Are You Ready to Be a Lead Actor?

Learn what it really takes from auditions to wrap, taught by someone who has lived it.

 
Enroll in the Course Now!

Are You Ready to Be a Lead Actor?

Learn what it really takes from auditions to wrap, taught by someone who has lived it.

 
Enroll Now!

Alexis's IMDb Credits Include:

What Does It Really Take to Be a Lead Actor? 


Many actors dream of landing a leading role in a feature film or becoming a series regular on a hit show, but few are prepared for how different the job actually is.

Being a lead is not just about having more lines to memorize, although that is part of it.

The audition process is different.
The contracts are different.
The expectations on set are different.

And there are many responsibilities that most actors are never taught.

When a lead role opportunity comes your way, preparation matters. This course is designed to make sure you are not left guessing, second-guessing yourself, or learning everything the hard way.

Alexis Louder has led multiple major studio films and television projects and has navigated every stage of the process firsthand.

In this course, Alexis walks you through the full lifecycle of a lead role, from the first audition to booking, negotiating, working on set, and handling press and promotion, so you can step into bigger opportunities with clarity and confidence.

The Foundations Course

What You'll Learn


April will guide you through the essential emotional access system that builds presence, confidence, and emotional truth from the inside out.

  • Emotional Presence and Letting Go – Learn how preparation frees you to stay open and responsive.

  • Getting Out of Your Head – Reduce overthinking and reconnect with instinct.

  • Confidence and Grounded Connection – Strengthen inner trust so emotional life can arise naturally.

  • Understanding Emotional Triggers – Work with personal triggers in a healthy, sustainable way.

  • Emotion Mapping – Assign emotional meaning to words, objects, relationships, and environments.

  • Primary vs Secondary Emotions – Know the difference and why it matters for truthful acting.

  • Accessing Sadness and Anger – Explore safe, practical approaches to these emotional states.

  • "I AM" Statements – Use identity based grounding to shift state, increase confidence, and deepen character work.

  • Nervous System Regulation – Tools to stay balanced, reduce stress, and avoid emotional overload.

  • Living Emotional Scenes – Move from prep into performance with clarity, connection, and repeatability.

  • Character Connection – Build empathy and emotional resonance with the character’s experience.

  • Dropping In – Create a strong moment before and transition fully into the scene.

The Tools, Techniques & Exercises Course

What You'll Learn


This course gives you April’s complete training library, filled with emotional workouts, practical drills, and advanced tools that expand range, nuance, and emotional flexibility.

  • Body Based Emotional Workouts – Explore emotional states through physical expression and sensation.

  • Voice Based Emotional Workouts – Use sound and breath to access emotion and release tension.

  • Emotion Awareness and Vocabulary – Strengthen nuance using the Feelings List, Emotions Wheel, and heat maps.

  • Accessing Unfamiliar Emotions – Learn how to mimic, observe, and embody emotions that feel foreign to you.

  • Breathwork Tools – Quick breath connect, jellyfish breath, box breath, breath of fire, lion’s breath, and more.

  • High Stakes Emotions – Safely simulate panic, fear, or physical exhaustion for high stakes moments.

  • Palate Lift – Use vocal release for added vulnerability, resonance, and presence.

  • Chemistry and Thought Exercises – Create connection with a scene partner using imagination, even when alone.

  • Pinch Then Ouch – Build truthful reactions by imagining the stimulus rather than performing the response.

  • Monologue Exercise Sequence – Word sync and joy workout training for grounded emotional delivery.

  • Surprise and Fear Work – Learn layered drills that escalate from calm to surprise to fear with authenticity.

  • High Stakes Exercises – Work with urgency, frustration, and emotional activation in a safe, supported way.

  • Playing Death on Camera – Build truthful physicality, breath, and emotional stakes in final moments.

  • Substances Sober Tools – Explore altered states like being high, in love, or deeply afraid without pushing.

  • Trigger Deck System – Build, organize, and apply your own deck of emotional triggers for long term access.

  • Music Based Emotional Prep – Use playlists and timed song drops to shift emotional state and deepen connection.

  • Shadow Work and Inner Child Work – Expand emotional depth through reflective and personal exploration.

  • Meditation Practices – Guided breath, light, still water, and loving kindness practices for grounding and reset.

Student Testimonials

 
 

Unlock Your Full Emotional Potential as an Actor

For many actors, accessing a wide range of emotions can feel inconsistent—or even overwhelming.

It’s not just about crying on cue or getting angry on command. It’s about doing it authentically, doing it consistently, and doing it in a way that protects your mental and emotional well-being.

That’s where Emotional Access comes in.

This course will give you practical, repeatable techniques for deepening your emotional range, while also learning how to ground yourself, regulate your nervous system, and work in a healthy, sustainable way.

Enroll Now

Unlock Your Full Emotional Potential as an Actor

For many actors, accessing a wide range of emotions can feel inconsistent—or even overwhelming.
It’s not just about crying on cue or getting angry on command. It’s about doing it authentically, doing it consistently, and doing it in a way that protects your mental and emotional well-being.

That’s where Emotional Access comes in.

This course will give you practical, repeatable techniques for deepening your emotional range, while also learning how to ground yourself, regulate your nervous system, and work in a healthy, sustainable way. 

Enroll Now!

EMOTIONAL ACCESS COURSE MODULES

Goals to Growth
3 Video Lessons
Reframe goals, expand emotional vocabulary, and build sustainable access.

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Tapping into Emotion
4 Video Lessons
Explore confidence, crying, anger, and possibility to deepen emotional range.

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Anchor the Work
3 Video Lessons
Ground yourself with “I Am” statements and nervous system regulation tools.

Learn More

Living Emotional Scenes
6 Video Lessons
Connect triggers, character, and mapping into fully lived performances.

Learn More

Integration and Examples
4 Video Lessons
Wrap up tools, integrate practice and performance, and examples to solidify lessons.

Learn More

Expanding Range
10 Video Lessons
Sharpen awareness with emotional vocabulary, workouts, and body connection.

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Emotional Prep in Practice
7 Video Lessons
Practice chemistry, word syncing, monologues, and on-camera emotional exercises.

Learn More

Breath Tools
11 Video Lessons
Use breath to access vulnerability, energy, stillness, and balance.

Learn More

Surprise, Fear & Unexpected
6 Video Lessons
Exercises to train surprise, fear, altered states, and high-stakes emotional truth.

Learn More

Emotional Triggers
4 Video Lessons

Organize, build, and apply personal triggers for deeper emotional truth.

Learn More

More Tools and Exercises
5 Video Lessons
Expand emotional capacity through comedy, music, shadow, and inner child.

Learn More

Why This Matters.

Actors who can access their emotions freely—while staying healthy—have an edge in auditions, on set, and on stage.

When you’re no longer afraid of “going there,” you open yourself up to:

  • More nuanced, truthful performances 
  • The ability to recover quickly between takes
  • Less self-consciousness when working in front of others
  • Greater connection to scene partners and material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Testimonials

 
 

Why This Matters.

Actors who can access their emotions freely—while staying healthy—have an edge in auditions, on set, and on stage.

When you’re no longer afraid of “going there,” you open yourself up to:

  • More nuanced, truthful performances 
  • The ability to recover quickly between takes
  • Less self-consciousness when working in front of others
  • Greater connection to scene partners and material

Meet Your Instructor

 

Alexis Louder is a working actor based in Atlanta, where she continues to train, stay creatively curious, spend time with family, and gather real-life experience that fuels her artistry.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from UNC Charlotte and writes and produces between bookings. Her lead roles include Copshop opposite Gerard Butler, Universal Pictures’ Violent Night, Apple TV+’s The Changeling, and the Netflix film Weathering, produced by Bradley Cooper. Alexis has also appeared in projects such as Watchmen, Chicago P.D., The Terminal List, and The Tomorrow War.

Beyond her credits, Alexis brings firsthand experience navigating the transition into leading roles, including auditions, negotiations, and the responsibility of carrying a production.

This course is built from what she learned along the way, offering practical guidance she wishes she had earlier in her career.

What Actors Are Saying About April’s Training

This has hands down been one of, if not THE, most impactful classes I’ve taken. I already feel a noticeable difference in my acting when using these tools.”
 Nathan Murphy

“I had an intense crying/sobbing scene on set, and I used the techniques I learned in class. I feel SO SOLID about my performance. Thank you!”
Susan Swavely

“I feel like my acting palate has been expanded! Thank you April!”
Maiché Word

“I became less self-conscious about accessing my emotions in front of others, which helped me get out of my head and be more connected.”
— Chelsea Lavallee

“I’ve taken multiple classes with April and have seen results in my bookings! April gave me clear and specific feedback in class that improved my camera acting and prepared me for my agent search. I’d definitely recommend taking her class!”
Gilda Chestney

"April was the first Drama Inc. teacher I ever had, and she created a space that felt both safe and challenging. Her coaching has had a lasting impact on my growth as an actor, and I'll always value her as a teacher!"
Noah Jay Wood

By the End of This Course, You Will…

  • Understand the specific details of the lead role audition and casting process 
  • Know how to avoid getting taken advantage of by the big studios during contract negotiations
  • Avoid mistakes and embarrassment when navigating responsibilities on and off set
  • Be well prepared to do press and promotion including interviews and red carpet premieres

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the End of This Course, You Will…

  • Have practical techniques to expand your emotional range in a healthy way.
  • Know how to use nervous system regulation to stay grounded in high-intensity scenes.
  • Have confidence-building tools for more connected, nuanced performances.
  • Be able to safely enter and exit heightened emotional states.

Foundations Course Only

YOUR CORE EMOTIONAL ACCESS SYSTEM

  • Expanding emotional vocabulary

  • Deepening emotional range

  • Tools for building confidence and presence

  • "I AM" statements for personal grounding
  • Nervous system regulation techniques

  • Process for living emotional scenes

  • Trigger and emotion mapping basics

Regular Price: $147

 Your Price Today: $97

Get the Foundations Course!

Two Course Bundle!

Foundations Course +
Tools, Techniques & Exercises Course

THE COMPLETE EMOTIONAL ACCESS TRAINING LIBRARY

Everything in the Foundations Course plus...

  • Full emotional workout system

  • Music, shadow work, and meditation tools

  • Body and voice based emotion drills

  • Chemistry, word syncing, and monologue tools
  • Advanced breathwork techniques and exercises

  • High stakes and element of surprise exercises

  • Building trigger decks for efficient training

Regular Price: $247

 Your Price Today: $197

Get the Two Course Bundle!

Frequently Asked Questions