I absolutely love this school. Not only do I go here but my two sons as well. This school has taught all of us so much. The teachers are top notch. I've been to many acting schools but none has come close to PHW. Been here for years and it will forever remain my only. read more

I spent close to ten years at Playhouse West. The training was exceptional -- rigorous, inspiring, and deeply rooted in truth and connection. The teachers were dedicated in a way that made you always want to rise to the occasion, and their commitment stayed with me long after I left. Studying there not only nourished my talent, but strengthened my system of values and integrity as a human. I met some of my closest lifelong friends there, people who became like family. The experience taught me not just about acting, but about empathy, listening, and what it means to be fully present -- both on stage and in life. Playhouse West laid the foundation for me to build a career as a working actress for over two decades, and created unforgettable moments I'll remember always. read more

Best School on the West Coast,Best Teacher Robert Carnegie My favorite School...Every....Roadmap that makes you understand that you can be a Great actor. Jeannine Bisignano read more

Best acting school, hands down. I tried other acting schools and they were a waste of time for the most part. I've studied with 2 teachers here, Mr. Carnegie and Holly Gagnier. Both Masters at what they do. If you have the opportunity to work with Mr. Carnegie you are very lucky. This place opened my eyes to real acting. read more

Donna was on time for the free the playhouse west audit. I would have loved to been asked to play out a scene. Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. read more

Fantastic acting school. Unbelievably talented teachers. You'll leave this program with a solid technique to use throughout your career.

I came to Playhouse West during the pandemic to dig deeper and I have never looked back. The teachers here give as much as you do and continuously give themselves to the craft in a way that is both admirable and encouraging. Every teacher here that I have had the privilege of learning from has changed me and my approach to the work in a way that I can't speak higher of. Wolf, Gabe, Froi, Holly are all incredible teachers and I am so grateful for them and the lessons I've gotten from the classes here. From Beginning to Advanced I am still learning and always grateful. read more

This school has become my home away from home! The teachers are excellent and dedicated to their students and the craft. I have been taking class with Holly Gagnier and Robert Carnegie for 6 years now and what I've learned is invaluable and truly prepared me for being on set. Thank you Playhouse West! read more

I could speak for days on all the good things I have to say about Playhouse West. Please, follow me as I attempt to briefly discuss my experience at this school. Keep in mind, since I started at this school 4 months ago, I have booked 2 features, 3 short films and a TV shows. I owe most of this to my classmates and the teachers who have poured their energy into my training. I was reccomended upon signing with my agent at Soverign Talent Group and began taking classes here as quickly as I could. Meisner, in theory, is all about repetition and you will drill repetition so much that you will almost get sick of it. Good. Stick with it. The method will become the bread and butter for your acting. Listening and reacting (as acting is, simply, reacting). Once the foundation is set, you will continue to work through this method in scenes, personal exercises and suprise exercises all geared toward getting you ready to be a professional on set who knows exactly what they're doing. I took classes with Wolf and Holly and I have found this to be an excellent pairing of teachers. They both have very different styles of teaching. Holly, who trained with Meisner, teaches Meisner exactly as it is written. She emphasizes living in the truth of your circumstance and pulls out pheonomenally delicate, nuanced and raw performances from her students. Wolf uses the foundation of meisner to work through scenes of conflict, with an emphasis on "unleashing the beast" delivering performances that pull form areas you didn't see yourself being capable of. Think of these two teachers as two different classes. They use the same foundation, but have two different styles of teaching, creating two different sets of tools to bring to work with you. Two classes for the price of one! Every teacher at Playhouse West wants to see you succeed. Come ready to work and you will see, very quickly, that the knowledge from the teachers, passion from the students, affordability of the school and the method/training itself is unlike any acting program you will find in the LA area. read more

I first went to Playhouse West when I was about 17& 18. It was my very first acting school in LA and it for sure helped me to understand acting and importance of building connections with your scene partners . Although the teachers i had were kind tough on me but they were brutally honest about the areas I was lacking. I later went on to study Method acting and I'm glad my three years at Playhouse West helped me to lay a good foundation for acting. It's a great school for first time actors. read more

Playhouse West was the first acting studio I've ever taken since moving to LA. I was overrun with anxiety at the start but this quickly fades away when you realize it comes from being unprepared due to a lack of practice. I was fortunate enough to be in the beginning Meisner class under Holly and Froi (their class is consistently full! so sign up for their waitlist asap). I took classes for about 5 months before I had to take a break back in 2023. Beyond grateful for all that I've learned, and hope to return soon! read more

I've had so many wonderful experiences at this studio. The teachers truly care about their students and want to see us learn and grow. Their Meisner training is challenging and makes you feel prepared for today's industry. This school makes LA feel like a warm community. read more

I joined Playhouse West in July 2018, and to this day, I am still attending Playhouse West. And ever since I joined the school, it's been exactly what my life needed. I've learned so much by going to this school and still continue to learn A LOT!!! From all the teachers I've had whether if they subbed my class or I sat in theirs, Wolf Bodison, Froi Betancor, Kathleen Randazzo, Gabe Grier, Doug Van Bebber, Chris Liebe, Christian Liatos, Michelle Hodan, the multiple times that I've sat in Mr. Carnegie's classes and my current teacher, Holly Gagnier. Holly has seen me grow so much as one of her students and I can entrust in her to continue to keep pushing as my acting coach/teacher/acting mom. And she's SUPER funny. Also, the community of this school is just precious!! We are definitely a family here!!! I highly recommend this school to anyone and everyone. It's a building ground for creative people, networking and connections and to better you as and ACTOR!!! read more

Playhouse West - Holly and I - Art Schools Near Me - North Hollywood, California

Best acting school ever. Absolutely thorough, detailed, and completely dedicated each student's progression in the craft of acting. Every teacher I've come across has been knowledgeable and completely appropriate and professional with their well thought out criticisms. Please ignore the one star reviews. Acting is hard and these people want it to be easy. It's clear they have fragile egos and if you look at their reviews none of them complain about the actual content being taught nor the way in which it was delivered- interesting coincidence. read more

One of only two truly worthwhile acting studios from my 16 years of experience. The instructors are real and human (so not perfect), making the experience like no other. It's a safe and honest place to step out of your comfort zone, so leave your political-correctness and politeness at the door. If you're uncomfortable with truth and being vulnerable this definitely isn't the place for you. But if you want to grow as an actor, there's no better place to be. Highly recommend! read more

It is important that Kathleen and Froi not express envy or jealousy indirectly or directly toward or about the students. Both behind closed doors and in front of the class. And that they don't withhold positive feedback for students who are doing well just because they are doing too well or doing too well or well in their outside careers. It shows through. And everyone deserves a chance to perform at their very best or discover lean in to and express their strengths as an actor and everyone deserves to have their strengths and accomplishments acknowledged both at the beginning and advanced levels. Also student's material should never be used unless they are using it, they offered it and it is something they are placed in charge of make the choices about and can give and offer the use of their work at different stages of the process as they see fit. This is something to be aware of when students are also peers or potential collaborators in the future or are working or aspiring to be working actors in the industry. Making the space for the different types of talents matters. Nurturing and supporting and making space for all the different levels of talent matters whether someone is more of a beginner or more advanced and may need more space or opportunities or chances or keep growing. And strong work or beautiful work should be acknowledged at all stages. Encouragement matters. Strengths matter. And speaking to them directly about what has been showing up and shining through in their work at all stages matters. If each actor gets that instead of getting discouraged about their art work abilities and process they will continue to find encouragement and grow at newer and newer levels. read more

I've been studying at Playhouse West since 2017. I've had the pleasure of studying with Wolf Bodison, Holly Gagnier, and Chris Liebe. I highly recommend all three teachers. If you're looking for a supportive community where you'll learn authentic Meisner technique at an extremely affordable price, this is the school to come to! You get two classes a week, and you'll get to work in every class. I love it here! (Haha I just realized this sounds like an ad, but I really do love this school!) read more

I take class here twice a week with Robert Carnegie. I started in August of this year after having studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse in their first year conservatory a number of years ago. I feel really lucky to have found this program so early in my time in LA. It is one of the most affordable acting classes I have ever taken, and I am reminded of the value with each class. Mr. Carnegie's feedback is informed by talent and experience and feels specifically tailored to each student, each exercise, and adapts to individual progress. As a student here, you will work each class and have the privilege of watching other talented young actors in your class work as well. There are also a number of film festivals/events the school puts on where students are encouraged to develop their own work. Second to none, this place is great! read more

I started at PHW right when they re-opened post-pandemic and I instantly knew that I found my tribe. From Kathleen to then Froi, who've been incredible with tough love and making sure I came out of my shell after years of being watered down as a child actor, I'm so happy that I was able to find my safe place with this studio. The classes have generally been such a great environment to just work out and grow my toolbox as I incorporate technique for the auditions, characters, and projects I'm a part of. read more

I started taking classes at Playhouse West in June of 2023, and I can honestly say that joining this school is one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. Playhouse has absolutely become a second home to me! From the moment I walked in, I felt welcome, safe, and encouraged. I took Kathleen and Michelle's beginner class for about six months, and recently moved into Kathleen and Froi's intermediate class. Because people join class at different times throughout the month, every student progresses through the training at their own pace. The teachers are very good about giving every student the guidance they need to get started in the technique! Every student works every class, regardless of how far into the training you are, and each teacher I have had at Playhouse (mostly Kathleen and Michelle, but a few others have subbed in fabulously when they were unable to attend class) has given constructive feedback that has helped me figure out exactly what areas I need to work on in order to improve my acting. The teachers here truly want their students to succeed; Kathleen has always been supportive and helpful any time I or anyone else have any questions or concerns! If you show up on time and put in the work, the teachers will be your biggest cheerleaders. Class is challenging. You have to be willing to put in the time and effort, both in and outside of class, to improve your craft. Students are expected to rehearse their materials outside of class time. If you do not practice between classes, you will not get the full benefits of what you're paying for! Playhouse West's tuition is VERY reasonable compared to other acting schools, but the training is absolutely top-tier. I went to college for acting, and received wonderful training at the university I attended, but I was still left with a lot of unanswered questions when I graduated. Playhouse West is filling in those gaps in my learning. It is giving me tools and confidence I didn't even realize I was lacking! Not every acting technique works for every actor. And that's okay! But in the seven months I've been at Playhouse West, I have seen a remarkable improvement in my acting abilities. I am far more confident than I was when I began, and I feel much more prepared now whenever I have an audition/book a job. The community that Playhouse has built really feels like a family, too. Finding a strong collaborative community is SO important as an artist, and Playhouse West fosters and encourages just that, through the various classes and film festivals put on throughout the year. I have found lifelong friends through this program, which makes rehearsing and coming to class feel like coming home every week. It's truly an amazing environment to work in. To wrap up this long review: I am so incredibly grateful to have found Playhouse West when I did. The teachers are wonderful, the community is invaluable, and the training is absolutely fantastic. Thank you Playhouse West! read more

playhouse is my home. A place where I feel safe, understood, empowered, and cared for. A family I'll always have now because of the way it's shaped--to make you feel a part of an actual community. Kathleen, quite literally changed my life. I was insecure and voiceless...I walked with fear rather than strength and love and this woman showed me what it is to be confident to be real to be in the present moment and experience truly each second. She's taught me so much about myself in such an authentic way. she's REAL. she has a presence that makes you want to be real too. She heightened my passion for acting and opened avenues I didn't even know about. Because of playhouse west I am now signed with an amazing agency for theatrical tv film voiceover and commercial. I'll always always ALWAYS go back here to feel that sense of home and belongingness again. I cannot recommend this home anymore with words. you just have to experience it for yourself! read more

Honestly the best acting school I've been to so far in LA. Very talented people and it's a lot of fun.

I have been going to the Lankershim location for about 2 years now and this school, if you want to learn how to act, come here. This is the best acting training in LA. I studied Meisner previously so when I wanted to continue my education I found this school and I am so glad I did. I have done shows here and one act festivals. This school really gives you so much for your money. Mr. Carnegie and Holly Gagnier are absolute gems. They both studied with Sanford Meisner FOR REAL FOR YEARS. They actually know what they're talking about. I have so many great things to say about them, but I'll leave it at, come here if you want to really learn something, work hard, and make a career for yourself. read more

IN-PERSON CLASS, twice a week for around $200/month! Been here for a couple of years, and can't reccomend it enough. Meisner Technqiue. Repetition. Scene Study. Give it a free audit and see if it's for you. read more

Playhouse West - Inside PHW - Art Schools Near Me - North Hollywood, California

Astounding! A straight forward, honest and all around inspiring approach to learning the Meisner technique. It's as close to "from-the-horse's mouth" as you can get, from instructors who studied directly with Sandy himself. The sense of community you get from your peers is great and each student is uplifting and encouraging which creates a safe and welcoming space to explore. You work every class, two times a week. They also offer excellent classes to expand your entertainment knowledge - screenwriting class, playwriting, film and play production classes, sketch comedy classes. I can't recommend this school enough for any actor at any stage of their career. The price is right, the instructors are right & the technique is right. You can't go wrong. read more

I have been at this school since 2018. I literally didn't know anything about acting when I came here. It's the best place to get started in acting to the advance level. This school creates an amazing community, 120 Film festivals, the playhouse west film festival and working towards putting up plays. This school is a super charge for a creative community! I self tape with student I have met here! I created films with students. Not to mention the specialty class like Kathleen production class and web episode class. Also, Holly always brings in amazing guest to speak to school. I can't even believe the amount opportunities here. read more

First of all, it's affordable compare to other acting schools. I've been here for over 2 years. I've learned so much as a person and actor. You can auditing for free to see if it's a perfect match for you. There are plays and showcases are performing all the time. Many classes schedule that you can choose. I gotta says this though, you have to be ready and willing to work hard if you sign up with this school. It's going to be a lot of work, passion, rehearsal, and dedication. But, Trust Me!!! if acting is what you want to do, you are in the right place. That's all I can say. Good luck you're all read more

This is long over due. I went to a Meisner school before this and when I first audited Playhouse West I noticed how different it was. Yes, students sometimes have their backs to the audience. Yes, you'll sometimes only work once. Yes, this made me a little hesitant to join but man, am I so glad I did!!! This school doesn't care what level of an actor you are! They will help you become a better actor. NEW MEISNER ACTORS: If you're new to Meisner and interested in Playhouse West I would 100 % go to this school!!! Not only do they offer acting classes but they offer film, writing, & comedy classes. They have an annual film festival and they also have 72 hour film contests. NOT ONLY THAT but Playhouse West has such a strong community! So many jobs & opportunities I received through other Playhouse West alums. This school WILL push you. Be prepared & work hard. You might want to quit because it can be emotionally exhausting at first but power through. When you move to the other levels you'll understand why it was all worth it. NOT NEW: If you are not new to Meisner. I REPEAT IF YOU ARE NOT NEW**** Remember that you are auditing a beginners class. You might have your own notes about what an actor should have done etc but know that the teacher knows what that student is working on. Maybe this week one student is working on opening up. Maybe another is working on repeating honestly. Etc. Regardless, they're not going to get moved up unless the teacher thinks they're ready and that might take a long time or that might take a short period of time. You don't know where they are in their work. After the audit I would talk to the teacher and tell them your Meisner experience etc. I wasn't in Meisner long enough to jump levels so I started back to the basics. I'm telling you the advance class is so worth it. The teachers are amazing and will really help you become the best actor you can be. SIDE NOTE: I think Sue should have more classes! She is an exceptional Advance teacher and I really think she should also teach beginner and intermediate. Obviously, no school is perfect. Wish Jim Nieb was still teaching. Wish some teachers didn't talk too much in the beginning of class (when it's not about acting or the school). Wish Bob Carnegie opened his Advance class to other students that didn't have him since beginning. Wish Bob Carnegie's and Holly's students came to support Wolf's shows more... But all in all for $225 a month and for how much I have learned this school deserves 5 stars!!!!!!!! So many talented people have came out of this school. So much you will learn! I love working with other Playhouse West alums because they GET IT! They understand hard work and how to work off people. The teachers I had: Beg- Wolf & Chris Int- Wolf & Chris Adv- Sue & Wolf 2.5 years here! :) read more

Playhouse west has been my favorite acting class for years! I've been to several classes in La but none of them compare to Playhouse. Mr C and Holly are my teachers and they care so much about their students and are such dedicated teachers. I feel so grateful to have found community here. read more

I went to Playhouse West years ago(Mayby 25 to 30 years ago) and had Robert C and Jeff Goldblum at teachers. I recently called Robert to seek advice because I am opening my own acting/improv space in Northern CA. He was extremely rude and not helpful at all. I was stunned and shocked to say the least. I patroned his business and was a student and yet he couldn't take 5 miutes to answer a few questions. What a horrible human. Then it all came flooding back what a huge A hole this guy is. I would never patron his school again and I don't advise others to do so. I agree his classes are reasonably priced. However, you will spend a year doing repeating exercises and activities. This is what I call the Meisner scam. This year will cost you almost $3000. What a joke. Simply find a friend and you can do this on your own. You can also work on scenes with friends and be your own acting coach! LOOK ELSEWHERE! read more

In a town that is saturated with "get famous quick" or "break into the industry" scams, PHW is a breath of fresh air. Fair warning; you will work in this class, you must be on time to this class and the teachers won't let you get away with the the normal BS other studios do. At first some of the rules seem strict and over the top, but in time you learn that acting is an art and should be respected and treated as such. Chris Liebe, Froi Betancor-Toner, Wolfgang Bodison, and Kathleen Randazzo have all transformed me both as an actor and a person. I have a special teacher student bond, as well as the utmost respect for all of them. This is not unique to me. The teachers truly care about developing you into a quality actor here. Don't take my word for it. Give the Play House just one month. I still remember my first week. There is a system that works here, and you'll notice dramatic changes almost imediately as the magic of the Miesner Technique begins to work. read more

I cannot put into words what the school has done for me not only as an actor but also a human being. This institution has helped me grow in ways that I couldn't even imagine or begin to explain because I would be here all day. This school challenges you to give all you got again and again and then some on top of that. The expectations are high because the teachers see you for who you will be not the actor you are right now. The teachers here have endless knowledge about acting and the Meisner technique. Tuition is EXTREMELY inexpensive for what we get in return. Playhouse West is the school that I will choose and recommend a million times over because it is just that good. read more

I highly recommend this school! Mr. Carnegie is a sought after industry instructor . I've been enrolled since Jan 2021. The growth has been tremendous. Bet on yourself! read more

This school is for people who are fully committed to living the life of an actor. This school requires focus,discipline, and constant work. If your serious and willing to commit yourself to this way of working as an actor you will improve and grow in your craft. Play House is a great way to plant yourself in a community of young actors in Los Angeles. Between the constant work and rehearsal you will also have a lot of fun. Thanks to the entire staff and community for always pushing me to higher levels of understanding in my work . After 2 years at playhouse I feel completely confident as an actor . read more

Playhouse West has completely changed my acting AND how I view acting for the better! This is the school I have been looking for since I moved to LA over ten years ago. And in all the years I've been out here I have never felt more confident as an actress and I owe it all to PHW. I've been training at Playhouse West for over a year now and I'm planning on staying here for the long haul. Excited for my growth in 2020! read more

As a story teller, I work to give a story its full due consideration. Yet, how does one begin a story that has not yet ended? My experience at playhouse west has been life-altering.The teachers and students work together. A symbiotic relationship formed that opened up my mind to an inter-relational functioning, the depth of which I had never experienced before. My work as an actor has grown because of it. My life as a human being (and no man is an island) has grown because of it. The number of hours of intense work I put into this school were multiplied back to me and I cannot thank my teachers and fellow students enough. Simply put, this school changed me and the story is still being written. I highly recommend Playhouse West to anyone with a hunger to grow that is only second to their thirst for life. read more

Playhouse West has been a life changing experience for me. I started attending classes almost 10 months ago as soon as I moved to Los Angeles. I had heard incredible things about the school leading up to my arrival and can definitely say it's lived up to it's reputation and so much more. The work is certainly challenging (in a good way) and extremely rewarding. Through the Meisner Technique, my teacher's guidance and working with my fellow classmates, I've been able to discover so much more inside myself not only as an actor but also a human being. The teachers are all phenomenal and the students in the school are all extremely supportive of each other. Not only do you get to take classes at Playhouse West but you get access to a passionate network of actors. There are also plays constantly being produced by the students, workshops, film competitions and a yearly film festival. I can't imagine studying anywhere else and I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to train at this school. I have and continue to improve significantly as an actor and have also formed relationships and friendships with like minded artists propelling me further along in the craft. I highly recommend attending Playhouse West if you are looking to improve your skills as an actor and take your passion to the next level. The Playhouse West experience is a one of a kind artistic journey! read more

Playhouse West is amazing. The growth I have had in the past year is invaluable. If you are willing to put the work in, the Meisner technique offers a whole new perspective on the human experience. Each teacher has been instrumental in my growth as a person and actor. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to have found this community of artists. Go to the website and sign up to audit a class for free - you won't regret it! read more

I've been to my fair share of acting classes in Los Angeles, none as supportive and challenging as Playhouse West. I've been studying here for almost a year now, and I've seen in improvement in my auditions and my booking rate. They not only teach you a great technique based off of Sanford Meisner (which the majority of teachers have studied with) but they also foster a great artistic community and offer a plethora of other classes/workshops to develop improv skills, screen and playwriting skills, film making skills, and some of the teachers even do private coaching for auditions. They really care about you and want to see everyone grow and succeed. They're constantly putting up work from scene nights to film festivals (made by students, even those who've never touched a camera) to plays (some written by their own students)- they are truly creating WORKING actors. Every teacher is unique and you have the opportunity to learn from all of them and their experience being in LA and also being working actors themselves. read more

I already had Meisner training, the 1.5 years program, when I moved to Los Angeles and came to Playhouse West. Just decided to enroll because it's been few years since my graduation from other acting school and I wanted to "dust myself off" and keep training. After few months at Playhouse West I was so involved in such an awesome learning, growing process and was so glad that I chose PW as a part of my journey! This school absolutely changed myself as an artist, gave me such a deep understanding of the Meisner process and what most important - myself. What I really love is that there are no 'semesters', where you just pay for 4 months for the 1st semester, studying and than have to pay for another semester, another 'level' if you want to continue your journey. There are 'levels' in PW: beginning, intermediate and advance. But your 'success', your kinda 'developing speed' (of how fast you will get promotion to another level of training) depends on your teachers and not on how many months you paid for the school. When the teacher feels that you are 'ready' to step forward, he/she will let you know. But, of course, it's not about how fast you jump forward, it's about a journey and a learning experience, it's about discovering yourself in a process. Teachers...If I start writing about them I would need a lot of pages here. They are absolutely great, knowledgeable and all care about the students success. Playhouse West is the place where Meisner taught in his late years and you can feel that spirit inside those walls, you can feel the creativity there! I highly suggest to go and check them out (free audits) and enroll there if you want to be a professional actor. read more