Nancy Sorel
ACTOR | COACH
Nancy is an award-winning film and television actor in both the US and Canadian entertainment industries. Her heart-centred approach to coaching and decades of experience as a successful working actor have helped many performers overcome blocks, develop strong technique and deepen their commitment and love for the craft.
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Nancy received a degree in Theatre and Film from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Her career started in New York Off-Broadway at the Ernie Martin and Intar Theatres, before landing the role of “Coco Lane” on the ABC daytime drama, One Life to Live. Shortly thereafter, Nancy relocated to Los Angeles to star in the NBC daytime series Generations. In Los Angeles, she also starred in MOW’s, pilots and series including Beverly Hills 90210, Doogie Howser, Murder She Wrote, Empty Nest, X- Files, The Outer Limits, and the Fox sitcom Down The Shore.
After filming in Canada, Nancy met and married her husband, actor Paul Magel, and together they have been teaching, coaching and mentoring professional actors for over 28 years.
Nancy is well known for her roles in Hallmark & Lifetime movies, and playing “Clara Fine” on the HBO critically acclaimed and multi award winning series, Less Than Kind, for which she was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, and was the winner of 2 Canadian Comedy Awards, and an ACTRA Award. She was nominated for 2 more ACTRA Awards for her performances in the Sony feature film Heaven is for Real, in which she played “Dr. Charlotte Slater” and for her portrayal of “Marm McGoldrick”, the 1860’s New York City mob boss on the series The Pinkertons. Whether she is playing a Hallmark mom (Once Upon A Christmas Miracle), an FBI Agent (The Grudge) a recently widowed school teacher grappling with her faith (Fox 2000’s Breakthrough) a 1960’s socialite of the Third Reich (Man In The High Castle, season 2 & 3) or a corporate exec with a penchant for young men (The Spencer Sisters) Nancy has enjoyed becoming a sought after veteran of the US and Canadian entertainment industries.
An actor must be able to be private in public, between action and cut.
To do this well, means to allow ourselves to be seen… truly seen… Acquiring this type of vulnerability requires studying the art form and practicing the craft sincerely and with grit. To tune our instrument so that we are able to mine the soul for truth. We can then lay it at the feet of the world through the lens of the camera. This is incredibly humble work. This is a noble act. This is the art form. This is the Actor’s Journey.
Coaching
Nancy Sorel offers coaching services on set and via Zoom to actors who want to prepare for an audition, a performance, or receive ongoing mentorship to help them develop as professionals.
Contact Nancy for rates, booking, and additional information.
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Nancy offers private and on set coaching services upon availability.
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Private mentoring sessions are a safe and sacred space for the actor to work with Nancy in a more in depth and accelerated way. Together, using mindfulness based practices to address the individual actors needs, Nancy guides performers to pin point their specific performance challenges and help them discover ways to heal outworn patterns and ways of approaching their work that no longer serve them. As a result, the actor learns to develop confidence, alleviate anxiety and create a deeper awareness of themselves and their work.
‘Sometimes I sense that actors may be 'spinning their wheels', falling into patterns that may hinder efforts to present the best work possible. Nancy offers training, feedback and coaching that is informed by deep experience and understanding of what decision makers are looking for in a film or television performance.”
— Jim Heber, Casting Director
“Over the years, I have seen artists have real breakthroughs after training with Nancy Sorel.’
CLASSES
On-Going Workshops for the Professional Film and Television Actor
with Nancy Sorel and Paul Magel
Nancy offers in person and online workshops that run seasonally throughout the year.
Here you will learn to strengthen your technique, sharpen your skills, and learn to use relaxation and meditation to help alleviate audition & performance anxiety, all in a group learning environment that fosters connection with other actors in your community.
For further information and to be put on an email list for upcoming classes & workshops, Send your headshot & resume to nancysorel86@gmail.com
To bring a workshop to your clients, campus, or studio email us for rates and details.
For further information and to be put on an email list for future workshops, send your headshot and resume to Nancy Sorel.
Workshops + Classes
Nancy Sorel | Director
Nancy has been coaching & teaching actors for over 28 years. She has drawn upon her extensive training in The Method & Meisner techniques and her decades of working as a professional performer to develop a mindfulness based training that helps the actor deliver more grounded, focused, vulnerable & authentically layered performances. Nancy trains actors of all ages to reach higher and dig deeper to become the pro they deserve to be and the artist they imagined. She has starred in over 300 episodes of series television and feature films and holds a BA in Theatre & Film from the University of Massachusetts.
Paul Magel | Co-Director
Paul joined forces with Nancy over 20 years ago in Vancouver, BC., and has been assisting in training performers of all ages in her workshops. After receiving his degree in theatre from the University of Guelph, he has gone on to perform extensively in the film and television industry across Canada and the US.
Meet the team
What People Are Saying
“Simply, the best acting teacher I have worked with over the 25 years I have been and actor. Her knowledge and experience is invaluable.”
— Coaching, Actor’s Journey
“Because of my time in Nancy's class I have a much stronger audition technique, I am crafting more compelling performances […] and am booking more work than ever before!”
— The Actor’s Journey
“Nancy’s coaching has really helped me take my audition quality to a different level. I am a regular client for sure!”
— Coaching, Actor’s Journey
“Incredible. My career went to a whole new level.”
— Coaching, The Actor’s Journey, Mentorship, Meditation
“Nancy creates such a safe and supportive space for her students. Her expert instruction is an invaluable resource for actors of any level.”
— Coaching, Teenage Acting Workshop
“With the help of Nancy, I have become a more confident performer. I have learned a great deal about myself and am now able to dive deeper into each role”
— Coaching, The Actor’s Journey, Meditation
“She is the one teacher who has taught me what I need to do to become the actor I would like to be, and that has been helping me get parts & present great auditions.”
— Coaching, The Actor’s Journey, Meditation
“Her respect for the craft, her respect for the performer and her enormous talent, offer a great opportunity to any professional trying to get to the next level. Do yourself a favour, take her class.”
— Coaching, The Actor’s Journey
“Some of my most powerful moments as an actor have been under her guidance and I feel her process should be one of the main tools in any actor's tool-belt.”
— Coaching, The Actor’s Journey
“I would recommend Nancy's class to all performers.”
— Coaching, The Actor’s Journey, Meditation
Want to Learn More?
Reach out for a consultation to assess your coaching needs, information on future workshops, or mentorship.
Actors
Retreat
The Retreat
Lake of the Woods
Kenora, Ontario
This is a 3 Day/3 Night performers retreat on Beautiful Lake of the Woods, Ontario designed to nurture the actor’s heart, mind, body & soul.
Includes:
2 workshop sessions with Nancy
Guided hikes, meditation, journaling & full access to our waterfront property. Enjoy the peace, serenity and play that Lake of the Woods offers while you recharge, study, & connect with your peers.
Accommodation and meal options provided.
More offerings
We’d love to hear from you.
We look forward to learning more about you, your goals, and how we can help you meet them.