continued from previous pageSOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA
ACADEMY FOR
THE PERFORMING ARTS
For five years now, Huntington Beach High School has offered a performing arts magnet program which is open by audition to all students of high school age. Offering courses in music, dance, and theatre, the acting program is headed up by Robert Rotenberry and professional actor Jay Louden. Courses cover scene work, period acting styles, and theatre history, and run in semesters; there is a materials fee of $100 per semester. (714) 536-2514, x290. See ad on page 16.
ACADEMY KIDS
Top Hollywood children's managers T.J. Stein and Bethany Constance along with Lynn Marx offer a full training and development program for children and young adults of all levels. They offer ongoing on-camera commercial, theatrical, improvisation, and agent showcases, as well as a special Tiny Tots Program for kids aged three to five. (818) 769-8091. See ad on page 15.
ACME COMEDY THEATRE
Ensconced in a sleek midtown L.A. location, the Acme Comedy Theatre is host to a professional sketch comedy troupe managed by M.D. Sweeney, and improv workshops taught and run by Cynthia Szigeti, Kate Donahue, Todd Rohrbacher, and Audrey Rapaport. Said Szigeti, who directed the Groundlings School for six years before she joined Acme, "We pride ourselves here on a direct, hands-on approach with each student. My other personal emphasis is, Show me how smart you are; play to the top of your intelligence, not to the lowest common denominator." Acme auditions prospective students for its 12-week basic improv class, then invites them (or not) into its 12-week intermediate class. Some are developed with the potential of moving into Acme's professional performing company, though the company also casts from outside the classes. Acme also offers a writing workshop. Its classes are $350 for 12 weeks. 135 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 525-0233. See ad on page 15.
THE ACTING WORKSHOP
A New York and regional theatre veteran, director Jorge Cacheiro teaches a year-long workshop for intermediate and advanced students, divided into four 10-week segments: The Actor's Internal Process, Character Study, the Audition Process, and Showcase. Students may enroll in individual segments, but must complete at least two before participating in the showcase. Admission is by interview and auditing is allowed. (213) 665-8968.
ACTION AND INTUITION
A graduate of NYU, Joan Scheckel has collaborated with a variety of directors--ranging from Adler to the avant-garde--and developed a highly physical approach to acting and staging technique. In her workshops, she blends script analysis and physical movement. She teaches Shakespeare as well. Private coaching is available. (213) 653-1722.
ACTION IN ACTING
Established in 1989, this networking facility has a variety of teachers, most working in the industry in one way or another, who teach cold reading, scene study, and commercial acting on an ongoing basis for $30-35 a session. Jeff Michalski offers an improv class, as well. There is also a scene study workshop for teens and young adults. In addition, AIA now hosts an independent film festival series replete with guest directors. An audition is required. (818) 563-4142.
THE ACTOR-ARTISTS GROUP WORKSHOP
Using his extensive directing, acting, and teaching experience, Peter Henry Schroeder leads an ongoing workshop for actors of all levels. In addition to focusing on relaxation and concentration techniques, Schroeder works with actors on audition monologues, cold readings, and scene projects. Observation is welcome. (310) 277-2355.
ACTOR'S ART THEATRE
The Actor's Art Theatre offers classes in rehearsal and performance technique and scene study work with instructor Jolene Adams, who studied with teachers from the Actors Studio and the Neighborhood Playhouse, and primarily uses Stanislavski and Meisner techniques. Ongoing technique and scene study classes are $120 per month. Private coaching is $50 a session or four sessions for $160. 6128 Wilshire Blvd., #110, Los Angeles. (213) 969-4953.
ACTORS CIRCLE THEATRE SCHOOL
The Actors Circle Theatre offers speech, Shakespeare, technique, and all levels of scene study classes on an 11-week quarter system at a cost of $500 per quarter (except the Shakespeare class, which is $400 a term). Payment plans are available. Instructor Arthur Mendoza has an MFA from UC San Diego and studied with Stella Adler for 10 years before becoming a principal teacher at her academy. He is also available for private study. (213) 882-6805.
THE ACTORS CONNECTION
Among its many services, the Actors Connection offers ongoing classes and workshops on commercial technique and scene study for all ages, all taught by working actors and shot on-camera. "Guest casting directors come in and review our classes," said actor/director/producer John Preston, who said he's been in the industry since he was nine. Students are accepted by submission, and a free audit is allowed. (818) 788-1849. See ad on page 28.
THE ACTORS EDGE
Actress/producer/director LaShun Ellis has been teaching ongoing classes on cold reading, audition technique, character development, scene study, on-camera work, improv, and commercial technique for eight years now in the Lucille Ball Building on the Paramount Studios lot. Ellis, who got her degree in dramatic arts from Temple University, has been in the industry for 13 years, in which time she said she's done some agenting, casting, and personal management, so she obviously knows the business side of things; indeed, she hosts regular industry workshops at no extra charge to students. As for the craft, said Ellis, "I teach the 'being' method--the awakening of the sixth sense, which is knowing." (818) 754-8621. See ad on page 17.
ACTORS FORUM THEATRE
The Actors Forum Theatre offers an acting/ directing workshop, conducted by Audrey Marlyn Singer, for $25 a month; interested actors must audition for the workshop. There is no auditing. 10655 Magnolia Blvd., N. Hollywood. (818) 506-0600.
THE ACTORS' GANG
In January, the Gang began to teach actors in its own inimitable style--a blend of commedia dell'artƒ and the archetypal techniques of Theatre du Soleil's George Bigot--in "Style Workshops" led by longtime Gangsters Ned Bellamy and Lee Arenberg. The ongoing Monday night workshops, which are not linked to Gang membership, are $35 per class. Auditing is permitted. 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. (213) 465-0566.
THE ACTOR'S LAB
"Incorporation of the business of acting with the craft" is how working actor/director J.D. Lewis describes his training approach, which he offers in his ongoing cold reading, scene study, and career guidance classes. He teaches beginning, intermediate, and master-class levels, and the price is $165 a month. Acceptance is by interview, and there is no auditing. Lewis also offers private coaching.(213) 878-2688. See ad on page 15.
ACTORS' PLAYHOUSE
Using faculty from the Cal State Long Beach Theatre Arts Department, the Actors' Playhouse offers ongoing classes in acting fundamentals, cold reading, and scene study. Classes are available for students at all levels, with separate classes for children and adults. Admission is by application and audits are encouraged. Teachers are also available for private coaching. The Playhouse has a 60-seat theatre for staging student productions. 1409 E. 4th St., Long Beach, CA 90802. (562) 590-9396.
THE ACTORS SANCTUARY
"Genius is the recovery of childhood at will," said coach David Hall, who offers this scene study/monologue/cold reading class and an exercise workshop to aid in that recovery. The scene study class is geared toward film and television work. The fee is $120 a month. Interested students may audit the classes. (818) 506-6194.
THE ACTOR'S SHAKESPEARE
WORKSHOP
Geoffrey G. Forward knows his Bard. The founder and artistic director of the L.A. Shakespeare Company, Forward is also a scholar at Huntington Library and has been published in Shakespeare Quarterly. Unsurprisingly, he said he takes "the classical approach" to the poet of Stratford-on-Avon in his eight-week basic technique workshop. "I approach it from the Elizabethan point of view; I feel if you can do that, then you can branch out into anything else you might want to do." Forward allows only 12 people into the class, and some acting training and experience are required; the class is for serious actors who aren't familiar with the classics or simply want to brush up. Forward also offers an eight-week class titled "Voice! for Shakespeare" (also limited to 12 students) and an ongoing advanced Shakespeare scene study class. His eight-week classes are $295, the scene study class is $150/month, and his private coaching services run $100/hour and $60/half-hour. Classes are held on a full, Globe-style stage. (310) 455-9927. See ad on page 26.
THE ACTOR'S SPOT
Taught by three working actors, these ongoing, Santa Clarita-based classes emphasize moment-to-moment scene study, improvisation, and cold reading training. (805) 251-4580.
ACTORS TEACHING ACTORS
Actors Teaching Actors offers ongoing evening classes, limited to 10 students. Students must be at least 18, and most are working actors. Auditing is allowed. (818) 981-4255.
ACTORS WORKOUT STUDIO
Fran Montano, an actor for more than 15 years and a teacher for more than 10, specializes in "troubleshooting actors' blocks." To that end, he said, classes are small, "very individualized, and it's very much an intense workout--everyone works every class." His classes, based on the Meisner technique, cover exercises, improv, cold reading, and scene study. Montano is also the artistic director of the Actors Workout Studio, where his classes regularly mount performances. His two ongoing weekly workshops divide into beginning and advanced, and he requires an interview and audit. 4735 Lankershim Blvd., N. Hollywood. (818) 760-3052. See ad on page 26.
THE ACTORS WORKSHOP
This workshop, headed by TV and film actor R.J. Adams, began in Hollywood in the 1970s, then moved to its current Laguna Hills location in the '80s, where it stresses the "development of the film actor" in a fully operational TV studio. Adams, who studied with Charles Conrad and Meisner, teaches all levels in ongoing classes, which include audition techniques, cold reading, on-camera scene work, and weekly showcases with L.A. casting directors. The cost is $165 a month, though a one-time free audit is allowed. (714) 855-4444.
CATLIN ADAMS ACTING LAB
Adams, an Emmy-winning director originally trained by Lee Strasberg, offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting classes geared toward helping the actor "get the job." Class work includes improv, cold reading, scene study, sensory work, and individual exercise work. Ongoing classes are taught at Paramount studios and cost $235 a month. She allows auditing. (213) 851-8811.
ADAPTING UNTOLD STORIES
A veteran of Paul Sills' Story Theatre, director Vince Waldron runs an eight-week workshop teaching actors to use improvisation and story theatre techniques to develop, produce, and perform original scenario plays and scripted works. Classes are taught in a collaborative ensemble setting and participants perform their work in a showcase at the end of the workshop. (213) 654-3698.
HOLLY ADDY
Addy has been teaching musical theatre workshops for 11 years, and is also the author of How to Create and Produce Your Cabaret Act on a Shoestring Budget. For her ongoing classes, she's accompanied by a stage director and covers musical, theatrical, and business topics. Classes are small to allow for individual attention, and auditing is not allowed. Classes are separated somewhat according to skill level; auditions are required for advanced classes. She offers afternoon and evening sessions. Private coaching is available. (213) 469-2171.
STELLA ADLER ACADEMY OF ACTING
Founded by the late Group Theatre giant not long before her death, the Adler Academy continues to offer a two-year program, ongoing education, and individual study. The two-year program runs in eight sessions and includes classes on acting technique, movement, voice, dance, commercial skills, stage combat, improvisation, audition technique, accent work, scene study, and musical theatre, culminating with a play production, and a one-day seminar on the "business of the business." Also included are intensive classes on Shakespeare and Chekhov, a youth workshop (ages 12-17), a children's workshop (ages 6-11), and ongoing professional seminars with industry guests. The academy also boasts an Equity 99-Seat Plan professional stage. Instructors include Sandra Tucker, Linda Brenner, Margie Bowman, Valerie Miller, Randy Brenner, Marian Bodnar, Dan Chace, Marvin Kaplan, and Louis Roth. Academy director Irene Gilbert is also an instructor, and had this to say about the woman who founded the academy, "The difference between Adler and some of the others in the Group is: She was the only one who actually worked with Stanislavski. When she met him in Paris in 1934 and told him where his teachings had led in the U.S., he was aghast. He said, 'No. It's a technique based on the imagination, not emotional recall.' " 6773 Hollywood Blvd., 2nd Fl., Hollywood. (213) 465-4446. See ad on page 18.
WILLIAM ALDERSON STUDIO
A successful New York actor who studied with Sanford Meisner, Alderson began teaching at Meisner's insistence, and served as his assistant and associate director at the Neighborhood Playhouse for more than 10 years. The passionate Alderson, who came to Los Angeles in 1994 and now offers the Meisner technique in its intended two-year study period, described it as a "technical approach teaching the actor technical tools so he can organically work out of himself. To act from the inside out is not easy, but once that is learned, it becomes like a religion to the talented actor, and he will not settle for less." Classes meet twice a week, and the price for a beginning class is $165 a month, $200 for more advanced classes. There is no auditing, and admission is by personal interview. 821 3/4 N. Fairfax, W. Hollywood. (213) 852-1816. See ad on page 19.
JANET ALHANTI STUDIO
Alhanti and her associate Iris Klein teach a professional 20-week class that begins with technique, then moves to scene study, and concludes with work on poetry, monologues, and Shakespeare. Alhanti, who has been teaching for more than 25 years, studied with Sanford Meisner and Phillip Burton, and Klein is a working actress who currently works as a coach for television and film. The two also offer an ongoing master class and private coaching. Students must be recommended. (213) 465-2348 or (213) 612-5224.
ALL ABOUT KIDS PERFORMING ARTS CONSERVATORY
Felecia Scott, who has more than 15 years of experience working in the entertainment industry and producing children's theatre, founded All About Kids last October. Recently honored with the 1996 NAACP Community Award, All About Kids offers six-month sessions in acting, audition technique, improv, voice, speech, and sign language for the theatre. Interview and audition is required for admittance into workshops, which culminate in a showcase, and a Broadway Educational Tour at the end of June for both kids and parents. Said Scott of the program: "It's fun, and at the same time we stand by our commitment to teach the disciplines of the craft. Workshops are structured so that beginners through professionals receive maximum benefit." 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 389-7287. See ad on page 18.
ALLIANCE FOR PERFORMING ARTS
The Alliance for Performing Arts and its live theatre, the Place, work together to offer instruction and performance in art, voice, drama, commercial acting, and improv comedy. The only Inland Valley performing arts school and live family-oriented theatre, the Alliance presents seven full-scale productions a year, plus youth shows. Its faculty includes professional teachers with credits in film, television, and theatre. (909) 596-8811.
AMERICAN ACADEMY
OF DRAMATIC ARTS
The oldest acting school in the English-speaking world, the Academy was founded in 1884 on the East Coast to train actors in the basics of their craft, and the West Coast branch (founded in 1974) continues the tradition with its two-year conservatory program. Students completing the Professional Training Program can receive an Associate of Arts Degree in Acting. Explained Lyle Wilson, director of the West Coast AADA, "Our various teachers may have different approaches to acting, but we always try to stay pure to the basic technique of acting, the nuts and bolts. There are certain things each actor has to know when he graduates here. We don't go off on crazy tangents." Among the many areas covered in the program are instruction in acting, voice and speech, movement, theatre history and styles, fencing, makeup, musical theatre, and Shakespeare. There's also an on-camera class in the second year to teach actors to apply what they've learned to the demands of filmed media. Around 20 students are accepted into a third-year company, which produces plays. The school's core teachers include Diana Stevenson, Madonna Young, Nancy Boykin, John Peck, Betty Carlin, Karen Hensel, and Harvey Solin. There is no auditing, and an audition is required. 2550 Paloma St., Pasadena. www.aada.org. (818) 798-0777. See ad on page 16.
AMERICAN CENTER FOR
MUSIC THEATRE TRAINING
Now in its 25th year, this year-round musical theatre workshop offers instruction in performance and audition techniques by the likes of Joanna Gleason, Andy Chukerman, Diane Ketchie, Ray Saar, speech teacher Larry Moss, Deborah Schulman, Gary Bachland, and the head of ACMT, Paul Gleason. Auditing is OK, but auditions are required to attend. Twice a year, ACMT teaches a young masters program for performers aged 12-18 at the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center's new theatre. 6425 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (213) 871-8082.
AMERICAN NATIONAL
ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS
The academy, in existence for 37 years, offers year-round classes in improv, cold reading, scene study, observation, pantomime, stage presence, auditioning, and related arts such as dance. The faculty's 14 teachers, headed by Francis Lederer, are professionals in their fields who offer their services without remuneration, as the Academy is a nonprofit organization chartered by the state of California. The academy also has a children's workshop directed by Dorothy Barrett (see Scene Stealers listing). 10944 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 763-4431.
JILL ANDRE
An actor for 35 years, Andre comes from a New York Method background, her last Broadway role having been in Children of a Lesser God. She also starred in the Blank Theatre Company's award-winning production of Breaking the Code with Dennis Christopher. She offers private coaching that stresses integrating the emotional, physical, and intellectual lives of characters. Rate: $75/hr. (818) 762-3360.
SUSAN ANSPACH
A member of the Actors Studio who studied with both Meisner and Strasberg, Anspach is a working actress with 16 features, eight TV series, and 11 Broadway and Off-Broadway plays under her belt; she is probably best known for memorable roles in the films Five Easy Pieces, Blume in Love, and Montenegro. She now teaches at the Lee Strasberg Institute as well as offering private coaching, and she often forms smaller groups of private students. (310) 393-1420.
BILL APPLEBAUM
Applebaum, a Chicago Second City alumni, has more than 15 years of acting and writing experience in film and TV. He teaches an ongoing improv workshop for writers and actors and tries to get his students to go beyond the obvious choices. The cost is $125 per month and an audit is permitted. (818) 790-1449.
PHYLLIS APPLEGATE/ONE-ON-ONE
Emmy-nominated character actress Applegate offers ongoing individual performance classes to actors, singers, and businesspeople. Applegate coaches her students on audition techniques, cold readings, character creation, and how to "audition and perform with power." (213) 655-5167.
JOEL ASHER STUDIO
Asher, who has a B.A. in theatre and a Masters in film and TV and has taught for more than 30 years, offers an ongoing scene study class for all levels, a six-week cold reading class, and an improv class titled "Acting on Instinct." The emphasis of the classes is film and television work, and Asher incorporates as many techniques as possible, including on-camera work, exercises, improv, and scene work. The ongoing scene study class is $175 a month, which includes unlimited private coaching. The cost for the six-week course is $150, and the improv class is $150 a month. Said Asher of his availability to his students, "I work with actors between classes and don't charge them for it, because I think preparation is the key to spontaneity. If more of my time is going to help an actor be better prepared, I'm going to do it." 13448 Albers St., Sherman Oaks. (818) 785-1551. See ads on pages 16 & 19.
JUDY PIOLI ASKINS
An award-winning director for the past 10 years, with extensive experience in episodic television, Askins also has more than two decades of experience as an actor, writer, and producer. She studied for several years with Roy London, and incorporates much of his