Actor's Comedy Studio has been a Godsend to me! I was at a crossroads in my life. Then the pandemic hit. I got sick and it was a wake up call! A few weeks later I realized it was now or never. Life is too short! Something had to give. So I started diving back into my acting books. My wife had gotten me these 2 comedy books I had found online "The Funniest Scenes In The World : Volumes 1&2" about 6 months earlier. I loved the cool cover and the authors AWESOME name. GUNNAR TODD ROHRBACHER!!! BADASS!!! It looks soooo much better in capitals! I was like a kid in a candy store. New original comedy scenes that I could take and film and work on and make them my own. I had watched the studio's Mini-coms which were hysterical! So I wanted to know more. I looked up The Man, The Myth, The Legend!!! GUNNAR TODD ROHRBACHER!!! AND HOLY SHIT! Actor's Comedy Studio with the stunning LAUREN BERTONI to boot! I really couldn't believe it when I saw Free Workshops online! Actors Comedy Studio was the only online class I could find. Nobody else was offering it yet! They had made an incredible transition very quickly to fully online acting school 2 months prior in March which blew me away! I immediately signed up! And man I was NOT disappointed! I called and left a message and Lauren called me back soon after. Of course we hit it off immediately being from the same neck of the woods (N.J. & L.I. N.Y.). I took a few of Gunnar's workshops and was blown away by how much insight he had in the field of comedy. From The 10 Archetypes of Comedy to Script Analysis, Character Development Personal Typing and Branding to Audition Technique. Writing and Headshot classes as well. Anyway, I signed up for regular classes and I haven't looked back. I've also taken around 30 casting director workshops over the last 2 years. They're always so much fun and provide such a laid back environment. I feel like I'm just hanging with friends, which has almost single handedly help me conquer my fear of auditioning for the casting directors. I've also been taught by everyone at the studio. It's incredible going from Gunnar to Lauren to Erin to Steve and Tiffany. I've learned so much from each of them. Erin and Steve have been my teachers most of the way and I am indebted to them especially for their patience with me (I'm a little ADHD) and how incredibly thorough their instruction has been. I've improved in so many area's especially being grounded for the camera while still having that big energy. I'm light years ahead of where I was when I started (their words not mine) and I'm getting a lot more auditions now as a result. They've also gone way out of their way and helped me out tremendously when I've had some personal struggles outside of class that won't be forgotten! I also enrolled my daughter Lea in the teen classes for the last 8 months with Tiffany and Lauren who've been amazing with her. SO amazing that Lea now seems to think she's the comedian of the family! Always trying to show me up! SMH! Anyway there's so much more that they offer at the school but I'm already going to get in trouble for this EPIC review. I've made friends for life and I can't wait for what the future holds! It started with Gunnar laughing his ass off at me that ignited my confidence and now it's full steam ahead. Thank you, Actors Comedy Studio! The best place to study comedy acting in the world! And I'm stone cold serious! ;) read more

I recently completed the Sitcom Essentials class at Actors Comedy Studio, and never was there a more appropriate name for a class. From beginning to end we learned so much about what it takes to be a successful sitcom actor. I've been "studying" sitcoms my entire life, but until you dive head first into the nuts and bolts you don't fully realize what is involved on a daily basis. ACS founders Gunnar Rohrbacher, Lauren Bertoni, not to mention the amazing guest teachers (Elaine Hendrix, Phyllis Katz and Deb Barylski), created a warm, safe, and educational environment that was irreplaceable. We learned about the 10 archetypal characters of comedy that are present in every sitcom, how to break down scripts in a way that gives you the most to play with, the difference between single and multi-cam auditions, what it's like to do chemistry reads with people you barely know, and the on-your-feet experience of taping live in front of an audience - complete with rewrites, line changes, and new blocking. As an actor, I've been studying sitcoms consistently for a few years, and I have plenty of on-stage improv and theater experience, but the live taping was something I've never encountered before: to be handed 4 consecutive lines changes, all of them killer jokes, and to have less than a minute to wrap your head around it in order to nail it on take 2 is mind boggling. It's also thrilling, exciting, challenging, and most importantly, forces you to trust yourself, your homework and your training. For me, the best take away was looking at the live taping experience as you would if you were a guest star on a show. If you're a series regular, you can make mistake after mistake and, for the most part, it's okay, you're the star. But if you're a guest star, maybe even co-star? Well, you need to nail any and all adjustments the first time. Every time. They don't have time to wait for you to get things right. And if you can nail the changes right away? That's how you work consistently and move up to bigger roles. It shows them you can handle anything thrown at you right away. I'm so fortunate I was able to take this unique class. I feel so much more prepared for working on a multi-cam set (and single cam as well) knowing I have this experience under my belt. If you have any interest, at all, in being a working sitcom actor, I highly suggest the Sitcom Essentials class and Actors Comedy Studio. read more

I can't seem to outright slam this place as my review ends up "not recommended" - along with any other bad review for this business which just so happens to be an advertiser on here - very convenient... anyway I did not have a good experience so let me be specific. I was meant to have 6 classes which I wouldn't normally commit to but they had great reviews (before I realized all the bad ones are hidden!!) but okay, I signed up and we had a sub for the first class (can't recall his name, but he was a nice guy) and in that first class we basically did the exact same thing over & over for the whole class and couldn't watch footage at the end due to some kind of issue with the memory card. Great. The instructor really was a decent fellow so I forgive and move on. Second class was with Lauren and wow this girl has just a horrible attitude. She arrived late and spent probably half the class talking about herself. Pointless. If we want to know what all she's done we can research on our own time, which in fact I did and she was totally lying because all I see are a bunch of fake credits, probably demo reel scenes. Not to get personal, I'm sure she's lovely to those who know her but BAD first impression. In a classroom setting she comes off incredibly obnoxious. That aside we played a game and did a short skit (everybody does the same one) nothing the likes of which I've ever done at a professional audition but the idea was to understand tempo and her adjustments do make sense, just poorly executed via snapping her fingers a lot during the scenes having us go faster or louder and after that being her only input on every scene I was bored. She needs to watch her language as well. I curse like a sailor sometimes but not in a classroom with young people paying for your time. Moving on... we didn't film that day either so I felt it was time wasted. Took the 3rd class, another sub, same guy as before who again I really liked, he actually took the time to explain things and we did some kind of scene from I love Lucy which was funny and we watched them all back, by far the most beneficial part of the class seeing yourself on camera and figuring out what works & what doesn't. I didn't take the remaining classes, just not a good use of my time. Sorry, it's a big thumbs down for these folks. LA has a ton of great classes and your money is better spent elsewhere. read more

I attended the Comedy Cast Intensive with Gunnar Rohrbacher and Dorian Frankel this Sunday, and it was wonderful! I have taken class at ACS with Gunnar for about a year, and I adore Gunnar's positive attitude, highly informative "Top Ten Characters of Comedy" booklet, and his determined effort to always stay true to the script and have the actor tell the story that is on the page. I found Dorian to be very much in agreement with Gunnar when it comes to telling the story honestly. I've never had the opportunity to be in a 5 hour workshop intensive, since most workshops are in and out, or maybe a 1/2 hour of Q&A, so this was a treat. My observation and what I learned about Dorian, is that she is a very instinctual teacher. She was persistent when working with actors to get a real take, an honest read, and a simple unaffected performance. She also didn't give up on actors. If she felt like she could get more out of them she continued to work. She gave solid workable direction. In fact, she would even criticize her own direction if she didn't think it was enough. This showed me that she understood that sometimes direction like "be bigger," or "don't smile," or "do less," can feel too general for the actor. But, in her defense, more often than not, that simple direction worked. I also really appreciated some of Dorian's little insights regarding her take on actors. She mentioned that it wasn't necessary for actors to behave overly grateful for an audition. It was a good reminder for me to remember that I am worthy. Dorian gave us a bit of insight on her casting process. I was relieved to know that she doesn't just pick the top actors, at the top agencies, and only people she knows to come in for auditions. She picks actors who are right for the role, actors who fit the world of the show, actors who are good, actors who are easy to work with, actors who don't need hand holding, actors she knows and actors she doesn't know. This workshop was totally worth attending. All the little nuggets of information help me to be more aware of others in the industry, gain more perspective into a CD's experience, and bring that insight into the audition room. Thank you Gunnar and Dorian! read more

I just took the Comedy Essentials class in April 2022. I learned about the book through the Audrey Helps Actors Podcast. If you want to see absolute passion for such a comprehensive craft-- this class, the book, is such a lovely place to start. A little context. I'm primarily a dramatic actor who was looking to expand his comedic range. So, bear in mind, I do have experience with script analysis and the emotional beats/transitions of a scene. However, I do recommend this class for beginners and veteran actors alike who want a more precise approach to dissecting scenes in nuanced and specific ways that will keep you competitive in our current landscape. Gunnar is a powerhouse. Our class was over Zoom, but the (loving) intensity in which Gunnar brought to each session made the creative lightbulbs in my brain go off every 10-15 mins. It is lecture heavy, so definitely take notes and be engaged with the process. It's alot to soak in. This initial class walks you through concepts such as the archetypes in comedy, cold reading scripts (in order for you to be efficient with your process), line delivery for specific mediums, how to spot jokes, and how begin the process of interpretation within a given script. I think the thing I liked most about the class was a focus on having us examine our own personality traits to see what sort of roles we could play for ourselves. I think this is key, because the more you hone in on what you can play well (playing to your strengths), the more likely you'll book work. It's recommended you buy the book (The Comedy Code) and get to know it before attending, and I couldn't agree more. It is VERY detailed, but I think that sort of specificity helps you stand out amongst the crowd. Ultimately it shows Casting, Writers, Showrunners, and Producers that you are tuned in to the stories they are trying to tell, and where you as the actor help bring those stories to life. If you're looking to hit comedy hard and gear up to be a series regular on a comedic series, I think this is the place you start. Thanks Gunnar, I look forward to Audition Code class next! read more

Woohoo is right my friends. I have found a fit for me in LA. I have a degree in theater and I have studied and done numerous shows and even showcases in LA. The transition from coast to coast from Stage to Film is extremely difficult. Actors Comedy Showcase is making me grow immensely week by week connecting talent to WORK. It's an Honor to work with both Lauren Bertoni and Gunnar Todd Rohrbacher. When I met them, they asked me what they could do for MY career and they gauge what they can do with each and every actor separately. In this studio, you compete against yourself, because there is only you. I haven't been asked that sincerely in my acting career. ACS provides on Camera sitcom acting class in which I'm enrolled currently. To think i went to so many auditions not knowing the rules of acting on film and especially in the audition room. I have learned more in 2 months than I have the many years I have already spent in LA. They have an amazing Staff that give specific notes and you get to work through your notes after you watch yourself on Playback. To Correct and learn your mistakes. It is an efficient way to learn and improve every class. They offer different classes, private coachings, career coachings, intensives, and schedule out several Industry showcases each month and its ONLY $20 for students and non students all the time. The class I take begins with announcements and discussions about the trade and what is happening in the industry. At first I just learned by listening, and now I am reading everyday just to share every week. Its such a great knowledgeable vibe at the studio, actors and staff. It's worth the interview with the Co Owners right at the studio. I recommend this to any Actor or actress as it creates a network of HONEST, healthy improvement in your career. read more

Lauren and Gunnar have build an incredible place for Actors in LA with Actors Comedy Studio. I am SO glad a good friend recommended them to me. I have been taking classes there now for nearly 1 year and have upped my game 200%. If you are looking for a safe, supportive container to learn the skills and hone your craft this is the place to go. If you are looking for honest, critical info on how the industry works, what you need to do to get work, and how as an actor to be prepared and get into the right mindset, this is the best place. Both Lauren and Gunnar are beyond generous with their time, care and knowledge. They give you professional, on point feedback on how to market yourself and present yourself best to get work. In the Acting for Sitcoms class they know exactly what direction to give to pull out the best work from each individual student - it is brilliant to watch and you learn so much! They arm you with tools and access to do your best work. They teach you specific skills to breakdown scripts and up your audition game. Their technique is designed for comedy, but these guys know their stuff and show us how this work can apply to drama and procedurals. They push you to do your best, without ever making you feel small or hopeless - they really are on top of their craft as both actors and teachers. These guys get it, they are super in-tune with the times, they get social media, how it works and impacts an actor's career, they get how difficult auditioning can be, they get how the industry has changed and they generously impart all their knowledge, know-how and expertise to their ACS community. read more

I hesitate to write this because I kinda want to keep ACS and Gunnar all to myself...but I guess I'll be nice today and share: ACS, Gunnar and the coaches have worked out really well for me. I started at ACS (when there were still in-person classes) because I felt like I was struggling with comedy auditions - how to bring "mean" dialogue to life in a funny way, how to ground a comedy character in truth. Gunnar's Comedy Essentials and way of explaining the archetypes of comedy characters from their core identity (what they want/do) just spoke to me and they've helped me with all of my auditions since. I loved taking Master Class: worked every class, learned from other students (many of whom are still friends!), and also really appreciated getting to talk about industry stuff especially when actors are often so isolated in their careers. I've worked with all of the coaches and love them - so genuine and funny and help you ground your character in truth; they aren't just telling you to "do this technical thing to make it funny" like some schools are known for. I also love that Gunnar genuinely laughs when someone's scene is funny and isn't trying to be a guru and amass followers who feel like they *need* their coach to act - do you KNOW how hard it is to find that in LA?! ACS just works for me and the results speak for themselves: my last coaching/taping session with Gunnar led to booking a comedy film that I'll be filming in New Orleans later this month! read more

IF YOU DONT KNOW - NOW YOU KNOW!... I have been studying at Actors Comedy Studio for 3 months now, when i was given the opportunity to take a class for 8 weeks learning all about sitcoms- i jumped on it. Not only is Actors Comedy Studio the ONLY studio that offers this class but the teachers not only are extremely credited- they bring in outside sources that are also extremely credited. This studio is ran by LAUREN BERTONI and GUNNAR TODD ROHRBACHER - 2 of the elite in the business. These people not only know EVERYTHING but they know EVERYONE! And if you are in LA- you know thats what matters. Check their credentials. Facts don't lie. Being blessed enough to be in the same room with them and be taught by them is out of this world. These are 2 people in hollywood who ARE NOT SELFISH with there knowledge. These people know the business and they tell it like it is. In this sitcom class, i was taught the truth of what happens in the real world of sitcoms. It moves fast! They know all the secrets that is imperative for actors who want to WORK! (Because thats why we are here!) the things i was taught now have me prepared for anything thrown my way... You want the secrets? Well, then take the class. You will be just as protective and territorial over this studio as i am. read more

I found out about the Actors Comedy Studio through a girl who really stood out to me in the several casting workshops I attended. I kept seeing her in the same workshops. She was polished, confident, and really authentic and funny! I wanted to be that good! After several workshops I finally asked her where she studied... she told me "Todd at Actors Comedy Studio... he changed the whole game for me." OK. I went in and met with Todd immediately and that week I was already in class. I have learned more the past 3 months with him than I have in the past 6 years while in Los Angeles. I've also had the opportunity to be coached by Lauren Bertoni and Elaine Hendrix... SUCCESSFUL, TALENTED and constantly WORKING actors. I'm thrilled to know that I'm learning from actual pros. Their experience and wisdom on the industry is priceless. Todd has created the best community for actors. It's all about support and being challenged in a safe environment. Sure, if you want to be ok or good or even GREAT then all the other schools or programs or classes in Los Angeles will suit you just fine, but if you want to be the best and work with the best then Actor's Comedy Studio will be perfect for you. Todd gives you the tools and I also get to learn from the amazing actors in these classes. read more

When I first came to Los Angeles, I soon realized that there are (literally) one million different acting teachers/studios in this great city. Overwhelming to say the least. So I started searching and was getting really frustrated trying to find a class perfect for me, a comedic actress. My search ended the day I found Todd Rohrbacher at Actors Comedy Studio. I have never met anyone who has a more perfect understanding of comedy than Todd. My confidence in my acting has improved drastically and I landed commercial and theatrical representation as a result of one of the Studio's showcases! The Acting For Sitcoms class is what made me fall in love. But the studio also has outstanding teachers in almost every area of acting/writing/entertaining you could ask for. Offering so many necessary and diverse classes has really turned ACS into an amazing community of artists. And it doesn't hurt to know a bunch of other talented people in this industry!! I've also found that students in this Studio are very motivated. I've never been around so many people who are constantly producing their own content. It's very exciting and has motivated me to start filming my own webisode! read more

I recently had an audition for a comedic role in a feature film. They wanted to see actors who had comedic or improv training. They told me that the improv trained actors they had seen the day before were just "too big" and over-the-top. They were looking for something real. I stated that I had been working with Todd in his comedy classes for the past couple of years. It was a one-liner in a feature film. I did the first audition and they loved it. The casting director laughed and gave me an adjustment and then asked me to do it again. He laughed again and then asked if I could wait so that they could bring in the director for me to audition for him. The director came in had me do the scene, laughed and asked me to try a different way and then said that was great and asked me if could wait so they could bring in the producer. Again, I ran through the scene a couple of times, they all laughed and then the producer gave me an adjustment and they laughed at that too. My training with Todd gave me the confidence, skill and practice to work each audition and be funny over and over again. I walked out of that audition feeling like a winner. read more

YES! This class is literally one of the best classes I have ever taken. For those who love comedy and just want to focus on that, its a GREAT class to learn the ins and outs of all things sitcom. This class as helped me prepare for auditions and help me to analyze a scene in a short amount of time. The Ten Characters of Comedy is part of this, and wow; it really helps breaking down a script and help understand the angle to approach from. I have booked things because of this alone. Todd is brilliant. He genuinely cares about the person within the actor and pushes you to get it right. He also is VERY informed about the business side as well, giving us weekly updates and all the insider trade secrets :) The school also offers $20 dollar workshops, bringing in agents, casting directors, and important people in the biz. Its almost unfair that its $20, because every workshop is so valuable and legit. They aren't like those workshops you get in mass emails that promise you this and that and are so vague. So. In short. YES. These class are small and in a comfortable environment. I HIGHLY recommend this class and will continue to take it. woot!! read more

Todd Rohrbacher is an awesome coach. On top of being a proper professional with vast experience, he is quite Inspiring and supportive. One of the most favourite learning experiences in acting I have ever had, and I have studied with wonderful teachers. The Studio he created (ACS) is a good continuation of the work he's been doing. An awesome place to get educated, elevated, inspired and to better yourself. I love that classes are ongoing, so you can hop in at any time, and work in a very fun and very safe environment. One of the awesome perks is the "on camera" element - and you are not watching playback on a little TV, but on a wall-sized screen, using a projector. I find it tremendously useful, as it really shows you all you do in every little detail - important stuff. Most importantly though, Todd has a unique ability to see right through you and thus is able to fine-tune and help in a very personalized way, helping you find comedy in you and let it out in a most professional fashion. If you haven't yet - do yourself a favour and go see for yourself. You can always leave if you don't like it, but I doubt you will leave. Do it! read more

I absolutely love the Actors Comedy Studio! Enrolling in class has been the best thing I've done for my career since moving to LA. Every class is organized, intimate, and the teachers genuinely care about each and every student. ACS is more than just a school. It is a community of like minded professionals working together towards the same goal. Not only do we focus on the craft, but there is a huge emphasis on the business side of being a professional actor, which can often be overlooked in acting classes. This has been incredibly beneficial for me and I recommend ACS to anyone ready to take their career to the next level! The Actors Comedy Studio also offers private career consultations, $20 workshops, smart head shot sessions, actors vocal, and more! The teachers are great at working with actors individually and at all levels. After just a few weeks of class, I felt confident and prepared to audition on-camera alongside industry professionals. Gunnar has perfected his method down to a science and shares his insight and passion with every student. It is an incredible working environment and so much fun! 5 stars! read more

I have had the pleasure of having Todd Rohrbacher as my teacher for many years! He is crazy in tune with the world that is Television Comedy...and his knowledge, experience and humor makes him an excellent teacher! Now, combine those attributes with a studio that is the MOST progressive and forward thinking in L.A...or anywhere for that matter! Actor's Comedy Studio has opened many doors for me. I am NOT the most technologically proficient person around! But, being at this studio has allowed me to gain invaluable knowledge about self-production and the inner-workings of comedy on all levels. I feel ahead of the game in this new facet of the entertainment business called New Media! I won't go into all the details...but, if I wanted to, I could write, create, produce a short film/webisode/FEATURE (including production studios, editors, you name it) with all the knowledge I've received. The quality of student at ACS is a testament to Todd's hard work, intelligence, and passion for what he does! I know I can bring the funny but, with Todd as my teacher, I can bring it AND BOOK IT! Word! read more

When I look for a class, I make sure that the teacher is easily approachable, the curriculum is up-to-date and current, and that I'm going to be getting my money's worth. Actor's Comedy Studio fits this to a T. Gunnar Todd Rohrbacher and Lauren Bertoni are brilliant at communicating their methods and helping you, as an actor, find the ways you can help benefit yourself. At ACS, you're going to have classmates from all walks of life. Some people might have been there for years and others just starting, but the experience is equally as unique per person. Not only do Gunnar and Lauren give you personalized notes and critiques, but also they support it by putting you on film and playing it back for you. You'd think that after 2 years, I'd have seen them reuse old lessons, but I haven't. ACS is always learning something new to convey to us, which is why i think it's such a unique school. They don't try to fool anyone by saying they know everything, but instead inform their students that the industry is always changing and that their lessons will change along with it. read more

Actors Comedy Studio (ACS) is the one-stop shop in providing today's actors with the solution of how to make a lifelong career. Gone are the days when you could focus solely on your craft and depend on your agent to get you all of your auditions and take care of the business side of acting. In today's industry, actors must wear a number of hats: producing, directing, editing, writing, etc., all in addition to honing their other acting-related skills. At ACS, you get not only incredible comedic training, but also the encouragement and skills needed to push past the overwhelming business aspects of "the biz," to create, produce, and market your own work. I earned my BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and even though my training there was top-notch, I can confidently say that my training with Todd Rohrbacher at ACS has been equally as effective and beneficial, if not more. Not only is Todd a comedic genius and a fantastic teacher, but he is also an incredibly compassionate human being and 100% committed to every student he teaches. read more

I just made a significant career investment in The Actor's Comedy Studio! The Comedy Cast Intensive is the most invigorating, productive, motivational and no-nonsense acting class I have taken in years!! Led by Co-Founding Director, Gunnar Todd Rohrbacher, Gunnar invites you to explore his brilliant Top Ten 'Heroes & Heroines of Comedy' analysis! And yes, I printed it out as my new 'bible!' For this transitioning actor, Gunnar intuitively and respectfully encouraged me to stretch beyond my wheel-house and to articulate what is economically laid out inside the community of the comedic sitcom script! At the first downbeat, Gunnar's infectious upbeat energy, his knowledge and experience both as an actor and as a writer, combined with his astute directing approach is masterful! And how fortunate that Casting Agent, Dorian Frankel, partnered that afternoon and offered significant insight into the casting agent's realities from agency submissions to the directorial needs that casting agents seek from actors in the room! I'll be back...!! read more