Authenticity.
You.
It is the most essential thing in your work. Only your unique voice will make you stand out among the countless actors reading for any given role. Training, then, should be about expanding that voice. Stanislavski says, "the person you are is a thousand times more interesting than the best actor you could hope to be." Nevertheless, many actors make the mistake of training in a way that reduces themself and their work into homogeneity to try to fit in with the rest of the pack, seeking a false sense of safety. This only leads to predictable choices, void of the very things the audience wants to see—imagination, vitality, and a sense of play. Be bold enough to let us see You. At The Last Acting Studio, we believe the purpose of training is to develop your authenticity. To do so, we offer an explorative approach that provides pragmatic tools for synthesizing the foundational questions of script analysis with your personal point of view and life force, creating work that activates and transcends the material. When you lead authentically in whoever you are, you make yourself indispensable, regardless of your shape, size, or color. To be vulnerable is to be human; by allowing the audience to see that, you resonate with what is vulnerable in them and they are transcended by your unique life force – the You that cannot be duplicated.
"Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in it."
- Meryl Streep
Rachel Marsh stars in the upcoming Netflix series Unstable alongside Rob Lowe and Sian Clifford. You've seen her in shows like iCarly, NCIS: Los Angeles and Head of the Class. Find out more about her new show, why she trains at LAS, and how—after years of training—she was offered two series regular roles in the same week.
"Studying with Desean at LAS and my background in improv really helped me on set. I'm so so grateful to have trained for years because everything you learn in class is just instilled in you when you get to set"
"Find the people in your acting community that make you feel good. The real people that you trust and make you feel confident"
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"The purpose of all conscious technique is to release the boundless power of the unconscious mind."
-Stanislavski
On Training.
You may have noticed that many of our classes are co-taught, and here's the reason behind this approach.
Our commitment extends beyond actor training; we are equally dedicated to dismantling traditional power dynamics and fostering inclusivity within our training room. Our aim is to create ample space for you, the student, to thrive.
To achieve this, we are reimagining the role of the teacher. We do not view the teacher as a guru or the sole authority on knowledge. Instead, our vision revolves around recognizing the ensemble as the greatest teacher.
Rest assured, our teachers are highly qualified and experienced, with degrees from prestigious institutions such as The Juilliard School and Columbia University. They actively collaborate with some of the industry's top innovative voices. However, their collective experience has taught them that the industry craves artists with strong voices, and our goal is to empower yours.
Diversity in the faculty and teaching goes beyond pedagogical methods and encompasses a variety of ethnic backgrounds. By diversifying the voices in the room and encouraging students to share their observations, we shift the focus from the speaker to the value of the content being shared. Through uplifting multiple voices, including those from different ethnic backgrounds, we aspire to create a truly enriching, collaborative, and inclusive learning environment that prioritizes your growth and development.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“Having had the opportunity to work with Desean in both a studio and private coaching setting, I can say he is one of the most insightful, intelligent and helpful acting teachers out there. His knowledge of the craft, and thoughtfulness in coaching allows space for his students to experience and discover in-the-moment, emotionally truthful choices."
Joseph Salazar - WestWorld, The Passenger, Criminal Minds
