Acting Coaching
The following individuals or companies specialize in one-on-one acting coaching. Private coaching is also available from the majority of those listed in the "Acting Schools and Classes" category. Coaches in other specialties, like musical theatre or voiceover or young performers, are listed in those categories.
PHYLLIS APPLEGATE/ONE-ON-ONE
Emmy-nominated character actor Applegate offers ongoing individual performance coaching to actors, singers, and business professionals. Applegate coaches her students on audition techniques, cold readings, character creation, scene study, and how to "audition and perform with power." On-set coaching available. (323) 655-5167.
MICHAEL ARABIAN
After seven years at the Howard Fine Studio, Arabian now offers private coaching with a reality-based approach in which the actors work "moment to moment" from themselves to live truthfully in any given situation. Arabian's teaching uses a combination of Meisner's and Uta Hagen's techniques, integrating scene study, on-camera critiques, and audition technique. (310) 558-1132.
THE AUDITION COACH
Casting director Dino S. Ladki (former head of casting/MTV, Independent/Carsey-Werner) offers perspective from "the other side of the ropes." Ladki's coaching is designed to let actors in on not only what he would be looking for if he were casting the part but also what the producers are likely to be looking for. He specializes in audition coaching, helping actors, he put it, "perfect your auditions before you go in to read." Sessions are $40 per hour and may be videotaped upon request. First session is always free. (323) 654-8703. See ad on page 32-A.
LINDA BERRY'S BERRYWOOD
Berry, who has a marketing, management, and production company, offers one-on-one and workshop training for beginning and intermediate actors, which includes monologue work, on-camera cold reading, and scene study. Actors learn two monologues and perform their scenes three ways. The work focuses on getting actors ready for auditioning, getting auditions, and getting the role. Training sessions start at $35. Also offered to actors, "How To Master the Business Side of the Entertainment Industry," including a workable marketing plan and useful promotion materials. Training sessions start at $35. Special packages available. Berry teaches actors from ages 6 and up. www.berrywood .net. info@berrywood.net. (310) 410-1836.
MARC BOSSLEY
"A director who knows the territory of the playwright's intent," wrote T.H. McCulloh [BSW, 6/27/03] about Bossley's recent direction of Golden Boy. Bossley has been teaching acting for the past nine years and has worked as a casting consultant on more than 30 commercials and films. He is one of founding members of the MacGuffin Theatre Company and performs at the Comedy Store. He focuses on realism, personal truth, and creating a character through interpreting the author's intent. He is available for private coaching (auditions, monologues, etc.) at $50 an hour. New clients get the first coaching free when they book and pay for the second coaching. 310-770-4180.
SARA BOTSFORD
An award-winning actor, director, and producer, Botsford has taught in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles. She coaches all levels and puts actors' work on videotape. (818) 648-0891.
CHARLES CARROLL
Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Carroll has been teaching for 30 years. He began acting in film in 1986's Robocop and has continued to work ever since. Currently he offers an ongoing on-camera class for small groups, focusing on scene study and auditions for film and TV, all aimed toward "developing an on-camera technique." Private coaching for auditioning in film and TV available. (323) 962-6736. See ad on page 33-A.
JANET CARROLL
Carroll, an award-winning actor, offers private coaching to selected students, teaching comprehensive acting techniques and psychology based on her lifetime in the craft. Call for an interview. (310) 459-1073.
SANDRA CARUSO
Caruso, a current professor in the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, offers private coaching and audition preparation. He also studied with Meisner, Strasberg, and Hagen, graduated from the NYU Theatre Department and has a master's degree from UCLA. She's the author of three books, most recently, The Actors Book of Improvisation: Dramatic Situations from Shakespeare to Spielberg. (310) 476-5113. See ad on page 11-A.
MARK CHAET
Chaet teaches business for actors through private instruction. He focuses on goal-setting and methods for organizing and advancing an acting career. (818) 547-9018.
CLASSIC COACHING
Daniel Chace, M.F.A. Yale Drama and former instructor at the Stella Adler Academy, offers "insightful and positive" coaching for actors and singers on every level. From one-time professional audition preparation to ongoing private training for beginners, sessions are held in a large professional studio in Hollywood. DV camera with large monitor is available for optional on-camera work or at-home review. A well-tuned piano stands ready. Reserved parking. Free initial consultation. (323) 851-4949.
CHRISTINA CONCETTA
Concetta studied with Hagen in New York, learning a moment-to-moment approach, and she is a member of The Actors Studio. With 10 years' teaching experience, she offers private coaching in scene study, monologues, cold reading, and script analysis, finding special material to suit each actor; plus special help in career guidance. (818) 415-6967.
LISA DALTON
Dalton, who has been teaching and working as a professional actor for more than 20 years, combines extensive training in a variety of acting techniques with psychology, spirituality, and metaphysics to provide private coaching that includes audition/role preparation, image/headshot/marketing advice, on-camera scene study, and monologue development. Her career guidance is aimed at solving audition and performance anxiety, business frustrations, artistic blocks, and coping with success. She also consults with writers and directors on scripts. She is a retired stunt performer, clown, and comedienne. A renowned expert on Michael Chekhov acting techniques, Dalton has taught in Europe, Russia, and across the country, and she co-produced From Russia to Hollywood. Private sessions, held in NoHo/Toluca Lake, are $70 for 90 minutes. (818) 761-5404.
NINA FOCH STUDIO
A working actor since 1941, Oscar and Emmy nominee Foch offers private consulting and coaching for directors and actors. Foch is a professor at USC and a director of documentaries and MOWs. She charges $200/hour. (310) 553-5805.
MARJORIE GAINES
Gaines is currently teaching acting for majors at Cal State Long Beach (CSULB). She trained extensively with Nina Foch, and at New York University's School of the Arts she trained with Lloyd Richards, Olympia Dukakis, and Kristin Linklater. She currently offers private coaching in audition preparation and basic technique. (818) 344-7115.
BETH GOLDSTEIN
A casting professional for more than six years who studied acting with major New York-based teachers, Goldstein offers private coaching for audition preparation and teaches a class incorporating technique, scene study, and audition skills for comedy and drama, as well as tips on the business of acting. (818) 316-9054.
HARRIET GREENSPAN, PRIVATE COACHING FOR KIDS AND TEENS
Greenspan privately coaches for auditions and the like. A casting director for the past 20 years, with credits that include features, MOWs, pilots, soaps, and series, Greenspan is now freelancing, most recently with Nickelodeon. (818) 386-2186.
JEANIE HACKETT
Hackett coaches privately for auditions, and runs an ongoing private class for audition technique. Most actors are referred by agents and managers. "Audition coaching is entirely different from teaching acting," Hackett said. "Actors being coached need to get to full performance level in an hour, pure and simple. For television, it's almost never about creating a character, it's about using yourself to your absolute best advantage. If you know what to look for, in every audition there's one central moment that's the make-or-break event of the scene. And if you nail that, you get the callback and ultimately the job." Hackett is the co-artistic director of the Antaeus Theater Company, the author of The Actor's Chekhov and Toward Mastery, and has worked extensively as an actor on Broadway and in television and film. Besides teaching classical acting at the Antaeus Academy, she offers an ongoing "private" class in contemporary scene study and audition technique on Wednesdays, 7-11 p.m., at the Antaeus Theater Center in North Hollywood. Class size is small, students work every week. The fee for this class is $150 per month. Private coaching at her studio in North Hollywood is $75 per hour; the second session in the same week is $60 per hour. Coaching for non-paying theatre auditions is $50 per hour. Schedule permitting, Hackett also offers free 15-minute brush-ups for callbacks. (818) 763-5933.
JAMES HARPER
Harper, a multi-award-winning actor/producer/casting associate, has performed leading roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and with leading regional theatres. He has more than 300 appearances on TV and 25 feature films to his credit. A Juilliard graduate, a classically trained professional actor and teacher for more than 25 years, he has taught at universities across the country, including USC. Harper specializes in audition coaching, as well as in assisting the actor who has already landed the job. Rates vary depending upon project length and/or number of sessions. (818) 749-4678 (voicemail); (818) 801-6664 (pager).
HOLLYWOOD ACTING CLASS/ HELENE KRESS
Kress promises a "fun, upbeat class that includes unique and different improvisation exercises, cold reading, and practicing basic emotions." The class, held in Hollywood, includes scenes, monologues, commercials, and exercises. "We also practice basic stage manners," said Kress. Students have starred in commercials, music videos, TV, and film. Classes are Mondays: children, $10, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; adults, $17, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (323) 225-1962.
HOLLYWOOD ACTORS STUDIO
At Hollywood Actors Studio, each private lesson begins by defining the student's objective, whether it is to quickly prepare for an upcoming audition or for a series of private lessons. Objectives may be to improve cold reading; to be more expressive, interesting, emotional, real, more at ease during auditions, or to develop an acting career plan. Head instructor Charley Smith has taught acting classes, seminars, and private lessons for more than a decade. (323) 465-1214.
JUDY KERR
An acting coach for more than 25 years and the dialogue coach on many TV shows, including Seinfeld and currently All About the Andersons, Kerr has written Acting Is Everything: An Actor's Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles, now in its 10th edition. She coaches privately, covering acting and film techniques for the camera, and show business techniques to boost careers. Students keep a copy of their taped class work. She also occasionally teaches a group class. Career counseling is available for all levels; fees start at $80 per hour. www.actingiseverything.com. (818) 505-9373.
LAURELGROVE THEATRE
Jack Heller is an award-winning director and a working actor, now artistic director of Laurelgrove Theatre. He studied with Harold Clurman, Robert Lewis, and Uta Hagen. He has performed on television, Broadway, and in Los Angeles theatre. Private coaching is available. (323) 850-6328.
DAVID LEHMAN
Lehman has been teaching for 24 years and studied under Charles Conrad. His classes are small, with a 12-person maximum. Classes cover cold reading and more. "I'm looking for spontaneity—the unexpected moment," said Lehman. Admission is by interview. (818) 845-1549.
ART MANKE
Manke is an award-winning actor and director, trained at the American Conservatory Theater, where he earned an M.F.A. His recent credits include work with South Coast Repertory, Pasadena Playhouse, and the Mark Taper Forum. He is a co-founder and former artistic director of L.A.'s classical theatre company, A Noise Within, and he has more than 20 years' experience coaching and teaching at some of the country's most prestigious schools. He is available for audition and role preparation, textual analysis, and individualized courses of study. (323) 667-1231. See ad on page 14-A.
LYNNE MARKS
Marks works one-on-one with actors to strengthen cold reading skills, sharpen audition technique, develop on-camera presence, and build their self-confidence. She has worked as a coach in both her native London, England, and in Los Angeles for many years. Marks is the L.A. casting contact for Disney's The Lion King and the former creative director of the Actors' Arena. She travels nationwide as a coach and periodically holds workshops in the L.A. area. For many years she held the position of head of talent development at Academy Management, where she coached and guided hundreds of young adults and children to success in film and television. Marks has limited private coaching available. Hour and half-hour sessions are available, and appointments need to be made in advance. (818) 980-7584.
FRANCO MASSIMO
Massimo, also known as Rik Martino, is an acting coach who works in Italian and English. He specializes in improvisation before the camera. Massimo is currently starring in the independent film La Mano Nera (The Black Hand). www.romafilms.com. (323) 850-8580.
MICHAEL McGEE
McGee, an actor/director/teacher for 20 years, offers private coaching for audition preparation and individual instruction. (310) 450-9832.
MARILYN McINTYRE
McIntyre, a multi-award-winning actor, has performed leading roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and with leading regional theatres. She has appeared in daytime dramas, primetime shows, and films. The classically trained actor has taught for more than 25 years, and is currently on faculty at USC and the Howard Fine Acting Studio. Now offering private coaching sessions, as well as scene study, she specializes in "personalization," using a variety of techniques (Hagen, Meisner, Stanislavski, etc.) "to help you find what works for you to manifest your most personal, authentic, and unique self in your work." Rates vary depending upon project length and/or number of sessions. (818) 608-4643 (pager); (323) 951-1174 (Howard Stein Studio).
ROD MENZIES
A coach for more than 20 years, Menzies offers individual coaching and ongoing group classes in acting, voice, and solo performance. He said his teaching gives you "technical mastery of the craft of acting while emphasizing spontaneity and creative courage." The approach, said Menzies, "enables you to take your acting to the next level of excellence." www.rodmenzies.com. An interview is required. (310) 395-6616.
ANTHONY MONTES
For the past 15 years, Montes has been offering actors private coaching. This award-winning actor/director has produced 41 plays over the past 11 years, and has coached actors who have gone on to television series and starring roles in film. mattiedaisy@cs.com. (818) 705-4364.
TONI MOSS TRENTON
Moss Trenton taught Method acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute for four years. She said she produces "a very creative and supportive environment" for her students and comes from an extensive teaching background both in and out of the arts. Trained by Strasberg, John Lehne, Stella Adler, and Milton Katselas, she teaches Method techniques such as relaxation, sense memory, and scene study. She also imparts what she called a "very practical, objective dialogue on the business aspect of a career in Hollywood," with a focus on the new or beginning actor. Moss Trenton currently coaches privately only. (213) 252-0830.
MIKE MUSCAT
Muscat has acted for 30 years and coached for 25, and his private coaching concentrates on cold reading and film acting technique. Muscat works as an on-set film coach, with credits including Terminator 2, The Client, and The Patriot. He coaches on-camera for $75 an hour and offers a money-back guarantee. (818) 904-9494.
BRIAN MULLIGAN
Mulligan offers one-on-one coaching for TV, film, and theatre auditions. A former instructor at NYC's Riverside Shakespeare Academy and founder of NYC's Impro!, he studied acting with Uta Hagen and improvisation with Keith Johnstone. "My goal in coaching is to distill the scene into a simple, specific action, then give it an emotional punch," said Mulligan, who accepts both new and experienced actors. (323) 719-2545.
SHARON NEWMAN
Newman, owner of Inner Child Personal Management and former director of the American Conservatory Theater's Young Conservatory, has taught workshops for professional schools throughout Southern California for the past 20 years. She offers private instruction and audition coaching. She specializes in children, teens, young adults, characters, and seniors. Newman offers cold reading, career guidance, agent preparation, technique exercises, on-camera skills, image consultation, and monologue presentation. (818) 461-1363.
JIM OTIS
Otis coaches actors, singers, and dancers privately. An actor for 31 years and a teacher for 18, he studied with Wynn Handman in New York. Otis has taught a wide range of talent, from Second City actors to Steppenwolf folk, and offers two private session courses: TV/film intensive, covering TV, film, commercials and business strategy, and a monologue intensive, covering contemporary and classical pieces for agents, managers, and theatre. He teaches a technique to his students to help them "put what's unique about themselves into the script." He has flexible scheduling and offers six private sessions for $125. (818) 543-7479.
PACIFIC FILM INSTITUTE
Golda and Bill David offer private coaching to actors, as well as ongoing screenwriting classes. Golda has taught at UCLA Extension and is also a producer—she was the first female producer to work at Disney Studios—and Bill is an actor, writer, and director. Golda described their one-on-one approach as "like a jumpstart on acting. It's getting right to the nuts and bolts of what makes an actor really effective in getting the job." (310) 826-4467.
ZINA PROVENDIE
Formerly head drama coach at MGM and lecturer on acting in London, Paris, and Rome, Provendie now coaches actors in individual scenes and for auditions, sometimes in pairs. Most of her students come from agent referrals, but she also teaches teachers and some beginners. Rate: $60 per hour. (310) 394-5009.
ALLAN RICH
Working actor Rich offers private coaching. Former students include Rene Russo, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Sharon Stone. While Rich is open to working with new students, he noted, "I enjoy teaching people who are serious." Rich teaches actors the same "organic technique" he uses in his own work. Rather than prospective students being required to audition for him, Rich said he auditions for them. He can be seen working in An Evening of Shakespeare; call for information. Rich has recurring roles on the series C.S.I. and Judging Amy. He can also be seen in The Dog Walker, The Burial Society, and a recent episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. (323) 465-4007. See ad on page 11-A.
ARTHUR ROBERTS
In his private coaching and audition preparation, Roberts said he teaches "how to turn nerves into excitement—how to be up and brilliant instead of down and scared." A 38-year veteran of Broadway, theatre, film, soaps, and series, Roberts studied acting in New York with Herbert Berghof, Uta Hagen, Philip Burton, Milton Katselas, and Lee Strasberg, and on this coast with Charles Conrad, Eric Morris and Gene Bua. (310) 827-9661.
LENNY ROSE: NO FALSE MOMENTS
An experienced actor with more than 150 professional credits to his name, Rose has been teaching for more than 10 years using his "Nip it in the bud" and "Create your career" philosophies, as well as the "Did you get it?" exercise. He uses his acting experiences, he said, to help actors "win the audition." He is currently teaching privately for $30 an hour. lennyrose@comcast.net. (213) 384-2638.
MEL RYANE
Ryane, who studied with Uta Hagen for 10 years, offers private coaching—that is, when she's not coaching actors on television shows. DreamWorks, Fox, CBS, NBC, and PBS' American Playhouse have all relied on Ryane's expertise. She can help actors, she said, with "anything to do with preparing for auditions, for general meetings, and for technique." Her coaching employs scene work and monologues. (310) 391-8542.
MARK SIKES
Casting director Sikes (L.A. Heat, Road Ends, Dark Realm, Shake Down, Executive Target, Cheyenne Warrior) has taught his ongoing on-camera audition technique/cold reading class for seven years now, striving to "help actors make strong, confident audition choices and to pinpoint problem areas to focus on." Classes are sold in four-week increments and are limited to eight students. No audition is required; free auditing is allowed. Sikes now offers a special workshop for teens. Private coaching is also available. (310) 652-9599.
TIM SIMEK
A working actor and improv comic, Simek has over 10 years experience in film and television, along with an extensive improvisational background. He is founder and director of the L.A.-based comedy improv group Slow...Children at Play, as well as a regular performer. The group is now in its fifth year of comedy shows in North Hollywood. Simek offers ongoing improv and scene-study classes, as well as private coaching for both dramatic and comedic roles, including character development and audition techniques. www.jcau.com/timsimek and www.slowchildrenimprov.com. (213) 212-9921.
ELENA K. SMITH
Smith, formerly Elena Katzap, has an M.F.A. from the Actors Studio in NYC and a post-graduate certificate in classical training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She coaches adults and children. Her clients have booked roles on Alias, The Agency, American Dreams, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Drew Carey Show, Yes, Dear, Frasier, Family Law, and Chicago Hope, as well as in pilots and national commercials. She works with actors of all levels and backgrounds. In addition, as a multi-lingual coach (Smith speaks five languages), she said she helps actors to eliminate regional accents when necessary and master some foreign ones as well. Smith recognizes that every actor is unique, that different actors have different needs. Smith's goal is not only to share the skills, techniques, and insider tips she has acquired over the years, but also to instill self-confidence in every actor she coaches, no matter their level of experience. (323) 860-8735.
ELLA SMITH
Smith conducts one-on-one private coaching, covering film and television and specializing in cold reading. A teacher for more than 20 years, she received her M.F.A. in acting from the Yale School of Drama. She served as the acting coach on Star Search and has also taught at various acting schools and universities. Her acting credits are extensive, and she is a member of the Yale Connection. An interview is required for acceptance. (323) 650-0256.
JOHN SWANBECK
Director of The Big Kahuna, starring Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito, Swanbeck offers classes limited to five people. Instruction includes audition skills, cold reading skills, how to command the camera, and how to be more powerful on camera. The class is taught on camera and from a director's perspective. (310) 722-8463. See ad on page 14-A.
CHARLES S. WAXBERG
Having worked at Stella Adler's side for five years in New York City, Waxberg offers private instruction and coaching in an intense collaboration with his students. His classes are based on the final teachings of Stanislavski, stressing imagination. Every session is tailored to the performer's needs, he said. (323) 845-9588.
CLIFF WEISSMAN
Weissman has been teaching and coaching young actors for more than 20 years. He has worked with Tony Randall's National Actor's Theatre, Theatre for Young Audiences, Circle Rep, Moongate Management, and Laura Henry Studios. He currently teaches classes at Vibe Performing Arts Studio in Santa Clarita. He is available for private coaching (ages 6 through adult) throughout the Los Angeles area. (661) 803-5038.