Hi,
I'm based in the LA area, and I was wondering if any of you would have any references to solid, reasonably-priced, reputable acting classes/workshops in LA? (I'm looking for something more long-term, though, if possible--perhaps a once a week class.) Any leads/names/websites would be helpful!

Thanks!

There is a new session of the Young Actors Conservatory starting in March 2009 in Burbank. The program is directed by young working professional actors Dominic Catrambone and Jeremy Kent Jackson. For more info go to www.discoveryonstage.com or email jeremy@discoveryonstage.com Call 626/736-9179

I know I had a list around on the board somewhere, but here is a partial list with some more choices.

Acting classes for kids/teens in LA.

* The Actors Circle – Culver City
Marcie Smolin and Staff
http://www.theactorscircle.com

* Marnie Cooper – Studio City
http://www.marniecooperschool.com/index.php

* John Homa
http://johnhoma.com

* Kristopher Kyer - Burbank
http://kyerworkshop.com/index.html

John Kirby (323) 939-5284,
441 1/2 N. Orange Dr., L.A. 90036

Class Act-The Young Actor's Studio - NoHo
http://www.youngactorsstudio.com

Dennis LaValle
http://www.lavalleactorsworkshop.com/index.htm

Constance Tillotson
http://www.whitefiretheatre.com/7182.html

Acting for Children and Teens at Edgemar Center for the Arts - Santa Monica
http://www.larrymossstudio.com/classes.html - view class list on right
http://www.edgemarcenter.org

The Young Actors Space – Van Nuys
http://www.youngactorsspace.com

Didi Destefano
http://www.didisreelactors.com

Scott Sedita Acting Studios – Los Angeles
http://www.scottseditaacting.com/index1.html

Malibu Actors Studio - Malibu
http://www.malibuactorsstudio.com/home.html

WCI Studios – Santa Monica and San Diego
William (Billy) Cowart
http://wcistudios.com/kid_classes.html

Actors Site
http://www.actorsite.com
This is a great site where you can receive FREE newsletters. If you join, you'll have access to lots of info and opportunities. You can be inspired and gain a lot just out of reading the newsletters.
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TEEN IMPROV

Improv Olympic West
http://www.iowest.com/classes

The Second City - LA
http://www.secondcity.com

Groundlings - LA
http://www.groundlings.com

Coaches that casting director Bonnie Gillespie sees on most of her kid actor resumes are:
Marnie Cooper
Kevin McDermott/Marcie Smolin
Kristopher Kyer
John Homa

I've tried a lot of programs and a lot of teachers and no one compares with Dominic Catrambone and Jeremy Kent Jackson at Discovery Onstage. So professional, and they really inspire the kids. Especially good at working with high schoolers. Check out their new Young Actors Conservatory starting up in March in Burbank. You can email Dominic at dromeo5@AOL.com. Again, I just can't say enough about their programs!

It's important to remember for any actor, young or old, to audit classes if possible before making a commitment to one. And even then, having a variety of instructors from different schools is beneficial to any actor to help them grow and find what works best for them. What may be good for one actor, may not be the same for another.

My daughter has attended a lot of classes since moving to LA. We've been here for 1 year and her scheduled had been booked with classes this last year.

Of all the classes she's taken we have settled with one that she is VERY happy with.

It provided her immediate results. After her very first class there she then went to an audition and landed a lead role in a major production! The very next class she went to she again had an audition right afterwards and landed the part!

She said she attributes her success with the auditions to what she learned in class.

The classes are at The Aaron Speiser Studios in LA. Google them and you'll find their web site.

Aaron has been very supportive on top of her wonderful classes. I asked him for assistance because in her major role she landed, she has a couple of scenes that she'll need to cry in according to the Director.

I asked Aaron what he thought we could do to help her and he offered to have her instructor go over the scenes with her in class. Her instructor called me directly after I spoke with Aaron and told me what her strategy would be to work with Athena.

They didn't ask me for more money to work with her, in fact, Aaron offered to let her go to some additional classes free of charge to help out!!!

They even had a casting director workshop that we got to go to at no additional charge! The workshop was EXTREMELY informative. The most unique workshop I've ever been to that offered an insider look at what its like to be on the other side of the audition table.

We actually got to see auditioners do a mock audition and critiqued their efforts. My daughter and I learned a lot.

Anyway, I can't say enough about Aaron Speiser's studio. My daughter is going to stay with them for a long time!

Rose

Thanks, TheGoddesses! Aaron is another excellent one to add to the list. I'm glad to know he's also working with teens. http://www.aaronspeiser.com/classes.html

Hello, I'm the artistic director of The Young Actor's Studio. I am a former child actor and six year faculty member from Lee Strasberg in New York and we have a wonderful acting studio in Los Angeles that teaches kids, teens and young adults to discover and nurture their own uniqueness and merge that into the role to stand out. As a child actor, I was always trying to jump through hoops to get what the director wanted and, because of this my work became stilted rather than real and spontaneous.

We offer Acting technique, scene study and acting for camera classes for all age groups. Here's a little clip about my life as a child actor and how I became a teacher of child actors.

http://youngactorsstudio.com/v...erview-jeff-alan-lee

All while I was teaching, people were always telling me that you can't teach the adult technique to kids because kids have a limited life experience. I NEVER believed that and have developed some great actors such as Shia Labeouf and Scarlet Johanson, both who studied with me at 12 - 14.

If I could be of help, give me a call at 818-763-1208 or visit the site at www.youngactorsstudio.com

I wish you every success and hope to welcome you.

Jeff Alan-Lee
Artistic Director of The Young Actor's Studio

We have found Actorsite GREAT for networking-meeting and talking with other acting kids and parents, and for the regular mock auditions with casting directors and CD intensive workshops. The mock audition format gives kids practice auditioning, and is preceded by a talk with the CD's who talk about what they are casting, the process, and take questions. Many of the actorsite kids are called in to audition and many are hired as a result of the CD workshops & mock auditions. It's a fun place!
Margie Haber Studios was recommended to us and my tween had her first LA acting experience with their "Reel Kids" workshop that is held over a weekend. Then, she continued on with Tess Skorczewski in a weekly on-camera class and likes working with her (Tess is no longer with Margie Haber).
http://www.margiehaber.com/html/reel_kids.asp
Christy Carlson Romano has started up a studio with another former child actor Nick Spano (they are both still working actors) in Studio City. http://www.actorslive.com/. We are trying their improv/comedy class on Saturdays.
My tween loves her class with former casting director, Stanzi Stokes.
http://www.stanziskidz.com/classes.html

These are just our personal experiences.

Can anyone me some feedback on Lisa Picotte? Thank you

Re: Lisa Picotte

Definately recommend her.

I've known her for many years (about 10 or 12 I think). When I met her she was a working actress and my son was blessed to be a Sondheim musical with her which ran several months (and Lisa won multiple awards for). When she had her kids, she decided to try coaching for the flexible schedule, and now she's got herself a booming business she can hardly keep up with. LOL

She teaches a wide range of classes these days, from the little guys to a professional level master class. Also does private coaching. She used to be affiliated with Aaron Spieser, but moved her location last year. She has several associates working with her, including her husband and a few director friends.

She regularly coaches MANY working actors and film leads. IMO, a few cuts above most of the "school" type things listed here. Very well connected.

Her style is pretty direct. Since she and her husband (her husband is David Kaufman)are also working actors, they have a perspective that few in the above lists have--what is going on in the casting rooms RIGHT NOW. They are tough and demanding.

Bad news: If you are interested in studying with her, call now. She has LONG waiting lists. You can usually try to schedule a private lesson, but the classes (done out of the Comedy Sportz theatre in LA) are full. In the summer, she does a series of intensives and CD events that are fun, and they sell out as well, so you have to jump on it.

Here is more research:
http://www.lisapicotte.com/about.htm
http://www.lisapicotte.com/success.htm
http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0682028/
David: http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0442120/

Lisa is currently performing in a musical,
BIG The Musical (as in the Tom Hanks movie):
http://www.westcoastensemble.org/

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As another note, when we do the CARE Awards, we ask who their teachers are, since they get points for acting study in our awardee matrix. Keeping in mind ALL the kids at CARE would have been working professionally, we see (no particular order, and off the top of my head, so forgive me if I forget someone):

--Lisa Picotte
--Marnie Cooper
--Diane Christiansen
--Dennis LaValle
--Joy Theatre -- Improv for kids
--Talent to Go --Francine Selkirk (improv and commercial for teens)
--Cynthia Bain
--Janet Alhanti
--Andrew Magarian
--Heinke (sorry...can't remember the first name)
--Young Actor's Space (Patrick)
--Diane Hardin (NY)

Also...kids tend to take CD workshops occasionally at Actorsite and at Actor's Key.

HTH,
A

For the Pasadena, Claremont and the So. Orange County area, here are some summer workshops, taught by a group of very talented actors, singers, and dancers. http://www.ctexperience.com/su...2009/summer2009.html

Scott Sedita is now offering a Comedy Intensive for Teens! http://www.scottseditaacting.com/home.php
Call his studio for more info.

Anyone know any info on Anthony (tony) Mendl? He is located on Melrose.....

*Bump*