Hello there,

I'm a slightly-older-than-usual college student who's currently researching acting programs. Does anybody know if the courses at the Baron/Brown Studio in Santa Monica are any good?

I've heard two interviews with Joanne Baron and pretty much agreed with her take on acting and training (based on Meisner), but... has anybody gone there and knows what the courses are actually like? How many people are in one class? How the (rehearsal) place looks etc.?

It's apparently the partner school of the William Esper Studio in NYC, so I suppose it can't be that bad. Some inside scoop would be great.

Thanks,
Anty

No one? Le sigh.

bump. i'm wondering the same thing.

Class number at Baron/Brown usually ranges between 14-20 students although people drop out because they do not like being berated for calling in sick, paying 55 dollars for being absent and not being able to take a break during a 3 and 1/2 hour class. There is no lounge, no rehearsal area, no water fountain or vending machine to buy water and the bathrooms are always unkept.

In general, Joanne Baron has always been considered one of the top (out of less than five) Meisner teachers in LA. Haven't studied with her myself.

I took the 6 week intro program there. Overall I would say it's decent. They are pretty hardcore about money and attendance. The teachers are supportive, but firm when necessary (in my experience). I do feel that the office can get very pushy when it comes to money though.

I did feel that the classes dragged a bit sometimes. You do get up every class, which is nice. I definitely learned a lot in my 6 weeks there.

I have thought about taking more classes there but haven't signed back up. It is expensive, so that's a challenge.

I think it's worth the first 6 week session to decide if it's what you're looking for.

I'm confused now - what happened to Jim08's first post where he said the place sucked so much?

Well, I did a course at a British drama school once which was very into pseudo-therapy and all that crap, so I'm the last person to not understand frustrated acting students (though I wonder if it can really be that bad - otherwise the Esper Studio would damage its reputation by recommending the place to people on the West coast, wouldn't it?). Nevertheless, not being allowed to participate in the class when you're late is standard practice from all I know. And not getting money back when you don't attend makes sense as well; otherwise people could just show up (or not) whenever they want and the class as a whole wouldn't get anywhere - from my experience, that's standard practice, too, at least in Europe. Is it different in the states?

Can anybody talk a bit more about the quality of training? I've seen interviews with Joanne and while I agree she's a bit big on name-dropping, I also agreed very much with her no-nonsense approach to acting. But I assume she only teaches the Master Class, so what about other the teachers?

And oh, is it expensive? I got the impression 300$ for a month with 8 hours per week is fairly normal in LA?

They do have a 15 minute policy as far as lateness - if you show up more than 15 minutes late you can't come to class. Even though they are pretty strict on rules like that, I can understand it. You can't show up to an audition 15 minutes late. They're just trying to get people into good habits I think.

As far as the quality of the training.... Joanne only teaches master classes and higher level students. The two teachers I learned from were both very supportive and I definitely learned from each of them.

As far as being expensive - I think the 6 week class met 3 times per week for 3-4 hours each time and was about $600 for the whole session if I remember correctly.

I was very on the fence about signing up for the class because it was expensive and I didn't know what I would think of it. After taking it I am glad I did and I would say it's worth it to at least try it.

I think that if nothing else, it teaches you how to more deeply connect with other people, which is always a good thing.

Overall I would say I have a good impression of the studio - some of the office people can be shitty, but I think that I definitely learned some things from the class.

However, I have also thought of researching other Meisner studios as well.

Hope that helps!

I have only inquired about studying there, but just from that my impression is that they are pushy. I have received multiple emails and phone calls despite explaining why I am not able to take their classes now as opposed to when I originally emailed them about summer courses.

I did there two year Meisner program when I first came to LA almost nine years ago so I can't speak to how it is there now. With that said, however, I have to say the two years of foundation training was great for me because up until then I hadn't really had extensive training.

I liked the teachers I had, Marc Bossley for my first year - he left years ago and Tom Patton for my second year. I did help Joanne with a scene in her class once and she tore my scene partner a new one But she is a great instructor.

Ultimately I liked how strict they were because that meant most of the people in my class were very serious. I also liked that I bonded with many of the people in my class which made it easier for me to grow as an actor and take more chances.

Run, don't walk to Joanne & DW's studio. The classes are excellent, the discipline is well worth it and the graduation recommendations they make for agents etc. is well worth the cost of the classes. Joanne is rigorous in her training technique and any instructor she allows her students to work with is truly an amazing coach. It has been several years since I completed my training & now work in Denver both as a director and actor. I walked out of the classroom & straight into an agent's office because of the studio's preparation for real world acting gigs. Agent's immediately liked my preparation for those meetings and my professionalism which the studio TAUGHT me. So, don't wait any longer-just sign up for classes!

Thanks for the info, people!

Auntbe, do you mind telling me what the space is like? Somebody here made a comment a while back (but it got deleted) about how the bathrooms are never cleaned and there's only one rehearsal space and such. Are they still in the same place they were back when you trained? Is it like an entire building or...?