Connection, commitment, confidence, focus, and adherence to truth and authenticity- skills every human being can be benefit from having, and skills that you will hone in Alex's class. Here, you will learn, develop, and finesse the techniques and mindset crucial to become a professional, working actor. That being said, even though this is an "acting" studio, the process of studying with Alex will surpass far beyond the craft and seep into all areas of your life as you dive deep and discover the complexities of who you are, and what you value as an individual. Alex is intuitive, patient, generous with his time and energy, and constantly evolving within his own craft as a teacher, bringing to the table his rich life experience as well as accredited expertise. He is individualized in his approach, "tayloring" them based on each student's specific strengths, weaknesses, goals, and needs. The only caveat- you have to be ardent and resilient, and you have to put in the work. read more

By far best acting studio out there. The technique is taught in such a clear and effective way. And the teacher can really see what you need and knows how to guide each person individually for them to go and unlock what they need for their acting. Every single person in our class came out with their skills just transformed. The atmosphere is also a really great place to grow. It's always super respectful of everyone, it's a safe space, it's focused, and all about the love for the work and the art form. Hands down best acting training out there. I could not recommend this place more!! read more

The problem with acting training is you don't know what great acting training actually is until you've experienced great acting training. When I came to the Taylor Studio I had a Bachelor's Degree and had taken all those classes that you MUST have on your resume (from THAT office and THAT improv place that your rep sent you to) and within the first 3 weeks I had grown more than in all my years prior. That is not an exaggeration. There is no secret, no shortcut, no get-famous-quick BS here. There IS one of the most incredible curriculums in the history of our craft created by Sanford Meisner and honored by Alex Taylor who holds the craft to the standard it deserves, is scary good at giving you the exact notes you need to hear, and overall just goes above and beyond for his students. The rest is up to you. If you're willing to put in the work then you will grow more than you ever imagine you could here. Everyone and their mothers in this town throws around "living truthfully under imaginary circumstances" (which is a gross misquote btw) but if you want to know what it really means, not in your head but in your blood, book your interview now. WARNING: taking this class may result in tremendous self-growth and a deep connection with the truth. Your family might think you have superpowers because you can tell what they're thinking and when they're lying. read more

Taylor Acting Studio - Daniel Colt and Christina Lo living truthfully. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Burbank, California

My experience with Alex has been so life-changing, I don't feel like any words would ever do it justice. But I will say that Alex is hands down the best acting teaching I've ever worked with. And simply an amazing human being, also. I feel if everyone (including non-actors) got a chance to work with him even once in their lifetime, we'd be living on a better planet. But that aside, you're reading this review because you want to know if Alex is the right acting teacher for you, not my world views. I've taken both the summer intensive and first year program with Alex. When I first came to him, I knew I wanted to be an actress but I was struggling finding the right training. Most studios offer audition technique or scene study, but it's hard to find a quality foundational program where you build a comprehensive toolbelt from the ground up. It's also hard to find someone who so genuinely cares about his students, believes in them, and wants them to become empowered artists who can impact the world, the way Alex does. Alex has this way of taking things that seem hard and complicated, and breaking them down so that they're simple and approachable. But you don't just walk out with an intellectual understanding - you really drill down, get visceral experience and transform as an individual as well, so much that it affects every other part of your life. You learn how to access the most raw and real parts of you, the things that make you a full human being. You delve deep to know yourself and what matters to your most. Each day was a process of self-discovery. I was peeling off layers, breaking down walls, and uncovering things I didn't even realize were there. No matter what you find, Alex encourages you to accept your truth without judgement, and use it to best serve your acting. Alex meets you where you are, so I honestly feel that anyone can benefit from working with him, no matter what stage they're at in their career. I was a beginner and found myself constantly evolving, but I also saw my more experienced working actor classmates take their craft to new levels. Alex is laser sharp with his guidance, and at the same time empowers you so that you take full responsibility and autonomy in your work. You essentially become your own coach - you learn how to evaluate, adjust, and refine your process. It's never about impressing him or doing a "good" job. Thank you, Alex! I feel incredibly blessed to have met you and grown with you! read more

I have had the good fortune to study with many great teachers in my life and Alex Taylor is by far the best I have ever had across all disciplines. He is a master. It was a privilege to study at The Taylor Studio and actors who want a reliable skill set that will give them the ability and confidence to do this work will undoubtedly learn these skills in this class. It will challenge you and push you beyond your limits and could even change your life. It changed mine and I am eternally grateful for what I learned and the tools I was given as an actor and as a human being. read more

The most truthful school of all in Los Angeles !!! Alex is a genius dedicated teacher and a man of his word. In only 2 months I grew wayyy more than I did for 2 years at Lee Strasberg school or AMAW!! If you want the meat of acting and a long-lasting career, this is the place for you !!! read more

This review is long overdue. I started this Meisner acting intensive in September of 2017 and finished in December that same year without any idea as to what to expect. What an insane blessing it was to have walked through that door and gotten Alex as an instructor. He is passionate about teaching and shows you how to trust in yourself, not only in acting, but in everything you do. Alex is someone who truly cares for people and who truly has faith in his students. He's not there to tell you what you want to hear, he's there to challenge you and make you better. The lessons you will learn in this class are valuable and will be so far from easy, but by the end, you will know and trust yourself more than you had before. read more

An amazing and intense experience! You have to be dedicated and driven- but if you are then you will get so much from his class!

I honestly feel so blessed to have found this school and to have been abel to do first year with Alex. I have been challenged in ways I never thought possible. I have learned so much, not just about acting but also about myself. He is incredibly passionate about teaching and knows what he is talking about. Every tool he gives you is beneficial. Even when our class had to move to zoom because of Covid, he remained passionate about the work and continued to encourage us to use the tools we had been given. I recommend Alex to serious actors who are willing to learn, be challenged, and work HARD. read more

If we had the time, I could go on and on about Alex. Studying with Alex was easily the best experience I've had. There's nothing more I love in the world then acting, so to find Alex, someone who cares so much and is so passionate about acting makes me so unbelievably happy to have learned from him. He truly is the most passionate person I've met. He listens to you so much, and doesn't miss a moment. And he cares about his students so much. He taught me and my classmates so much. He made it so enjoyable because I could understand what he was teaching us, and could see everyone improving each day by using the tools he taught us. I loved every single second of class. I learned so much. And you could really see everyone grow so much throughout the year, not just in our work, but in our lives. So much of what he taught us is applied in our lives. I love the high standards he has for every one of his students. He needs you to put in the work. He cares so much and wants his students to be the absolute best they can be, and he won't take any less. And I love how honest he is. He will never lie to you. You can always count on his opinion and that it's the truth. If your work isn't good, he absolutely will let you know. I love that so so much. And If your work is genuinely good, he will let you know, but still give you things to work on. He really is a special person to me and I'm never gonna have to look for another teacher again. He's had such a big impact on me, and without Alex, I really don't know where I would be. I'd be lost honestly. I'm forever grateful for all the time and effort he has given to me. For everything he has taught me and every piece of advice and guidance he as given me, Thank you. I'll never forget it. They are gonna stick with me forever. read more

I've had the honor to have been taught by Alex Taylor. He is an extremely talented teacher and a wonderful human being. I've seen a lot of talented actors, and some arrive to the school without a critical and important characteristic...passion. If you don't have the passion, the drive to put in the work this is not the school for you. Going through the program not only do you learn and develop the tools for stage and film, but an inner "change" dialogue occurs. A self-rediscovery occurs away from the work, you the artist, you the person. You, begin the process of accepting yourself and knowing that You are enough. There is nothing that you lack. You are it. Call the school or better yet go visit. Schedule an interview - the process of rediscovery starts there. Wish you all the very best! read more

Alex is one of the only teachers I know who has come into this profession, not as a fallback or supplemental income for an acting career that didn't pan out, or as a means to build a self-promoting empire. He teaches because his passion is empower artists to effectively craft and share their art with the world for a greater good. His devotion to truth and love is nothing short of inspirational and his ability to connect with his students and bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to go is nothing short of masterful. Studying with Alex has given me the skills, confidence, and perspective to take the reigns in my life personally and professionally. It has required more of me than any other class, which has led me to require more from myself and my career. Working at the Taylor Studio, I have a way of working that lets me trust myself and my technique. Having that confidence allows me to be a greater, more truthful artist and THAT is the most beautiful gift I could have hope for! I read a review below that outlined what sounds like two very unpleasant events, one seemingly due to an issue with another student and the other one sounding like a dispute between the writer of the review and Alex. I am so sorry that actor had those experiences and can only think that the issue between Alex and her led to some deeper understanding because in my two years at the studio and work with dozens of classmates, while I have seen frustration from Alex when he deals with artists not living up to their word or their potential (not saying that's the situation of the OP!), I have never experienced or witnessed him coming from any place beyond love and support when dealing with his students. I have a very sensitive meter for ego/abusive behavior and have always felt incredibly safe and supported in his classes. It's difficult to describe the wholeness of the benefits I've reaped since studying at the Taylor Studio. The learning outcomes reach far beyond those expected of an acting class. I can honestly say that studying here has been the best professional decision of my life. read more

Alex is a wonderful acting teacher and of the Meisner technique. His authenticity is rare in the city of Los Angeles. He gives actors a strong foundation and instills a growth mindset to find success within the industry. If you want to learn the tools to become a great actor, and have safe environment to do so, the Taylor School of Acting is the place to be. read more

It is hard to express in words just how grateful I am for The Taylor Acting studio. But here it goes! I was a girl with a voice and a dream and now.. I am a actor empowered to DO what I believe with everything I am. The work that you do in this class takes all of you. You cannot enter this studio and leave half yourself at home, you cannot step in and put on your mask and do great. You have to take off all the false masks and hair we wear. Remove the acting out of our way of thinking. Then step into you truth, which is already there right inside you. It is just covered by all our social norms. I took this class from Santa Barbara driving 1 hour and 50 min twice a day in order to come to this class. It was worth every second. I did not realize what it would require of me. Sometimes it left me being so energized because I finally found what I truly care about, and I took off all the layers of things I thought I "should" be or care about (which apparently are really heavy). Other times I would be so depleted because I gave my all and I truly did things I never thought were possible for me. I did activities that challenged me and never even would have believed I could in the past. A few of the things Alex teaches you are, to live truthfully in your practice and listen. These are core tools we need on stage. We also need to trust ourselves and the process we have in order to be open to whatever the scene calls for and whoever you will be working with. In this class you will walk away with a process that will support you in every role. You will be able to dream bigger than you thought imaginable. You will be free. Two months into class the Global Pandemic of Covid-19 hit and we were forced to do this all over zoom. We did not know what would happen, but thankfully Alex and Jen do not back down in the face of set backs. They faced the challenge and made this class possible. Even over the computer we were able to do this work in even more incredible ways than before. The extra time I got from not having a commute I could put into my imaginary work and partner work. We had to not take anything for granted. Having this class through this pandemic was a life line for a lot of us. It gave us hope, and when the protests hit and "BLM" movement started we took time to respect the time and work through this together. We needed this, we needed this class, this teacher and each other. Because of this class we were not given any space to be blind to what was happening around us, we accepted the pain of it and stood up for what we believed in and did something about it. Alex challenges us to actually do. Not 'try" but do. that makes all the difference. Alex challenged me in places I did not even realize I needed challenging on. He takes the time to really understand his students and give them scenes that will not be easy but with be challenging for them personally. The very last scene I did (all this over zoom) revealed so much to me about how I walk through life and friendship. It challenged me to care enough, show up fully, and take up space as a person. I know that I have so much work to still do but I know I have all the tools and support I need to get there. Trust the process, trust your teacher, and trust yourself. Leave room for "failure" and accept every moment. I learned to not take anything for granted and to be so much more aware of the beauty of personal connection. Here you will face your fears if you really do the work and you will never look back. YOU are an actor and if you are brave then you will do the work it takes to have a voice and to do your craft. To be creative and imagine things better. read more

If your lazy this isn't the school for you but if you are an actor who is ready to work hard and become the best actor you can be this is the place for you. This school and Alex Taylor are amazing! I learned so much with my time with Alex. Alex is like a radiologist, he can see right through false moments and will call you out on it, thankfully. He pushes you to be better than you are and to be as truthful and in the moment as possible. Having graduated just this summer I feel about 150 times more confident in my craft . Alex really helped me find a large part of my identity as an actor and as a person. I still constantly use what I learned in class on set and in auditions. If you are ready to be part of a program and a technique that works to enhance your craft then I highly recommend the Sanford Meisner Studio. read more

This place is more than just an acting school. It changes the lives of every student who has the honor of being accepted to study here. Alex is the best there is and that is a simple fact. He tailors his curriculum to each students' needs individually, he cares for his students like that of a second father, and he inspires us all to be the best version of ourselves possible; as artists and as humans. Save yourself the time and headache of going anywhere else and if you're even remotely thinking of taking classes somewhere go here first. I swear to you you will not be disappointed. Alex and Jen have made this school into a family with students and alumni that care for each other deeply. The only thing as great as the teaching is the community surrounding this place. Thank you Jen, thank you Alex, and thank you to The Taylor School of Acting! read more

It seems that a previous review was removed by this business so I am posting again. Alex is an amazing teacher, but with an extremely bad temper that was misused in my work with him. This part of him gets in the way of keeping and reaching his students. After years of training, I wanted find something new, good groundwork training with a studio that I could trust and call my home. I was interested in Meisner teaching. I began his intensive. Then 2 incidents on different occasions occurred. The first was the beginning of our independent activity. Alex's policy is that students that study with him can drop in on any class, which is great unless you run into what happened to me. The visiting student and I began the exercise. I came in with my repetition and became quickly confused. Alex stopped us and there was a lesson in listening. As Alex and I were in dialogue the visiting actor made a sound and face at something I said which was extremely inappropriate. The class was small and we had spent time getting to know each other in hopes and feelings that we would make mistakes together etc... So, to have someone judging me on my process was extremely inappropriate. Later, I realized the student was doing the exercise at a level beyond our capacity. After the class Alex made a point to want to talk to me which I commend him for and greatly appreciate. At the end of the conversation we cleared up the lesson, but before I left he said, "If that was your truth then that was your truth [about what he had spent the class getting me to understand] but I am trying to teach 20 year olds here." So, what did that mean? Did it mean that everything he had just taught me was bullshit? The other incident that occurred happened in 2 slides. One is my increasing amount of auditions and that upsetting him. I sensed it, but kept my communication clean and spent time calling managers, agents, moving stuff etc... My manager/agents understood, but also wanted to make sure that I was not hurting my existing relationship with casting directors. A small but reoccurring role came up and I wanted to give it my all and focus completely on it. I had spent the week before going on a series regular audition, 2 roles in studio films and a lead in an independent film. I managed it, moved it around, did everything I could. The consensus and word from the acting studio about going to my audition that was that they were very supportive and happy for me. His wife, the studio manager sent a lovely message. She is amazing and a shinning light of beauty. During this weekend something that had been the most difficult for me in acting came up. Memorizing. Since I was a child, I have had difficulty reading. Although I have never been diagnosed with dyslexia and/or ADD I certainly struggle with focus and memorizing. I have been working with it privately separate from the class for a year and struggle. He gave me my first scene to memorize this very weekend. I worked on it, recorded it, went over it with my memorization coach and was still having trouble before and after. My partner and I did it in class and were sent out to work on it more. Alex walked through the room where my partner and I were working. I turned to him and and asked him a question about memorization. He turned around and began to yell at me about my memorizing and out of nowhere attacked me for missing class for my audition. I explained to him that that day was important and that I had to focus on my audition. That it landed in the middle of class. That it's not just about showing up to auditions. You need to be 100% emotionally ready, professional, dressed right for the part, rested -all of it. Not to mention the audition was nowhere near his studio. It was an hour away. His way of leaking his opinion was disturbing. It was completely passive aggressive. He had seen me already enough times where he could have talked to me about it. He swore at me and at some point he told me to get the fuck out. In the meantime I struggled communicating through his anger that I was having difficulty and desperately needed his help. His wife later told me that this was a tactic and that he used on her too. In my opinion it was completely unprofessional, ineffective and lacked the effective "get this done now demand as a teacher" Alex has a temper and it is inappropriately used in his teaching. I've been told there is only 3 students left in one of his classes. Also, If you are working actor know that he will have a problem with your auditions. Alex mentioned that if actors cannot memorize that it is like a doctor who can't handle blood. Completely agreed. I have no problem with him in that regard. But in the same regards working with actors and expecting them not to have auditions is just as absurd. Also, impatience in learning does not help. Beware. read more

If you want to see acting for the beautiful art that it is, then this is the place for you. It is defiantly a commitment not a place for bullshit, do your work and you will become an artist. read more

Love this place. I am still early in my first year. Such an amazing, safe environment and Alex is an amazing mentor and teacher. He provides you with the all the right tools to learn the art and craft of acting. I am so glad to have gone straight to the Taylor School of Acting- this is as real as real gets in regards to learning the Meisner Technique. I am learning to "Mean what you say and say what you mean" and that "Acting is living truthfully in imaginary circumstances" more and more. It's that simple, yet not all of us are able to get there so easily, especially when you are going against all the social norms that society has forced to how to react. Alex will help you 'unlearn' of that. He will push you sometimes to places that you are not used to going - the TRUTH. read more

I spent 3 months sniffing acting studios last year. I have no doubt there is a handful of qualified teachers and studios in this town (optimist). I believe I would have been satisfied with one of those. Then I met Alex, and chose the Taylor School based on his clarity of mind. I ended up at a school that surpassed my hopes. Here is what I am so very grateful for having recently graduated 1st year: 1. The Trust. I have never doubted his instincts or intentions. Damn it feels SO good to write that! Alex has a remarkable capacity for dedicating his time and ears to his students. He listens. And has seemingly unconditional care for his students' well-being and growth. Alex has pushed me, and the road is often tough. But I have never doubted his instincts or intentions. To me, there is nothing more important than that and it's what makes Alex priceless to me. That being said... 2. The Instincts. Occasionally we spread out and work. If he's working with me and HEARS something in the next room, he rushes over. Sometimes during an exercise, he'll take one of us to the back and we'll emerge 30 seconds later fully immersed in the circumstances, bursting with emotion. This. Guy. Reads. Behavior. And it's paid dividends. Because of how efficiently he drives me to a place of acceptance (fully involved in the circumstances), I've been able to get there myself more frequently. I'll be growing my whole life, but I've never been as familiar with my capability. 3. The Intention. He told me at the first interview: "We want you out and working." Each "year" exceeds not 9-months. And then, y'know, 10,000 hours to master. But this is not a program that keeps you there. In fact, we all gotta' go in to report what we've been doing for ourselves in order to be considered for 2nd year. Pretty great criterion in my opinion. I consider myself fortunate. To anyone looking for training: Don't accept a word of this! Call the studio, set up an interview, and have your own experience. I've found what I've dreamed for. I hope you find what you dream for as well :) read more

A teacher should not only teach you about the craft, but also about life. Alex Taylor and the Meisner Technique do just that. The class leads you on a journey of self-exploration, including what makes you tick, what you care about and what you don't. Alex teaches and believes that everything you need is already within yourself. Beyond a technique for acting, he instills a confidence in individuality and allows you "to get out of your own way." He is not for the non-serious actor. He is a true professional and expects the same from his students. You come here to work and Alex will make you better. Past students still come back to work with him and help current students as they face the challenges of class. He makes the studio a safe place for you to let everything go. You will laugh, you will definitely cry, and you will find out more about yourself than you ever knew. As a person and an actor, Alex has helped me realize who I am. read more

Where do I start.... I will start off by saying, I feel utterly blessed to have found The Taylor School Of Acting! I tend to be long winded...so I will try my best to keep this as short as possible. This program is not for the faint of heart...the lazy...the do just enough to get by. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It requires commitment. It will enlighten you, piss you off, inspire you, frustrate the hell out of you, make you doubt your abilities...to only believe again. It will break you down to the very fibers of your soul until there is absolutely nothing left...but the unadulterated truth. It will breathe raw creative life into you. It will unapologetically arrest all the social bullshit that gets in the way of being a true artist. Run I say! If you desire to be an Actor. An Actor with no reservations nor inhibitions... An Actor who will be fully present and in the moment. An Actor who acts purely from the heart... Alex Taylor has a true gift and will help you to do just that!!!!!! read more

I just finished my third month of Intensive with Alex. Amazing! Alex and the way he teaches exceeded my expectations! He knows how to challenge and work with each student individually on their levels. I have learned so much. I admire and respect him for being so dedicated to the art and to his students. I am grateful that I got a chance to study at The Taylor School of Acting. Thank you!!! read more

I just finished the first year intensive and it has been the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I am always striving to learn from people who love what they do, who cherish the craft of acting, who accept you and help you grow as an artist and a person. And Alex has done all of that. Being in his class, you can see and feel how much his students, the craft of acting and the Meisner technique mean to him. It was amazing to see how much we've all learned and have grown over the course of time. We were pushed, we challenged ourselves, we've learned something new every day and have all grown as artists and people. I feel so lucky to have found Alex, he truly is one of a kind and I can highly recommend everyone who is serious about acting, to work with him. Be open and you will be amazed! I could go on and on, but the best way for you to find out is to just do it. read more

I began studying the Meisner technique because I was interested in possibly pursuing acting. After a month of studying with Alex Taylor I was certain I wanted to be an actor. I am now three weeks away from graduating from the 2 year program and I feel incredibly prepared and motivated to take on any role I'm cast in. The journey has been far from easy but Alex intuitively knows how to push you to your limit while allowing you to open yourself up naturally and effortlessly. What distinguishes Alex from most acting coaches is not only his love for the technique but also his love for his students. He genuinely cares for each of us as individuals and it comes through in his coaching style. I trust Alex with my vulnerabilities and that allows me to fearlessly go all the way with exploring this wondrous craft. I highly recommend Alex Taylor to any actor who is willing to pour their heart and soul into this art form. He will bring out the best (and worst) in you and teach you to trust yourself fully. When that happens, there will be no role, no director, no actor or anyone else to be intimidated by...you simply live truthfully under imaginary circumstances and play. read more

After completing the Meisner intensive 1st year I have been able to audition with more confidence and in doing so have been receiving more call backs than ever. I have been complemented on emotional preparation and being able to understand the character as well as taking good direction all i give credit to this wonderful technique. This training has helped me build my confidence more than ever as well as take my ability by the rings and has shown me how to use it. Alex Taylor is by far one of the best acting coach in this town period! From what I've seen it seems Alex knows how to teach a variety of different people and personalities. Alex is the type of coach that will get you to key in on your ability as you are beginning and also nurture your development as you grow to become a stronger actor. The Meisner Technique with Alex Taylor has brought a second wind to my craft. Leon Walker read more

There are not enough words to explain what I experienced, and not enough words to tell Alex how grateful I am. I was searching my whole life for getting more grounded. Because I knew somehow that you need to be grounded to fly. But I couldn't get deeper into me, couldn't find the keys - not even the locked doors. I knew they were there. All the time. And that made it even worse, because I felt handcuffed. Or lets say heartcuffed. Alex has opened all these doors in me (I'm sure there are still a lot to open, time by time...) ...and not that he's only opened them, if it was necessary he took me by the hand and went down with me. And the more I went down, the more I've realised WHY and THAT I'm an actress. And why I always needed to be one. Sometimes when I'm working (and am perfectly prepared of course!!!) I feel like a bird spreading its wings and fly and feel free. This feeling nearly tops everything. For me there is no better teacher in the world but Alex. And I'm infinity grateful and full of love and respect for this wonderful teacher. read more

I just wanted to say wow, what an emotional roller coaster this last year was working with the legend that is - Alex Taylor!! He isn't for the light or faint- hearted and only the strong will survive to tell the tale, but boy as an actress i have been able to do unimaginable work under his guidance. I have only completed the first year and am hoping to do the second, but from just having that first year knowledge, I've managed to book around 90% of auditions after coming out of this programme which i guess says it all! He equips you to understand life more clearly, hold a mirror up to one-self, which then of course reflects in your work for a more "honest" performance. I got so much out of this class, its definitely a different way of approaching an "acting class" per say, well worth the investment if you want to take your acting ability to a powerful level. Thankyou so much alex :) read more

This is my first and probably only "review" that I'll ever written on Yelp. I'm just usually not the kind of person who cares enough to leave feedback on these kinds of things, but after reading the scathing comments by the Yelper "Jill", I created my own Yelp account to leave some thoughts as well. I have studied both with Alex Taylor and with Martin Barter. I was a student at The Sanford Meisner Center when the two teachers parted ways and Alex and James Carville started The Sanford Meisner Studio. I don't know about all this erasing of Wikipedia "data", or who did what to who when so and so was drunk and fell down a hill and cracked their head open and had to be hospitalized. What I do know are the following facts...when Marty and Alex split ways Marty still had the school. Alex had nothing, he had just quit his job basically. But once Alex left, EVERY SINGLE PERSON in my class left also. And we all honestly begged Alex to start his own school. James Carville, who was indeed the partner of Sandy Meisner, and who Sandy left in charge of his estate and school, also wanted to cut ties with Martin Barter and have Alex take over. And there was a reason for that, believe me. I think "Jill" hit the nail on the head saying basically that yes Marty was a good teacher, but unfortunately that was out weighed by his enormous ego, assholish behavior, and quite honestly--backward dealing. He seemed to love talking about how great he was and how he was the supposed protege of Sandy more than he loved actually teaching Sandy's work. And when he did teach it seemed to come from anger and frustration. Alex Taylor teaches from love. 100%. And if you want to grow as an artist and quite honestly a person, he's the guy to go to. I've never known a teacher with more intuition or a bigger heart in my life. And it kills me to see people trash him because he's done so much for me. Alex is the guy who said "pay me for class when you can" when I was short on money, he's the guy who called one of his friends to get me my first job in LA, he's the guy who made a call and got me signed with Greene & Associates--my first agency too, he spent over two hours working on an audition with me when I could only afford to pay him for one. He cares so much about his work and he and his wife and daughter have treated me and many other students I know like family. He believes in and supports his students to the fullest extent or else he honestly would not allow them into his class. Making money is not this mans reason for doing this I assure you!! And that is a rare thing in this town. He simply loves the work; and you see it and experience it in his classes. And to really sum up the contrast of my experience with the two teachers ill say this....Marty came into the restaurant I worked at after I had been studying with him for over a YEAR, and I had to remind him who I was (And by the way, this was before his accident Jill). Granted he was fucking wasted, so I guess that's understandable. Listen, whoever is interested should look into both schools and meet both teachers. Then id recommend signing up with the one that talks the least amount of shit about the other... oh, that would also be the one that actually interviews each student before they're allowed to attend classes by the way....instead of having mass open-houses where anyone with a credit card is allowed to join. read more

Alex's class was a challenging, transformative, and completely enriching experience! The way he teaches the Meisner Technique is not only effective, but also life changing. It forces his students to surrender their egos and figuratively look at themselves naked in a mirror. This can be extremely painful and terrifying but I guarantee it will break you out of the chains that society, your family, and even YOU have put on yourself and unleash the true artist that you are. You realize how important it is to know and accept yourself to be a great and truthful and powerful actor, and Alex facilitates that by knowing how to work with each individual in a unique way. He is caring and nurturing, as well as honest and firm. He also gets personal with you with no fear of your reaction, never walks on eggshells-which is awesome in my opinion. This class is one of the best things that has ever happened to my life and if you're serious about becoming a great artist you would be more than wise to work with Alex! read more

I am so grateful that I'm working with Alex now for my second year. I just finished performing something that was a true core fear of mine and I felt very supported and safe. Did I do my best... No, I know I could have done better (I chickened a bit) but for me this was a huge step. Alex sets up his classes to place you in a room with other dedicated actors that are trustworthy and will support you in learning how to overcome fears you may have or come across as an actor. All of my classmates and partners are willing to try new things with Zero judgement behind it. The studio is a safe place where we come to learn and grow with each other and man I just absolutely love the journey this has taken me on as well as the people that are with me on this journey. There is truly Oscar worthy stuff going on here guys. Thank you Alex for pushing me to be better and do things that scare the crap out of me. I am better for it and so is my acting. read more

Alex Taylor is the most caring, amazing, authentic, passionate, wonderful acting teacher ever. I can't even begin to tell you the amazing things this man did for me. He not only taught me how to be a working actor, but he taught me how to become and embrace being an artist; something that I had difficulty owning for the longest time. He helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life, while simultaneously pushing me to be a better artist. Alex truly loves and deeply cares for each one of his students individually. His passion is unequal to any other teacher out there, and his teaching is personal, and challenging . Is he tough? You better believe it! He demands the absolute best of his students, he doesn't accept half- hearted efforts, laziness, or excuses. In my experience this doesn't always work for everyone who wants to join his class. But whether he is being tough or gentle everything he does he does out of love. I was part of a fairly well known college theatre program for two years. I even "studied" Meisner while I was there, but I learned more about acting and myself in two months with Alex than I did in two years in college! If you are looking for a teacher or a school that promises a fast track to fame or some easy "tricks" to being an actor, then Alex is not the teacher for you. But if you want a teacher who will develop you as an artist, and give you the tools and the understanding to work professionally for a lifetime then you should seriously consider working with Alex. I have nothing but gratitude for this amazing man, and I know that God truly led me to Alex. I am thankful every day that I was lucky enough to find this class, and blessed enough to become part of the Meisner family. Thank you Alex. read more