Maryland State Wire

Founder of a premier on-camera acting studio and professional actor, Mark McKinnon shares lessons in performing with the Middle School 6th-grade class as part of the Black History Month Speaker Series.

“You are the new kid at school, and typically no one wants to talk to the new kid,” the director said as he motioned a student volunteer to the front. He pointed to another student and said, “And you are the popular girl walking past the new kid.” “Now, go!” he directed. Without a moment’s hesitation, both students jumped into their assigned roles and improvised their scenes.

The next improvisation featured a champion Rubrik’s Cube kid challenging another student to solve the puzzle, only to be outdone by their own hubris. A third scene brought the house down as two football players, one who had just had their best game ever, and the other who had experienced their worst game commiserated in the locker room.

After the scenes had been performed, Mr. Mark McKinnon, a professional, private acting coach and founder of McKinnon Acting Studio based in Prince George’s County, told the 6th-grade class, “Every time you entertain, there needs to be a message.” Congratulating the students' improvisation, he said they had each clearly depicted their message in their short skit.

Mr. McKinnon, came to the Middle School to speak as part of the 6th-grade Black History Month speaker series. Best known for his leading man role as Derik Dubois in BET's "The Waiting Room", directed by Sheryl Lee Ralph, and his work as Vince in Harold Jackson's thriller feature film, "Once Upon a Time in the District," McKinnon can be seen in several episodes as Officer Miller in the CBS Primetime series Blue Bloods. Ten years ago, Mr. McKinnon founded his studio to bring local talent to the established entertainment industry. The studio is an on-camera acting studio that offers New York-style training to actors in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. Clients of the studio include kid actor Milan Ray who has starred in the movie Troop Zero and the comedy reboot The Wonder Years.

Mr. McKinnon’s advice to aspiring young actors is to, “Own who you are.” For someone interested in becoming a professional performer, Mr. McKinnon suggests identifying your persona, the aspect of your character that is presented to or perceived by others. Strengthening and owning who you are and what you present to the world will help you find your place in the entertainment business.

Original source can be found here.