Very knowledgeable teacher, but not a good fit for me…read more I'm new to acting and have been a professional musician my whole life. After injuries from drumming made it hard to continue, I wanted to stay creative--so I turned to acting. Gordon Parks--one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, and also a director, painter, and musician--once said, when asked why he worked in so many forms: "I'm a creative person. The medium doesn't matter." That's how I feel too. Unfortunately, my experience at Stuart Rogers Studios felt no different than other acting schools I've tried--where ego dominates the room. As a teacher myself, I believe great teaching should be nurturing and empowering. That was not my experience here. I appreciate the knowledge shared, but this studio wasn't the right environment for me for this reason, "The best teachers empower, not diminish" This is just my personal experience and opinion. Others may feel differently.

After many acting classes that were "resume builders" I interviewed with Stuart at Stuart Rogers…read moreStudios. He asked me what my goals were and ultimately, I wanted a solid process that I could trust, that works for me and that I would fall in love with acting again, after so many classes that left me feeling empty and drained inside. Also, before I moved to LA, I was in a film where I was recommended to check him out and was told that "Stuart can look at your acting and diagnose what is going on, on the spot". I found that to be exactly true. I can confidently say I have an acting process that works for me, for how my brain works. With my process, I have found joy and curiosity in my work. The desire to really dig deep and get to the bottom of what makes a character tick. I also love that my process is transferrable to my auditions where I have only a little amount of time to prep. I love that I take me into every character, not putting on a character. Even if this wasn't an acting class, it is a workshop in philosophy and the human condition. I walk away from class wanting to be a better human and less judgemental, but with understanding and curiosity.

Shaan Sharma is absolutely the real deal. No BS. His background is legit and he has earned his…read morechops. His approach to teaching is positive. He is one of the most positive figures teaching, influencing, coaching, inspiring, and he's a forward thinker for our industry today. In my 36 years as a Union performer, I have never met anyone who impresses me more with their positive attitude for his own career as well as his fellow peers' careers. Shaan wants you to succeed and he doesn't possess a negative bone in his being. In my opinion, I feel that Shaan's demeanor as a person in addition to his skills and talents makes him the most special. And that shines through in all facets of his interactions professionally as well. With his umpteen years as a Session runner for commercials (not to mention his getting booked for acting work constantly AND currently), he has the knowledge you need and want to get not only your career going, but the healthiest mindset to go with it. Shaan not only is an innovator for his peers in the industry in his private business, but for the unions publicly; volunteering for his fellow SAGAFTRA actors who are studying and advancing their craft. His influence on education in the last few years has been exceptional and a terrific shot in the arm. I recommend, also, you read his book, Commercial Acting in L.A.: A Session Director's Guide - and more than once!

Shaan Sharma's Commercial workshop series is a must for anyone who is serious about acting and…read moreprogressing in the business. He is passionate about empowering actors to be authentic, professional and equipped with all things necessary to thrive from the business to the creative side. Shaan gives all real world & applicable industry tips from his experience as a regular working actor (commercials, TV & film), influential instructor, and SAG-AFTRA member. All helpful and valuable industry info! No fluff! No BS! Plus, Shaan has very easy going personality with a go-getter mentality. If you do anything for yourself and your career, enroll and commit to taking this workshop!

Stephen has studied with Sandy Meisener himself and has casting directors and film makers that are…read more personally his friends come in to really take a look at the actors. His acting class is different because you are able to develop a true relationship with the directors and casting directors. He is a casting director himself who truly cares and understands actors. Stephen donates his time without charge to his students to help them with auditions and scenes because he has passion about the students that are in his class. This kind of personal attention cannot be found in any other acting classes. He is a true mentor who will not charge you for advises and career net working. That is if you are a good actor.

I have learned so much at The Rossi-Snyder theatre lab, from techniques with my acting and the…read moreentertainment industry. Stephen has become a great friend and coach! I highly recommend taking this class!

What can I say about this class that would appropriately describe its value. For starters, as a…read morenative Angeleno, I once held an internalized contempt for this city; I used to think everyone was either a jaded transplant or an apathetic native, and the acting culture seemed undeniably vapid. Well, lo and behold Lifebook Acting Academy. I joined Lifebook on a whim after getting back into acting in early 2020, and after a global pandemic and two industry strikes, it seemed like an easy way to keep my acting chops polished. In short, Lifebook has not only revitalized my passion for art, but my passion for community. Everyone I have met at Lifebook is a quality human being; there are no airs of pretentious, just fellow artists willing to uplift each other through scenes and student-run showcases. I have made friends that have gone above-and-beyond for me in ways other people in my life have not; they all celebrate each other inside and outside of class; and the genuine love for the art is there! Every student is both passionate AND talented! As for the instructor, Allen Levin, he's an energetic, direct, and knowledgeable creative. Allen doesn't oversell what the industry has to offer and gives raw critiques that push us to grow past memorizing lines and yelling out in forced expressiveness; Allen isn't one to feed your ego, he will give you the needed words for you to look past said ego and bring out the good and bad elements of your life that create characters and moments between scene partners. Allen will tell you that once the bookings come, your attendance will likely drop because you'll be busy on set. As for me, the friends/family I have made at Lifebook will keep me returning for years to come--it's my second home. .

Please try another more professional, less seedy acting class! I will say the teacher here does…read moreknow some of his stuff. He has a lot of insight into the business side of acting which I found really useful. However, I did not find the exercises particularly helpful. It was mostly improv (freeze tag) and cold reads, but none of it was filmed. I was only auditing a class, but I don't know how you could justify not having things on camera when most of the students are presumably pursuing a career in film/tv. Very different from other acting classes I have taken! However, my lower rating stems mostly from some of inappropriate behavior I witnessed from the teacher. I found a lot of his jokes to be kind of offensive. He made a lot of racial and misogynistic comments. He said because he was a minority, he could use slurs. He said he was in an open relationship and made several overtly sexual statements. He also made It clear students were banned from dating each other. The weirdest part was when he insistently urged new students (some as young as 18) to join his nude comedy show (that's right--stand-up routines without any clothes). He also mentioned a cuddle company he was looking to start, where students would be required to audition with him (that is, cuddle with him one on one and see if they were adequate enough to be hired). The whole vibe made me very uncomfortable, and the girl I was with felt the same way. I don't know if he could tell, but I was writing notes on all of it. I have just never seen anything like this in any other acting class. It's a shame because he did give some genuinely helpful advice, and it does seem like a really cool community of people, but I would suggest a more professional class.

Craig is awesome. I took this class on and off for a few months and plan on taking it again. He…read moreteaches what very few other classes teach; how to make the "not so funny scripts for tv current tv shows funny." As a comic and an actor Criag is very talented and as a teacher he is great. Very nice, practical and bussiness like. If you are looking for a class to make you a better comic actor, skip ucb or groundlings or any other "improv" school and take this class. Another great thing is, almost everyone in the class is actually good and works as an actor. Since everyone is really good it really motivated me to be as good as I can be. A great plus for any class!

The lessons learned in Craig Antons Comedy Academy give you powerful new tools to truly own a…read moreperformance, whether it be on stage or screen. Craig teaches you how to take a scene, grab it by the shoulders, shake it vigorously and scream "What do you want!" until the scene gives in, spilling its guts and completely succumbing to your bidding as an actor. Most importantly Craig not only knows what is funny, but how to be funny, which sometimes means being serious, but in a funny way- ultimately playing the scene as real as possible. He also draws from an immense working vocabulary that makes class fun and never routine. Last but probably most important - I've definitely booked gigs as a direct result of what I learned in this class. The bathrooms at the Steve Allen Theatre are always clean and have proper feng shui, a plus!

This is the worst voice over school in L.A. The owner is a scam artist. After he did my demo I…read morehad it critique by various voice actors in the business and they all said he did horrible work. When I went back to him and asked him to re-do it he tried to get more money out of me. His methods are outdated and don't even jive with what advertisers are looking for in todays voice actors. Just a waste of my time and money.

I recently completed the Commercial Voiceover classes at Aliso Creek. I want to commend Mr…read more Williams as an outstanding instructor and host of the lessons. He has created a recording studio in his classroom and his students get a live feeling of reading copy in the studio as well as his valuable critiques. He plays them back and the class discusses them. The 2 1/2 hour class goes quickly because Mr. Williams passes along very good information, anecdotes and is very entertaining. I look forward to working with Aliso Creek in the future.

WOW, how Lucky am I? After being back in LA for 6 months, being fortunate enough to meet and start…read moreworking with Christian Martin as well as the other Actors. This being my first acting class, I'm realizing how difficult and challenging acting truly is. Threshold Acting Studio is a safe place to learn and grow as an Actor. Christian provides the tools, experience, and a whole lot of passion for the craft. It makes me feel like I stumbled upon a goldmine of talent. How Lucky am I.

I am unsure of how to describe my experience so far; I have been studying with Christian for six…read moremonths. What I can tell you is that before I started Threshold, I had already quit acting in my heart. I was not looking for a class and I met Christian randomly. After a very brief conversation there were two words that stuck with me and simmered in my heart: imagination and intuition. These two ideas I have never tried in my work and the scary fact that I forgot how to do it! Christian also stresses to trust the language. This was also a foreign idea to me. Since I've been working out here, I have learned what it really means to use these tools. I am eager when I get new material where in the past I would feel a sense of obligation to give a result, and feared it. I now enjoy spontaneous and unexpected moments where in the past I would be disappointed in myself for "messing up". The process has been redefined for me and it is always active. This is the part I have enjoyed the most. Christian pushes each one of us in unique ways and right when you think you're done, he will push you again. Christian is clearly doing something different that I have ever experienced. When I can one day describe it in words I will write a new review but for now all I can say is that I truly feel I am learning from a master.

Just finished Mark's class, one word: thorough…read more I should have started out with this class first! What you will learn: 1. Your type - breakdown services are full of types that range from "Young Dad" to "Real Guy". From "Character" to "Leading Man". From "Girl Next Door" to "Popular Cheerleader". This class will give you the tools to narrow down what your specific type is based on how you look and the way you present yourself. 2. Your essence - it's not enough to say "Oh, I can play Boy Next Door!" anymore. These characters are compelling because they jump out of the screen, so to speak. You're not a simple character, you have a personality. Are you "The cold hearted bitch with a soft side for the marginalized"? Are you "The teen heartthrob with a heart of gold"? By figuring out your essence--the way you naturally present yourself--you'll learn that you're not just ANY Boy Next Door. You have your own flavor, a flavor that few can imitate. We are all unique, this class will show you exactly what parts of you will create a well rounded character. 3. Agent/Casting Director targeting - submitting yourself to agencies without the help of a blue print is much like throwing darts at an LA sized target. You hope that by sending out 60 headshots that a couple agents will take interest. In this class, you learn it's not a numbers game, it's a "partnership fit" game. What shows do you think your type is perfect for? Who are casting those shows? Which agents consistently book clients through that casting studio? These tools will help sharpen who you really want to see your material as well as assuage your fears of your headshot being sent out into the nebulous town and disappearing. 4. What the other side really want to see in an audition room - anyone can read lines. Anyone, with enough time, can recite lines verbatim. But those who bring themselves will book. Those who enter with confidence will book. This class clarifies what's important in the audition room. Mark is insanely detailed and the 6 weeks will give you more than enough to do for the coming year. Please, start here on your journey to becoming an actor! You won't regret it.

Really enjoyed learning from Mark and this class. He is a smart guy, with years in the business of…read moreacting, marketing and life. The class provides an opportunity to really dig in to who you are and how you come across - not always the same thing. You get so much information that is useful in creating a brand, a plan and other acting related skills too. One last thought regarding Mark himself. He is kind guy who really in it for you. He roots for you and wants you to succeed and can even help you fall in love with yourself a bit. So while he may play a bad guy on TV, he is definitely a good guy in real life. I would highly recommend this class.