I've been working with Jen and Paolo since February of 2024. They are pros. I audited a class for free and immediately recognized the value of their expertise. The community of actors is the best. Many of my closest friends I have are from this studio. I'm in Jen's instinct class on Thursdays. Come check it out! read more

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After a long time away, I have finally been able to find it in me to come forward. Krater is a good studio. I believe that Jen is a good teacher. However, I had to leave classes quite some time ago due to two traumatic incidences that I experienced within the Instinct Class. Firstly, I am an African American man. I was placed into a scene in which I was heavily interrogated by a Police Officer. I had an involuntary freeze in my Nervous System and could barely get through the scene. Upon the talk back, and being vulnerable about what I was experiencing, Jen dismissed this, telling me how I shouldn't feel this way because it's Acting Class and it's not real. Though I see her point, the Nervous System scientifically cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. Regardless, the fear and freeze that I felt were real, regardless of the source. It was wrong of her to make me believe that I was in the wrong for feeling this way. The second incident, I was paired up with a much older Actress. The exercise was going well at first, but near the end of the scene, this older Actress pulled me into her and inappropriately touched me and aggressively kissed me. Her reasoning for doing this in the talk back was, "I felt his energy and knew it would be okay." This was a misread. I never gave consent for that. No one should ever have to be subject to that kind of interaction anywhere at anytime. This is why Intimacy Coordinating is important. Due to these two incidences happening in a period of a few weeks, I lost all trust and sense of safety within the Studio. Because of these losses, I felt that my growth would be stunted, so I made the decision to part ways. I do not wish ill will, but this had to be said. Objectively, I can understand and appreciate the good this studio has done for many Actors, a good few of which are friends of mine. And admittedly, I myself gained some valuable lessons in the months leading up to these events. However, this is my truth, and after quite some time of healing and mending my Nervous System, it needs to be spoken. Jen is a wonderful teacher, but far from perfect and I hope that these things never happen again to anyone else. read more

This is an incredible studio to workout, hone your 'on camera' skills and continue to fall in love with every aspect of the entertainment industry. There are too many great things to say about both Paolo and Jen as both people and coaches. Having been all over this town searching for a place to grow in my craft, I can say with complete confidence and sincerity that this studio has met and exceeded every one of my Acting needs. read more

Interested in finding your unique voice and delivering honest performances? Go to Jen Krater. I've been studying at Krater Studios with Jen (Instinct class) for the last 6 months. And I've seen so much growth in my work and my classmates' work. And I can say I've actually seen it.....we're put on camera every week and go home with our scenes on a USB. Jen is passionate about acting. She has a keen eye for honesty. She also cares about every student's growth. She teaches through encouragement and knows when to push you to the next level. And she is great at casting...(she hand picks scenes for each student). What I LOVE about her class: *A fun process - no sitting and analyzing *Safe environment *She films all scenes * She sees all the nuances the camera catches * I've gone to emotional places I didn't even know I could go to *Everyone in class keep getting better *Working with other actors *Her focus is getting actor to do leading roles Oh...and the roles I've booked since being in her class....are leading roles. :) read more

Great Attention to Detail in the Acting Work. Great Human Beings and Funny:) Lots of Passion for Teaching and Acting.

I LOVE Krater studios - LOVE it! I'm a working actor and was looking for something to help me master my auditions and maximize my bookings. A friend suggested Krater and said they would be a good fit for me since I'm a Meisner trained actor. I went to their free monthly seminar that gives you a taste of the training and fell in love. I'm currently in Paolo's sitcom class and couldn't be happier. I love it because it offers all of the value of improv (I'm Second City trained) but with the practical study in current tv sitcoms. I actually like it a lot more than Second City for that reason. I also love it because all of the classes are on camera and you go home with your material on a thumb drive to review! So helpful! They work with you where you are - regardless of acting level or experience. I'm planing on adding the audition and drama class next. They are all so warm and supportive and knowledgeable! It's a great, safe place to work and study and stay sharp! I feel like Krater is a well kept secret for a lot of working actors. I'm surprised I didn't find this jewel sooner! read more

I have been training at Krater Studios for about four years now, and I'm not sure I'll ever be interested in going anywhere else. Paolo and Jen's coaching continues to help me grow as an artist and practice my craft. The studio offers a variety of classes: cold read, audition, and scene study (comedy or drama). Each is challenging and enjoyable in its own way. When you feel like you have mastered one (for the time being), you can move onto another class and challenge yourself all over again! They also offer private coaching if you have a particularly important audition that you want to go through with someone who will give you excellent feedback. There are a lot of bad acting studios in LA. Either they fail to provide you insight into what you look like/are doing on camera or they train you in cerebral, heady acting. Krater Studios is not one of them. Paolo and Jen teach you how to act for the camera and show you what you look like in a close-up. They also train you to get out of your head, use yourself, and be real and instinctual. If you are looking for a great, on-camera class in LA, I strongly encourage you to check out Krater Studios. read more

I could not be happier studying at Krater Studios with Jen and Paolo! I have been at the studio for 3 years now and I have seen my work grow and deepen as an artist while also learning the technical skills that makes my work pop on camera. Coming from a stage background, working my camera, moving on camera, eye lines and where to place my focus were all foreign to me; Paolo's Making the Scene Drama class really honed these skills for me, as well as my favorite class, Cold Read with Jen. Cold Read focuses on working moment to moment using your voice to say whatever words you are given. It is an amazing technique and I am a much better actor now... Thank you Jen and Paolo! read more

Krater studios has changed not just my acting, but my life too. I had so many blocks as a person, which of course in turn showed up in my art. Jen has a way of quickly identifying and seeing your blocks, and finding a way to guide you through them and tearing the walls down. Let me just say that I have taken a handful of different acting classes in LA... This studio is different than ALL the other classes out there- it is like no other. Jen and Paolo have you really dig into the reality of your truth and the deepness of your vulnerability that no other studio does or even knows where to start because other studios/teachers are worried about "the scene" or "the character" or doing it a certain way. I learn more about myself and become more in tune with who I am every class, which allows me to show up and become more and more fearless in my work. My hardest block in life in general is trust. I am so grateful for having found this studio because for the first time in my life I really know what trust feels like. read more

If you want questionable techniques and sexual harassment... I have to admit that I did learn how to have access to my emotions and to become comfortable experiencing them in front of people Jen is a very passionate and enthusiastic teacher and the other students are lovely and supportive. Be prepared to have to reveal very personal information in front of everyone during warm-up exercises. While you are told that it doesn't matter what you speak about, so long as it is emotionally truthful, that really doesn't stand and you will be prodded to dig into and share private details about your life. While the technique has given me some valuable personal skills, it seems to be either loved immensely or absolutely hated by students. If you do decide to study here, stick with Jen and avoid Paolo at all costs, especially if you are a female student. Not only is Paolo a terrible teacher, he can't always keep his hands to himself. Unfortunately, the majority of students absolutely love him as a person and teacher and are raving about him all the time. But if you want to study acting and don't want to take the chance that you will be one of the women who will be groped, tickled, spanked, have hugs forced on you when you tell him not to touch you and to have him tell you that you want it, or who will narrowly avoid being kissed, only to have excuses made or snark thrown at you when you attempt to confront and report the situation, then find somewhere else where you can safely develop your acting skills. There are many, many teachers and schools in LA. You may have to try out a few places and do some research, but there are places where you don't have to deal with this nonsense in order to learn. read more

So I made my way over to Krater Studios after a year of living in LA. Never really found a class that just did it for me before I walked in those doors. One of the first things Jen told me when I visited was..:"I want to work with you". Didn't really know what that meant entirely or what I was getting myself into but boy am I glad I invested in my career by being apart of the studio for nearly a year in a half. I've just booked two pilots in a span of six months and I owe so much credit to the training I received at Krater Studios. The teachers (Jen and Paolo) encourage, push and challenge you in ways that can be uncomfortable but leads to a freedom in your work you can only dream of if you've never experienced. If you are ready to stand out go to Krater. read more

I've audited classes all over LA and Krater Studios was the best by far. They don't pressure you into deciding right away like most studios and it is all about the creative work here. We start most classes with meditation to drop into our talent and where we are at emotionally and then dive into the work. Jen and Paolo are amazing teachers who are kind but also know when to push you when it's time. They offer free audits so you really have nothing to lose. Come check out Krater Studios! You won't be disappointing! read more

Solid On-Camera training you won't find anywhere else in Los Angeles. Practical, progressive, and incredibly rewarding.

Krater is a professional environment that challenges you creatively as you learn for yourself as well as from your peers. The audition class Breathe is awesome. Even more awesome is that if you have material you want to bring in for an upcoming audition, you can not only do that, the option is available for others in other classes to do so as well. I once studied at another "top" acting Studio where you paid your money but if you missed the class you lost out! You even had to pay to hold your space! I love that Krater allows you to make up a missed class and get a taste of what the other classes are that the studio has to offer. I've only met great people who are truly committed to investing in their craft not just trying to be the next big thing, and that is refreshing especially in LA where so many people are all about "stardom". Paulo and Jen are committed to getting the best out of you and Krater is a truly a special place where you can hone your skills whether you are actively auditioning or not. Either way way you will always be prepared for your next audition! read more