The Heller Approach Acting Studio

It’s been a year now since I joined Brad’s class. Before that, I had been acting for 5 years prior and never stuck to a technique. I just gathered what I’ve read and other classes I had been in and was kind of floating around. Since, I’ve been in his class, everything about acting started making sense. He teaches all sorts of people and on different levels. I sincerely believe in this technique in evoking emotion without diving into personal experience, which can be daunting and what the character thinks in a given scene.

Brad’s approach is the only practical approach to acting I’ve found. There’s no soul searching. There’s no childhood memories being conjured up. You don’t leave class confused, wondering why your scene worked this time, or why it didn’t. Instead, you know exactly what’s happening, because it’s all in this technique, originally carved out by director Don Richardson. Compared to other classes with complex lingo and convoluted methods, his approach is quite simple. I’ll explain.
I’m also a musician. Mastering an instrument, or playing a sport, takes focus, breathing, muscle memory, and practice. Brad’s approach is the acting version of this. Then, once you figure out what your character wants and feels, it’s amazing how the pieces come together. I’ve seen terrible actors come in, and when they follow Brad’s instruction (and they PRACTICE), they become immensely better actors.
I always get too inside my own head. Because of the focused preparation you do before even speaking your first line, this approach allows me to focus on what’s important in a scene (listening and reacting), instead of how I’m acting, if I’m being funny, etc.
Only caveat: it is expensive. However, Brad is always willing to work with you if this is your career and passion. Trust me, it’s been worth it.

Brad is the first coach I came across that does not use method acting, and that is quite refreshing. His technique really works for me, and it put fun back into acting again. Countless times, I have agreed with all his comments and constructive criticism, whether good or bad, and I feel like I vastly improved from attending his classes. In addition, he genuanly cares about my success as an actress on professional and personal level and is very prompt at returning my emails and texts when I need to contact him. You should have called him yesterday! You won’t regret it :)

An acting class/​teacher you can trust! I’ve already learned so much during my time at The Heller Approach. Brad Heller gives honest, constructive feedback that challenges you as an actor and helps you grow. His technique really works, and I’ve noticed it’s taken away a lot of my anxiety at auditions.
I would definitely recommend The Heller Approach to friends.

I started classes with Brad last month. At the beginning, I wanted to explore acting and see if I liked it… now I have to act! Brad makes character study interesting and fun! He’s great at seeing what needs improvement and makes sure you understand the instructions. He genuinely cares about his students and the acting profession. I’m excited to go to class every week :)

Brad is one of the most amazing and respectable coaches in LA. He gives simple techniques that can be applied to any audition. He has helped me understand what characters/​roles best fit me. His flexibility allows us to work audition pieces, scene studies, cold reads, and monologues. I personally like how he is sincere about teaching his craft and following through on everything he says. Being in his class has helped me to become confident with my acting ability, and has prepared me to work in this industry.

I have been taking both private as well as group lessons with Brad Heller for several yrs. Brad is brilliant, gifted, and has a God given talent that can transform someone with no acting skills as well as those with years of other training and take them to a level that enables them to book major roles! I would recommend The Heller approach to anyone that has a desire to pursue an acting career! His style of teaching is all you need to achieve great results in this highly competitive business! He gives you a tangible technique that you can learn and perfect. Brad’s class covers the entire spectrum of everything you need to know to become a successful actor.
Steve F.

I’m not one to leave reviews all that often, but in this case I think it definitely warrants one: Coming from another school in Noho (for only a couple months), and after just going to my 2^nd class here so far, I find myself getting excited and hopeful that I made the right decision in coming to Brad’s. So far I’ve noticed he gives his full attention, is to-​the-​point, and provides the necessary tools to execute. Keep in mind, you get out, what you put in.
Life is short, and making certain choices can make a HUGE difference on what direction you go and how fast you get there. As for me, I’m ready for my journey, let’s go…

I had my first class and scene today and it was amazing: dynamic, emotionally charged, and painless. Brad Heller’s is perceptive, insightful, and fosters a lot of trust between himself and his students. And they offer cold reading/​audition technique and scene study in the same class for one price. I’m looking forward to growing as an actor here.

This is the best acting class I’ve ever taken. It’s not for the weak of heart. You will work. It’s a workout. And you will get better. It’s a practical class. It gets you booked.

Acting never came easy to me but then many years ago I found Brad and The Heller Approach. Finally I found something that helped me to become a better actor. Now I’ve co-​starred and guest starred on a number of TV shows and I’ve been cast in principle roles for many films. This is a simple and very effective technique that worked for me and allowed me to start getting parts. As I look back and see how far I’ve come as an actor, I thank Brad and The Heller Approach for that.

We absolutely love Brad. He is a master at finding the great moments in a scene. Our son is 9 years old and has had five pilot callbacks this season thanks to hard work and great coaching!

Great great acting class the best part is that you can do a trial class before signing up for an entire class to test out the techniques!
The Heller approach is a wonderful effective technique that should be look into by any serious actor !

Great place! Better than other schools by far. Not to mention the people are amazing :) I highly recommend checking it out so you can see for yourself!

What a wonderful place! Such extraordinary classes where your performing abilities can be truly critiqued and utilized in a perfected state. The vibrant enthusiasm within the room, really gives you the energy to put forth your best and really burst out with an even greater performance than u have done before. I am truly satisfied with this wonderful place, I promise you that if you come to the Heller Approach as well, you will find satisfaction as well!

this is the best acting class i have ever found i cant say enough good things i have been to tons of the top schools and nothing has ben more effective for me then the heller approach i almost gave up on acting because of how ineffective all the method schools where for me all i can say is everyone should at least give it a audit to se if they could be missing out on a life changing method

Absolutely the best I’ve been to so far! Every class inspires me to become a better performer and I feel creative energy flowing each time I leave. Definitely a must!

My friend introduced me to these classes and It has worked wonders for me. I am looking forward to gaining new insight.

As a beginning actor, studying with Brad and his alternative to Method acting helps keep me well rounded in developing and maturing my own individual technique. Every time a lesson is finished I find myself excited by what I’ve learned and looking forward to the next.

I stumbled across this acting school on lacasting and decided to try it out. From the very first class, I was hooked. I thought I was giving a good monologue, but after trying out this «breathing» mechanism (I know it sounds funny but i swear it works), I realized just how powerful feeling the REAL emotion in me was. I literally did not know anything about acting when I began studying with Brad, but that quickly changed. I would highly recommend studying with The Heller Approach. For me, it changed everything about acting.