Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio

Introducing: the Speiser Sturges COVID-19 Testing team! We are so proud of our advanced scene students working to keep us safe and get us back to work: Walt Keller, Miguel Marin, Ashley Leiva, Sarra Lewis! See you all online! #SpeiserSturges #whenyoureready

Congratulations to our very own Krystal Willis! Watch her on American Gangster: Trap Queens. It airs January 14th on BET+, and Krystal’s episode is schedule for 2/25. #SpeiserSturges #whenyoureready

Attention students! This Sunday at 5 PM PT, a great friend of the studio Scott Williams, founder of Shane's Inspiration is hosting an intimate conversation with Hollywood icon, Laura San Giacomo. The chat with Laura will touch on her illustrious acting career (from Pretty Woman and sex, lies & videotape to Just Shoot Me and NCIS). We will also talk about her advocacy for INCLUSION - from founding CHIME Charter School to her longtime support of Inclusion Matters by Shane's Inspiration. For tickets, visit bit.ly/lsgtalk-tix . This proceeds from this event benefits Inclusion Matters by Shane's Inspiration.

"What's one word you would use to describe the #SpeiserSturges studio?" Mariana Anaya says: Community. Students, tell us about one moment when you felt like your experience at the studio was like being a part of a community. Let us know below.

"...because if you get all like, ‘Oh I got to do this big thing.’ It just never works. It just doesn’t work. You’ve just got to let go. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Whatever you do is ok, just be truthful, honest, real, and that’s all you can ask for. #whenyoureready #SpeiserSturges

Welcome to our eighth #SpeiserSturges student spotlight! Each week, we'll be highlighting a different student in the #SpeiserSturges community, and asking them a few questions about their acting journey. Today we're celebrating Daniel Peera How did you first get into acting? One summer I was bingeing Entourage and Californication, and I was like yup... I’m moving to LA to become an actor. ... Do you have any tips for aspiring actors? Show up, do your best, have a great attitude! How have you been coping with the pandemic? Just been trying to count my blessings and not take important people or things around me for granted! Also been trying to stay active and get better- hope to hit the ground running when things really start up again. Current students: if you're interested in being featured, please message @shannonsturges! See more

If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. Bruce Lee #whenyoureready #SpeiserSturges

"I didn’t expect the Speiser Sturges family to become so important to me I really cherish the people at this studio!" Student Daniel Peera on what the Speiser/Sturges community means to him. #whenyoureready #SpeiserSturges

I was never good at [auditions]. Ever. I would study the script and try to get ideas and I guess finally, I don’t know when it was, I just stopped trying too hard and I tried to be natural and that’s when it got better. Kathy Bates #whenyoureready #SpeiserSturges

Don't be afraid to do what your instincts tell you. #whenyoureready #SpeiserSturges

Welcome to our seventh #SpeiserSturges student spotlight! Each week, we'll be highlighting a different student in the #SpeiserSturges community, and asking them a few questions about their acting journey. Today we're celebrating Lilian Tahmasian How did you first get into acting? I always loved performing, so began dancing at the age of 3 and began touring as a dancer. I always wanted to make people laugh, so began doing drama classes in high school, then took it... up from there. Do you have any tips for aspiring actors? Never let anyone tell you "No". Always better your craft and believe you're the most powerful person. Take that online class, go to that audition and gain that experience! What does the Speiser/Sturges family mean to you? So much, Mrs Shannon and the studio makes me smile, feel confident and positive. I cannot wait to get back! Current students: if you're interested in being featured, please message Shannon! See more

"When I'm being true to myself, I can avail myself to such extraordinary things." #whenyoureready #SpeiserSturges

Happy Birthday to the man who continues to inspire us. We love you so much, Aaron!

Don't let your dreams die.

"Luck is when an opportunity comes along and you're prepared for it." Denzel Washington #whenyoureready #SpeiserSturges

The Speiser/Sturges family means home. It's the community of people who I can rely on and go back to whenever I feel lost. I know I will always feel love and support from The Speiser/Sturges family. Marvin Ryan, #SpeiserSturges student

Welcome to our sixth #SpeiserSturges student spotlight! Each week, we'll be highlighting a different student in the #SpeiserSturges community, and asking them a few questions about their acting journey. Today we're celebrating Marvin Ryan How did you first get into acting? Originally, I was a professional dancer. I got an audition for the show "Austin & Ally" on Disney. They wanted an actor/dancer for a guest star role. It was my first acting audition ever. I got... the Producer Callback but didn't book the role. The Casting Director recommended I start training since I did so well on my first acting audition. The rest is history! Do you have any tips for aspiring actors? There's no exact guide on how to start acting. Everyone's journey is different. But there are two constant factors I see with people who are successful in acting. One: They train constantly whether onset, in classes, or with friends. Two: They have community. This can be their representation, peers from classes they take, people they've worked with before, or any combination just mentioned. So constantly work on your craft and build communities. How are you dealing with the pandemic? Despite missing people, the pandemic has been a great opportunity to focus and work on personal projects that I've always wanted to do. It's a great time to be creative! Current students: if you're interested in being featured, please message @shannonsturges! See more

I was like no, I’m going to make another record, I’m going to make another song, I’m going to make another movie, I’m a great actress, I’m a great singer, I’m a great dancer. I’m great at this stuff and I’m going to keep going. And I did. And that’s all I did I kept going.