I've officially been a student at Brian Cutlers' Acting Studio for 8 months and can fully and…read morehonestly share my thoughts and overview on my experience. Look. This acting thing is tough (and rough)... Especially if you're new to the industry and starting out as a newbie. So much to figure out - classes, getting representation - the who and the hows, how to market yourself - the what and the where... and then what happens when you get an audition, or callback?! I've learned so much from Brian and the team at BCAS. Brian has had a long and successful acting career. He's figured it out and is passing on his wisdom. Lucky us - the BCAS team lays it all out there. I remember visiting (auditing) different acting schools as I tried to find THE ONE. BCAS was the third studio I visited. Being someone who has major social anxiety, it took a lot for me to put myself out there - but when I walked in, I immediately felt as if I found my acting home, my "family". Brian, John, and Jill knew each student by name. They even knew who I was when I walked in on Day 1. I was impressed. Observing the format of the class, how Brian led and shared raw notes throughout the session, his humor and/but also seriousness with his art, how the group was focused, supportive and positive, and the professional equipment and recording set up, I signed up for my first cycle that evening. I was done auditing any other class/schools. I'm still at the beginning stage of my career in acting, but I know with the Brian's guidance, the different courses/services that the studio offers (accelerated program, assistance on eligibility to become Sag-E, etc.,) my career will move forward. No doubt. As a note: BCAS won't do the work for you. They'll be there as a tool and resource for you to succeed. But YOU have to put in the work. So there's that. Get to work. As I tell my kids, "If I'm not having a blast, I'm not doing it." Good Luck friends!

I absolutely enjoy taking classes here! I am learning so…read moremuch every week. It's so wonderful to practice our craft in such a safe kind environment. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to study here and learn from such fantastic mentors.

I can't imagine learning to act any other way. Elizabeth and Jordana are so invested in us and…read morepassionate about this method. Elizabeth isn't one of those teachers who builds their program and is hands off/checked out, she's fully involved in instructing and shaping us as progressional actors. I highly recommend this program!

Guys if you taking a class pr just simply in life trying to pursue your dream , do it , even if…read moredoesn't feel like you approaching something, if it makes you angry , which is good , because if it makes you angry means that you liking what you doing , just dont understand why you cant get it , trust me it will take effort and time and eventually you will have it ! That's one of a few things i learned here , on my 7th class , it just we should listen our teachers and do self analysis and dig deeper , its also so based on individuality, so there no perfect recipe, that can apply to everyone, there another inner work after classes we should have . So if you really want to be a natural actor these classes for you , specifically Meisner technique! And remember if you feel lost or dont understand what is going on , eventually you will make , just keep doing it !

We absolutely love Katt Shea. She is patient, kind, and truly a master of her craft. She's been…read moreamazing with Farrah, who is only 10 years old, and knows exactly how to work with kids in a way that makes them feel comfortable and confident. The one-on-one private lessons are invaluable. Farrah has improved so much since working with Katt, and she genuinely loves her classes. Katt brings out the best in her - helping her feel relaxed, expressive, and confident on camera. Learning from an actual movie director is a huge bonus. Katt knows what casting directors are looking for, and her guidance has been incredible. Katt is wonderful in so many ways, and we can't recommend her enough.

I've been a student in Katt's class since I began acting almost 3 years ago. The more time I spend…read moreworking in entertainment, the more I realize teachers like Katt are RARE. She is a teacher that loves the art of acting, is a director herself with multiple feature films under her belt, has worked with accomplished actors, and has also worked as an actor herself. She sees all sides of the craft which allows her to understand actors more deeply and their process. She is patient and kind, but knows when to push you through your weaknesses. In addition, her students are loyal and her turnover rate is extremely low. Most of the people I met when I started her class are still in her class. This is a testament to her teaching and the safe space she creates in her class for you to experiment and push boundaries in your performances. It definitely is a class where the more you put in, the more you get out. If you come to class willing to learn and expand, take direction, and LISTEN, you will grow very quickly as an actor. You have the freedom to choose what kind of material to work on, but Katt always steers you into new territory when she feels you need to be pushed in other areas of the craft. If you want to improve as an actor, or even just try acting out as a beginner/hobby, this is the place to go. Plus, VERY AFFORDABLE.

I've been in Andrew's class twice now, so I feel qualified to give this lengthy review. I hope it…read morehelps anyone considering taking his class. I love love love Andrew, his teaching style, everything. After taking tons of acting classes from all kinds of teachers, I would bucket Andrew's class into the category of "Foundational". This doesn't mean his class is for beginners -- far from it. I'd actually say his classes are for those who are serious about the craft of acting and want to grow and deepen their relationship with themselves as an actor. There are a lot of classes that are geared toward specific acting niches. Meisner, comedy, commercials, auditioning, etc. Personally, I don't find classes that focus on one methodology (like Meisner) to be helpful, because they make you take a specific avenue to get an end result. I don't think you ever get in tune with who YOU are as an actor when you're going this route. It's always about the methodology, which can be kind of culty. Specific classes for things like comedy or auditioning for tv/film are great, but they aren't foundational. They're skillsets you need if you want to be a working actor in LA, but those classes won't make you a great actor, and they won't get you more in touch with who you are as a human, which is so needed for this craft! Andrew's class focuses on the core principles of becoming a fine actor. If you are a beginner, you are in the right place. If, like me, you've been in 20 different classes with different teachers, and you don't even know what to do with a script anymore because your technique styles are all jumbled up in your brain, you'll leave this class with clarity AND inspiration. Andrew's class is going to get you really comfortable with a script and a scene partner and YOURSELF. In my opinion, we are our own biggest obstacles in becoming great actors, and Andrew's style of teaching will bring you home to YOU while simplifying your becoming and unfolding of finding the actor within.

I learned some valuable lessons from Andrew. But an adjustment that needs to be made in his…read morecommitment to his students careers. Acting class is expensive, many of us invest in it to grow as an artist to help our careers and hopefully make a living doing it. Many of us are struggling and work several jobs to make ends meet. I received a huge opportunity to go and read for a series regular role, it happened to land on Andrew's first day of class. Instead of being supportive and accommodating to move my start date to the next session, he threatened to keep my full deposit with no possible refund. I had to make a choice. I wish he didn't make choose. I've moved onto other wonderful acting studios and I'm a working actor now. None of these other studios have tried to put their class over my career. It's been years but I wanted to come back and share my experience because it really scarred me back when I was starting out and taking a chance on my first acting class.

My obsevations of Directors Playhouse are not so favorable, I feel like the whole vibe of the…read morestudio is one of selling big promises and hopes of being featured on a prominent network show.. I see young hopeful children come in and working directly with good directors, but their level of training is too much to begin students with, and I think that students are told they are "Amazing", when really they are not. All for the sake of a continuing payment made monthly to keep them coming in. I have seen other studios really be honest , and teach the basics and work students into more advanced classes as needed. The studio is run by people who have not even been in the film business , EVER before.... Many of the parents are only there to network with one another, but also I see the only students that are getting ahead are the ones who keep close to the owners on a personal level.. I observed many talented kids not getting noticed , and this bothers me. The students that were getting noticed are the ones favored by the inner circle...

I have been taking classes at this studio for over a year now and I couldn't imagine ever leaving!…read moreI have made a family here and connections that will forever be a part of my life. There are so many wonderful oppurtunites to take classes with wonderful people in the industry. I have actually gotten my two agents and manager through meeting people at this studio. I LOVE my class and EVERYONE in it. The classes are intense and s definite acting work out that is only meant for those serious about thier career. They even screen classic and new movies for FREE on Sundays nights with a great sound system, large screen and FREE refresments. There have even been guest appreances of cast and crew before to these screenings! I love everything about this studio and they are very professional, welcoming, and optimistic here. I could go on for ten years about how great this studio is!

Absolutely incredible Studio; an unparalleled environment for growth and expression for artists…read more From the faculty to the culture, you can't ask for a more rewarding experience. FACULTY: During my 2-year technique program I had both Anne Dremann and DW Brown. Two of the greatest instructors you can possibly have. My amazing growth is directly due to their hard work, knowledge and dedication to the art. And that goes for any instructor at Baron/Brown, I have had substitutes as well as private coachings from other instructors at the studio, and all of them are extremely hard working and dedicated. Any one of them would be willing to give you the world if you were willing to work for it, and it's truly inspiring to have that kind of support. I can't be more thankful and indebted to their devotion to the art. CULTURE: Hard work, that is all that is asked of you and if you bring that, your abilities and growth can be limitless. Everyone is welcome with open arms at Baron/Brown, a wonderfully diverse environment where everyone can thrive and build a true foundation for a long career in acting. The Studio makes a priority to diversity and it shows, such a wonderful experience to grow with so many students from so many cultures and backgrounds, and that allows for the most beautiful art I've ever witnessed, to be created . I couldn't recommend this Studio more to anyone looking to build a true, long lasting foundation in acting. Not JUST the Meisner technique, but Joanne Baron, who herself is an absolute Godsend to those of us striving for knowledge and striving for greatness; she learned directly from Esper himself, meaning this is the truest form of the technique you can possibly learn from today. The studio does not teach you to "act" or to even "react" ....but to LIVE it. My time at Baron/Brown was an incredible life changing experience, and that is all due to the staff, the unmatched instructors who give their ALL and to the studio as a whole. No matter who you are or where you are from, Baron/Brown WILL create, with open arms, an everlasting artistic foundation in you. From my own experience: Hard work is the foremost talent, if you bring that, then achieving great things, is not a matter of possibility....but a matter of time.

Baron Brown Studio has profoundly changed the way I view and approach acting. Studying here for 2…read moreyears has built me a strong foundation of understanding and confidence that allows for consistency in creating art from all aspects of producing a project. Additionally the community of artists, from students and teachers I've come across made the journey so much fun even during challenging times. I am forever grateful to this studio for bringing me a new family and for being apart of this artistic legacy!

In my two decades as an actor, one place stands head and shoulders above the rest: The Ruskin…read moreSchool of Acting--my alma mater, my home. John Ruskin and Mike Myers have built something rare: a space that is both disciplined and deeply nurturing, where students and working actors alike can grow without pretense. It's no coincidence that artists like Sir Anthony Hopkins, Tony Bill, Chris Mulkey, Ray Abruzzo, Ed O'Neill, and Marcia Cross have all given their time and talent there--teaching, performing, and carrying forward the principles Sanford Meisner instilled in John. The legacy is alive in those rooms. And if you're serious about the craft, you feel it the moment you walk in.

TL;DR: Do not waste your money on the 2-year program. It functions more as a cash cow to fund the…read moretheater than a dedicated acting program. The program starts in the main theater with John as your host for the first few weeks, and you will begin with a massive class of 30+ people, because they expect at least half the class to drop out. Attrition is literally built into their business model. The first month consists of intros where John interviews every student about their career ambitions. If you want to do movies, he asks for your future Oscar speech; if TV, your Emmy speech. It's a clever customer retention tactic. Anyone off the street with green dollars will be accepted, and as long as you keep paying, they will keep telling you that you have what it takes to make it big. By the time you finally get to scene work, several students will have already quit. At this point, you are assigned a new instructor (or TA) and they move you into one of the smaller black box theaters to make room for the next batch of paying hopefuls in the main room. If your scene partner quits, they'll just give that scene to another student. As more people drop out, several students end up juggling multiple scenes. In a 3-hour class, there is barely enough time to get through more than 8 scenes properly. With 30 students (15 potential scenes), the class will either run late into the night, or you will be severely shortchanged on your opportunity to actually get up and work. When challenged on this, Ruskin's excuse is, "That's the business." But this is a school with paying customers, and their structure does not respect your money or time. If you manage to make it to the end of the program, the last several months are focused on two highly underwhelming things: Accents: You are encouraged to learn these on your own through YouTube. Writing: A writing assignment that takes way too long to get through and is ultimately not worth the time. By this point, most of the students with acting talent will have already quit. You are left with a room full of very passionate people who, unfortunately, haven't noticeably improved. Why 3 Stars? The Meisner Technique is actually very good, and Ruskin, the only real game in the area. Also, one of the instructors is exceptional. He is passionate, deeply cares about his work, and is a joy to learn from. Unfortunately, the rest of the staff is not, and your experience completely depends on the luck of the draw. It is incredibly frustrating to perform for instructors who are more interested in scrolling on their phones than observing their students. Ultimately, the 2-year program exists to line John's pockets and keep the theater afloat. Note: I cannot speak to their scene study classes. I hear they cap the headcount for those, so you might have much better luck there.

Attending classes with Bill Chott at The Improv Trick was a phenomenal experience, and I'd highly…read morerecommend it to anyone! I'm NOT an actor and don't want to be one. I'm a real estate agent looking to improve my communication skills and am naturally a bit reserved and introverted. I was told improv would help me open up and think on my feet and that I had to try it. I reluctantly signed up and was SO happy I did! Bill was friendly and welcoming and the vibe was comfortable and low-key. He's a great teacher and gives great feedback so every week I felt I was progressing. The space we 'play' in was great! I was scared of being on a stage and the Pasadena class was in a perfect location. I'll for sure be attending again and coming back!

I sat in on a first class and in 10 mins I knew I wanted to be apart of this work/group…read more Highly recommend Bill Chott's improv class. He's fun, informative, guides us well and encourages fun and respect.