Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are in class?

Classes are capped at 10, allowing everyone to work each class. My class is all about individualized training in a dynamic, ensemble environment.

How much is class?

Class is a monthly membership with a sliding scale.

Center Stage Tier: $249/month. Rising Star Tier: $219

No deposit. Cancel anytime. Full policies will be available upon sign-up.

Is this an On-Camera acting class?

Yes, and no. This is an acting technique class for stage or screen. We use the camera for two purposes:

1) On-Camera Audition technique. Every 2-3 weeks, you will be sent a script to prepare for an On-Camera Read in class. We will refine your audition technique on-camera.

2) Scene Work in this class culminates in a ‘workshop shoot’. Through this process, you will learn to hone your continuity, practice hitting marks, and how to film in wide, medium and close-up shots. This aspect of the class is rare because you don't often find a studio were you can benefit from on camera work as well as stage work in one class.

We also do an occasional practice commercial audition!! David has booked dozens of national and regional t.v. commercial spots and knows exactly what they’re looking for!

Is this a Meisner acting class?

While this class is not a 1 or 2 year Meisner program, it incorporates some of the repetition exercises of Sanford Meisner into the class structure. David first learned the exercises in 1993, and trained again in 2024 in stages 1 and 2 of Meisner. In addition to using these tools, David has developed several other tools designed for emotional connection, spontaneity, and character discovery.

Do I have to rehearse with a scene partner outside of class?

No. You will learn crucial techniques to get you off book and prepared to work in class with your scene partner, just the way you would prepare for a working role in film, tv, or theater.

What Technique do you Teach?

After acting professionally for 25 years and having trained and workshopped with dozens of teachers in San Francisco and Los Angeles, David has designed a system which integrates his experience as both actor and director. 

The approach to the work is imaginative, spontaneous, physical, and intelligent — that is,  he trains actors to look at scene work in a way that values story,  and the specifics of the character’s language, in addition to fostering risk-taking and spontaneity.   We are about emotional depth and truthfulness, connection to the reality of the moment, and serving the writing as creative storytellers.

David’s technical influences go back to his first formal training in 1993.  His most influential teachers and mentors have been Philip Bennett (Sonia Moore),  Richard Seyd (The Trigger Approach),  Gary Imhoff,  Al Mancini,  Tom Keegan,  Mark Jackson (Art Street Theater, SF),  and Nan Crawford (Pacific Playback Theatre), to name a few.  Lineage-wise,  David’s teaching is influenced by the teachings and writings of Stanislavski, Michael Chekov,  Stella Adler and Sanford Meisner. 

I’m interested in class. What’s my next step?

Schedule a Free Consult and we’ll give you the details!

Do you offer a free audit?

Yes! We’ll tell you how to audit during your free consultation.