I recently moved to LA from NYC and I'm having quite the time sifting through classes/teachers. There are plenty of prestigous schools out here but my main concern are classes that make everyone start with some "acting 101" class. I've been acting for quite a while (not professionally, but studying for years) and while I understand that every teacher as a different approach and wants their students to learn what the basics of their technique, some of these schools make you start out really basic (i.e. learning to drop physical habits, exercises to learn how to use your impulse, etc.) and I can't really justify paying huge fees for things I've been learning for years.

So, my question is, what are some studios/teachers that tend to look at the actor as an individual before sticking them in a class with students who just decided to start acting yesterday? I'm pretty open technique-wise. My past two years in NYC were spent in a competitive conservatory-based BFA program before I had to leave due to financial reasons, and acting classes in LA are definitely different from programs in New York, so I'd love some input from those who know.

Most of the Guru schools in LA like Margie Haber, Howard Fine, Aaron Speiser, Ivana Chubbuck have it where you go to a free intro class or you meet with the teacher one on one and he or she can assess if you can by pass all the beginner stuff and go straight to the guru.

If you want to bypass the levels at Margie Haber Studios, study with Annie Grindlay or Saxon Trainor. They teach almost exactly what Margie, herself, teaches. The lower levels at Margie Haber studios don't necessarily teach what Margie teaches but their own junk.

Improv schools like IO and UCB make EVERYONE start at the 101 class regardless of past improv ability.

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:
Most of the Guru schools in LA like Margie Haber, Howard Fine, Aaron Speiser, Ivana Chubbuck have it where you go to a free intro class or you meet with the teacher one on one and he or she can assess if you can by pass all the beginner stuff and go straight to the guru.

If you want to bypass the levels at Margie Haber Studios, study with Annie Grindlay or Saxon Trainor. They teach almost exactly what Margie, herself, teaches. The lower levels at Margie Haber studios don't necessarily teach what Margie teaches but their own junk.

Improv schools like IO and UCB make EVERYONE start at the 101 class regardless of past improv ability.

This is great information. Thank you! There are just SO MANY classes to audit that I needed a way to narrow it down to a more practical list.

You can try Dariush Kashani at bvmip.com. I take his class, he is very open to working with people with varied backgrounds. He has a beginners class and an advanced class with about 10 people. He will let you audit as well.

Why don't you try www.christianrodrigo.com/ActorsStudio great deal with a great teacher. I love it!

I attend the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio and I love it. She is the type of teacher that can cut to the core of your weakness and adjust it quickly. Definitely worth an audit.

Hi everyone,
I, too, am an actor just starting out. But I have dedicated a good while to my training and taking classes that would help me hone my craft. I took a 2 year professional Meisner technique class at the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio out in L.A. Currently, I am taking scene study at the very same studio and it has been such an amazing transition into applying what I have learned.
The scene study class at EMAS helps develop all the tools in your toolbox while tempering the use of them to make ones understanding of a scene make all your technique and hard work seem effortless and invisible.
Elizabeth also helps refine your auditioning technique by doing cold reads and mock auditions every few weeks.
Check her out:
www.emasla.com/

I would recommend any experienced actor to study with Marjo-Riikka Makela. She is the "secret weapon" behind many successful upcoming working actors in this town as well as known for rejuvenating inspiration for "old timers".
Her classes have a waiting list and private coaching times as hard to get, but I strongly recommend checking her out!
She teaches at Chekhov Studio International, Theater of Arts and USC