Darius Journigan

I'm Coach Darius, a New York City–based actor, director, and private acting coach with Detroit roots and over two decades of professional experience in film, theatre, and commercial work. I trained at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, California Institute of the Arts, and Marymount Manhattan College, and have continued my development through advanced classical training with Shakespeare & Company. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of learning from influential artists and teachers including Dennis Hilton-Reid and Thomas René.

My performance career has taken me from New York stages to international festivals, including playing Christian in Ruined at the Athens & Epidaurus Festival in Greece. I performed in How Black Mothers Say I Love You at The Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub under the direction of Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. My additional credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Shakespeare & Company, the feature film McKenzie McCoy, and the short film Clearing House alongside Norbert Leo Butz.

As a director and educator, I’ve taught and directed with Shakespeare & Company over the past two years, where I directed The Tempest and Hamlet in their Fall Festival of Shakespeare. I’ve also taught and directed with The Family Repertory Company since 2016, designed seasonal theatre programming for Youth Theatre Interactions in Yonkers, and taught at the Thespian Arts Program.

I’ve coached actors for over 10 years through private sessions, group classes, and my annual Working Actor Masterclass. My students range from complete beginners to SAG-AFTRA and Equity actors, and many have gone on to book commercials, film, television, conservatory programs, and professional theatre work.

My coaching focuses on truthful behavior, strong technique, confidence under pressure, and helping each actor develop a process they can rely on in auditions, rehearsals, and on set. Whether you’re just starting out or already working professionally, I’m here to help you level up your craft and career.

In my lessons, you can expect a focused, dynamic approach that develops both craft and confidence. We work on the technical side of acting: voice, speech, movement, text analysis, audition technique, and on-camera presence, while also strengthening the actor’s ability to respond truthfully under pressure.

My teaching style blends classical and contemporary training, with an emphasis on breath, behavior, relationship, and adaptability. I help actors understand not just what to say, but what is changing moment to moment and how to let that drive authentic performance. We train the voice, body, imagination, and instincts so your work feels grounded, specific, and alive.

I believe great actors need both freedom and structure. Lessons are collaborative, challenging, and tailored to the individual. Some students need stronger fundamentals. Some need help breaking habits. Some need sharper audition technique. Others need support expanding range or reconnecting to spontaneity. We meet the work honestly and build from there.

Whether you're preparing Shakespeare, contemporary scenes, self tapes, auditions, monologues, or professional set work, my goal is to give you reliable tools you can use again and again, not just for one performance, but throughout your career. You’ll leave with stronger technique, clearer instincts, and greater confidence in your instrument.