text. Then, we learn how to let go and focus on listening, following impulses, trusting your instincts, and responding truthfully. That’s what makes a performance come to life!

My Perspectives on Training for the Industry:

  • The more experience you have, the more confident you’ll be walking into any room. Get comfortable with being on camera by doing student films, short films, web series, and background work. Learn to take direction, hone your memorization skills, and broaden your skill set by doing theater whenever you can.

  • Look at every experience (good or bad) as something to draw on for a future role.

  • Always update your materials so that they reflect your best work. Having a strong online presence, solid resume, and captivating headshots will help you get in the room and book the job.

 

Meet Jacqui Calloway:

Jacqui is a performer, director, and educator. She began her career in Los Angeles, where she joined SAG-AFTRA and appeared on Rosewood (FOX), The Inspectors (CBS), and as a series regular in the CW Seed’s I Ship It.

Here in Austin, Jacqui is an active member of the theatre community. She is a VORTEX company member and Jarrott Productions board member. She has won four B. Iden Payne Awards for her performances in Edit Annie, BLKS, and The Frog Prince. Her commercial credits include work for: United Rentals, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Fruit of the Loom, Bud Light, Amazon, Discover, Living Security, & Giant Grocery.

Jacqui has taught at Texas State University and directs Creative Action’s Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble, a group of high school students who write and perform original plays to prevent interpersonal violence. She assistant directed Thrive, Or What You Will for the VORTEX’s Summer Youth Theatre and will direct Jinkies for the program in Summer 2025.

Jacqui graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College and has studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Anthony Meindl’s Actor Workshop, and the Relativity School. www.jacquicalloway.com | LinkedIn