“Matt has an amazing ability to bring out the best in actors. ”
As featured in….
BIO
Matt with the lead actors in the cast of Ava Duvernay’s “When They See Us”
Coaching on the set of “Blue Bloods”
Matt Newton is a renowned New York City-based acting coach, career consultant, author, and award-winning filmmaker with over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. Highly sought after for his expertise, Matt has been featured on major platforms such as NPR, Forbes, WTF with Marc Maron, That One Audition with Alysia Ochse, and Backstage. He has coached a wide range of successful actors, including Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”), Emmy winner Aziz Ansari (“Master of None”), Emmy nominee Asante Blackk (“When They See Us”), Megan Boone (“The Blacklist”), Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy (“American Horror Story”), and Chris Diamantopoulos (“Silicon Valley”).
Matt has also served as an on-set acting coach for numerous high-profile productions, including “Blue Bloods,” “Orange is the New Black,” “Jessica Jones,” “The Affair,” “Genius: MLK,” and Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed Netflix series “When They See Us.” His clients have secured guest-starring, recurring, and series regular roles in countless TV shows, films, and Broadway productions.
As the founder and head acting coach of MN Acting Studio in New York, Matt is known for his practical and authentic approach to on-camera training. His comprehensive coaching methods help actors excel in auditions, media presentations, and on-set performances. Matt is also the author of the highly regarded books No B.S. Guide to the Acting Biz (recognized by Forbes as a “Top 5 Must Read”) and 10 Steps to Breaking into Acting. Additionally, he contributes expert advice and industry insights regularly to Backstage.
In his filmmaking career, Matt’s latest project, an indie pilot titled Dissocia (starring Maria Dizzia), has been met with critical acclaim and is currently being pitched to networks and streaming platforms. The project recently won the BEST EPISODIC award at the prestigious Lighthouse International Film Festival.
Matt’s journey began as a successful TV and film actor, with notable guest-starring roles on shows like Judging Amy, Criminal Minds, Gilmore Girls, Royal Pains, The Americans, Ugly Betty, Dragnet, JAG, Family Law, and Miracles. His film credits include Van Wilder (starring Ryan Reynolds), Poster Boy (starring Karen Allen), Men Who Stare at Goats (starring Jeff Bridges), and Dahmer (starring Jeremy Renner). In 2011, Matt transitioned to coaching, establishing MN Acting Studio, which has since become one of the leading on-camera acting studios on the East Coast.
In 2020, Matt expanded his coaching services to include corporate training. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University, Vassar College, and the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, CT. In 2022, he co-founded the Thimble Islands Film Festival in Stony Creek, CT.
For more information about Matt Newton, visit his IMDb page. To book a session or inquire about his services, book here.
“Matt Newton is a wonderful presence and works well with actors, especially young performers. He is a consummate professional, coaching well, yet staying in keeping with the directors wishes.
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“Acting for camera is so much about letting go of your habits, your bullshit, and the “play pretend” -isms that get in the way of us being real humans on camera. Matt’s technique really helped me break down a lot of my old habits to start being truthful in my auditions and on set. He doesn’t take any shit, and holds you accountable to do your best. That’s what you need from an on-camera coach.
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“I have been taking class with Matt Newton and it has been a game changer. I have done many classes and one thing that stands out for me is that Matt creates a space where you feel safe to play, to create & to fail.”
“ Top Five Must Read Books for Today’s Uncertain Market”
“The No B.S. Guide to the Acting Biz covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time, making it an invaluable asset for actors of all stripes, in this theater professional and reviewer’s opinion.”
