Actors Workout Studio

I audited a bunch of classes when I first came to LA. Each class has a different feel and I’d definitely recommend auditing a few to see where you fit. For me I knew instantly that AWS was the perfect fit. First it’s a free audit, I can’t stand any class that makes you pay for audits or worse doesn’t allow you to audit in the first place. Fran actually lets auditors get up on stage and work! In my opinion A lot of Meisner bases classes are poorly done which gives the Meisner technique a bad rap. Fran has distilled this technique down to utilize only what works. The reps are strong and emotionally full. There’s no bullshit allowed you can’t hide on this stage. He’ll hone in on your blocks and put you up against them over and over until you have a break through. And when you do, you’ll feel on top of the world. AWS is like the gym in rocky, straight forward and real. You will get results and since you work every class multiple times you’ll get your 10,000 hours quicker ;) My experience here has been a game changer. I’ve grown so much personally and I’m much more confident in my acting not to mention all the amazingly talented people I’ve met through AWS. I hope you come and audit, it’s free! And you get to work!

I love this place. I’ve been a student on and off now for around 3 years. Fran was the first teacher i found when I moved to LA, then I left and moved around to some other teachers, and in the end I’ve consistently stayed here to study with Fran. He’s the founder of AWS and has a background training with respected acting teachers of this generation. Sometimes our classes are 5 people, sometimes 12. No matter how many show up, Fran is always there 100% to teach with full commitment. I also appreciate that as a monthly member, there are frequent bonus classes which are available if you want to take advantage. I’ve found a home and a community here at AWS and I know I’ll be here for a while.

I had been taking a break from Acting before I came to study at Actors Workout Studio. The small classes, and community are amazing here. I had studied quite a bit of Improv before which was perfect, they focus on Meisner techniques, Improv, scene study and just pushing you to grow as an actor — eliminating any of your blocks to push you forward in your development. I am having a blast in all of the classes and training so far. I have worked with Fran and Irene, both of them are incredible instructors, so much experience, passion and they really care about pushing you to develop further in your craft. This is a great training place for any level of acting, I’m so happy I found my way to this acting school.

I’m not an actor by any means. But I have done some performing. Currently I can be seen in A Christmas Carol opening December 19^th 2014.
If you want to check out some great theater this is the place. The thing I love about North Hollywood is all of the tiny little theaters tucked around the city. This happens to be a really great one. They also just upgraded their chairs so it is actually comfy to sit through a show here. The stage is small and cramped but you feel like you are in the show, the actors are often traipsing through the audience.
The reason I came here to write is currently a theater company, Young Stars Theater (YST), is housed here. The couple that produces and directs all of the shows, Jack and Gloria, are amazing people. They help everyone in there shows to be the best that they can be. They often mix all levels of acting together into one show so you not only learn from them but also from more experienced actors.
I can’t wait to see the next show they put on. Love this place!

Fran is a great coach that pushes his students to reach their highest potential. He my fumble you name here and there, because he operates on «another plane,» but he always knows what your specific block is. The students that he attracts are some of the most vulnerable and motivational artists I have ever had the pleasure of surrounding myself with. I highly recommend Fran’s classes. If you are someone who wants to stand out from the crowd, and truly be seen as an artist and thinking actor this is the place for you.

Fran is a first class instructor. Very specific in what he expects or wants of the students and about as passionate as they come (the best in the field all have that trait in common). Even on those occasions when he gets tough, the students will benefit because they’ve been given the chance to see where there’s a need for improvement. And having periodic showcases affords students the opportunity to display what they’ve learned and their level of progress.

One of the issues finding a class in LA is the teachers who sting along their students after giving them a 45 minute critique for a 5 minute scene. Then they ask you come back with that same scene in a few weeks incoriprating their notes. Plus they ask you to sign a contract ad pay a month ahead for classes you might not even mesh with.
What I love bout this class is that it feels like a real workout spaces, you come to get better and are told very upfront what works and what doesn’t, as well as challenges you on accepts you should consider. In addition Fran is very open to communication when you have questions or issues that arise.
In my 8 years of being in class in Los Angeles, this has been one of the best environments to truly sharpen you actings skills as well as improve in aspects you need work on.

I recently moved to Hollywood to advance my career as a film actor. Part of that process was finding some good acting classes to hone my skills and get back into the swing of things. I did plenty of Googling and went and audited 4 different «schools». One of these was Fran Montaño’s Actor’s Workout Studio in Noho. Meisner based, Fran quickly figured out what was missing from my skill set and started giving me exercises to open and flex parts of my emotional make-​up that had gotten shut down but good. I didn’t have a clue what he was trying to get at at first and even thought of moving on to a different class after my first month. By the third class though, he clued me in to a hugely important area that I had neglected completely. I had a certain natural talent in this area and thus had not considered it an area that needed any work… lol. Survey says… EAAANNNGGGHHHH! I can now see how his training will help me immensely. I am in an advanced class and I can tell you that he will be able to coach me and help me to improve my acting for years to come. I recommend his classes wholeheartedly to anyone interested in becoming a better actor. His rates are right in the middle of the range available and well worth it. He has started offering his students a «free bonus» class weekly and is beginning to open up his studio to Improv showcases and a Sunday Brunch Theater and lots more… call and ask, you’ll be glad you did.

I like the work that we got done in class. It’s interesting because I am a Meisner trained purist, and while I was trained in method as well, mixing the two IN CLASS is not something I haven’t seen a lot of. Fran «the coach there» has a philosophy all his own in that the people in our class «the advanced class» are there for one reason, to find whatever it is getting in their individual way at that particular moment and dealing with it. Because of this, he has students whom are just coming in for pilot season to brush up, or just coming in for scene study, some are there because there is a specific block that has surfaced… no two people are there for the same reason. I cannot judge his beginner or intermediate classes as I tested past those do to my resume and experience, but if he handles beginning actor’s with the same care that he does us, then I can only assume you should definitely go in and audit that class if you are a beginner or intermediate level actor. If you are advanced, already have a few tv shows, commercials, films under your belt, and you are looking to fine tune your instrument, this class is for you.
I give the Actors Workout Studio a 5 out of 5 stars.