Coach Your Craft

Southwest Virtual Actors Summit

Your Acting Breakthrough Starts in the Southwest — Learn How to Book Bigger Roles, Even Without an L.A. Zip Code

Join us for a powerful 2-day online event designed for actors who are serious about learning to book more work in the Southwest and beyond — no matter where you live.


Saturday, June 28 & Sunday, June 29, 2025

Spots are limited. Reserve yours before doors close!

All-Star Speakers

This handpicked lineup of industry pros is here to guide you with real steps to elevate your acting career—fast!

Casting Directors

Jamie Ember, CSA

Casting Director whose credits include the feature, Thelma, The Recruit, The Instigators, Stranger Things, and Ginny & Georgia

Marie McMaster, CSA

Casting Director whose credits include Stranger Things, Better Call Saul & Big Sky. A champion for SW talent

Rachel Rose Oginsky, CSA

Daytime Emmy-Nominated Casting Associate for The Bold and the Beautiful

Talent Agents

Linda McAlister

Owner of Linda McAlister Talent, a full-service talent agency and member of the ATA, with offices in Texas and Los Angeles. Industry advocate and passionate supporter of the Texas film community

Cindi Andress

Co-owner of Pastorini-Bosby Talent Agency, a top, full-service talent agency in Houston. Industry leader with 20+ years of experience and a strong commitment to helping artists creatively thrive

Ciarra Blackwell

Founder of Priority Talent Agency, a SAG-AFTRA franchised agency with offices in Phoenix & Albuquerque, championing opportunity and authentic representation in entertainment

Becky Turner

Actor, Talent Agent, Casting Pro and Industry Mentor. Credits include Better Call Saul & Dallas. Over 40 years of experience in music, theater, and film. Widely respected as a passionate advocate for talent

Talented Actors

Mikala J. Gibson

Award-winning actress, director, & founder of The Black Artivist Collective, known for her roles in Fear the Walking Dead and First Kill

Todd Terry

Veteran actor with 35+ years in TV & film, known for Landman, Breaking Bad, and The Unbreakable Boy

Ammie Masterson 

Actor, Director, Producer & Air Force Vet. Credits include Better Call Saul, Magnum P.I., and Greener Grass

Arianne Martin 

Award-winning actress, filmmaker, & coach with 80+ credits, known for powerful performances in Hill House, Waco, and more

Mari White

2x Emmy®-winning TV host, actress, producer, & commercial booking pro known for her roles in global commercials

Brie Eley

Actress, voiceover artist, & founder of Here & Ready -—a collective supporting over 1,200 Black actresses, known for her roles in Star Wars and Demascus

Filmmaker

Brea Cola Angelo

Writer, director, & actress known for the acclaimed short film Definitely Not a Monster, nominated for an NAACP Spirit Award for Outstanding Live Action Short

Momager

Laquilla Lane 

Hollywood momager & actress behind the Wonka breakout star, Calah Lane, sharing insights on managing family success in the industry

Curious how this summit can boost your acting career? Watch this video to find out!

In today’s competitive industry, raw talent is just the beginning. To truly excel, you need a well-defined plan, steady action, and a level of professionalism that sets you apart and leads to bookings.

You’ve done the work. Now it’s time to get booked—with a real strategy that works in today’s industry.

You’ve already put in the hard work—honing your craft, staying in class, building your network, and showing up for auditions. But let’s face it, despite all that effort, you’re still wondering if it will ever lead to the breakthrough you’ve been hoping for.

You’ve asked yourself the tough questions:

✔ Is this grind ever going to pay off?

✔ How long can I keep doing this without seeing the results I want?

✔ Am I missing something crucial in this industry?

Deep down, you know you’re meant for this. You just need the right tools, the right strategies, and the right connections to move your career forward. That’s where the Coach Your Craft Southwest Actor Summit comes in.

This is your opportunity to gain real, actionable strategies that can shift your career from stuck to thriving.

At this virtual summit, you’ll get access to a wealth of top industry professionals who will share exactly what’s working right now in the industry—no fluff, no outdated advice. Just the insights you need to make your next move.

You’ll learn how to:

✔ Connect with key industry professionals who are perfect for your talent—and do it in a way that builds value and trust, rather than wasting money on casting sites or irrelevant workshops.

✔ Create opportunities by positioning yourself as the standout choice for the roles that will elevate your career.

✔ Break through the audition grind by implementing real-world strategies that increase your visibility and put you in the right room for the right roles.

✔ Strategically create content and projects that fast-track your career, opening doors you didn’t even know existed.

This isn’t another fluff-filled panel. You’ll walk away with real strategies working actors use right now to book jobs and build long-term careers.

Ready to make your next move?

Join us at the Coach Your Craft Southwest Actor Summit, where you’ll learn from industry leaders who’ve been in the trenches, adapting, and finding success. It’s time to stop wondering and start doing.

Get your ticket now and start building the career you’ve always envisioned.

The CYC Southwest Actors Summit was developed by someone who knows the path firsthand: a professional actor who understands the real challenges of this industry. This event delivers grounded, up-to-date guidance and strategies that reflect what’s actually helping actors grow and book today. Nothing outdated. Nothing sugarcoated.

MEET THE SUMMIT HOST & CYC FOUNDER

Hey, I'm Toya!

I’m a professional actor, national recording artist, and the founder of Coach Your Craft, where I help actors master their craft and book roles with confidence. I hold a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Actors Studio Drama School in New York City, and I’ve worked across TV, film, theater, commercials, voice-over, and hosting. I’ve taught acting from private coaching to master classes, to college classrooms.

Over the past decade, I’ve coached actors across the globe, helping them get booked in TV, film, and theater and refining their talent into thriving, professional careers. Whether you’re just getting started or transitioning to pro, I’ve been where you are. I’ve fallen for the scams, trained with the wrong teachers, and wasted time trying to figure it out alone. That’s exactly why I created Coach Your Craft—to offer real training from real working artists and help actors skip the setbacks and go further, faster.


Now, as the host of the Coach Your Craft Virtual Acting Summit, I’m bringing you the best in the biz: working actors, agents, casting pros, filmmakers, and industry experts; to help

you break in and stand out.

If you’re serious about building your career, this summit is where it starts.

Grab your ticket and join me and a powerful lineup of pros for this one-of-a-kind event. Let’s craft your breakthrough together.


See you at the summit!

🎟 Pick Your Pass

Early Bird Expires In:

EARLY BIRD

For go-getters who commit early and save.

$97

  • Full summit access

  • 3-day replay access

  • 20% off one CYC online course

  • Lifetime access to private CYC Community

GENERAL ADMISSION

For those who register closer to the event.

$147

  • Full summit access

  • 3-day replay access

  • 20% off one CYC online course

  • Lifetime access to private CYC Community

VIP

For actors ready to connect & take next-level action.

$227

  • Everything in General Admission

  • 7-day replay access

  • Audition Prep Guide

    • Step-by-step prep & strategies to stand out

    • Tips for creating a pro-quality audition

  • 40% off one CYC online course

  • Exclusive Speaker Bonuses

💎 VIP+

For serious actors seeking personalized support.

$297

  • Everything in VIP

  • 30-day replay access

  • Exclusive VIP+ Networking Session

    Moderated by Toya with select summit speakers

  • Bonus Audition Toolkit

    • Audition planner

    • Cold read checklist

    • Mindset prep guide

  • 1-on-1 Feedback Voucher from Toya

    • Submit a 1-minute scene or monologue

All proceeds support Coach Your Craft Cares — our 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm, empowering young talent through arts education.

What to Expect

When & Where

Get ready for June 28–29! This event is 100% virtual, so you can join from anywhere with an internet connection. Whether you're tuning in from home or on the go, we’ve got you covered.

Industry-Leading Sessions

Learn from 20+ top-tier industry professionals on topics designed to help you break into the industry and level up your career:

✔ Booking in Today’s Market – Actionable tips and strategies for booking roles now.
✔ Creating Career-Defining Work – How creating your own projects can fast-track your career and open major doors.

✔ Long-Term Career Success – Build a sustainable, decades-long acting career with a 50-year mindset.

Depending on your ticket, you’ll have live-only access or replay access to each session, so you can catch up anytime!

Connect in the Private Summit Community

Your ticket grants you exclusive access to our Coach Your Craft Community, where you’ll connect with fellow actors, network with industry professionals, and engage with speakers before, during, and after the event.

Giveaways

When you purchase your ticket, you’re automatically entered for a chance to win a home self-taping setup.

Upgrade for VIP Access

Want the ultimate experience? The VIP Pass includes:

✔ All the above benefits

✔ VIP-only networking opportunities

✔ 40% off future courses and more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this summit a good fit for me?

If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re not just dreaming about acting, you’re ready to live it. You’re aiming for more than a hobby; you want to wake up, head to set, and make a career out of doing what you love.

I get it because I’ve been in your shoes. This has been my passion for as long as I can remember. Through trial, error, and experience, I’ve learned what truly works in today’s entertainment industry. That’s why I put this summit together; to help actors like you step into the professional world with clarity and confidence. If you’re ready to understand how to actually book jobs, gain traction, and open doors in today’s market, this is where you want to be.

When does the summit take place?

The main summit happens June 28–29, but your journey starts the moment you register. You’ll get immediate access to our private Coach Your Craft community, so you can start connecting, networking, and building momentum with like-minded actors right away.

What if I'm not available on the summit dates?

All sessions are pre-recorded, and your ticket gives you 24-hour access to each one—perfect for watching on your own schedule. Want more time to soak it all in? VIP members get extended access, so you can revisit the sessions, take notes, and implement at your own pace.

Will my email address be shared with all the speakers?

No. When you register, you’ll be added to the Coach Your Craft email list so we can send you summit updates and presentation links. After the event, we’ll still pop into your inbox occasionally, but you can unsubscribe anytime. Grab the VIP Pass and unlock exclusive downloads and valuable tools from our speakers—available to you when you choose to share your email.

Will the presentations be live?

The presentations are pre-recorded to give you (and the speakers) the best experience possible.

But no worries—many of the speakers will be active in the Coach Your Craft community, ready to answer your questions.

I have more questions!

Still deciding? Go ahead and sign up. Chances are, most of your questions will be answered during the summit or inside the Coach Your Craft community, which you’ll get immediate access to once you register.

Are ticket purchases refundable?

Because this is a digital product with immediate access, all sales are final. Please review all event details before purchasing.

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