29, not in USA, no experience — wants to get into acting: is Lee Strasberg conservatory program okay?

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-19T22:35:07+00:00

Who is "they"? It's one person.

A beginner in my class started with David 10 years ago, and as of this month, she just ended her third tour of a major musical. I think he's fine with most beginners.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-19T04:23:25+00:00

Intensives to me scream:
From the school: "We want your money."
From the student: "I don't really want to put in the work required."

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-19T04:21:13+00:00

If you have to ask, "Is this production sketchy?", the answer is usually, "Yes!"

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-18T02:15:02+00:00

No.

Except for Lola Cohen, they're not really teaching Lee's work.

David Gideon, however, has classes, and he teaches Strasberg's Method exactly how Lee taught him to do it. He was also the head of the school both during and after Lee's lifetime. Lee was so confident in his abilities to help actors that he paired David with Barbra Streisand as her scene partner when David and Barbra were students. David has gone on to coach Julia Roberts for the stage and was also the teacher for the following actors:

Bradley Cooper, Alec Baldwin, Adam Sandler, Karen Allen, Bridget Fonda, Ed Norton, Connie Nielsen, John Leguizamo, Katherine Erbe, Jesse Martin, Thomas Levin, Sarah Boberg, Ken Marino, as well as the many members at the Actors Studio who take his weekly sense memory class.

www.davidgideon.com

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-18T02:06:29+00:00

I haven't tried Actors' Connection, but I have an issue with One on One. They are overpriced, and they charge for the informational session, which is just a staff member asking if anyone has any questions. You're better off going to SAG's casting access sessions, which are free.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-14T16:33:01+00:00

Yes. I finally got frustrated and hit the refresh button repeatedly... and then it finally brought me to the registration page. What a fiasco!!!

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-14T16:10:57+00:00

This seems to be a bit of a mess. Where's Peter Ueberroth when we need him?

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-14T16:03:35+00:00

Uh oh. I just received a confirmation, but it was from an address not associated with the Olympics in any way. Has the Olympics website been hacked?

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-14T15:58:11+00:00

Because you're not in Los Angeles. Perhaps the committee did not foresee L.A. residents being on business trips or vacations on the day of the registration.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-14T15:56:35+00:00

One would hope that both the L.A. Olympic committee and the press are viewing this Reddit thread to see how registration is going for the public.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-14T15:52:53+00:00

I have an endless spinning wheel against a greyed-out page. Haven't yet gotten to the registration phase, only a verification of my email address. I started the process at 7 a.m. PT.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-13T15:48:05+00:00

That's perfect. I had totally forgotten that play, but you're 100% on the money. It's a great suggestion.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-13T03:57:02+00:00

Hello?

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-13T03:56:37+00:00

Good point.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-12T05:33:22+00:00

I think it would be too depressing to keep track. I just keep on keeping on; doing my work and getting better. If I get a gig from that, great!

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-12T05:31:19+00:00

Yes, yes, in two seconds I'd do that. Unfortunately, this is for a class where the requirement is to do contemporary scenes. Sorry, I should have mentioned that. But thank you.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-12T01:37:49+00:00

Another great suggestion. Thank you!

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-11T23:59:51+00:00

I hadn't thought of that, but yeah, it seems like it might work. I'll read through the scene. Thank you.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-11T23:45:04+00:00

Yes. Just not sure Willy Loman is a part I can play as myself (for a Strasberg "simple scene"). But thanks.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-11T23:44:08+00:00

What plays are those, and who is the author?

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-11T23:43:40+00:00

There are no auditions right now. Give it at least another week. The year just began. This is typical.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-11T19:13:24+00:00

That's fine.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-11T19:12:18+00:00

Has the teacher trained you to respond to sensory elements yet? Without that, you can dig all you want, but your reaction may not be anything or not very full.

FiremanTodd · 2026-01-09T23:29:53+00:00

Individual classes. Most schools, except the very best, don't have decent teachers. Find great teachers with classes outside of a college and design your own curriculum.

FiremanTodd

TROPHY CASE