Zak Barnett Studios: Testimonials - Actors and the Industry Love ZBS

ZBS is a premiere acting studio that is endorsed by industry reps, casting directors, filmmakers, and actors alike.

Check out what people are saying about our Acting Studio!

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

    
 
 
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   Nahar Aminov 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Zak Barnett studios has completely changed my game.  I started taking technical risks on my self tapes, I elevated my set up, I got to really know my type cast, found great scenes to work on, and taped a few scenes for my reel. I also found people who believe in me and made me believe in myself. It’s a necessary community and a safe space to not only practice your craft, but understand it.
  
 
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   Jasmine Reyes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you're looking for a place where you can:
- Gain unwavering confidence in yourself and your acting talent
- Foster an acting community free from egos
- Have coaches who genuinely care about your growth while pushing you to be better
- Attend a highly reputable TV/Film acting school,
then let me tell you, this is the place you've been searching for.

Ever since I joined this acting school a year and a half ago, I have felt my acting has upleveled so much. The coaches and substitute teachers have helped me become a better storyteller. I am grateful that this school teaches you the necessary tools to book the role or at least leave a great impression in the room. You will also learn how to make your self-tapes better because they are here to stay, so you might as well make them the best they can be.

I also want to mention the profound impact of the inner work you'll do at the studio. By inner work, I don't mean coaches who are harsh or try to break you down just to get feelings out of you. I mean the amount of inner work you'll do to be a better person overall. In classes, we've done meditation, daily check-ins, breath work (if meditation is not your thing), and other exercises to improve well-being.

Currently, I am enrolled in the advanced on-camera class but have also been in the craft class and the 16-week series regular immersive. My favorite is the immersive because it's three days a week for 16 weeks.

Words alone cannot express the profound impact this school has had on my life and career. I could say more, but I might run out of characters in this review, ha! However, if you have more questions, the staff at ZBS are very helpful and positive. I wholeheartedly love and appreciate this studio.
  
 
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   Esther Chun 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Michael Conners was terrific - supportive, gave great, honest feedback and insightful advice! Learned a lot about the different genres and about acting. It was a pleasure to be in his class. Thank you, Michael!
  
 
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   Jessica Moore 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently came got back into taking class, and Zak Barnett Studio came highly recommended to me from a mentor in the industry who I really trust. I decided to start with the Adult Core class to ease back in to taking class again, and I am so glad I signed up for this class! Core is meant as sort of the intro class at ZBS, but I really have appreciated taking a deep dive into the different genres of tv and film and studying what makes each of them unique and learning how to break down and analyze scripts from each of the genres. My instructor, Shelby, is incredibly kind, encouraging, and always challenges each of us in the class individually where we all are on our journey and I really appreciate that. Even in the last few months of being in this class I have felt like I have grown so much as an actor. Could be coincidence, or maybe not, but I have booked acting work a lot more frequently since I've been in this class. I'm excited to check out more of what ZBS offers in the future. In my experience as a student so far, it has really been such a great place to learn and grow!
  
 
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   Deon Griffin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is the third acting school I've worked with in LA, and my life has changed once again. Working with Zak has broadened my emotional complexity in how I show up creatively for my art. He creates a safe and respected playground for us actors to experiment and find innermost details about ourselves through our "Question".
  
 
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   Juliette Hourani 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been taking classes with Zak for the last year in the Master Class. I am so grateful to have found this studio!! Zak's question technique is unlike any other I've encountered. I feel more fulfilled not only as an actor and artist, but also as a human being. I look forward to our sessions every week, and I love the community I have found with my classmates and teachers. The audition coaches are top notch, too - I worked with Miguel and booked! Looking forward to my next session! :)
  
 
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   Dominique Cox 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’m so grateful to have found ZBS. The studio, along with its incredible teachers, has created a safe space—something that’s been hard for me to find elsewhere.
While studying here, I’ve experienced success both in my craft and in my life. :)

I couldn’t recommend it enough!
  
 
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   Christina Chow 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Athena has loved her time at Zak Barnett. She’s taken a variety of on-camera, scene study and master classes and they’ve helped her better understand technique, the world of auditions and the craft behind acting.
  
 
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   Hourig Krikorian 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ms. Shelby does a great job teaching ZBS Kids Master Class and I highly recommend it for young actors! Although students have an option to join the class virtually, we drive from OC to the studio each week, because my 12 yo continuously opts for the in-person experience. The hands-on, highly engaging, and fun atmosphere takes the learning experience on the "next level", with weekly self-tape assignments (mock auditions), journaling, scene and character analysis, final artistic projects, and more. The studio's weekly communication regarding the class and communication in general is also fantastic!
  
 
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   Caroline Buddendorf 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've really enjoyed the approach Zak takes in his classes. The method of using whole self improv, and really finding ways to be grounded and specific in your relationships and circumstances has helped me to feel more connected, and looser in my auditions and on set. I am finding ways to trust my instincts, and make new choices each time. We are also so encouraged to think outside of the box with our work and our self tapes/ auditions. This has really helped me reignite my excitement for auditions, and not put so much pressure on them.

What the Industry is Saying

“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)

The student actors at ZBS were an absolute joy to work with — their combined passion and preparedness were truly inspiring.
-Robin Veith, Producer/Writer
Three Time WGA Winner
Three Tine Emmy Nominee

Mad Men
The Expanse
True Blood
Law and Order: SVU

Zak speaks the language of the soul and is able to stir his actors on the deepest levels of artistic and personal transformation. Our collaborations have just begun…
-Barnet Bain, Producer/Writer/Director

What Dreams May Come (Academy Award Winning)
Homeless to Harvard (Emmy Nominee)
The Celestine Prophecy
The Los and Found Family