Kate Melton Coaching (KMC) is an Oklahoma City–based acting studio and production company specializing in film and television training. Founded by actor-turned-coach and director Kate Melton, KMC offers professional coaching, scene study and industry-standard reel production through its in-house studio, Studio B. The company is dedicated to preparing actors for real-world opportunities while helping elevate the level of talent within Oklahoma’s growing film industry.
Can you tell us how and why you started your business?
Kate Melton Coaching (KMC) was founded after I (Founder Kate Melton) spent over two decades working as an actor, including many years living and training in Los Angeles. I began my career as a child actor, and that experience—combined with years of professional training and on-set work—gave me a strong understanding of what actors truly need to succeed in today’s industry.
When I returned to Oklahoma, I launched a virtual studio where I coached actors all over the world. While that allowed me to work with a wide range of talent, it also made me realize there was a significant gap locally—actors in Oklahoma didn’t have enough access to high-level, professional film and television training.
KMC grew out of that need. What started as a virtual coaching practice has evolved into a full studio and creative space where actors of all ages train in an environment that reflects the real expectations of the industry. With the addition of our professional filming space, Studio B, we’ve expanded beyond traditional coaching into creating industry-standard footage for actors, helping them not only grow in their craft but also present themselves competitively to agents, managers and casting directors.
At its core, KMC exists to bridge the gap between Oklahoma talent and the level of preparation required to work professionally in film and television.
What services do you provide within the film industry?
Kate Melton Coaching provides professional acting training with a focus on film and television performance. Our services include private coaching, audition preparation and ongoing scene study classes designed to prepare actors for the realities of working on set.
In addition to training, we specialize in producing high-quality, industry-standard footage through our Signature Reel Package. These are professionally written, directed and filmed scenes tailored to each actor’s type and goals, giving them competitive material for agents, managers and casting directors.
Through our in-house studio, Studio B, we’re able to offer a unique combination of coaching and production, allowing actors to not only develop their craft but also leave with tangible, career-ready assets.
How has your company grown to meet the needs of Oklahoma’s film industry over the last 3-5 years?
Over the past several years, KMC has evolved from a virtual coaching platform serving actors nationwide into a full-scale training and production studio based in Oklahoma City.
As the Oklahoma film industry has expanded, so has the need for actors who are professionally prepared for on-set work. In response, we’ve expanded our offerings to include more advanced, on-camera training and developed Studio B to produce high-quality filmed content that meets industry standards.
I have also been actively involved in Oklahoma’s legislative sessions supporting the state’s film incentive, giving me a broader perspective on the growth and direction of the industry. That insight directly informs how we train actors—ensuring they are aligned with the level of work being brought into the state.
We’ve also built a scalable training model by expanding class offerings and bringing in additional coaches, allowing us to serve more actors while maintaining a high standard of instruction. Our goal has been to grow alongside the industry and ensure Oklahoma talent is fully prepared when opportunities arise.
What are the benefits of basing your company’s operations in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is at a really exciting point in its growth as a film market, with increasing production activity, strong community support and a rapidly developing talent base.
For me, this work is also deeply personal—Oklahoma has always been home. After spending many years building my career in Los Angeles, returning to my home state allowed me to invest directly in the next generation of actors and help elevate the local industry from within.
Operating here allows us to contribute meaningfully to that growth by raising the standard of actor training while remaining accessible to the community. There’s a strong sense of collaboration within the Oklahoma film industry, creating opportunities for actors, filmmakers and creatives to build together.
At the same time, being based in Oklahoma allows us to offer a level of personalized, high-quality training while still preparing actors to compete at a national level.
What would you consider your business’s greatest accomplishment to date?
While I’m incredibly proud of the many actors I’ve coached who have gone on to book work and pursue their dreams, my greatest accomplishment is building a career doing what I love in a market that I deeply believe in.
Creating a space where actors in Oklahoma can receive high-level training and feel genuinely supported in their growth has been the most meaningful part of this journey. Being able to contribute to an industry that is actively growing—and to help shape the level of talent within it—is something I don’t take for granted.
Are there any recent successes your company would like to highlight related to work within the Oklahoma film and music industries?
One recent success I’m especially proud of is working with actor Martin Kamm, who was cast as a series regular in Nickelodeon’s Hollywood Arts, a “Victorious” spinoff that will be released on Netflix. Martin, who is originally from Shawnee, Oklahoma, trained in my scene study classes and worked with me extensively throughout his audition process. I also had the opportunity to continue coaching him as he prepared for episodes.
Seeing actors develop within the studio and then step into major opportunities like this is incredibly rewarding, and it speaks to the level of training and preparation happening here in Oklahoma.
What are you working on now/next?
Currently, I’m focused on expanding Studio B Productions and continuing to create high-quality, narrative-driven content for actors. I’m also stepping further into directing, which has become a major creative focus for me and a natural extension of my work as a coach.
In addition, we’ve recently brought on associate coach Owen Trumbly, a working actor known for his role on ABC’s “Will Trent.” Owen began as a student at KMC and has grown into a professional actor, and now plays a key role in helping us expand our training programs while maintaining a high standard of instruction.
Looking ahead, the goal is to continue building a space where training, production and storytelling all intersect—giving actors not only the tools to succeed, but opportunities to create meaningful work.
What is your goal/vision for the future of your company?
Our goal is to continue expanding our offerings so we can serve actors at every stage of their careers, from beginners to working professionals.
We’re focused on growing both the training and production sides of the business—developing more in-house projects, expanding Studio B Productions and continuing to create high-quality opportunities for actors to gain experience and build strong, competitive material.
Long-term, the vision is to create a fully integrated space where actors can train, work and create—right here in Oklahoma—without needing to leave the state to pursue a professional career.
What advice do you have for others who are considering starting a film or music business in Oklahoma?
My biggest advice would be to truly understand the market you’re stepping into. Oklahoma is growing quickly, but it’s still a relationship-driven industry, so building trust and maintaining a strong reputation is essential.
Focus on quality, be consistent and find where you can genuinely add value. There’s a lot of opportunity here, but the businesses that succeed are the ones that are intentional about what they offer and committed to serving the community long-term.
What opportunities do you believe await Oklahoma’s film/music industry in the future?
Oklahoma is in a unique position right now, with increasing production, strong legislative support and a growing infrastructure to support filmmakers and talent. I think we’re going to see continued expansion, not just in the number of projects coming into the state, but in the types of projects being produced. With companies like Rock Paper Cannon developing sitcoms and other content locally, there’s real potential for Oklahoma to become a hub not just for filming, but for ongoing production. As that growth continues, there will be more opportunities for actors, filmmakers and creatives to build sustainable careers here, which is incredibly exciting.
Each featured individual or business is given the provided questions to answer in their own voice. Other than formatting and grammar, the answers are personal to each featured voice, and are not provided by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office.
