CLASSES FOR ADULTS
Ages 18+
ZBS has become a trusted brand by notable actors, industry representatives, filmmakers . Our students have had leading and recurring roles in films, television shows, and theatrical productions. Adult students at the studio have also taken their art into their own hands by creating and producing their own films and theatrical productions, many of which have played and won awards at film-festivals across the country. Adult Master students often work hand-in-hand with industry directors and producers, workshopping projects still in development. Our students are more than actors, they are breakout leaders in today’s entertainment industry.
Our cutting-edge curriculum is focused on a whole-self approach to the acting process: fusing advanced acting technique with self and artistic development. All classes are designed for professional working actors.
Course Description:
The Core Class is an On-Camera Audition Class that focuses on six television genres as well as vertical shorts: single-cam, multi-cam, procedural drama, serial drama, sci-fi, dramedy. It simultaneously introduces the ZBS Whole Self Approach, which focuses on the Core Experiences: the energetic states that precede emotion—experiences like fear, loss, joy, presence, etc. This mindfulness practice for actors, and how it relates to the material and at the actor’s instrument, becomes the foundation for the work at ZBS.
Class Details:
In-Person Section
Taught by Michael Connors
Thursdays from 6 pm to 9 pm
Online Section
Taught by Michael Connors
Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Hybrid Section 1 (In-Person + Online)
Taught by Danielle Ofarrell
Sundays from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Hybrid Section 2 (In-Person + Online)
Taught by Yvans Jourdain
Mondays from 6 pm to 9 pm
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20 weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS Memberships
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Register by clicking here.
Course Description:
Rooted in a deep exploration of the Core Experiences, the Whole Self Improvisation Class is different from any improvisation class in the city. With the focus on specificity and personalization, as well as working through artistic blocks that limit an actor’s range, creativity, and emotional risk, this course has you living and playing on the edge of your comfort zone—and then gently nudging you beyond it. This class will be using improvisation as a tool to deepen the actor’s imagination and emotional flexibility. It is also a great class for people interested in using the improvisation process to create scripted material.
Participation in this class is by audition or invitation only. To be considered, send in a reel or a recent self-tape and resume to info@zakbarnett.com.
Class Details:
Taught by Amie Farrell
In-Person Section:
Thursdays from 7 pm to 10 pm
Hybrid Section (In-Person + Online):
Saturdays from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Taught by John Lavelle
Online Section:
Mondays from 3 pm to 6 pm
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20-weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.
Course Description:
The Craft Class focuses on the actor’s inter-dependent systems of creation: Physicality, Voice, Imagination, Relationship and Language. After exploring each of these access points to the actors’ instrument, an actor begins to use the full range of what their instrument offers in both audition and performance scenarios.
Participation in this class is by audition or invitation only. To be considered, send in a reel or a recent self-tape and resume to info@zakbarnett.com.
Class Details:
In-Person Section
Taught by Danielle Ofarrell
Wednesdays 6 pm to 9 pm
Online Section
Taught by Martha Gehman
Mondays from 6 pm to 9 pm
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20-weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.
Course Description:
The Actor’s Process will focus on ZBS’s Six Steps to Approaching the Role: Center, Identify, Personalize, Experience, Ritualize, and Connect. With each of these steps, you will build a warehouse of new tools, and practice applying those tools in numerous real-life scenarios. Whether you have 1 month to prepare for the role of a lifetime, or 10 minutes to approach a new character, your confidence will grow exponentially as you integrate a holistic and comprehensive process you can apply to any on-camera scenario.
Participation in this class is by audition or invitation only. To be considered, send in a reel or a recent self-tape and resume to info@zakbarnett.com.
Class Details:
The Actor’s Process In-Person Class (In-Person)
Taught by Elaine Whae & Shelby Wulfert
Tuesdays from 6 pm to 9 pm
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20-weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.
Course Description:
This course explores different on-camera environments with an emphasis on self-tapes and understanding your individual casting. You’ll work with more complex material (emotionally, physically, technically), expand your personalization tools and capacity, and get attuned with your specific essence/type. Ultimately, you’ll learn to stay connected authentically in challenging situations and with challenging material, create a broader creative and technical palette, and a clearer sense of your casting.
Participation in this class is by audition or invitation only. To be considered, send in a reel or a recent self-tape and resume to info@zakbarnett.com.
Class Details:
In-Person Section
Taught by Christian Durso
Thursdays from 7 pm to 10 pm
Hybrid Section (In-person + Online)
Taught by Amy Reece
Tuesdays from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20-weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.
Course Description:
TReclaim your creative agency and say goodbye to self-tape fatigue with the signature ZBS Three-Take Approach. Built entirely for the actor rather than a rigid industry system, this course flips the script on auditions by turning a mechanical requirement into a deeply satisfying creative playground.
Through our clear, proven structure, you’ll spend less time overthinking and more time generating bold, organic choices that are undeniably original and uniquely your own—most often in far less time than standard self-tape methods require.
Best of all, this process equips your team with two truly distinct, strategic takes to submit—a battle-tested approach proven to help actors land numerous series regular roles. Elevate your craft, give your reps maximum submission impact, tap back into the joy of performance, and sharpen your instincts as both an actor and a filmmaker.
Participation in this class is by audition or invitation only. To be considered, send in a reel or a recent self-tape and resume to info@zakbarnett.com.
Class Details:
In-Person Section
Taught by Amie Farrell
Tuesdays 6 pm to 9 pm
Hybrid Section (In-person + Online):
Taught by Amy Reece
Thursdays 11 am to 2 pm
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20-weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.
Course Description:
The Advanced On-Camera Class takes a more directorial approach with Actors, helping them deepen and further define their process in approaching the work. A primary focus of this class is the practice and application of partnered Scene work for the Camera, utilizing variations on Shot Coverage (Master, Medium and Close up) and the need for both emotional and behavioral continuity across that coverage. Other areas of focus will include but are not limited to; shooting Monologues for Film & Television, the Art of listening and reacting, and deepening Audition skills.
Participation in this class is by audition or invitation only. To be considered, send in a reel or a recent self-tape and resume to info@zakbarnett.com.
Class Details:
In-Person Section
Taught by Michael Connors
Mondays from 1 pm to 4 pm
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20-weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.
Course Description:
This class bridges your continual growth as a person with your continual growth as an artist. At its heart fo the class is Zak’s trademark technique called, “The Unanswerable Question”, which connects the personal, driving question of your life to your acting, resulting in work that is original, connected and revelatory.
In terms of structure, the Master Class alternates between whole self improvisation, scene study, self tape work and the creation of your own work, but the throughline is an emerging confidence in your unique artistic voice.
Participation in this class is by audition or invitation only. To be considered, send in a reel or a recent self-tape and resume to info@zakbarnett.com.
Class Details:
Hybrid Sections (In-Person + Online)
Taught by Zak Barnett
Young Adult Master Class: Tuesdays from 5 pm to 8:30 pm (Ages 18-21): (ONLINE ONLY)
Adult Master Class: Wednesdays from 5 pm to 9 pm PT
Pricing:
Contact the studio for session-to-session rates; OR
$475 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.
Course Description:
Build a powerful toolkit for high-impact storytelling in this 20-week course designed for beginning and intermediate actors eager to own the vertical screen. By blending timeless character archetypes with 9:16 technical precision, you’ll learn to deliver grounded, “Take One” ready performances that turn micro-moments into massive engagement. Whether navigating genre tropes or the “scroll-stopping” hook, this hybrid class provides the practical tools to bring creative integrity to the digital age.
Class Details: Begins May 11th
Hybrid Section (In-person + Online)
Taught by Shelby Wulfert
Mondays from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm PT
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20-weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.
Course Description:
Refine your craft for the digital frontier in this intensive 20-week residency designed for seasoned actors transitioning into high-caliber vertical storytelling. Moving beyond basics into high-stakes execution, you’ll sharpen your “Take One” readiness and master the subtle geometry of the 9:16 frame through sophisticated audition simulations and on-set pressure. This course honors your creative maturity while providing the technical precision needed to deliver grounded, evocative micro-arcs that resonate far beyond the scroll.
Class Details: Begins May 12th
Hybrid Section (In-person + Online)
Taught by Michael Connors
Tuesdays from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm PT
Pricing:
$375 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 20-weeks, and then ongoing monthly enrollment; OR
$399 every four weeks, with a minimum commitment of 1-year, and then ongoing monthly enrollment, by enrolling in ZBS L.A. Membership
(Classes are capped at 16 students)
Please e-mail studio for enrollment.