When Tracey Moore arrived in New York from San Francisco more than 25 years ago, she knew only two people and had a couple hundred dollars in her pocket. Despite being accepted into NYU’s theatre program, Tracey had the ambition to jump right into her career. So in 1985 she along with a couple of friends formed a theatre company, “The Joke’s on You”, and for six years they performed practical jokes for hire.

After a friend asked for her help in casting a music video, she realized eyeing talent was already a skill she’d been honing for quite some time. She began researching how to become a casting director but found little information. She went out and bought The Ross Report and began cold calling casting directors asking for their help and insight for breaking into the industry. They all hung up on her. Realizing her thoughts and words manifested her dreams, she took a step back to reexamine her approach. This time she called back saying she was a student that needed to do research on how casting directors are underrated- she immediately got results and had her subjects divulging all they knew.

After a while Moore found herself not being satisfied with just music videos when she got a call from MTV asking her to help them scout talent. She found about four comedians, one in a Boston comedy club that really stood out. She brought him to MTV and told them he was the next big thing. His name was Dave Chapelle.

Tracey eventually got into film and expanded upon her ability to really mold actors, her first film Just Another Girl on The IRT  was followed by a slew of other projects including New Jersey Drive and an independent film working with actor Jeffrey Wright. Throughout the early 90’s Moore began to explore her abilities to coach and teach acting and worked with everyone from Tupac to Biggie. She eventually put together her own brochure to formally begin her career as an acting coach and had musicians like Q-Tip, Faith Evans, Missy and Busta Rhymes coming to her for lessons.

Moore took her passion to the next level and started intense training on the set with a few of her students including Busta Rhymes and Eve. She prides herself with having real and close relationships with her clients, practically living on and off set with them. She recounts several stories with each that describe their bonds. Once while working with Eve on Barbershop, she and the actress took a trip to the drug store. They noticed a couple of girls following them through the aisles, trying to figure out if the woman she was with really was the rap superstar.  Finally one girl got up enough coverage to come over and ask Eve what she was doing in the store. The star replied, “I need toiletries too.”  Moore revealed at that point Eve seemed so real to her.

 Another time while filming The Woodsmen with Eve, the rapper had an allergic reaction and was rushed to the hospital. He manager asked that Tracey go inside the triage unit with her. 

“It meant so much that he trusted me to go,” said Moore.

That’s the kind of relationship the two had.

With Busta Rhymes, Tracey was also able to make a real connection and build a relationship that surpasses their professional association.

Once in Toronto, Moore remembers she and Busta were detained in the airport for seven hours and true to style, Rhymes was not happy and was rebellious the entire time.

“I see people behind the celebrity and they rely on me for confidentiality and trust,” said Moore.

One of her most challenging experiences came when her father died of cancer while she was filming Narc in Toronto with Rhymes.  She flew back to be with him during his last days and Busta would often call to check in on her. While he was concerned about her well being she also knew he needed her. It was a difficult time for her to balance and deal with all that was going on.

Tracey’s years of experience and love for the art of acting have given her a plethora of jewels to drop on all you actors out there looking for nuggets of wisdom from a pro. When asked what her advice would be for young thespians she shared these tips:

• Be honest on why you choose to act. The more honest you are, the more you can gauge your journey.  Moore recalls a story when she was working with Busta Rhymes on the film Finding Forrester in Toronto. The two went out to dinner on Father’s Day and throughout the night; fans kept coming over asking for autographs and pictures. Although Rhymes was gracious it was obvious to her that he was a little frustrated with all the attention while attempting to enjoy his meal. When you do good work, there is no control over you’re fame and notoriety.
• Study Your Craft. You need knowledge in order to bring power and confidence to your role. Being an actor is about recreating the human experience. Some students believe one or two classes are all that’s needed but you have to continuously hone your craft throughout your career.
• Be Open to Learning and Expanding Your Craft. We’ve all heard the saying life is a journey not a destination. This saying couldn’t be any truer around this topic. Hollywood can’t determine you’ve made it, you decide when that is.
• Be Careful of Your Words. Speak of the positive and have your words manifest your destiny.

Moore also gave us a glimpse into the audition process and what the folks behind the table are looking for.

• Actors are always nervous about the audition process. It’s important to change your perspective and embrace the audition process. Have fun and remember without actors no one has a job so own that power.
• Preparation is key. If you have an agent makes sure to get the sides (script) in advance. Work on the role and do your homework. If you aren’t able to gain access to these, get there early and go over the lines as many times as you can. Read over the script three times. Once to grasp what’s going on in the scene. A second time to understand the situation and relationship between the characters. And a third time to really break down the character and gain a deeper perspective of the role.
• Dress appropriate. Wear colors that stand out.
• Remember that this is your time and it’s all about you. If you have questions be specific and brief. If you receive direction that you don’t understand ask questions to try and understand.
• Auditions are about personality as well. Act like you want to be there.
• Feel good about yourself afterwards. Don’t beat yourself up about how much better you could have been. Let it go.

Moving forward Tracey says she’d like to sit in the director’s chair and really sink her teeth into that aspect of the experience.

She’s set to direct a music video for a new artist, Badia Farha. She’s also working on a play that centers around seven female basketball players. The play uses basketball as a metaphor and allows us to see them work through their problems.  She has also produced a film, Peephole, which will go into production in 2010.

Ultimately she would like to turn her Spirited Actor workshop into a four-year accredited acting school.  When it’s all said and done, Tracey plans on moving to London and writing her memoir.

Throughout the years Tracey has expanded her reach and built a resume that is as broad as it is inspiring.  She wrote a book for actors, developed a play about sexual abuse, domestic violence and healing and directed a play for a Samuel French competition. Her thirteen years of coaching actors has brought her much joy and many victories.

Tracey Moore has come a long way since her arrival to New York from the west coast in the eighties and has taken the acting world by storm by touching lives and following her heart in order to feed her passion.  Her accomplishments are nothing short of amazing and as she continues her work acting students, film goers and art enthusiasts will continue to be inspired by her spirited gift.

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