Hollywood bridge
A Free Casting & Training Event
We’re excited to introduce “ZBS’ Not Your Average Casting Director Class”, a new event series that brings together ZBS instructors and the broader casting community
This is a free event and will take place at our flagship studio in Los Angeles. For actors who are out of town, we also offer a virtual attendance option.
Event Details:
- When: Saturday, Sep 27
- Event Timings: 2:00 – 5:30 PM PT
- Where: Hybrid (In-Person at ZBS Studios or Online via Zoom)
- Address: 330 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Following the event: An in-studio reception will be held from 5:30 – 6:30 PM PT to mingle and enjoy light snacks!
Notes:
- Please be prepared to stay for the entirety of the event.
- No late admissions will be allowed to enter.
- Space is limited, so we ask that you take your confirmation to heart and confirm only if you plan on attending.
- This event is not an audition or employment opportunity.
- If you confirm and there’s an emergency, please email info@zakbarnett.com as soon as possible so we can let another actor have your spot. Thank you and we’re excited to welcome you to “ZBS’ Not Your Typical Casting Director Class”.
What to Expect
Each event is a three-part experience designed to help you build your craft and your community.
Part One: Class
The Class (2 hours) Work collaboratively on scenes from multiple genres with ZBS Faculty and casting professionals. Get real-time feedback and an inside look at how casting directors and coaches work synergistically in approaching a scene.
Part Two: Self-Tape Presentation
The Self-Tape Presentation (1 hour) Casting professionals will highlight and discuss examples of successful self-tapes coming from the ZBS Community, giving you concrete tips on how to make your auditions stand out.
Part Three: Reception
The Reception! Stick around for a celebratory reception! This is your chance to connect with ZBS Faculty, fellow actors and casting professionals in a relaxed, social setting.
Who Can Attend?
This event is designed for actors who may be interested in studying at ZBS and want to learn more about our classes and programs. We also reserve spots for our members and certificate students.
GENERAL ACTING COMMUNITY
We reserve a large amount of spaces for actors who are not yet familiar with ZBS so they get to experience our training and community first hand. These spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re curious about ZBS and think we might be a good match for your next creative home, we’d love for you to attend!
ZBS CERTIFICATE STUDENTS
Certificate students are guaranteed in-person attendance, but we do require confirmation. You are also highly encouraged to submit a self-tape for a chance to have your work featured in the Casting Director’s self-tape presentation. If your tape is selected, your work will be featured on the day of the event, as well as on our social media. For more info on the Screen Actor Certificate Program, click here.
ZBS MEMBERS
Membership Students can attend the self tape presentation by casting via Zoom only. Unless, your self-tape is selected for presentation and you will be invited to attend the in-person class and your work will be featured during the event, as well as on our social media. Hence, You are also highly encouraged to submit a tape yourself for their consideration. For more info on membership, click here.
Register Now
Meet The Team
Zak Barnett
Zak is widely regarded in the industry for cultivating a generation of breakout stars. His clients, past and present, range from Broadway to Hollywood to Bollywood, from critically acclaimed up-and-comers to breakout stars and icons.
Currently, Zak has over 250 students working as series regulars on major television shows, as well as hundreds of others working as guest stars, co-stars, and major roles in both studio and independent films. Among his students and clients, past and present, are numerous NAACP, SAG, People’s Choice, Golden Globe, and Emmy winners. He also consults for directors, productions, and networks, to ensure both individual actors and entire casts rise to the occasion of their best performance possible.
Danny Gordon
Danny is an award-winning film and television casting director, educator and theatre director. Recent casting associate work includes the acclaimed A24 / Netflix limited series Beef (Emmy and Artios Award for Outstanding Casting) and the feature film All That We Love starring Margaret Cho and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Tribeca Film Festival). He also recently cast Andrew Chappelle’s film I’m Gonna Kill You starring Tony Award Nominee James Cusati-Moyer. His artistic journey began in New York City assisting avant-garde theatre auteur Richard Foreman at the Ontological-Hysteric Theatre. His time in the downtown art scene ignited a passion for actors and how a performer’s unique authenticity can strengthen the stories we tell. Most recently Danny directed Amy Herzog’s play Mary Jane with an ensemble of actresses with disabilities in response to the LA fires. In recent years, he adapted and directed the play I Am My Own Wife with an ensemble of transgender and non-binary performers. For reimagining this play, he received the Transgender Arts Initiative Grant through the city of West Hollywood. Doug Wright, the play’s Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright called his adaptation “Singularly powerful and important.” As an educator, Danny has been a guest instructor for NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, Syracuse University’s Aaron Sorkin Intensive and Tepper Semester. He is a member of the Casting Society of America.
Leigh Jonte
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Leigh Jonte is a Casting Director/Associate Casting Director that has been a part of the casting team of multiple well known film and TV projects over the past ten years. After working at the renowned Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Abrams Artists Agency, and ABC Studios, Leigh transitioned full time into the world of independent casting. Television credits include the hit HBO series Insecure, HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, the CW series Black Lightning, the Fox and then later Hulu series The Mindy Project, and the Emmy winning series American Crime Story: The People vs OJ Simpson (which also won an Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series!). Feature film credits include the Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, SOLO: A Star Wars Story, The Accountant, Madame Web, A Journal for Jordan starring Michael B. Jordan and directed by Denzel Washington, and Candy Cane Lane starring Eddie Murphy. Leigh’s most recent credits include Casting Director for the feature film She Taught Love (Hulu) and all four seasons of the Peacock drama series Bel-Air.
Robert Lee Terry
Raised with a strong musical theatre background in Houston, Robert has enjoyed a decade in Los Angeles contributing to the vibrant tv/film, theatre, and live event scenes. He has collaborated with Emmy, Tony, and Artios Award-winning teams across genres. Select casting credits include PEN15 (Hulu), Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+), Charmed (The CW), Drunk History (Comedy Central), Secrets of Sulphur Springs (Disney Channel), The Tempest (Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles), Alone Together (Freeform), Waffles + Mochi (Netflix), Good Sam (CBS), and a bundle of orphaned pilots. He is an Associate Casting Director with Terry/Sollitto Casting and a graduate of USC’s School of Dramatic Arts.
Jeffrey Todd
Casting Director, Disney Live Entertainment
Associate Casting Director, Bonnie Zane Casting
Recent Projects: Ted Lasso (Apple TV+), Suits LA (NBC), Chucky (USA), The Santa Clauses (Disney+)
As a former actor with an extensive career spanning TV, film, and theatre, Jeffrey Todd knows firsthand what it’s like to be on both sides of the casting table. He brings a rare dual perspective that combines lived experience with casting expertise.
His empathic understanding of the actor’s journey allows him to connect on a profound level, fostering a supportive environment that emphasizes authenticity as the key to success. Known for zeroing in on what’s working and elevating performances without erasing individuality, Jeffrey helps actors reframe how they view auditions, instilling confidence, agency, and self-trust.
A self-proclaimed anti-gatekeeper and actor advocate, he is committed to demystifying the casting process and equipping performers to embrace their unique life perspectives, take bold risks without apology, and play the long game by “booking the room.”
Marisa Freeman
Marisa is a Southern California native and lifelong enthusiast of television and film, with a career dedicated to the craft of Casting. After earning her B.A. in Theatre Arts from Cal State Northridge, she quickly realized her true passion was behind the camera. She began her journey from the ground up over the last ten years, gaining hands-on experience through internships and assistant work, and has since grown into her current role as an Associate Casting Director. Her recent credits include the new series EL GATO, premiering on Amazon Prime this fall, and the fifth season of a beloved [undisclosed] Sci-Fi series for Paramount+. She has contributed to a range of projects, from major studio films like Avatar: The Way of Water to independent features, and she brings the same level of care and commitment to each. Marisa approaches casting with the belief that the process is a collaborative one; casting professionals are here to support actors and help them deliver their best work. She firmly believes that when actors succeed, everyone succeeds.
I’ve worked with him for four years. He’s passionate about what he does, and it makes us passionate. We’re a family. ZBS is a community…a second home
Whenever I get a script I always ask myself, WWZD—What would Zak Do?
During the camera tests and throughout rehearsals and filming on my Netflix series, “Julie and the Phantoms”, Zak’s work with our young actors provided them with the tools that enabled them to accomplish outstanding work. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was a magician
Zak speaks the language of the soul and is able to stir his actors on the deepest levels of artistic and personal transformation.
His connection to his students is unlike anything I’ve seen…the work is incredibly brave
Zak Barnett taught me to love my craft. Before I came to the studio I loved acting and I knew it was all I wanted to do, but I didn’t know why. I found myself in a place where I was giving good auditions, but I wasn’t feeling fulfilled. Going through his classes allowed me to find my own wants and meld them into one. I learned to love the art of acting and find joy in making something special, something only I could create.
He’s made a lot of impact and a lot of change… I cannot recommend him enough!
Disclaimer
This event is a learning experience. It is not an audition or employment opportunity. When the event is over, the casting director, casting associate, or other industry professional teaching the class will not take home, nor be given access to, your headshot, résumé, demo reel, contact information, or any other promotional materials.
ZBS also holds a $50,000 California talent services bond on file. Bond No.: 100994212.