Actors Studio West is located on the estate of William S. Hart, a landmarked facility owned by the City of West Hollywood, CA.
Actors Studio West is our only branch in the world.
Acting sessions are the heartbeat of our organization. These sessions provide a twice-weekly venue for members to receive insights and constructive commentary on characters or scenes of their own choosing and from their own motivation. When the work is ready, it is brought into session where a moderator will lead a group discussion, manage feedback from the other members present, and offer guidance for further exploration. Many of our moderators are renowned in the theatre and film industries.
If the work in session evolves in an exciting and organic way, it can be developed into a staged project, open to the public for free. See highlights of current and past projects.
Acting Sessions are not open to the public.
The Actors Studio has a long history with play development on both
coasts that includes many notable writers and directors along with
other equally talented theatrical artists over its 70 plus years of
existence:
Clifford Odets, Robert Anderson, Harold Clurman,
Elia Kazan, William Inge, James Baldwin, Lorraine
Hansberry, Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams,
Norman Mailer, Mark Rydell, Terrance McNally,
Arthur Kopit, Patricia Bosworth, William Goldman,
Pete Masterson, Jonathan Reynolds. Romulus Linney,
A.R. (Pete) Gurney, Lyle Kessler, Mark Kemble and
other gifted and productive writers and directors.
Our current Actors Studio West Play Development Unit is a voluntary
association of theater artists who meet for inspiration and to nurture
their individual talent. Writers present plays that are evaluated and
critiqued by membership with guidance from capable moderators.
The unit meets Mondays 10AM-1PM in the DeLongpre Theater to read
and critique full-length plays or a combination of shorter work presented
to membership in a seated reading (no staging). Plays advance through
a development process in collaboration with member directors and Studio
actors with merit alone determining which plays advance and how much
attention they receive.
Membership is seasonal and does not confer lifetime membership in the
Actors Studio. It must be renewed annually by e-mail request on or before
a date announced by the Unit Coordinator. Play Development Unit members
may also observe acting sessions at the Studio in order to familiarize
themselves with Studio actor membership.
Monday sessions are moderated by Peter Flood and Mark Kemble.
Applications
WRITERS are asked to submit a work for the theater they feel is worthy
of development, accompanied by a personal statement that includes their
feelings about or experience with collaboration and their thoughts about
how to comment on the work of other writer or director members.
Acceptance will be determined following a review of the submitted work
and an interview with the moderators.
DIRECTORS are asked to submit a resume along with a personal statement
telling us what they want from a Play Development Unit that emphasizes dramaturgy (the theory and practice of dramatic composition) over
.stagecraft Directors should also address their willingness to collaborate
with moderators who may be monitoring the progress of a play, and to
address their thoughts about how to comment on another member’s
aesthetic choices.
Acceptance is determined following an interview with the moderators.
Writer and Director membership applications are accepted July 13 through
August 10th each year
Applications may be submitted by email to:
Email: pduLA@TheActorsStudio.org
c/o Actors Studio West Play Development Unit Coordinator
PDU sessions are not open to the public
The Directors Unit of Actors Studio West is comprised of a mixture of experienced professionals and hopeful beginners. One scene or project is presented per session. Directors are encouraged to cast from the Studio membership. If they are not able to cast a member, they are allowed to cast a Finalist or Observer. Following session work the directors describe what their interpretation or vision was and what and how they tried to accomplish those goals. The members then discuss, question, evaluate, and suggest insights for further work on the text and the performances. If time permits, right then and there the directors can jump into a rehearsal utilizing any of the ideas they want to explore.
Applications
To apply for seasonal membership in the Directors Unit applicants must submit a resume and brief letter stating why they want to join and what they hope to gain from participating in the Unit to:
Directors Unit
Actors Studio West
8341 DeLongpre Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
or email to PDULA@theactorsstudio.org
Directors Unit sessions are not open to the public.
When the work in our ongoing sessions or units is deemed ready for public viewing, audiences are invited in for free.
To see a calendar of free performances open to the public, please see our calendar.
To see a selection of current and past performance highlights, click here.
To be informed of upcoming productions in West Hollywood, please email reservationsla@theactorsstudio.org and ask to be added to our Patrons List. You will be notified in advance and offered full information on how to make a reservation.