John Rosenfeld

John has spent countless hours on set and in class giving him the unique perspective to provide actors with real and up to date techniques to book the job.

As a native Angeleno, John gained an early understanding of the inner workings of the entertainment industry. The child of a psychotherapist, John is quick to recognize the walls actors put between themselves and their creativity. It is this attuned worldview that makes John a natural at teaching.

An Oberlin College graduate, John earned an M.F.A. in Acting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

At U.N.C., John appeared in numerous productions at PlayMakers Repertory Company, including GRAPES OF WRATH, MACBETH, OTHELLO and THE CHERRY ORCHARD. He continued to New York, where he appeared in various theater productions, including the Off-Broadway remounting of RAFT OF THE MEDUSA, for which he received rave reviews. Around the same time, he starred in the short film WHACKED! which went on to win several film festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival.

In 1999, John returned to Los Angeles where he quickly garnered an LA WEEKLY AWARD for “Best Male Performance” in the play, GRIMM. John subsequently booked numerous television and film roles and continues to; His most recent work includes LAW AND ORDER: L.A., LEVENGER TAPES, THE CLEANER, HAWTHORNE, IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, PARTY DOWN, 24, PRISON BREAK, MONK, NYPD BLUE, CHARMED, ER, etc.

Having been a teacher in 1995, while enrolled at UNC, John made his L.A. teaching debut at Lesly Kahn in 2002. Since then he has been teaching and coaching actors who go on to book literally hundreds of roles in television and film.

Through exposure to many instructors over the years, John identified that many studios teach in an unrealistic bubble; instructors can lose touch with the realities of an actor’s struggles, becoming entrenched in their own methodologies rather than teaching the techniques that book the jobs. Sadly, the fun part of acting is forgotten. Actors worry so much about mastering the “method,” their ability to be “moment to moment” is significantly more challenging. John recognizes that acting cannot be reduced to a formula; he customizes his approach to the individual actor.

The cornerstone of John’s practice is his firm belief that he can only demand of his actors what he demands of himself. Therefore he strives to be a living example of his teachings. Starting from the point of view that “the walls you run into in your acting are the same walls you run into in your personal life,” he believes that your growth as an actor will foster or coincide with growth in all aspects of your life.

John is keenly aware of all that gets in our way as actors: performance anxiety, result-oriented thinking, and most of all, the inability to get back to our instincts — the very fabric of what makes each and every one of us unique. John is committed to getting you to celebrate yourself, trust yourself and understand that in order to grow as an actor, you must grow as an individual. This is his passion, his practice and his promise.

Nicole Dalton

Nicole Dalton has been working professionally since the age of 18. She received her B.F.A. from the University of Miami’s Conservatory of Music and Theatre, studied at RADA, and has been teaching and working with John for the past five years. She is also in the midst of receiving her Master’s in Psychotherapy in order to attain her M.F.T. license.

Nicole began her career in New York City where she worked with Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert on STRANGERS WITH CANDY and shook her groove thing nightly, in the Off-Broadway disco retelling of Midsummer Night’s Dream, THE DONKEY SHOW (directed by Diane Paulus). She has worked extensively in regional theatre doing both musicals and plays.

In Los Angeles Nicole has done pilots for NBC, guest stars on COLD CASE, JOEY, NUMB3RS, MY BOYS and most recently on FOX’s new show THE GOOD GUYS with Bradley Whitford and Colin Hanks. She has worked with Cybil Shepard, Anna Farris, Missi Pyle, Matthew Modine, Callum Blue, Matt LeBlanc, Mike Starr, and Jordana Spiro. Nicole tests every year and prides herself on being in the trenches with her fellow actors.

Nicole is interested in the mind, body and spirit of the actor. She believes that our inner landscape affects our acting landscape and seeks to unite the two for not only a happier actor but also a more fully integrated person.  She comes for a strict theatre discipline and applies that to the business and craft of acting in Los Angeles.

Brian Norris

Brian Norris has been a working actor since the age of 13. Before starting high school, Brian made his television debut on NASH BRIDGES and his professional stage debut in RICHARD III at the California Shakespeare Festival. Brian graduated from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television in 2006 and since then has worked consistently in film and television. Brian has been working with John since 2010.

Brian has recently guest starred on CASTLE, AWAKE, and PAIR OF KINGS and has shot lead roles in films OPUS and SUNDAY’S MOTHER. He has worked with Jon Hamm, Eddie Murphy, Kristen Bell, Mark Harmon, Kathryn Morris, Tim Roth, and many more. He has worked on dramas, sitcoms (multi-cam and single-cam), soap operas, webseries, and theater, giving him a unique insight into the genre-challenges facing actors today.

Brian co-founded the award winning Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble and served as Co-Artistic Director while still at UCLA from 2005-2007. Running the company was helpful to Brian’s career, giving him experience in the creative and business worlds. These experiences piqued an interest for Brian in the business side of the entertainment industry which inspired his work as a career coach. Today, Brian is one half of the new and exciting Brian & Brian Actor Accountability Salon.

As a teacher, Brian focuses not on the result but the process that got you there. He always try to keep the basics of your craft in the forefront, making sure that every student has the tools and methods to approach any scene. For class itself, Brian keeps it fast paced and fun, picking current tv/film material and exercises that engage the whole group. Brian expects students to rehearse multiple times per week and be off book for class.
For more information, check out www.BrianNorrisOnline.com

Bethany Geaber

Bethany is a wonderfully perceptive teacher and coach and seems particularly adept at helping actors’ book work.  I feel really fortunate to have her as part of the JRS family.  She also happens to be a wonderful actor.  Bethany possesses a unique skill of being able to adapt her teaching style to a wide range of personalities.

Patrick Cavanaugh

I am incredibly proud of Patrick.  He has been a testament to perseverance in the industry.  He has weathered the normal ups and downs of an actor and now seems to rarely be out of work.  He just finished THE MENTALIST after his great recurring role in MAD MEN, not to mention his booming voice over and commercial career.  He has demonstrated an amazing willingness to grow as a person, actor, artist and as a teacher.   Actor feedback has been, “I love Patrick,” ”I love what he has to say,” and most typically, “He gives such great notes!”  Thank you Patrick!

Brooke Lyons

Brooke is such a welcome presence at JRS.  Her opinions are always thoughtful and insightful while her energy is warm and encouraging.  A Yale graduate, Brooke is the curious one; she truly seeks the best way to communicate with each actor.  She also happens to be a brilliant actor herself.  Just this year she been cast in three pilots: SULLIVAN AND SON, TWO BROKE GIRLS and MEET JANE, along with LOLA and LOVE BITES.

Chris Dougherty

Since moving from Philadelphia in 2003, Chris has appeared in over 30 commercials and TV shows including MTV’s horror comedy show “Death Valley”, “Greek”, “Ghost Whisperer”, and a recurring role on “Scrubs” Chris also gained valuable experience working behind the camera with Casting Directors Jeff Meshel and Robin Lippin.

In coaching actors for auditions, Chris focuses on “finding YOUR funny”, being specific, and hitting the technical without losing the character’s humanity. He has a strong background in comedy and all of its subgenres (multi-camera, single camera, one-hour dramedy, film), as well as drama. Chris lives within walking distance of JRS.

David Sullivan

David Sullivan is the latest addition to the teaching staff here. He has been working and teaching non-stop after his acting debut in the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, PRIMER. He was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor in a Debut Performance, and has since been making appearances in a number of television shows and, most recently, a supporting role in Ben Affleck’s latest directorial film, ARGO.

He is so happy to share his experiences and techniques here. He is full of energy and is dedicated to find the best in each actor. Each person offers something different and special, and he has a unique way of bringing out each person’s best.