Texas Actors workshop was exactly what I was looking for! I needed someone to take my acting career to the next level. That is exactly what John McAteer helped me accomplish by assisting me in signing with the fantastic talent agency, Pastorini-Bosby. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned actor, Texas Actors Workshop is the right place to go. John has cultivated great connections in the industry and knows the business. The classes are structured in such a way that simulates how the actual business operates such as auditions, casting, performances, redirects, notes, etc. Through the workshop's connections there are multiple chances to connect with filmmakers, casting directors, agents, and other professionals in the business. If you are committed, John will absolutely go to the mat to get opportunities for you. Most importantly, the workshop process is a great. Actors are forced to tap into their creativity and imaginations to write monologues and scenes (don't worry; John helps you with the mechanics of the actual writing). Even those who don't aspire to be "writers" MUST be able to imagine and create worlds in their minds if they ever hope to be good actors. I cannot stress this enough: Acting is storytelling! John, kindly and firmly, pushes every person in the class to tap into their unique stories and creativity. He's endlessly upbeat and positive and gives every person his attention as if he or she was his only student. If you are just dabbling in film acting or you're ready to take your career to the next level, Texas Actors Workshop is the place for you! read more

This workshop left much to be desired. The workshop is advertised as a place to train for 'acting on film,' yet literally NOTHING is filmed in the classroom unless you bring your own camera and have someone film your scenes for you. The workshop classes are divided into three levels, with each level being further divided between adults and youth students. Level I starts with writing an original monologue where you star as the character. Once you finish the monologue, which could take anywhere between months and a year, depending on your attendance, you begin writing a scene based off of the monologue. If John McAteer , the head of the workshop, deems you "ready," you advance to Level II. In Level II, you do some improve, scene writing, and occasionally act out scenes, usually the same scene or scenes for weeks, which is not how your typical audition works. Again, none of this is put on film for you to see yourself, which is contrary to how many other workshops I've attended have operated. You must be "invited" into the Advanced level class, which from what I have seen, is based more off of how long you have attended the workshop rather than your advanced skill level. Also, unlike most other workshops, the scheduled time for classes is far from consistent. On Tuesdays, Level I youth starts at 4:30pm and is supposed to end at 5:30pm, but often ends up running until after 6pm or later. Level I for teens/adults is supposed to start at 5:30pm, but often starts 6pm or later, and is supposed to end at 8pm, but rarely does. Level II for teens/adults is supposed to begin at 8pm, but often starts later. In fact, it's not unusual for Level II class to run passed the closing time for the JCC (10pm), at which point, John would have you outside the front of the building working a scene or scenes well passed midnight. This especially sucks if you have class or a job to go to early the next day. If there is a positive about the workshop its the opportunity to meet like-minded people with similar goals, but anyone wanting to grow as an actor/actress should otherwise steer clear of this workshop. Many of the exercises are overdone and not well planned, and the head of the workshop is terrible at managing time properly. read more

I have been taking my 6 year old daughter to this workshop since August of 2016. In the short amount of time she has attended, my daughter's acting accomplishments have FAR exceeded my expectations. She continues to build on every skill she has learned under the direction of John McAteer and his team. With John's coaching, my daughter obtained talent representation out of Dallas 3 months after she started. Her on camera and voiceover audition opportunities have spanned from the local level to large Hollywood productions. Observational tips from one parent to another: --We find the pricing reasonable. The cost is per class, not per hour. I personally find the value exceeds cost because of the amount of time you will spend in class. --As with any extracurricular activity, at some point, you will spend money outside of just the class itself. We appreciate that John and his team really try hard to look out for the overall impact to our budget (like videographers, extra workshops, showcases, etc.) --Set the expectation with your children that they will put in work. The classes are slated for an hour, but always go much longer. If you have a young child that can't make it until close to 7pm, then you may want to wait until he or she can. --John is your child's coach, but he and his team are also mentors for parents. Anything they advise you to do, you should try to do. I've found that when we took his advice, it opened more doors. He has been in the industry much longer than we have! I genuinely feel our family really couldn't have asked for a more rich, active workshop. John and his team partner with some wonderful, highly recognizable local clientele that your children will be excited working with. One final thing I will mention, is that my husband and I have built some very strong relationships with parents of other children who are actors. I personally feel we aren't just members of a class of students, we are part of a truly wonderful, positive performance community. Going through things together is comforting, and you don't feel the crazy competition pressure that usually comes with this business. read more

John McAteer is legend. This acting class is hands down the best in the region, rivaling even the most successful workshops in the country. John has worked for nearly two decades on the business of cultivating and molding talent of all ages in the south Texas region with experience, knowledge, and respect. As someone who has taken his classes every week for ten years, I can say I would never have seen the opportunities in my career (movies with Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, and Richard Linklater) or met with any of my agents (Kim Dawson, CESD) or colleagues I work with today if I hadn't gotten my start in John's classes. John knows about this business. With almost thirty years of experience behind the camera in different facets, John teaches what the industry has wanted- does want- and what it's looking for in the future. He has a keen technical eye for what real on camera acting is, and knows how to bring it out of the actor naturally, rather than showing the actor what to mimic. Johns classes are structured to help you grow creatively and rapidly from within yourself. From creating your own characters and scenes, to running mock auditions, John explores every chapter of the industry and prepares you for many of the unpredictable situations that will come your way while looking for an agent, auditioning for productions, and what to do when you're finally on set. In this workshop you begin with the basics, just a pencil, a piece of paper, and your most important tool- YOU. From there you begin to study the history of film making while creating hilariously comedic and also heart wrenchingly dramatic scenes with your classmates every week. What's really special about John is he is the real deal. He's not some failed actor turned coach. He is a professional in the industry that wants to see others in his region grow and produce good work in film and TV along with him. He's not always a cotton candy coach. He isn't mean, in fact he carries a very strict "no meanness policy", this isn't dance moms, but that being said- he won't let you float along with mediocre work if your not doing your best. If you aren't focusing and really pushing yourself and your fellow students, if you aren't giving it your all and really wanting to learn every week, he won't let it fly for very long. John is special, and people in the business know it. He has single handedly turned the south Texas region into a place to find talent. With connections in Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, New Mexico, and other regions, John often brings industry guests to his workshop to check out who he has in the works. John is a refreshing and honest energy for big names in this business who want to get away from the many seedy and deceptive people they are used to dealing with all of the time in this industry. He never bad mouths or gossips. John treats his industry colleagues with respect and class, they often talk about how much they LOVE coming to see John in San Antonio. Johns classes feel like home. My classmates are my family and we all push each other to grow and learn. When one of us books a job, we all celebrate. And when a lot of us succeed, like only a few months ago when over TWENTY PEOPLE in the class were signed by the very successful Linda McAllister agency, we all celebrate! If you are in the South Texas region and looking for a class that can take you or your child's career to the next level, somewhere you can really hone your skills, John's workshop should be your new home. Kaleb King P.S. it makes me sad to see a long made up review with one star on here, you'd think if that person really believed what they were saying- they wouldn't hide behind anonymity. Probably a disreputable rival coach who isn't doing so well :/ read more

To whom it may concern, I'm writing to the masses to express my sincerest gratitude to John McAteer, Tommy Deibel and the colleagues of my class. They've given me hope, love, thoughtfulness, kindness, laughter and instruction. They have motivated me to my limits. John is my coach. He can talk all day about his goals in the film industry as he should. It took so much time and dedication. I was scared to my bones on my first few classes. I can't express how much has changed so quickly. I love acting now. I will never give up on my goals. I will never pass up on opportunities that are given to me. And I will accomplish great feats of strength, as I continue to grind my own path. If you are in San Antonio. GO. read more

The head of the workshop John McAteer, makes you create a monologue to start with. What does creating a monologue have to do with acting? If I want to learn how to write, I would go to a writing workshop. John has a camera in the workshop that another actor told me he never uses. If the class is for ppl who wanna be in movies and television, you would think their would be filming done in class, so you could atleast see how you look. So the camera is basically only there as a prop. Just based off my own experience in other workshops, John directed more then he coached. Real actors practice getting into character, finding ways to connect emotionally to the character. From what I saw, John's coaching keeps the actor in their own heads and makes it almost impossible to connect with who they are playing, or connecting with the other character they are playing off of in the scene. My biggest complaint is how much time was wasted by John telling stories or babbling on about things that not relevant to acting at all. By the time some ppl were doing their scenes the building was closed and ppl had to go outside to perform. It was passed 10 at night. I've studied with other acting coaches in Texas in Dallas, Austin, and even New York, and none of them run there workshops like this. They start on time, end on time, they all film your scenes, and the coaches give you good feedback and only talk about acting. It's only my opinion, but if your serious about acting and looking to improve, stay away from this workshop. There are better options in around who would be much more worth your time and money. read more

John McAteer at Texas Actors Workshop has built a community that has helped literally dozens upon dozens of actors get signed with both local and national agents. He has created several unique improvisation exercises that you won't find anywhere else, helping actors exert their creativity on every week. There are varying levels of classes for all skill levels, from beginning actors to the advanced. John and the TAW team often help their actors find roles in short films with their partnerships with several programs around San Antonio, as well as help actors find their way in the professional field with his experience and contacts throughout the industry. He provides weekly classes and often stays after class to help those who need additional work on their scenes. John will also help with coaching should you have an audition, and has helped actors book roles multiple times. He also offers private sessions and coaching by skype if necessary should you find yourself getting a callback in another city! read more

I have had the pleasure of being a part of such a tremendous second family at Texas Actors Workshop. John and Tommy have been extraordinary in their kindness as well as professionalism. The industry can be overwhelming and John is always sure to warn us and keep us in check to better prepare for our professional future. As an actor at Texas Actors Workshop, I have found a handful of great friends and wonderful peers who are also so very supportive. The workshop brings forward spectacular opportunities that have set me in front of other great professionals. The thing I admire most about Texas Actors Workshop is that John and Tommy genuinely care about their actors and are always quick to provide assistance, if needed. I am grateful for aquiring a wide variety of skills such as professionalism, public speaking and straight up : confidence. You feel welcomed the second you step into the workshop. Texas Actors Workshop has not only prepared me as a better actor, it has helped better my skills in life in general. TAW is more than just acting lessons and I will be forever grateful of my time spent here. Jenna read more

John McAteer is a narcissistic, money hungry con artist and a horrible acting coach who doesn't know the first thing about actually teaching acting. He wants you to be his buddy more than his student and everyday is a popularity contest and only the richest and best at sucking up survive. He's unprofessional and totally inconsiderate of his students' time. His time management is nonexistent and he will start class an hour late and proceed to spend at least another half hour talking about himself during class and then keep students late to the point of having to go outside after the building closes. So, during the winter you stand out in the cold, and during the summer you get eaten up by mosquitos. His excuse? "That's how the business is." Never mind the fact that you are not his client and you are paying for his time. Also, his private classes aren't actually private and he will force you to participate in someone else's "private" lesson, even if you sign up for a time slot (which he completely ignores) and don't have the time to stick around and play his waiting game. The man has literally told a girl that her college education came in second to socializing with him and other students. I swear I can't make this stuff up. In the last year or so he has lost about ten students from his adult "level two" class (including some of his interns) because of the unfair favoritism he shows to other students who are better at being his friend and showering him with money, therefore, making them more deserving of his efforts. I put level two in quotations because he likes to pretend there are three levels to his class: level one, level two and the hugely overrated advanced class. In reality, the classes go more like this: level one are the newbies who have to pay their dues and write a script of their own which may take months or even years depending not on acting ability, but on one's ability to write their own script, regardless of whether it actually benefits them as an actor or not (it usually doesn't). Level two is the group who are deemed faithful enough to move up a peg, but unless you're spending the majority of your time being John's pet, then good luck advancing much further than a supporting character in the class. Finally, the advanced class are all the favorites who have spent years upon years just trying to get on John's good side until they realize that they're stuck and haven't done much in the way of real acting jobs, but they're too comfortable and afraid to move on, therefore serving John's ego as well as his bank account. I could write a short novel about the downfalls of this workshop, but hopefully I've shared enough information that people will stop and think before putting themselves through this sad excuse of an acting workshop. Just know that this is a man who I've personally witnessed, along with a class full of people (most of whom are the ones who left his workshop), literally cuss out a 16 year old girl for talking too much in class. Bear in mind he constantly talks and texts during performances himself and shows no real interest in helping his students grow into great actors. He relies on empty promises and his connections to other people in the industry (i.e. An acting coach in Dallas and HER connections to agents across Texas and LA) and uses that as his hook to keep you interested in the class until you waste years trying to be that lucky student who gets signed the next time someone of real value comes to visit, which only happens a few times a year if you're lucky. There are other ways to make it in this industry and John makes you feel as if you can't do it without him, even bad mouthing other coaches around the area in the process. Please, save your money, your self esteem, your dignity and your talent and DO NOT get stuck in the delusional bubble that is Texas Actors Workshop. I wish I hadn't wasted years on this class. I recommend classes at Performing Arts San Antonio with Paul Tinder or saving up money to take a trip to Dallas and taking classes with Cathryn Sullivan who's trained professional actors such as Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Thomas Mann and various other successful actors. Now THAT'S an acting coach. I hope I've provided you with some powerful insight and wish you all luck on your aspiring careers. Edit: I'd like to respond to the review by Kaleb King who claims that my review is "made up." Every word I said is true and there are many people who would agree. The reason for my anonymity is because I honestly believe that if I were to post this under my name that John (and a handful of his students) would use it to trash my reputation and like I said before, despite the fact that he has next to nothing to offer himself, he does know some people in the industry and I am not willing to allow him to slander my name out of spite. However, I also wanted to post an honest review to help those interested in the workshop to know the truth about his lack of teaching skills. read more

Texas Actors Workshop is a great place to start your acting career. Before attending the workshop I knew nothing about the talent industry but John and Tommy do a great job explaining how the industry works and prepare you to meet with Texas and LA agents. I have attended other local acting classes but I feel that TAW has provided the most opportunities for me and through them I was able to sign with the Linda McAlister Talent Agency. Thank you John and Tommy for all that you do! read more