I understand that starting a new theater company can be a process. However APA claims to have been around the Los Angeles area for over 1 year and even boost about another branch in Las Vegas. So I would think they would have already figured out there schedule. which seems to be the biggest problem they have. I stuck it out for 4 weeks hoping to find some truth to this magical theater company that also films there own web series and movies and promises paid rehearsal, film projects and theater performances . Sounds like a dream come true right? Oh and guess what even comes with free head shots and free classes and blah, blah blah lie,lies lies. (never happened and if you ask about it get ready to be yelled at about your sense of self entitlement and selfishness.) Sean also claimed to have a team of writes that get to know the actors and write scripts for the individual actor. Turns out Sean, is the writing team... And if you lose an actor in the company he "kills" the project you are in the middle of working on. With no regard or respect for the actors who had been in rehearsal for over a month. When I started the company there was over 123 members. A mix of professional working actors and actors who are just getting started on there artistic journey. Lets start with Sean's "free classes" Now it's hard to get upset when someone is give you a free service, and I'd like to think at Sean's is coming from good intentions, but that being said, NOTHING GOOD CAN COME FROM THESE FREE CLASSES. I am lucky enough to have lots training so I caught the jist of it all, but for someone who is starting out, this can be very confusing and leave you worse off then when you started. Class was set up in 2 hour time slots. (this changed day to day, so don't even try to understand or move your schedule) 1 1/2 hours of this time would be used by having Sean scream his religious, political views or anything on his mind at company members. ( Nothing at all to do with the lesson or acting) Unless your in the mood to watch this play out I would just keep your belief structure to yourself.....Seems like he just likes to argue. (After all he is a lawyer, who started many high profile theaters companies and has studied with some of our great acting teachers of all time etc...And still retiring very young and wealthy., he reminds you this as often as he can.) The other 30 minutes of class were used to give very confusing acting warm ups which were never explained properly...( Even his own assistant seemed lost.) I realized this because I have done many of these warm ups before. Each one should take about 10 minutes tops, but apparently that is the whole class. In 4 weeks I attend 8 classes and never once work on any scene work, monologues, technique, auditioning....Nothing. Aside from the classes and the verbal abuse the schedule began to change on a daily base. With no regard for those who had already adjusted there lives the 4 last time he changed everything. Why is the schedule changing so much you ask? Turned out other actors in the company started dropping like files. Perhaps the lack of work and Sean's pride in being politically incorrect that may have helped. ( Side note he called me a bitch in just regular conversation for no reason and used other derogatory terms for other members.?! Apparently that is his thing so don't expect to be respected either.) Sean called an emergency meeting for the remaining company members. The optimist in me thought ooooo! Maybe we finally have all the real, dedicated actors left and now we can get to work. Like it had all been some survival of the fittest test or something. The emergency meeting was used to bash all the actors who had remained faith and hopeful to the company. Somehow the loss of the the other members was our fault. And again adjusted the schedule which made it impossible to keep attending the mandatory free classes. When people expressed concern stating they had change job, school, families everything in their lives to keep accommodating the ever changing schedule, Sean stated that they would never be successful as actors because everything else was too important. ( My acting is very important to me, but so is keeping a roof over my head.) Instead of moving forward with the 23 talent members left he went on an excessively long rant belittling everyones professionalism and integrity. And also stating that no one was worthy of being in his Hidden Springs Project.(That is the web series.) And now everyone has to prove themselves to be considered for film projects. I guess the past 4 weeks weren't proof enough of our dedication? and yes you read that right 100 members down in 4weeks.) Yes, there was some amazing talent just dying to work their butts off here. Somehow Sean missed that. read more

I had signed up to be a part of their 'SHOCK-case' but I wasn't able to go. At one point, I had emailed the director, who by the way said doesn't even have any contact information with their signatures, how many people tend to show up and he says a little more than half that actually sign up. So I ended up not going for personal reasons, and I get this hate mail, might've well have been, stating how unprofessional it was for me to not have gone and how i stripped many others from the wait list from their chance to go (even he said so himself that only like 15/39 would most likely go) and how he will get in contact with all the directors that he knows that to never hire me and basically saying he's going to blackball me, if and only I beg them with an apology so that they'll consider me to join. I think the lesson learned here was: Dear APA, please include contact information so if someone were to drop out from an event they can at least CONTACT you to inform you, rather than you being upset over us not being able to reach you. read more

APA is a new non-profit organization that aims to help professional actors recognize their strengths and weaknesses, create a unique brand, and book jobs. When I first joined the class and auditioned for the program, I had my doubts. It was a bit of a drive out from the center of LA, the instructor spent a majority of the time talking about himself and personal stories - I thought for a second, is this a therapy session? - and there were minimal students. However, after giving APA a second chance, I recognized the significant positives of this program! Sean and Marilyn truly want to help you succeed as a professional actor. They only accept actors who are serious, committed, PROFESSIONAL and not just there to take advantage of their generous, FREE services. They are there everyday, producing shows and films for actors, teaching, and finding more effective ways to get people involved and successfully working. They pay you for your rehearsal time and performances! I can't tell you how many Theatres out there DO NOT offer these benefits. Every new professional member gets their own show, free headshots (I MEAN THIS IS GOLD!) and access to all sorts of classes. I discovered that APA is a place for me to go and challenge myself, share new stories, and work on my craft. It was off to a bumpy start, but I truly believe APA has something special, that no other studio in Hollywood has ever done before. I have found a space where I can play and not get charged up the butt for it. Thanks APA for existing and helping actors get started!!! read more

This program is a wonderful opportunity for actors. I came to the initial briefing of this Program with the natural reservations that come with any company that advertises "free", but the wonderful truth is , it is!! Now although something may be free, that does not always mean it is valuable, but in APA's case, they are a free program of incredible value. I have been attending classes with the Programs facilitator and teacher Sean for about two and a half months and couldn't be happier with the experience I have had. Classes are productive, challenging, and already have an established safe environment where the actor can trust the mentor and fellow peers to take chances and make choices in their craft. The program believes in an synergistic approach, and with that mentality, the classes naturally form a sense of community as everyone is there to succeed. In conclusion, I have had and continue to have a beneficial and exciting journey as a member of this program and would recommend it to any actor who is serious about this art as a career, believes in the power of a collective approach to grow as an individual, and likes to have Fun! read more

This business has been renamed, "Actor Performance Creation Program."

There are different styles of teaching and there are different styles of learning. At the APA, I am learning more than "acting." I'm learning to be "bold" with the choices I make when I'm on stage. I am receiving the vision of a teacher who believes that acting is about surrendering to the audience, director, the project and the environment thus not ignoring the reality that I am surrounding by as I do in my daily pedestrian life. For the last few months I have received the encouragement I have never received in other places. Sometimes I think that my teacher has more faith on me that the faith I have on myself. It is great to feel supported and also pushed to take responsibility for my craft and for my business. The acting industry is a mystery to me. I am learning how to dimitify this puzzle by exercising informed decisions based on attainable goals that I persued with daily work. APA is helping me by providing free orientation, classes and support to build my professional career as an actor. In return, I am giving my commitment and respect by attending on-time to class, calling when I need to cancel an appointment, supporting my fellow actors and being honest... Is that too much to ask? I thank the American Performance Alliance for their support and I'm looking forward to tell you more about our shows. read more

APA, oh my god what an awesomely amazing group of professional actors. This is the most exciting experience in my life, a group that actually gets, acting is a professional career. I have been with the group since it started, and everything they say is true. You get all the professional tools you need to succeed, and all you have to do is be 100 percent committed to your career in acting, and participate with the group. Everything is professional right from the beginning. The website, to the audition process, to the productions. Things are only getting better and better, thank you APA for all of the amazing things you are doing to help professional actors like myself succeed, and I truly look forward to all the new events we have scheduled. read more