WELCOME TO ZBS!
Acting Classes in Los Angeles, CA
Zak Barnett Studios (ZBS) stands out as the premier destination for aspiring actors in Los Angeles and from the world over. Offering the best acting classes and coaching in the industry. A cutting-edge acting studio located in West Hollywood focused on “Acting for the Whole Self”. Our clients are some of the most prominent emerging faces in Hollywood today, ranging from ages nine to adult; from those who are just starting out, to Oscar and Emmy Winners. Our ongoing classes and intensives are supplemented by community and industry events. Led by seasoned acting coaches, our classes cover a spectrum of techniques, ensuring comprehensive skill development. Join ZBS to unleash your full potential and embark on a transformative journey.
Who We Are
An unparalleled team of master teachers and coaches focused on honing your craft and unearthing your inherent star quality in the best acting classes in Los Angeles. Let us discover together your booking power!
What We Do
Personalized curriculum through ongoing classes, intensives, and private coaching for professional actors ages 7-adult, supplemented by community, industry events, and mentoring. In addition, we offer membership option to both local and out-of-town students.
ZBS Membership
A Whole Self Conservatory for the working actor.
ZBS Membership allows flexibility for bookings, as well as provides: *The highest level instruction and mentorship | *Audition coaching *Huge intensive discounts | *Access to exclusive events and panels *Role Prep for when you book that breakout role and much more!
Click here to watch our ZBS Membership Video.
ZBS Screen Actor
Certificate Program
An accelerated transition into Film & Television. Designed with flexibility for the working actor, this program prepares actors for the real world.
Individualized Study & Personalized Feedback
$5000 in Coaching reserved for Private Classes or Auditions Training
Regular Mentorship Sessions with Program Advisor
Complimentary Personal Development Course – The Art of the Breakout
Click to Watch Video Tesimonial
Kristin Chenoweth
Madeline Petsch
Jonathan Daviss
SIdhant Gupta
Danielle Macdonald
Elizabeth Teeter
Victoria Moroles
Ami Park
Jadah Marie
Thando Dlomo
Gabrielle Elyse
WHAT INDUSTRY LEADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT US…
“Zak helps the actor find their true potential while having fun at the same time”
– Harriet Greenspan, Casting Director
Knight Squad
xzts Academy
“We will continue to rely on Zak to prepare the next generation of great actors.”
– Phillip Watson, LBI Manager
LBI Clients: Leo Dicaprio
Reese Witherspoon
Jennifer Lawrence
“Zak speaks the language of the soul, and is able to stir his actors on the deepest levels of artistic and personal transformation.”
– Barnett Bain, Oscar and Emmy
-Nominated Filmmaker
“To see that an actor has trained with Zak really makes a difference when scheduling actors.”
– Mark Bennett, Casting Director
Hurt Locker
Zero Dark Thirty
C’mon C’mon
“I’ve seen terrific performances in his class, well beyond what I would expect of young talent.”
– Carol Goldwasser
Casting Director
Hannah Montana
Austin & Ally
“His ability to connect to his students is unlike anything I’ve seen. The work is incredibly brave.”
– Sara Isaacson, Casting Director
Law & Order True Crime
Manifes
Chicago Med
Chicago Fire
“I love sending clients to Zak. I know they will be prepared to do what it takes to book the job.”
– Domina Holbeck
Partner A3 Artist Agency
“Zak’s work (“Julie and the Phantoms”) with our actors enabled them to accomplish outstanding work. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was a magician.”
– Kenny Ortega, FIlmmaker
High School Musical
DescendantsJulie and the Phantoms
“Zak actually got me the role/helped me with the role of Flynn on Julie and the Phantoms on Netflix…Zak is the best coach, trust me!”
Jadah Marie
Julie and the Phantoms
Descendants 3
“ZBS to me, is where creativity, soul, and spirit merge together as one. It’s not just an acting studio for your acting craft, it’s for your own personal development as well so that you can become more in tune with your creative nature. As an actor, I believe that safety in being able to discover yourself in all realms is so important, and ZBS provides that space to nurture that. It’s a studio unlike anywhere else I’ve ever visited, and I will always cherish my time there.”
Ami Park
Alaska Daily
This is Us
“I have had so many breakthroughs and improvements since I’ve been working with him, whether it be class or coaching. My experience of ‘being present’ jumped to another level. I have never felt more connected with my work, and as an artist, that is a true gift to be given.”
Victoria Moroles
Never Have I Ever
Teen Wolf
Plan B
Liv and Maddie
“I immediately fell in love with his teaching style. It’s completely engaging and out of the box. I hope that so many others get to experience his magic”
Elizabeth Teeter
Star of “Beetlejuice” on Broadway
The Tourist
“Whenever I get a script, I always ask myself, WWZD – What would Zak do?”
Danielle Macdonald
Dumplin
Birdbox
Unbelievable
The Tourist
“Zak has been an integral part of my life and growth as an actor. I’m just very grateful and thankful to him for everything. He’s been there. There’s a comfort I cannot describe in words”
Sidhant Gupta
Jubilee
“Zak Barnett taught me to love my craft. Before I came to the studio I loved acting and I knew it’s 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.”
Jonathan Daviss
Outer Banks
Do Revenge
“I have worked with Zak 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.”
Madelaine Petsch
Riverdale
“He’s made a lot of impact and a lot of change…I cannot recommend him enough”
Kristin Chenoweth
Broadway Legend
Tony and Emmy Winner
“I love sending clients to Zak. I know they will be prepared to do what it takes at the audition to book the job!”
-Domina Holbeck, Vice President
Abrams Artists Agency
“Zak’s ability to connect to his students is unlike anything I’ve seen…he gets them, he connects with them. They are his peers and it’s why they elevate their performance in class. I’ve been lucky enough to audition several of his students, and each and every one of them have been prepared, confident and really strong.”
-Sara Isaacson, Casting Director
Scream
Fringe
The Mentalist
Famous in Love
“I have found Zak to be a very strong, focused & intuitive teacher with a style that actors respond to. As an actor/teacher, he understands how to analyze and break down the beats of a comedy script, but more importantly, he’s able to teach these tools to his students. I’ve seen terrific performances in his class, in many cases well beyond what I would expect of talent.”
-Carol Goldwasser, Casting Director
“Hannah Montana”‘
“Austin and Ally
“Dog with a Blog”
“It really makes a difference when you can trust that an actor has had good training and will audition well. I’ve been so impressed by the consistently high quality of the work I’ve seen from students of Zak Barnett’s. To see that an actor has trained with Zak really makes a difference when I’m deciding what actors to schedule.”
-Mark Bennett, Casting Director
Monster’s Ball
The Hurt Locker
Zero Dark Thirty
“Zak’s program is incredible. I find the talent well educated on both TV & Film Auditioning. It’s difficult to find a teacher who can relay the difference between the two mediums, but the students have a very strong grasp. Zak Barnett is accessible and a true talent whisperer.”
-Chadwick Struck, Indie Feature Film Casting Director
I cannot more highly recommend Zak Barnett Studios. Zak’s teaching methods and his infectious enthusiasm for actors and the craft create a wonderful, nurturing environment for actors to learn and grow.
-Paul Ruddy, Casting Director
Scrubs
Tekken
A.I. Assault
“It is so refreshing to find a group of actors who work this hard and still have fun doing it. Zak has created a pretty special environment of learning, creating, structure and support for a group of super smart actors.”
-Corbin Bronson, Casting Director
Revenge
Lucifer
Monk
“We continue to rely on Zak to prepare the next generation of great actors.”
-Phillip Watson, Talent Manager
(LBI’s Clients include Leonardo DiCaprio, Reese Witherspoon, and Jonah Hill)
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