08/20/09

Excellent instructor for basics

by RomGuy

There are a lot of good reviews on here about Wayne's program. That's because he is a good teacher, but he also gives students a little incentive now and then to write up reviews online -- like one free private hour of instruction if you write a review on 4 sites like Yelp, Citysearch, etc. So that's why there are so many reviews about Wayne on so many sites. Maybe he shouldn't do that so much, but it has been helpful for him to get his studio's name out there so people come in to audit and check out the program for themselves. All he wants to get people to come visit him and decide on their own from there -- he really is genuinely honest.

That said, you do get a solid acting program with Wayne. He is HIGHLY technical, which is my only complaint -- if you can call it a complaint. For new actors, you really do need to be technical and get that out of the way. That's what all the British actors do, and to have that foundation is what makes great actors.

But I have seen that you also need improv and freedom to create and experience in your acting, and that is when you leave Wayne's program to add more to what you have learned at his studio.

So many -- the vast majority -- acting classes in Los Angeles are not disciplined and do not fully teach you the basics and allow you to step-by-step develop your craft. Wayne's is the exception, but it is only for the most disciplined actor. I saw all the undisciplined actors disappear, little by little, from his studio. He demands a lot from you. A LOT. And most 20 and 30-somethings aren't prepared to be so disciplined -- but that is how you become a professional in this business and stand out.

Good luck!

• Pros: Gives you necessary acting foundation, solid program, honest
• Cons: Sometimes can be too technical

03/04/09

Best 4 Your Buck!!!....Period!!

by BinLA

The Wayne Dvorak Acting Studio in Los Angeles, CA is a 2 year Meisner Technique training program. Aside from being one of the most affordable training programs in the city, it is also incredible training taught by an instructor with a lifetime of acting and teaching experience. Having taken years of acting classes in various methods the Meisner Technique is one that has only enriched my acting both emotionally and technically. Meisner has a very simple approach to a very complicated art and it is based on Meisner?s exercise work as well as scene study. Wayne Dvorak is a no frills, no B.S. type of teacher who is only there to help his students craft and guide them through the ?business? that is Hollywood. Wayne only allows 12 students max. in his program and you are GUARANTEED to work at least once in every class. I know many actors in LA that pay 3 times the amount I do and they get up to work in class every other week!! This training is not for the faint of heart since it is an intense program for 2 years and requires outside rehearsals which are key to success in this discipline. If you are serious about your training and are dedicated enough to put in the 2 years to complete the training, I cannot recommend a better place to study than at Wayne?s studio.

02/02/09

Meisner for coffee drinkers

by JohnS9879

I moved out to LA a couple years ago, and found myself lost in a sea of school and techniques, I quickly found myself with all my other "actor" friends sitting in a coffee shop talking about how much better we were than the people on the billboard above us. I started to do a lot of reading about different methods, I dabbled in new age acting, took a sip of performance art, and dove head first into Stanislavski. I dug on what Stanislavski was saying and followed his progression of thought through the teachers of the past into Strasberg, Adler and Meisner. I felt much had been lost through the years in Strasberg and Adler. I read "Standford Meisner on Acting," and decided this was the type of class I wanted and needed. The tools and techniques that Meisner talked about I believed would make me a good a actor, and competitive in the world of Hollywood. I enrolled in Wayne's class about a year ago, and I have found it to be not only rewarding but also challenging. I have gone places that I didn't even know were possible. Through the work I have grown not only in my ability to act, but also personally. It has opened my eyes to all the little intricacies that are over looked by "civilians," and made me aware of my own action's effects on people. As I stated before I took many classes and one of the biggest problem was that I lost in a sea of people, but with Wayne he keeps the class small and you get to perform twice each class. I recommend Wayne to all my friends who are still sitting under the billboards talking about why they are better, because he will give you the tools but the rest is up to what you do with them.

02/01/09

Meisner-The Greater the Risk, the Greater the Reward

by LillyL

?As a sales rep for a Hollywood based magazine I looked for all kinds of alternatives to our typical advertisers. I thought acting studios and coaches would be a great fit. I only wanted to promote the best so I did my research and found Wayne Dvorak. A year later I am not with the magazine, yet I am still happily attending classes with Wayne and all of my awesome classmates.

I refer Wayne to just about everyone I meet (Actor or not). His Meisner Technique classes really force you to assess yourself and see that you can achieve anything that you set out to do IF you are committed to it and do the work. You realize, in his class, that there really is great reward in taking risks. I couldn't be happier with the decision I made to take Wayne's Class and to take those risks!?

01/31/09

The Wayne Dvorak Acting Studio has helped me tremendously!

by Lisaa1

I've taken many acting classes in the past but did not feel that I truly had a good foundation under me until I came to the studio. The Meisner technique has helped me become more open and aware which has led me to become a better actor, and in general, a better person. Wayne's style of teaching is also great. He is serious and expects the same in return and offers feedback in a way that is very conducive to learning. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to take their career to the next level.

• Pros: class size, cost, comfortable environment
• Cons: none

01/30/09

a lot of heart

by nathanmk

I've been studying Meisner technique with Wayne Dvorak for the past year, and have to say, it's been an amazing experience.

First off, regarding the technique-- it has a way of opening you up emotionally. It allows you to gradually push the barriers of your comfort zone WAY out, so that you are able to access extremes (and subtleties) of your emotional spectrum in a grounded and sincere way. I've gained confidence and familiarity going places that would have terrified me before I started the training.

The training also strips away all the layers "acting"-- the affectations, self-consciousness, pushing, broadcasting, indicating, mimicking, etc-- so that you're finally left with something simple and pure: a human being having a sincere experience. Getting to that place is truly liberating for an actor, and probably the most captivating for any audience to see.

Now regarding Wayne, he is an incredible teacher. He doesn't operate from this place of trying to show off, or impress, or intimidate, or play favorites, or listen to himself talk all night. He's a true teacher, here's there to teach and nothing else. He has an incredible knowledge of this craft, and he has a way of reading right into you. He can see exactly what's going on in there, and he WILL, in the most subtle way, bring out your full potential. He's no nonsense, but he's all heart.

This all makes for an atmosphere that is wonderful for growth as an actor and artist. However, be forewarned, the training takes dedication. Be ready to work!

01/09/09

Looking for a Great Meisner Teacher...Wayne's Your Man!

by Cherylyne

Wayne is Top Notch and that's real talk!

When I started my search for an acting teacher I wanted to make sure I would be enthusiastic about coming to class. Really who wants to sit anywhere for 3 hours w/o a break studying anything? I did audit a few classes in the LA/Hollywood area but I knew right away this was the class for me.

When you audit, he sits down with you 30 min. before class and explains to you what he does, the technique he teaches, and what we will prob. see in the class. I went to other classes and I didn't know what the heck they were doing. He involves you in the breathing exercises (which you may feel very foolish doing at first) and then you stay quiet as the class goes on. You can ask questions during certain times though and after the class is over, Wayne will call you the next day to go over some things. That's the audit process.

The Class: Meisner Technique

First off, Wayne is a hard teacher, which mean he will push you to your best potential. If you are shy get over it and if you think you are a hot shot, get over that as well. Wayne pulls truth and realness out of you.

Second, the class is small. i don't think he has more than 12 ppl in a class and everyone goes up twice EACH CLASS! Even if you don't want to, lol. This means you are always working on the craft.

Third, we do exercises and scenes. One thing I like about this is he will let you complete what you are suppose to do then talk about it after. No interruptions while you are doing something. Unless he really doesn't get it but that will come later.

The bottom line is if you are serious about acting, this class is for you. I have grown in my confidence about my work and ability to reach the emotion at hand truthfully and moment by moment. The program is a two year program, class is 1 nite a wk for 3 hours, you need 2 rehearsals outside of class and this is the min.but it's worth it. I am about to start the second year and I have no regrets.

11/18/08

One of, if not THE best acting class in La

by HeffeC

Wayne's class is exceptionally solid. I am in his class, but also work as a cinematographer. I meet a lot of so called trained actors, and most of them can't even hold a candle to what he cranks out in his first year.

If you're interested in taking a serious class, check Wayne's out for sure.

• Pros: Inexpensive, Excellent training.
• Cons: ?

11/10/08

Wayne Dvorak, Meisner technique classes: No Artificial Flavors, 100% NATURAL at very Fair Price, It Rocks!;)

by VarunP

I think 5 stars are not fair for this, It deserves 10 star rating:). As my title says, Wayne Dvorak, Meisner Technique acting classes brings acting Naturally in you, there is nothing artificial about them;). The Meisner Technique is just amazing because this Technique is all about making yourself believing in the character and situation to a point where you actually become that character and than you don't have to fake it, play it or act it. This technique can make you go so detailed in all areas of different emotions, that before i thought that only way it can be reached is by faking it and i must say that his fees is very fairly priced too!

I Highly recommend Mr Wayne, Meisner Technique classes to any actor regardless if they are new to acting or have taken acting classes before, in my case i was completely new when i started this training and these were my first acting classes ever and i feel so Lucky that my first search in finding acting class became my best search, and now with one year of training under my belt, Iam Confident and it has given me all the essential tools needed to be a Successful Actor. Iam so impressed with Mr Wayne Acting Classes that iam also taking the full 2nd year of this training.

Meisner Technique is Good but what makes it GREAT is Mr Wayne

way of teaching and his skills with this Technique, which simply ROCKS!!!!!

11/03/08

Wayne is great!

by Omec

Taking the Meisner Technique with Wayne Dvorak was the best decision I could have made for my craft. I have reached levels in acting I never thought I could. I feel much more free in my acting and my emotional range is stronger and more consistent. I finally feel like I have a technique under my belt that is reliable and actually works.

Wayne is great about personalizing his approach with each person. He understands what each person needs to grow and how to make the Meisner tools work for that individual. He is honest in his critiques but never cruel and you always feel that his comments come from his desire to help you grow and become a better actor. I am definitely a sensitive soul so this approach has been very helpful to me. I guess what I am trying to say is, he is a great teacher!