We Like Mona and the way she teaches. She has been nothing but respectful to my mother, my twin sister and my friends. We enjoy learning from a working actress, do you know she was Michael Dells acting coach? Do you know she was awarded a full scholarship to The Juilliard School where her classmate was Robin Williams and their professor was John Houseman. If you don't know who he is you best look it up. IMDb John Houseman (1902-1988) Actor | Producer | Miscellaneous Crew Academy Award-winning actor John Houseman's main contribution to American culture was not his own performances on film but rather, his role as a midwife to one of the greatest actor-directors-cinematic geniuses his adopted country ever produced (Orson Welles) and as a midwife to a whole generation of actors as head of the drama division of the ... See full bio " Born: Jacques Haussmann September 22, 1902 in Bucharest, Romania Died: October 31, 1988 (age 86) in Malibu, California, USA Still of John Houseman in Silver Spoons (1982) "Manos" The Hands of Fate 2 April 2016 10:51 AM, -06:00 | Trailers from Hell Magician: The Astonishing Life And Work Of Orson Welles Ghost Story Rollerball Scrooged The Paper Chase The Fog Academy award for best supporting actor How much of John Houseman's work have you seen? Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards " Known For The Paper Chase The Paper Chase (1978) The Fog The Fog (1980) Rollerball Rollerball (1975) Three Days of the Condor Three Days of the Condor (1975) Filmography Jump to: Actor | Producer | Miscellaneous Crew | Writer | Director | Editorial department | Soundtrack | Self | Archive footage Hide HideActor (48 credits) 1988 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! Driving Instructor (uncredited) 1988 Scrooged John Houseman 1988 Another Woman Marion's Father 1988 Bright Lights, Big City Mr. Vogel 1988 Lincoln (TV Mini-Series) Gen. Winfield Scott 1988 Noble House (TV Mini-Series) Sir Geoffrey Allison - Part IV (1988) ... Sir Geoffrey Allison - Part III (1988) ... Sir Geoffrey Allison (credit only) - Part II (1988) ... Sir Geoffrey Allison (credit only) - Part I (1988) ... Sir Geoffrey Allison (credit only) 1982-1987 Silver Spoons (TV Series) Grandpa Stratton - Pardon My French (1987) ... Grandpa Stratton - The Barbarians (1985) ... Grandpa Stratton - One Strike and You're Out (1985) ... Grandpa Stratton - The Great Baseball Card Scheme (1985) ... Grandpa Stratton - Marry Me, Marry Me: Part 2 (1985) ... Grandpa Stratton Show all 14 episodes 1978-1986 The Paper Chase (TV Series) Professor Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. - Graduation (1986) ... Professor Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. - Suppressed Desires (1986) ... Professor Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. - Honor (1986) ... Professor Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. - Mistaken Identity (1986) ... Professor Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. - A Wounded Hart (1986) ... Professor Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. Show all 58 episodes read more

I came to Mona at a critical point in my life. Fresh out of high school, the future and path for my career was uncertain, and I was at my most vulnerable when I first took her Monday night Explorer class in September 2014. After that class, I knew I had found the guidance I was in desperate need of, and she helped me turn my own insecurities and fears into something palpable and useful for my performances. I also took Mona's Sub-Personalities course which was focused on investigating the parts of ourselves we rarely explored. This class was where I had found a much stronger sense of identity as an actor and as a person. The information I received from this class made it easier to identify what I had to offer the industry and what to let go of, what to bring with, and what to improve upon from the inside out. Her Film Acting class was a very practical way to apply what I had learned from the other two classes and how to respond to the camera and how to not let the camera affect the freedom I felt when performing for a live audience. I have re-watched the tapes of my performances in this class, and I can measure my progress clearly. This class confirmed to me that taking these classes was paying off. At my last class with Mona in February 2015, she told me I was ready for the next step on my road to mastery. Thanks to her guidance, she helped me figure out options for my future. One of these options was to find a place to study in New York city, conservatory, university, anywhere where I could get the kind of honest, professional, and creatively-stimulating training that she had given me. She wrote me a letter of recommendation to all of the places that I had applied to, and not long after, I was accepted to my first choice. I am writing this review in New York city, continuing my first year of study in the city. Being in New York is only my second stop on the road to mastery. Mona was my first stop, and I would be nowhere without her. The techniques, exercises, and vast knowledge of the industry and craft have given me a great advantage in this industry. I am a WORKING actor thanks to the foundation Mona helped me build upon. Her methods are practical, artistic, and genuinely inspiring. A great teacher will not let you get away with anything that is beneath you. They will take you far enough out of your comfort zone where you will see where they're taking you, while still making you do the heavy-lifting. They will fight for you, even when you aren't fighting for yourself. Mona fought for me, and I am a better actor, and a better man for it. I cannot thank her enough, and I cannot recommend each of her courses enough. I carry a lot of proud memories of my time in her classes with me, and I will not soon forget them. read more

I was a student in the UT Austin Film School during the hey day of Texas Indie Film. One of the disciplines that we covered but only scratched the surface was acting. We read the primary text which is Stanislavsky's "An actor Prepares". I was left wanting more knowledge so, I followed up college with additional perspectives using the modern texts from the next generation of masters Meisner, Adler, and Clurman. After reading these, I was still needing real world context. I was expecting to learn a particular "system" when I signed up for Mona's class but instead, I got a master coach who has decades of contemporary experience in TV and Film. She is mainly a coach not an acting school which means that her job is to judge the strengths and weaknesses of her students and correct their bad habits. If you read the book "Talent Code", you'll see that this is how a master coach operates. On top of that, you also get instruction that a school would give to beginners. The knowledge needed for the acting craft is extensive and takes dedication from the student. The Talent Code author shows that the main ingredient for talent is the student's enthusiasm and willingness to practice. Add to that the master coach and you have a viable path to success. If you want to act in TV and Film and live in the central Texas area, Mona will show you how to make it happen. She focuses on helping students to recognize their strengths so that we can get started quickly. The alternative is to get bogged down in theory, like I did trying to learn by reading books written by masters who stopped teaching decades ago, or come up with $50,000.00 and move to New York to study esoteric theory. I've taken three of Mona's adult classes, have spent less than $900.00 and have gotten more out of this experience that the last 10 years of mulling over debatable theories that are all subjective and general. Mona tailors her teaching to each student individually! I highly recommend BriteLites, but come with purpose, enthusiasm and plan to work! Also you need to trust her as your coach and respect her experience because she will stop you mid-stream when you are doing it wrong. It may be unnerving to the beginner but this is preparing the student for the TV and Film industry where the director will expect you know how to take direction. Once you realize that direction is not personal but is intended to help the student, and "get the shot", taking direction becomes second nature and you will improve your technique rather quickly. BriteLItes Acting Studio is a gem of a resource for Austin, TX and all of central TX. read more

Helicopter mom WANTS TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MONA LEE!! We were recommended to BriteLites Acting Studio by Ryan Lee's mom. Both Ryan and his sister Lauren have taken numerous 'teen film acting camps' with Mona. HEY! - They are no relation to Mona. Ryan is the star of numerous movies and TV series. He was in JJ Abrams "Super 8", played Melissa McCarthy's son in "This is 40" and "How I Met Your Wife". In addition, we found out that Mona had instructed the two stars of Acadamy Award winning "Boyhood", Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater. Ellar, too, has taken numerous camps and Lorelei still preps with Mona for movies. (She is the daughter of director, Richard Linklater who also took all of Mona's classes.) In Mona's camps, she also coached, Nick Krause, star of George Clooney's, "The Decendants", "Parenthood", and so many other TV series and movies. Given Mona's track record we decided to enroll our daughter with her as she was disappointed in her high school theater program and wanted to be more challenged. Our daughter loved the scripts given at BriteLItes and working with the camera, improv, and audition skills. She admitted she got what she wanted, in Mona, a teacher who challenged her. Our daughter can be stubborn and can be touchy but she stuck with the program. We had days when she was sad that her performances weren't perfect, as Mona would tweak and tweak, and push and push. Every stone needs a polisher. Wow, how we wanted to march in there and rescue her a few times but she said she loved the program. She trusted Mona even when she gave her a lot of redirection. My wife and I are doctors and don't know much about the arts. We were worried about all the rejection actors get and how hard it is to make it show business. Mona is working with her now to get into a top tier university theater program. Mona has helped teens get into the most prestigious programs, like Juilliard, which Mona is a graduate of. I guess what I really want to say, and haven taken time to formulate my thoughts, is that being in a rigorous program where true art comes forth, wouldn't you want someone who believes in you, pushes you? And, our daughter will have to deal with plenty of "No's" in this business and now has a resilience that we couldn't give her and, if anything, Mona instilled a sense of honor and dignity that my daughter would not have otherwise known existed in her as an artist. Chill out, parents. Sometimes, we are the problem and not the teachers! Yeah, Mona! read more

I did a video project in early 2017, a Twin Peaks homage, and most everyone else involved had studied with Mona Lee at BriteLite Studio. They told me to enroll in one of her courses ASAP to get the fundamentals - and they were right. With no previous training, I was handed a couple of monologues the first night of Explorer class and told to pick one for a cold read - something even pros dread. There was a thorough, honest critique, then we were sent home to memorize it for the next class - and after the first monologue, I was hooked. That monologue was used as a basis for in-depth exercises ranging from creating a background study of the character to switching from one emotion to another in mid-delivery. Scenes with other students later taught us to create a wardrobe, develop memorization skills and timing, understand camera angles and placement, and learn an actor's most important tools - discipline, and how to take direction from a pro. Mona has an uncanny, intuitive ability to know what scripts you'll love doing and which ones will challenge you, and bases her teaching on everything from Method Acting to holistic and metaphysical concepts of personality and storytelling - and she's acted on professional sets with directors the caliber of Richard Linklater. Be ready to learn something about yourself. I sat next to a seventeen-year-old girl in the first Explorer class, there to build confidence, and she was so scared I almost had to push her out of her seat to read her monologue. By the end of the Explorer series, she was handling a wide variety of characters with ease and poise. I know her parents, and the changes in her confidence levels since have been subtle, but profound. I've been a professional martial arts instructor for over four decades and teach Reiki and other holistic disciplines, and know a good teacher when I work with one. I've taken both the Explorer series and Film Acting series twice, and learned something new every class. I plan to continue working with Mona to build a new career at the age of - well, never mind. If you want someone who'll tell you how talented you already are, any teacher will do. If you want someone who'll tell you that when you deserve it - and dissect your performances so you'll deserve it more often - you'll walk out of any of these classes a better actor, with new skill sets you'll find yourself drawing on every day. read more

I have taken every single class of Mona's. I cannot say enough about how she took me from knowing nothing about being a working actor to actually becoming a working actor. I recently booked a great commercial spot and during my audition, a body language discussion we had in one of Mona's classes just popped in my head. And I booked the job. From learning how to hold my script properly in auditions where people know that you know what you are doing, to how you walk in the casting room, to thinking on your feet, to being comfortable in front of the camera and playing to the lens, it just truly made huge difference in starting my professional life. The first SAG filmed I booked, which I shot in Los Angeles and was on set with name actors, when I got to set I instantly knew what to expect. I was completely prepared and not nervous because I had been working with her in front of the camera in the numerous film acting classes I took with her. It made my performance natural and easy. She always knew when I wasn't completely present in a performance (when I thought I was actually nailing it) and she made me step it up. And indeed, my performance was so much better. I will underscore what one reviewer said: if you are looking to be coddled, another class would be a better fit. Mona was hard on me many times because she wants her students to work and she wants them to be accountable and respected. She has a great deal of respect for the craft. She also cares deeply about her students. During one exercise in the Intermediate Class, I was pretty shaken because it was simply a very challenging, emotional scene, and the exercise was really hard with very quick direction. She followed up with me after class to make sure I was ok. I appreciated her pushing me because it made me a stronger actor. She has worked many years with many professionals and she has seen it all, so she knows what you better know if you are going to survive in an industry where millions of people want to be an actor. She is a true friend, and I will forever be grateful her pushing me to be the best, solid actor I can be. Acting is a forever process, and I loved that she encouraged us all to keep a journal and a notebook so we can track our journey. I highly recommend her classes. read more

I started taking classes with Mona 10 years ago. At the time, I had taken with several of the other teachers in town, who have a lot to offer, however, I just really connected to Mona. These are some of the things I like about Mona: 1. She's extremely intuitive. She knows herself really well and she can spot in others what they need to work on. She also can see their strengths. 2. She's a working actress and is very knowledgeable about the business and will share what she knows with you. 3. She went to Juilliard and teaches the techniques that she learned in her classes there to help bring out the talents in her students here. 4. The environment is safe. Mona offers constructive feedback and doesn't coddle you. Since first taking Mona's class over ten years ago, I've gone on to work on film sets, become a working stand up comedian and write screenplays. I have not had my hand held in that process. "The Industry" doesn't baby you and neither will she. 5. She helps you to find what's great about you and what you can bring to the table as a performer and story teller. I have taken several of her classes and I continue to be amazed when I see people transform in her classes. Many have gone on to work as actors/ screenwriters or in various aspects of the business. Taking Mona's class ten years ago was a game changer in my life. I believe it changed the whole course of my life for the better. Even after all of the things I have learned, every time I take her class I learn something new. I love Mona! read more

With the classic serendipity of a screen play, I signed up for Mona's class to improve my memory and get out of my home office for a few hours. Who knew how amazing this class would be?! I soon found out that she is one of the premier acting coaches in Texas. I can see why. I've taken her Explorer class three times in a row because when I am there, I am completely intrigued and focused on the intense learning that is happening. Mona treats each student in the class with honesty and insight developed from her own creative muse and her rich experience. She's funny and passionate. Right from the first day, she gave me scenes that were really challenging - no touchy-feely "bacon sizzling in a pan" exercises for us. I've been assigned characters acted in films by Holly Hunter, Michelle Pfeiffer, Barbara Streisand, Elizabeth Taylor, Debra Messing, and Anne Bancroft (yes, Mrs. Robinson) because she gave me the gumption to go for it. She blends instruction and direction along with sharing professional biz acumen for actors going to auditions and being on set. I've been able to work with generous, talented and fun scene partners. I'm now considering opportunities that I never thought possible. I'm so glad I discovered BriteLites and look forward to many more classes with Mona! P.S. There are a bunch of high ratings and detailed comments from real people (some I know) down below in the "not-recommended" category. Check them out for more opinions. read more

I have studied with Mona for a while now and no one has helped me more with my acting career than her. There are many things I value in an acting coach and Mona Lee encompasses all of them. She has not only helped me to hone my craft, specifically in the area of TV and Film, but she has given the confidence I need to succeed as an actor. It's like this -- I am a firm believer that if you want to get healthy and fit, then you need to be talking to someone who knows what they're doing, someone who IS healthy and fit. Why would you take nutritional advice from someone who's out of shape? Mona is a working actor who's been in countless films and television shows like Hope Floats, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Legend of Billie Jean, Dazed and Confused, Miss Congeniality, Friday Night Lights, Drop Dead Diva, and many others. She studied at Julliard under John Houseman and with such talent as Robin Williams, Kevin Kline, and Christine Baranski. Obviously she has the background and knows what she's doing, as well as what it takes to succeed as a professional actor. My advice is to take your cues from someone who's doing it, someone, who when it comes to professional acting, is "healthy and fit." I trust her implicitly and credit her for enabling me to become a more successful actor. Bottom line: If you're serious about working in this business, then you'd better study with Mona. read more

I've studied with Mona Lee Fultz for almost 4 years now and have seen a tremendous shift in the way I approach a script, the camera and even making that first impression. You have to have a gift to be a great teacher and Mona Lee has definitely been gifted. I've never had an acting coach be so consistent and honest with you. There's no playing nice or being too critical, it's just firm teaching that makes you better. From being in the business awhile now, she knows what they like and what it takes to be good/successful. I trust her opinion more than anything on a head-shot, reel, monologue, etc. I've never seen somebody so in tune with herself and her craft, it's absolutely wonderful to be taught by that type of person. She knows exactly what she is doing and if you're stuck, she knows how to approach it. It's her practice and years of running lines and going on auditions, which she still does to this day, that constantly makes her better therefore her classes great. Mona is must have on your resume, so many people I know through my classes have gone off to do great things and still mention Mona has one of the absolute best teachers in Austin. And I can't help but hands down, agree. If you want to learn the craft and be well-trained, Mona Lee is the teacher for you. Stop hesitating, sign up already! Love you Mona! Christina Parrish read more

After having taken Mona's Explorer class,I can definitely say it's one of the best decisions I've made in a while. From the first day you can tell she's well educated in every aspect of the business. This makes you feel comfortable knowing you're not wasting your time or money. She's very passionate about what she's doing. As for the classes, they are hands on and have an old school feel to them. In between the big lessons, the little gems of insight are very fascinating. Everyday is raw and honest. They are challenging,but really,anything that's worth doing usually is. She teaches you directly and gets you to open up and just let go. She gets you to see yourself in different ways. It's very freeing. Even if you aren't 100% sure you want to be an actor, her teachings can help build self confidence in everyday life and enhance your memory. I know they've given me a boost. She chooses a method that strips away the fake. Not only this, but she's a genuinely sweet human being. Ya know what, don't take my word for it. Just try it out. If you want to be an actor,or improve public speaking,or explore yourself,or make new friends,or just try something new and challenging then Mona's Britelights Acting Studio is for you! You won't regret it. read more

Mona Lee's Acting for Film class was one of the great acting training experiences I've ever had. I've had years of training but I've been away from acting for awhile. The guidance, encouragement and experience far exceeded any expectations I had. In the first class I learned so many "little" as well as "big" things about the differences between acting on stage (most of my previous experience with some extra work and industrial film work thrown in) and acting on film. Seemingly 'simple' things like where to look, how to prepare, volume, etc. were explained, coached and reinforced throughout the course of training. I am also a filmmaker and the contacts I made in Mona's class with other actors were invaluable. In fact, several of them are cast in our first feature film which begins shooting next month. Additionally, Mona herself has been a helpful resource, inquiring on the progress of the film and offering assistance and guidance when asked. During the class she provided "real world" advice on getting an agent, head shots and the business side of acting. The "How to" side if you will. I found her to be generous with her time and recommend her training to anyone serious about acting. Five Stars...No question!! read more

Mona Lee is the most intelligent, diligent, and dedicated acting coach I have ever been blessed to work with! Thanks to her amazing expertise and impeccable attention to detail, I have excelled above and beyond what I hoped to achieve in so many of my films. Onset, Mona always has a beautiful disposition, that is contagious to her castmates, as well as her crew members. In the classroom, Mona is an absolute delight, and the most ingenious, inspiring, and extraordinary teacher. As a professional actor for over fifteen years, I cannot stress the importance of having a coach who you can ALWAYS depend on. Mona is not only the most consummate, professional coach; she is also an absolute genius, who will get you to that A+ level execution every time! My performance alongside Lloyd Kaufman would have been nothing without marvelous Mona. Over a dozen other films and TV shows I have also worked on would not have been nearly as strong, without her remarkable training and dedication. I thank my lucky stars for Mona every day; she is a true blessing in my life! Johanna Goldsmith, Actor, Urban Cowboy, Friday Night Lights, My Generation, Trespass, Varsity Blues, Larry King, O'Reilly Factor, The View read more

As a beginning actor, Mona Lee's Explorer Class was an awesome experience. A friend of mine reminds me from time to time that "those who can, do, those who cannot, teach"; nothing could be further from the truth with Mona as her real world experiences shine through in every lecture and interaction my classmates and I were given, making her an even more valuable teacher. Other reviewers have mentioned her "tough love" approach, and I cannot emphasize just how important this is in her teaching technique. Mona genuinely wants every student to succeed, but they must do so in their own ability: no one will coddle you on a film set! Mona was very alert to those who were attempting to cut corners, even when we did not realize we were doing so, and would not accept laziness in the least. This helped immensely in instilling a work ethic that will stay with me no matter what role I am given. I would recommend this class to anyone who is new to the industry, or is looking to brush up on their skills as an actor. read more

Mona has helped me reconnect with my creativity, gain confidence, improve my acting skills, and prepare me to become a working actress. She has an uncanny ability to read people and to help bring them further along in their acting journeys. I've watched her work with all levels of students and there isn't one who hasn't made improvements. She encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and to actually get out there and start auditioning for roles. I didn't know where to begin, but her advice and guidance on the business of acting has proved invaluable. Following her advice, I have booked a supporting role in a short film, a lead in an independent feature film, and the lead in a play - all within the first few months of auditioning. Mona knows the business of acting, she knows what makes a good actor, and she knows how to help her students become the best they can be. read more

I am a retired teacher of 41 years with AISD teaching 6th grade through 12th. I wanted to do something new and fun. On a lark, I enrolled in Mona Lee's Explorer Acting Class. I loved it! So I also took her Film and Audition Classes. I learned so much because Mona is so knowledgeable of her craft. She gave us constant feedback and roles that suited our personalities. I would recommend her class to anyone who's aspiring to be an actor. Because of her I'm now throwing my hat in the ring for acting work. I've already received acting offers. I stay in touch with Mona when I have questions and she is always ready to help. Her encouragement and teaching techniques have been invaluable. Please scroll down to to what yelp considers "unrecommended reviews" and see the overwhelming number of excellent reviews.Mona Lee is great with all ages from teens to seniors. read more

Dear Yelp. Please post this. For a fact, BriteLites Acting Studio has thirty-four 5-star reviews (under reviews not recommended) and three 1-star reviews. Two of those reviews you have chosen to be the only legitimate reviews; thus incurring for BriteLites Acting Studio, a one-star overall. Is Yelp in the business of misrepresenting itself? Is Yelp in the business of hurting small businesses? Pulling dishonest practices like this with a company that has 34 good to 3 bad reviews and only featuring bad reviews makes me wonder how legitimate any of Yelp's recommendations are. Clean up your act Yelp! Stop hurting businesses! Please fix your go-to and incompetent algorithms for this is a perfect case of algorithms overriding the truth. It's all about numbers so be all about numbers! read more

Mona is a great teacher for those wanting to be challenged. I've learn so much in a short amount of time but you have to be teachable. Mona tries to teach all actors coming through her classes what she's learned to prepare them for life on a set. She tries to reach different personalities in different ways to find their ability. It works and is proven. She has a history and a resume of success from not only her own abilities but from those who have studied with her and have forged themselves a career. Everyone willing will learn something fantastic from her. Don't let the reviews of a small few thin-skinned, unteachable people keep you away from what you might learn from Mona Lee. It just may be the missing piece you need to further your dreams of acting. read more

We love Mona as a teacher! My kids are happy when they go to Mona's Camps. Acting is like swimming. In swimming you move your arms, blow your bubbles, kick your feet. You do this over and over and you get better with practice. In Acting you get a script, you read it, you say it out loud, you act it. This is what you do in acting class. One day you begin to notice you are sounding more natural and real. Then you have to keep practicing. Over and Over and Over, Learning about different kinds of people so you can play them in a movie or on stage. This is what my kids love to do. I love to watch them get better..... and.... I love it when they get a part in a play or on TV! Thanks Mona Lee! read more