Jo Kelly- To be or not to Act

I have been working with Jo for years. She is a coach and a mentor. She loves what she does. She will challenge you to meet your greatest potential.

When I first became an actor, I started working with Jo in Madrid, Spain about 7 years ago. I was absolutely terrified for the first month of coaching, but I kept going back for some reason.
There was something unique and refreshing about her work that was different than I had experienced in drama school or with any director or coach.
It wasn’t about tools, techniques or artificial ways to bring a character to life. I realized that all the tools, techniques and methods I was doing before Jo were actually making my performances fall flat because it wasn’t coming from a place of truth.
Jo coached me to explore my inner world/​instincts/​truth/​authenticity. I struggled for the first month and was terrified because all my life, I had been trained out of listening to my instincts. I was trained to perform and be «good» rather than bring the character to life from a place of truth.
I’ll never forget the moment when I finally went from performing to bringing my character to life by allowing my instincts to take over. It was incredible. I stopped thinking and allowed the character to form himself. I didn’t have to sit down with a notebook anymore and figure out my character. My character showed himself to me when I playfully explored my instincts and inner world, much like a child does.
That’s when I went from having the audience and directors say: «That was good.» to «Oh my god. That was so moving and truthful.»
I’m no longer an actor, but I still train with Jo because coaching with her helps me remember to connect to my truth and embrace all parts of me… even the parts I learned to be ashamed of or that aren’t acceptable (those are the very parts of me that bring a character to life).
If you’re looking to just be a «good» actor, then Jo’s probably not for you.
However, if you’re looking to be one of the greats that you watch and every move that they make makes you feel something real and touches your heart, then start working with Jo so that you can connect to that incredible raw instinct that you already have inside. That raw instinct that not only wins Oscars, but touches the hearts of millions that experience your work.

There are no words to express what Jo Kelly can do for you. You just have to experience it. I see her as a mentor, as the very best there is in her business. She taught me so much more than acting and feeling. She makes it possible to just be yourself and find freedom and truth in everything you do. There is no way I could have accomplished everything that I have in my career without her. Going to Jo is the best thing I have done for my career, my art, and myself.

I came in feeling rather cynical about acting. My experiences told me that acting was something one had to go to great depths to get the «right» emotionality for character at the expense of the actors emotional well being.
Jo’s technique did something that was unexpected for me. I actually felt an interconnectedness… my piece (I brought her a monologue) came to be not about defining character, place or time… it was about experiencing humanity. Jo showed me the way to a place that was about all of us. The character was no longer separate, or a thing to get to, it was, at that moment, alive. We were alive. It was not forced, was not contrived or affected in any way. And I did not feel like I was undermining or hurting myself in the process. Nor was it about my ego and having to do it «right». The experience with Jo was something with humility and compassion for all of us. Something very powerful.

I called Jo when I launched my company, she is the best for business and life coaching. She is fast. She lasers on to precisely what you need. She has like a 6^th sense or something… She feels exactly who you are as a professional and what you have to offer that is so unique, and she helps you put it out there and follow through. I still call her regularly, she’s the best, I recommend her to anyone who wants to be successful at what they are trying to achieve in life.

I’m so grateful to have taken Jo Kelly’s 2 day Instinct Bootcamp. This class brought be back to trusting my instincts, which I felt I which had been chipped away at and hidden from all the myriads of techniques that I studied. Jo also has a great eye for seeing where people are blocked, and providing the tools to unlock it. Even after the first day, I really hooked into my primal instincts and felt a sense of freedom. I highly recommend taking this class.

Jo Kelly is an amazing coach, director & guide. I am blessed to have worked with her on a short she directed. Her instincts are on point & I would work with her any day of the week because I trust her. If you have beliefs or old patterns that are blocking you from you… work with her. She’s great!
Alisa