Coach Your Craft
Southwest Virtual Actor 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.
June 28-29, 2025
Missed the CYC Southwest Virtual Actor Summit?
Good news — Encore Club Access gives you full replay access plus exclusive bonuses designed to keep your momentum going.
This special offer won’t last forever — claim your spot today!
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
Artios-nominated casting director behind Thelma, National Anthem, Reminders of Him, The Recruit, 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
The 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 Breaking Bad, Lioness, 1923, 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 Virtual 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 Virtual 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 Virtual Actor 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 Southwest 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.
Get Encore Club Access & Unlock Exclusive Bonuses Valued at $2000+
You’re not just getting summit replay access — you’re unlocking a powerful collection of insider resources designed to accelerate your acting career. This bundle delivers proven tools and expert strategies to help you book more auditions, perform stronger, and stand out in any casting room.
CYC Audition Prep Guide — Step-by-step prep strategies and tips for pro-quality auditions (Value: $197)
CYC Audition Toolkit — Audition planner and cold read checklist to prep with confidence (Value: $150)
Standout Self-Tapes by Jamie Ember, CSA — Casting director’s secrets for tapes that lead to callbacks and bookings (Value: $197)
Soap Audition Secrets by Rachel Rose Oginsky, CSA — Master the nuances that win soap auditions (Value: $197)
Self-Tape Audition Tips by Mikala Gibson — Expert advice to make your self-tapes shine and grab casting attention (Value: $150)
Audition Success Tips by Brie Eley — Proven confidence and performance techniques (Value: $150)
Acting Tips & Advice by Ammie Masterson — Real-world career guidance from a working actor (Value: $150)
Listen Well: Scene Work Essentials by Todd Terry — Deepen your performance with essential scene work skills (Value: $120)
Demo Reel Guide by Ciarra Blackwell — Step-by-step help to create a reel that books jobs (Value: $150)
Commercial Audition Tips by Mari White — Strategies to book more commercial roles (Value: $120)
Parent’s Head Start Acting Checklist by Laquilla Lane — Essential guidance for parents supporting young actors (Value: $125)
Private Screening of Brea Cola's Short Film: Definitely Not a Monster — Exclusive access to this award-winning short (Value: $100)
Demo Reel Guide by Ciarra Blackwell — Step-by-step help to create a reel that books jobs (Value: $150)
40% Off One CYC Online Course — Deep-dive training on one of our state-of-the-art online courses to level up your craft (Value: $200+)
This Encore Club Access is priced to reflect the incredible value you receive:
Over 15 industry-leading sessions featuring top casting directors, talent agents, working actors, filmmakers, and coaches — plus exclusive bonuses valued at over $2,000 to fast-track your career.
It’s like having a professional acting course, mentorship, and insider secrets all in one place — at a fraction of what individual coaching or workshops would cost.
All proceeds support Coach Your Craft Cares — our 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm, empowering young talent through arts education.
What to Expect
When & Where
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 15+ 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.
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.
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. 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?
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—perfect for watching on your own schedule, 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 info. After the event, we’ll still pop into your inbox occasionally, but you can unsubscribe anytime.
Will the presentations be live?
The presentations are pre-recorded to give you (and the speakers) the best experience possible — no tech hiccups, no rushed answers, and content you can pause, rewind, and revisit.
But no worries—Toya will be active in the Coach Your Craft community, ready to answer your questions.
Are ticket purchases refundable?
All sales are final, due to the digital nature of this digital product. We encourage you to review all details carefully before purchasing. Tickets are limited, and your purchase secures access to a carefully produced experience with exclusive digital content.
Will the presentations be captioned?
Yes, every speaker video presentation includes optional closed captions.
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.
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