ACTING TEACHERS/COACHES/SCHOOLS

As you can well imagine, there are scores of acting teachers and schools in Hollywood. For a newcomer, it’s a daunting task to try to determine which ones to consider studying with. The list that we are going to provide below is just the tip of the iceberg, but it is comprised of some of the best-known teachers, coaches and schools in town.

It’s up to you to figure out which ones will provide you with the type of class that you need most, but if you are coming from a strong stage background, or have just finished studying somewhere that doesn’t offer on-camera training, we urge you to seek out at least some classes that are geared to film and television acting. How do you find out? You ask!

Most, though not all, classes allow you to audit, so by all means take advantage of that if it’s offered. In fact, we kinda feel that it’s a mistake to just jump into any ol’ class without knowing if you’d even like the teacher. After all, unlike high school or even college, no one is forcing you to study with someone you detest, or whose methods are off-putting to your own acting instincts (which, of course, are not always correct…ahem!). And these classes cost money, which is all the more reason to look before you leap. So, again – ask!

First, the “private” teachers/coaches:

DEKE ANDERSON (310) 722-8303

GARY AUSTIN (“GROUNDLINGS” FOUNDER) (800) DOG-TOES

TERRY BERLAND www.terryberlandcasting.com

CRAIG CAMPOBASSO www.craigcampobasso.com

SHARON CHATTEN (213) 486-4229

MICHELLE DANNER & LARRY MOSS (310) 392-0815

HOWARD FINE www.howardfine.com

MARGIE HABER www.margiehaber.com

JEANIE HACKETT (818) 763-5933

JOHN HOMA www.johnhoma.com

GARY IMHOFF (323) 938-3772

JOEY PAUL JENSEN www.joeypaul.com

ANITA JESSE (323) 876-2870

KARI KURTO  actorsclasses@gmail.com

RICHARD LAWSON (310) 855-1556, EX. 30

KEN LERNER (818) 753-7444

HOLLY POWELL www.hollypowellstudios.com

BRIAN REESE (323) 874-5593

LEO ROSSI & STEPHEN SNYDER (323) 465-4241

SCOTT SEDITA www.scottseditaacting.com

CAMERON THOR (818) 760-9426

CRAIG WALLACE (323) 960-7852

DEE WALLACE-STONE (818) 635-2149

DOUG WARHIT (310) 479-5647

CARYN WEST (818) 693-4625, (323) 876-0394

A few acting schools:

BEVERLY HILLS PLAYHOUSE http://www.bhplayhouse.com

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS www.aada.org

*LEE STRASBERG INSTITUTE www.strasberg.com

*THEATRE OF ARTS www.acthollywood.com

STELLA ADLER CONSERVATORY www.stellaadler-la.com

ACTORS COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING www.actorscomprehensivetraining.com

*Also has a special program for international students

Now, it’s up to you to contact the teachers or schools and ask as many pertinent questions as you may have. Don’t let the ones with snotty-sounding receptionists throw you off. Remind yourself (and maybe them, if they’re too obnoxious) that you are the paying customer here and as such are entitled to some polite behavior on their part. You won’t always get it, of course. This is, after all, real life as it exists in Hollywood, like it or lump it.

One other point: Unless you only want to become a standup comic, even sketch/improv people need to study…acting. The reverse is also true and we urge everyone to sooner rather than later take some improv classes, too. Even if you aren’t the funny type, you must learn to think on your feet and nowadays, most casting people expect to see improv training on all actors’ resumes. There are a number of excellent improv schools and classes in Hollywood; once you establish yourself here, you can easily locate them, since virtually all of your new actor friends (you know – the ones you will so happily be acquiring from your acting classes…!) will already know about them! Just (here we go again) ASK!