WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF STUDENTS AT THE KEN LERNER STUDIO? DO YOU TAKE BEGINNERS?

Yes.  Ken accepts students at all levels from beginner to advanced.  He loves seeing actors learn and grow in their craft.

WHAT IS KEN’S ADVICE TO ACTORS? 

To separate yourself from the rest of the actors auditioning, you have to bring your essence to the room. Be yourself. By that I mean bring to the part what makes YOU unique: your laugh, your sense of humor, your anger, your soul. Don’t hide it. That’s what they’re looking for. That’s what makes you special.

DO YOU HAVE TO AUDITION TO GET INTO THE KEN LERNER STUDIO?

No. Ken does not require an audition. However, he does require you to audit class, which is free. At the audit, you will be interviewed by Ken to see if you have a passion for acting and are serious about your training.

HOW OFTEN DO I GET TO WORK IN CLASS?

In Cold Reading class, you will work every week. In Scene Study class, I guarantee that you will work two times a month, but sometimes you will have the opportunity to work more often if you are motivated.

DO YOU GET ME AN AGENT OR A JOB?

No, I do not and if any acting teacher promises you that they can, run the other way! Once in a while, a director, agent or manager comes to class and I am occasionally asked to recommend people for projects, however, this is not a guarantee. When I have confidence in a student’s abilities, professionalism and drive, I have recommended them to agents and managers.

WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR ME? SCENE STUDY OR COLD READING?

Cold Reading is for actors who are currently auditioning or who have time constraints. It teaches you to take audition material and make immediate decisions on script interpretation and choices that will make your acting come to life. Ken can teach you his foolproof formula for booking jobs.

Scene Study is for actors who want to deepen their acting skills. Scene Study requires more of a time commitment because you must memorize the material Ken assigns you, rehearse it with your scene partner and stage the scene in class using wardrobe and props. It is a two- or even three-week process. In cold reading, you are given the material a half hour before class and must perform the work in class immediately, opposite someone who is reading flat (like a casting director.)

In both classes, Ken himself chooses materially especially for you. He uses scripts from movies, television shows, pilots and plays. Some of the material is current; some classic. Ken’s critique includes script interpretation, the hottest acting choices and how to stretch yourself in the part.

WHAT MAKES KEN LERNER’S CLASSES SPECIAL?

Ken has the distinction of having taught for his mentor Roy London, who chose Ken to teach Cold Reading. Ken has been a working actor for 36 years and has tons of experience to pass on to you from being on sets and having done thousands of auditions. Auditioning actors often wonder: How should I dress? Should I bring props? Should I memorize the material? Do I sit? Do I stand? What if the casting director is inattentive? Because Ken is not simply a teacher but is a working actor who himself auditions and books jobs constantly, he not only answers these questions but also shares with you fresh examples of situations that arise on sets and at auditions. He will share with you the secrets to getting jobs and then guide you once you have them.

Ken has studied with the best acting teachers of our time and worked in the industry for more than three decades. In so doing, he has honed a philosophy of acting and shares his secrets with you. Ken is noted for his script interpretation and gentle nurturing of his actors.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM READY TO AUDITION OR LOOK FOR AN AGENT?

Not only will Ken will let you know, but you yourself will sense when you are ready. It will all come together for you if you do the work and are not in a hurry for stardom. It is a learning process--not easy but very rewarding once you “get” the technique. Everyone works at their own level and their own pace. With experience comes the confidence to seek new levels.