Mark Sikes Acting Classes

I learned a great deal of valuable information from Mark’s audition technique class. How to hold your sides, when to use the page & when not to, how to find clues within the text, how to figure out the tone & pace of the project, etc. All these tools have seriously helped my performances in the room. It is so helpful to watch your work on camera (though weird at first!). Mark’s feedback is straightforward & blunt, yet incredibly positive and encouraging. You don’t leave a class wanting to quit. Mark will help you get the job!

Mark Sikes has many years of experience in this industry and it shows. His advice and tips are practical and he helps make the audition process seem less scary, more fun, and work for an actor’s individual talents. He doesn’t pull punches and gives honest feedback that comes from a place of really caring about his student’s doing well in this business. I started booking work after going to Mark’s class and haven’t stopped since. I highly recommend him. Highly.

I find Mark’s on-​camera audition technique class remarkable and affordable. I have learned so much and have gotten better at my skill. He has a tremendous amount of experience. I know that what i have learned by being in his class has gotten me in the room and i here that my professionalism and my technique is impressive. I have never ever heard anything negative about Mark or his class at all. Mark is a great coach and human being. He works for me and i have no complaints! Hats off to you Mark!!!

Mark is a pro at what he does. He knows the business and is great at teaching actors what he knows. Mark is skilled at knowing how to get the best performance out of every actor and boosting their confidence. Every class is a helpful learning experience.

Mark is a great teacher. As a CD, he understands what casting wants. He actually watches television, so he gets the genre/​tone of every major show. I’ve had teachers who beg us to vote for them in Backstage, but when you ask if they have ever watched the show from which they assigned you a set of sides, they backpedal and make excuses.
He understands stakes, relationship, backstory, character, and most importantly for auditioning, your technique in the room. He is a realist and incisive. And his rates are VERY reasonable compared to other coaches in town.

Mark’s class is a place to work out the weak points that I’ve needed to strengthen in regards to my auditions in terms of technique as well as doing my best work. Has any coach, he compliments you on your strengths while also pinpoints your weak points so that you can continue to work on them. He is very actor friendly, helping demystify the US vs THEM mentality actors can fall into regarding the industry. Plus he offers a great deal ($ 50 off the $ 200 a month rate) for actors who pay ahead for the next month.
FYI~ He teaches out of the Actors Key West in Santa Monica.

LAs best kept secret. Marks class is a game changer.
I went to school for theater and have taken multiple acting classes in the city and nobody has prepared me more for the audition scene than his class.
He is not an acting teacher nor does he claim to be but he IS a WORKING casting director.
If you are an actor who already has the training and wondering why you’re not closing the deal in the room, see Mark.
He gives you current sides, puts you on tape, critiques it and keeps the classes small. Not to mention the tuition is the most affordable in town.

I was a working actor with an agent and some nat’l and regional commercials out here, had studied in NYC with great teachers, schools, The Playhouse, Phil Gushee and Gotham City Improv aka Groundlings east coast (did all 4 levels). Due to family illness it came about that I had to spend more time back east and lost my great agent of 6 – 7 yrs, got a new good agent and he died suddenly. I was interested in doing one of Mark’s showcases for agents. I had also auditioned for Mark once and was cast in a short film he was casting, till they did away with my lines in the film and Mark told it was fine to pass on the role that they now had changed. First time for the showcase, he got me a scene partner who was about 60 miles away each way and the guy while nice and wanting to meet for coffee had no idea, as I did not either how we would find a common place to rehearse enough on our own. Maybe I should have asked this man to go in on a rehearsal space, but I did not have the funds for this and for Mark’s showcase too. Mark did not seem open to me doing a scene with another female to play my daughter or friend of a different type than me so I could not do this and travel 60 miles each way. The 2^nd time a year or two later was worse. I asked to do this showcase again, he said yes, was friendly and I actually went to Mark’s house with my female younger friend, read scenes and began. Gave him no money yet because he said to wait. Now my mother who relocated with to CA with myself and my boyfriend is ill with cancer, but doing pretty well. The showcase gets postponed because Mark was sick, so it is now set for a month later. Meanwhile now that we must wait a month and I was nice about this of course, my mother takes a turn for the worse suddenly and dies. Mark will not respond to my emails or calls. To this day he never said he was sorry she died and that it was okay that I could not do the showcase, nothing. Yes, here I am being so nice when he was sick and postponed things telling him to get better and not a big deal. I do not understand a professional or a human being behaving like this to another person in any business. People in the business I have told this story to are shocked, but one CD said he did not care for him and that his classes and showcases are not bonded. Meaning if this guy gets sick and actors paid money for the showcases or classes, how could they count in getting it back if needed? I was insulted and hurt with no response from this man whose house I sat in, chatted with and read scenes with my then partner for. Even though I just shot a small role in pilot for a TV series, the sting of this is still there. How can a professional not even respond to an email ever when a customer me who has signed on for the showcase, says she had such a tragedy suddenly and he will not even respond to one email or a call?

Mark loves what he does and shares his knowledge with those that want to learn and grow. That is a true teacher!
He takes students at any level. He is there for the actor or for the person that is serious and curious about the business. I had two friends that had never taken an acting class and enjoyed the experience with Mark and the students.
His Showcases are very professional and fun. He is open to letting the actors invite industry guests and guiding you to prepare for the Showcase. He takes the time to look over your headshots, help you decide on a scene and partner.
He has a great reputation as a teacher and a Casting Director as well. The thing I admire about him is his calm demeanor. This is one professional that leaves his luggage at the door… I’ve never seen him in a bad mood.
Thanks Mark! You’re the Best!

I’m so glad I found out about Mark’s class. I’ve always enjoyed his articles on Actor’s Access, and the fact that he’s a casting director gives him that extra edge. In the first class I learned a basic cold reading technique that no one has taught me in my 3 years of on camera classes in LA.
His class provides the individual attention we all hope for, and he’s an open book when we ask for advice about the business. On top of everything, he has a nice sense of humor that keeps class fun. I recommend him 100 percent!
Shelley Dennis