In the end, it will always come down to the work. This is a truism that many actors forget for various reasons at various times. We each have our own reasons why we study and develop this part of our being that asks of us everything without exception. It demands us to have relentless self-examination, honesty of intent, awareness of the world we are a part, coming to terms with who we are and how we feel, our beliefs, our values, our judgments about self and others, about being courteous and kind, not only to ourselves in this endeavor but to others as well, until eventually, hopefully, the realization arises that doing this work is a responsibility that can not be taken lightly if we are to honor the craft, nay, art of acting. Nancy has provided a place for me to experience, develop, and deepen each of those demands in my own unique way and time. She does this for and with everyone she teaches. It is not an easy path we have chosen. Nancy is aware of that reality; that each of us is different and with our own story, our hopes and fears, our dreams, our way of being in this world. She is aware because she knows and practices that it is about us and the work, not her. Her support is genuine and honest, her knowledge of human behavior, and the ways we avoid, welcome, and develop ourselves is forthright, beneficial and vital to becoming an actor; vital to becoming human. Regardless of ones acting abilities, Nancy facilitates a growth process specific to each actor. The environment she provides is safe, non-competitive, respectful of self and others. Only in a supportive environment can this level of depth be made lasting. I see it time after time in class; people brave enough to become themselves. It is very humbling. There are no PrimaDonas, only actors who work very hard at becoming the best they can be. And work you will. No matter what we think we know, who we are, we can always deepen that experience. To think otherwise is disrespectful to our art, to ourselves. Nancy walks that path with each us, not interfering only enlarging, clarifying those behaviors that prevent us from experiencing the moment we are living within the work, candidly and truthfully. And it requires that you work. And work very hard. That's why it's called The Work. Nancy is very knowledgeable about the business of acting, the demands and processes that are necessary for an actor to keep our hard work accessible and available to those in the industry. The weekend workshops are an excellent way to get first hand knowledge of the varying ways and means that casting directors do their job and what it truly entails. Their wealth of information and insights are very valuable and beneficial to our careers, as well as building relationships within the industry. I have been on this journey with Nancy for a number of years. Each one has been revelatory and deep; each one has been a step further into the man I am and the work I do. I trust her with the process that means very much to me. Nancy speaks the truth, clearly, and to each one of us. And, to an actor, that is essential if we are to become ourselves doing what this journey is demanding of us; to be. Stop by and audit a few classes, see what takes place, talk with the actors there, talk with Nancy after the class, see and feel for yourself. I'm grateful for the journey I am traveling and grateful that I am accompanied by Nancy. You will be as well. read more

There is no other class better for an actor who is serious about working in the TV/ Film industry. I was as far from Hollywood as you could get yet I embarked on the "Actors" journey. I searched for years and made many a wrong turn. Not until I joined 'First Take' did I feel that I was on the true path. This is not a class designed to build your ego, Rather it trains you to be competitive and prepared for the vicious industry that Tv/ Film is! In response to Kristen: Manager- Yes Nancy is. Which means that she has to constantly have her hand on the pulse of the industry in order to better serve her clients. Which in turn is knowledge that she readily distributes to you. An invaluable resource, especially for the bay area actor who is not emersed in LA. Furthermore her being a manger exposes you to potential representation. Even if she doesn't pick you up she guide you as to what Mgrs. are looking for. Clients auditions- Sure you hear about them, but this a great way to know what is going on. Also you find out who to talk to and get info from. A great thing about the class is that everyone is very willing to help each other. The enviroment is very supportive. Plus she talks about all the audition not just her clients. Headshots- 1st off her husband is no longer doing them. Second this was only to serve the students. Her husband offered more looks and did re-shoots at a 5th of the costof any other good headshot artist. And hi product was just as good. The only people who didn't get good shots were people who didn't photograph well. I saw these same people take $600+ shots and look the same. T-shirt- Really? U serious? It was a one time thing and who doesn't like wearing something there proud of. Plus no was sales pitched to buy one. Every one asked to buy it. CD Workshops- Those don't need to be pitched either! They too are invaluable. Many unrepresented students, some w/o SAG cards have been called in for auditions from the wkshps. A few have even booked. The connections one can make from these workshops are awesome. The relationships built here are not even a possibility for LA actors, Furthermore, Nancy always says that it is more important to take class than workshops. Minister- She is. She has a life outside of her career like most of us. Or at least you should. And when you get to know someone more you learn more about that other life. nancy is a very open and honest person. If you want to know her she will let you, but she never forces you to do so. I AM A HEATHEN and proud of it! And I have never felt imposed upon by her minister side. Two Cons: First, I do think that some get frustrated because there career paths are not going as fast as others. But that is beyond your control. If you want stability and assurance, become a mathematician. Second, the class is hard! And you only get what you put in! It's just like college. No one will hand hold you through it. And no one is going to lie to you and tell you your doing great when your not. In the end if you're serious about making a career out of acting this is the place for you. If all you want is to be a celebrity, don't join. Sign up for a reality TV show! read more

Nancy is the teacher I was always meant to have. My only regret is that I didn't come across her sooner. I came from an incredibly competitive and not exactly the most nurturing academic acting background. As a result, I grew to have a very pessimistic view of acting classes, in general, and almost quit acting at one point as a result of a bad experience with a former teacher. Once I studied acting in Oxford, England, I grew incredibly picky about where I'd do my future training. In fact, I took a 2 year hiatus from any kind of acting training because I couldn't find a class that would mirror the quality of training I had experienced in Oxford. However, regardless of the training, acting still remained fragments in my mind, so I couldn't quite get a grasp on it entirely. I came across the First Take Acting Program ad in a local magazine, studying the ad very careful and the headshots presented in the ad, noticing that this was a local bay area class. Plus, the actors were also working in LA. I felt that there was something I could definitely learn from this class if local folks were auditioning and working out of LA, so out of natural curiosity, I audited the class. Although Nancy was sick the day I audited the class, I took one of the biggest leaps of faith in my life, and enrolled even though I had never met her. I have to say, it is the best decision I have ever made for my acting career and myself. I have been with First Take for over a year now. One of the things I really love about the class is that, for the first time ever, I don't feel as though I'm competing against classmates. The class has taught me a great deal of humility. Everyone - regardless of skill level - is integrated into one class. As a result, you get a really lovely, nurturing group of people, supporting each other and rooting each other on. Complete 360 from anything I have ever experienced. Nancy is a pro at facilitating a nurturing and safe environment. She has a loving and honest way to approach each individual actor, maximizing you to the best of your abilities in the work. I love her enthusiasm, and passion for growth both as an actor and a person. As hard as I push myself, Nancy helps me push myself even further. Nancy's method is the bridge to the honesty in the work. Nancy also brings experience and knowledge from the business side, informing students about the importance of relationship building through casting workshops, and the steps to market yourself in a pro active, and positive light. I promise, you will get the most out of the class if you give it your all. First Take is something truly special. If you want to enrich the acting experience for yourself, grow as an actor, and help blossom an acting career, First Take is where you'll get all that jazz. read more

First Take is my first exposure to acting school, and I have loved it from the first day. Jonathan Lim and Robert Wu have been my instructors for 2 years combined. They are compassionate and care about their students. They are both passionate about acting and sharing their love of this craft with their students and helping them grow as actors. I appreciate the organic homework process that helps us students connect with our hearts by applying actual emotions from previous experiences once we have completely objectively comprehended the scene. Deeply diving within oneself in order to mine the emotional treasure required for a scene leaves one very vulnerable and requires a safe space for release. Jonathan and Rob each provide a safe space in their classes where they embrace your scene choices while gently critiquing for improvement or correction. They have years of acting experience, they understand the risk of being vulnerable, and they have a very keen sense of discernment when it comes to detecting where even the most subtle adjustments need to be made. Having said that, they would never ask their students to make adjustments that they wouldn't implement themselves as actors. My journey in their classes has been such a rich learning experience with humbling moments of self-discovery. I am a late bloomer and only recently discovered my passion for acting at the age of 48. Jonathan and Rob have been pivotal in my growth, and they fuel my love for acting with their selfless teaching. Since COVID, auditions are almost entirely on-line / virtual now. This school does a great job of explaining the technical requirements for such auditions and helping the students prepare accordingly. The level of instruction goes beyond acting. They truly prepare you to be an audition-ready working actor. You will learn how to prepare self-tapes; how to prepare yourself physically and mentally for headshots; how to prepare your devices, apparatus and space for an actual on-line audition, etc. I highly recommend auditing one class for free to get a feel for what I described. You will get a chance to see current students in action, and you will even get to participate in the class if you wish. The instructors make themselves readily available and are very friendly and approachable, so you can ask them as many questions as you would like. Students can choose between in-person or on-line classes, so your geographical location is not even an obstacle to starting your acting journey anymore! read more

hello everybody great news i switched to First Take and i saved a ton of money on classes, lol. Let me explain. I was completely "green" back when i started acting class with Nancy. Nancy took me under her wings and gave me a healthy jump start on what i needed to focus on and why. Before i became a working actor, i became a healthier person first. I recall that i was out of touch with the reality around me and within my own world. First Take helped me gain the tools i needed to investigate the complexity of who i am and how i was made up as a human being. Learning more about myself with the help of First Take classes became so addictive for me, that at times throughout the years i even doubled up on First Take classes in different cities. The results were quickly evitable in my personality. Although for me a slower process than the average classmate, eventually i started working as an actor and started having so much fun working onset in Hollywood that i lost sight of that original excitement i had in class of self discovery. I moved to Los Angeles in hopes of further marketing myself as a local hire in Hollywood. I took a break, started a new job. Kept myself busy with work and family. Although i still live in the Los Angeles area. I missed that fire i had staying in class with First Take, there is this sense of peace i felt on a therapeutic level, that gave me that confidence i needed to book those roles. I love love the environment in a First Take class. Everyone's honest and open and safe. An environment that encourages you to be yourself and grow. Although i still live in Los Angeles, and i feel blessed that im still booking roles. I started this year (2012) with a bang! I purchased a whole year worth of First Take acting classes- I'm home! And ready to experience other aspects of my complexities as a young adult and excited to see where this new journey will take me from here. My overall experience with LA classes and workshops to the opportunity that First Take provides, for me, has been a complete 360' i say this because im convinced that im conditioned better than the person sitting next to me in that audition room. I truly feel like im getting more bang for my bucks here at First Take and under Nancy Berwid's leadership as an amazing person and teacher. First Take rocks! click link and watch live interview:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ7hctEfYTI read more

I have been taking this class now for over 3 years, and I am addicted. I did some theater before I found First Take, but really longed to be in television and film. I had heard about Nancy (First Take's founder and teacher) through word of mouth and signed up. At first I was shocked at how different the approach and technique was because I had no idea how much I had to look inside myself to be a good actor. I thought acting was pretending to be someone else, but really I learned what all the great actors know already, that acting is magical when I can be my complete self, with all my faults and personality, in different situations. How do I know great actors know this? Because watching many episodes of Inside the Actor's Studio, Morgan Freeman, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, and Johnny Depp all expressed Nancy's method in their own words and I was floored. It made me realize how lucky I was to have a teacher that was teaching what these amazing film actors had figured out on their own. I have had to learn a lot about myself and accept myself for who I am, and especially all the ugly parts I have tried to hide, and this class is what has helped me feel like I'm not alone. Not only has it changed my personal life, but it has also been super informative about the business aspect of acting. This class is specifically geared for the L.A. market because that's where all the work is. Through workshops and showcases, in a short amount of time, I have been able to meet many important casting directors and representation in L.A. but still be able to live up here in S.F. I understand that it takes many years to build a resume and that all the greats have studied their butts off to get to where they have. I came into First Take thinking all I needed was to take a couple of sessions. Now I know I need this class in order to keep growing and learning. I'd say, this class is by far the most useful tool for anyone trying to break into the business. Friends of mine have been on shows and movies like, Greek, Cold Case, Bottle Shock. The proof really is in the bookings. read more

I've been taking acting lessons from various teachers over the years because that's what an actor does, whether or not you are in a show or involved with a project. I came because I heard that she was very connected and hoped that when she saw what a great twisted character actor I am. During this time she taught me that great acting wasn't invention and dramatic scoring and and what really works was working hard and bringing yourself to the performance. She taught me that " You are enough" that we ourselves are much more interesting than any character that we can cleverly create. I also learned that these truths that she teaches are also held to be true by those who cast and direct actors at the highest levels in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago. That this is the magic that so affected me and inspired me to pursue this work. I've seen people blossom under Nancy Berwid's gentle guidance and not only become better actors (getting cast in major LA productions), I've also seen them become nicer , happier human beings. I have also seen my own career take off with quite a few LA auditions under my belt (even though I'm not one of the popular current types). The other part of this is that she really cares about our development as happy human beings due partially to her ministerial bent. I am finding that I've grown a lot as a human being and an actor since I've known her. I couldn't recommend her heartily enough. You should really come by and check it out.t read more

I've been taking classes at First Take for a little over a year now, and it's been one of the best decisions I've made in my acting career so far! Before I joined First Take - I struggled with script analysis, connecting to my heart and being vulnerable, and accepting that I AM ENOUGH! I was auditioning, but not booking or getting callbacks. That's because my "homework" consisted of me just learning the lines on the page, but First Take changed the game for me! The First Take Homework Process has truly opened my eyes and I've learned so much about the craft, myself, and my imagination! I take class on Monday nights with the awesome Susan Chung Beaudry! The class I'm in is filled with loving, supportive, encouraging individuals who are eager to learn and grow! Every student is in a different place in their acting journey, and Susan does an excellent job at meeting each student where they are! She genuinely wants to see her students grow and succeed! Thank you Susan! Because of First Take - I now feel prepared to tackle auditions + callbacks, and have fun while at it. I'd recommend First Take to anyone - anytime, any day! I'm so happy I joined First Take! read more

I've been taking classes with First Take for almost two years. It is incredible! I had no other acting experience, except my job as a trial attorney, but always thought I'd be pretty decent, since I am good at reading comprehension, articulate, understand subtext and tone well. Boy - is there so much more to it! I am amazed at how much there is to learn about the craft of acting. You have to really lend yourself to the method, be patient with the pace of the learning process, and trust in the teachers. Nancy's method is simple genius and yet not intuitive. Her teachers really care about the students and helping them bring out their ability. I do it over Zoom and LOVE that. It is a highlight of my week - a creative outlet, and I feel really proud of my progress - like perfecting a golf swing or learning vocal technique - it is a pursuit and a skill and something I work on just for me! Whether you want a fun hobby or really want to break into showbiz, this is a great class! Also - First Take brings in casting agents and talent agents for extra workshops that are truly gifts! It has been enriching and enlightening! read more

I have been a student of First Taking Acting for 6 years, and I love it!! It is a wonderful class, and my fellow students have become like family to me. Nancy Berwid is an amazing teacher, who really cares about her students. Nancy is honest and has an amazing talent and knowledge for what she teaches. First Take not only works on scene study, but Nancy provides great insight into the ins and outs of casting, and what it takes to work hard and be successful in this industry. The class is so much fun, we work on comedy and dramatic scenes, and you can choose your own scenes. Our class has people of all skill levels and ages, from just starting out, to seasoned actors, and everyone is so incredibly supportive of one another. I have seen many of my classmates book their first TV or Movie role, including myself, and it is so exciting to be a part of! If you are considering the class, come in and audit for a class to see what it is like. You'll be hooked! read more

I've been attending First Take's Acting class for about a year. I work as a physician and wanted to use it to help with my communication and to have a creative release. It has become so much more than that. I have worked with Robert Wu who is such an insightful teacher. I joke that these classes are cheaper than therapy. We start each virtual class with achievements- celebrating those who have auditioned/booked/had headshots taken. The class format allows one to work on scenes and alternate successful audition techniques weekly. The culture is kind and encouraging. The combination of teaching the craft of acting along with the practicalities of how to actually book in the business have been empowering. We get so wrapped up in it, we often run over on time. This is something I am grateful to Rob for. I am so happy with this school, Robert Wu, and my classmates for giving me this safe space to apply and explore the craft of acting. read more

I have been an acting student at First Take for about 4 years now and I just love everything about my experience there! Nancy Berwid is an amazing teacher. The acting technique that she uses is like no other in allowing actors to be fully in each moment of a scene, bringing a character to life while utilizing the actor's own uniqueness. She has not only helped me develop my acting skills but has also helped me grow as a person. First Take is a community of incredibly supportive fellow actors who create a safe space to meet the challenges of acting and the business of acting as well as to celebrate the successes. I was welcomed by Nancy and the community 4 years ago and my fondness for my "First Take Family" only continues to grow! read more

i remember auditing this class. My friends told me to read their reviews they posted on this page. Actually 3 of my friends told me to check out their positive reviews for this page. I dont see any of their reviews listed. Thats kinda weird, ill have to find out whats going on with that. Thats funny, i just checked my office email address they sent me a link. Anyway- this class compared to other acting classes in the area that ive visited are completely different. I mean so many people are speaking so highly of it that yelp doesnt even have room to show all the reviews. Im planning to save money and try out this class soon, looks like alot of fun with nice people helping each other and enjoying each others time studying their craft. read more

Joining First Take Core and Master Classes has been a great move in my pursuit of growth in acting. The instructors are full of passion and insightful critiques of the individual student's scene work. Fellow students instinctually form mutual support groups. This school works to put the students in a position to compete competitively for tv and film auditions. First Take also provides opportunities to participate in workshops conducted by proven L.A. based casting directors. Hey, if you want to test the waters of film/tv acting, or take a serious approach to it, this is the place. read more

I have been attending First Take Acting School for almost two years. I've have the honor of being taught and mentor by the amazing Robert Wu. My time at First has shown me how to dig deep down into my emotion, and has helped me express feels I never knew existed. I'm one class away from moving into master prep class and I'm excited to grow further in my acting career with First Take. read more

First Take is wonderful. The teacher, Nancy Berwid, started out as an actor and then discovered that she could teach people to act, and much preferred doing that. She is caring, honest and direct, and her approach/method makes good sense. And, it works. I am convinced that she can teach anyone how to act. read more

First Take is fantastic! The instructors are knowledgeable, encouraging, and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable exploring their creativity. Highly recommend this class to anyone looking to sharpen their acting skills or wanting just to try something new! read more