Shelton Studios

Best acting school ever. I found it to be better than A.C.T

I took acting classes at 5 different schools last year and the Shelton Studio was clearly the best. Some were good. some were rip offs but this school has the chops.

Took the intensive acting class to get rid of my fear of acting in front of an audience and got so much more than that! I was able to release emotions that I never thought I could do, being a private, introverted person. The class is small with about 10 people, so the instructor gets a chance to critique each person. We each get to perform a monologue and a dialogue with a partner. I love the warming exercises at the beginning of each class — the first time it took me completely off guard but was fun and helps you to become more relaxed before practicing for your performance.
Three hours may not seem a lot but the time does fly fast and it’s fun, though the emotions in some of the works does drain you a bit afterwards.
This is my first acting class, so I don’t know much about other acting techniques, but I’d recommend this studio if you’re serious about acting, as it puts into perspective that it really takes hard yet fun work if you want to become a better credible actor.

this is by far the worst acting school i have ever been to. the teachers are very discouraging and they’re in it for the money. one of their teachers literally said «i dont get paid to teach you outside of these hours so that’s not my fault» or something rude like that. most of them talk sh*t about ACT because they pretty much got kicked out of there. also, some people pay less because of the groupons on Unilocal.so watch out for those if u decide to waste your money. the classes are in the basement fyi.

I heard there were some phony negative reviews on here, probably from competitors, and wanted to set the record straight.
Shelton Studios is the highest quality teaching I have ever received. Just to put that in context, I studied at Oxford University. The teachers at Shelton studios are inspiring, informative, and deeply empathetic. They teach all levels of acting, and all facets of acting (character work, scene study, script analysis, body work). They will complete you as an actor and help you become an acting professional if that’s your goal. I currently book 2 – 3 paying acting jobs a week, and I just got my SAG eligibility, using principles learned at the Shelton Studios.
Perhaps more importantly, Shelton Studions is simply a wonderful community that helps people feel comfortable with themselves. The teachers guide us to be better humans, pay more attention to our loved ones, live in the moment, and express ourselves more fully. The community of friends and teachers changed my life. I had not done any acting, had no idea of the art form, and was increasingly trapped within my own personality. Shelton studios helped me break out of that and rediscover my own authentic self. I cannot thank them enough.
If you want to develop your acting, or develop yourself, this is the place to do it.
Cassandre M — I’m glad you like Lone Star, I played the little brother. A Texan is not the easiest character for an English person to play, but Shelton Studios helped me figure it out.

One day at work, while neglecting my corporate responsibilities, I Googled «san francisco acting schools» and started to pursue my years-​old desire to try community theater. After browsing several, Shelton school stood out as the place to go. Having lived in Los Angeles for many years, I was well aware of one approach to acting that involves image and self-​promotion as the primary activity.
Shelton is completely different. Their goal is to teach the craft of acting as a means of expression. To tell stories of people, their lives, their struggles. And to do this by finding the place in yourself you can connect with someone else. It’s been a revelatory experience and the marginal habit has led to signing up for their full program.
They are a kind and generous group of teachers, and it’s been loads of fun. I encourage everyone to check out Golden Boy starting March 2. And not just because I’m in it.
PS I said they’re not all about self-​promotion, I didn’t say they’re against it.

I attended the Jean Shelton Actor’s Lab on Sutter Street from 1996 to 1999. It was a wonderful and uplifting experience for me.
To be in San Francisco studying acting was a blessing. How many acting academies can say that while they rehearsed they heard cable car bells clang and the flow of people moving their feet a few stories above them in one of the most popular and interesting cities in the world?
There were moments while at the school I realized it was really unique and authentically special. The experience I had at Shelton’s Actor’s Lab was so superior to anything I had in school it really helped me to restore my sense of artistic direction and understanding.
Being at the Jean Shelton Actor’s Lab really helped me to learn the correct approach to acting and theatrical arts after too many negative experiences in high school musicals and college drama departments.
The entire staff at that time was professional supportive and attentive to what the students needed to learn. No attitude all truly wanted to help share their knowledge and experience. And, have fun in the process.
We got to acting right away from day one at the beginning acting class level. It was amazing. I had never had that type of experience before.
Back when I was in high school and college the teachers and classes were so temperamental and took themselves so seriously. This was not so at the Actor’s Lab with Jean and her staff.
Jean herself was inspiring and what impressed me most was her ability to literally jump up on stage and say…“here darling, let me show you what I am talking about!“
I had never had any drama director or teacher while in high school or college actually provide a true example of what it is to be up on stage, going through a script.
Most directors or teachers in high school and college for me only yelled from the back of the room and got upset because the scene was not working. And, it was usually over something really small and petty. Not so with Jean and her staff. They were professional.
The Actor’s Lab was totally different. It really provided a theatrical space to learn and grow in. There was no fear, because everyone was expected to just get up there and do their scene. And if they failed, it was okay, because we were all learning together.
Jean as well as the other instructors at her school were uncanny in their ability to hear the words from a script and get up on stage and show a student how to work through a scene.
They were patient, insightful and had lots of good humor. NEVER did anyone ever yell at a student for not getting their lines right. And, I never saw or heard any of the teachers tearing a student down because of a mistake with a line or mistaken step on stage.
The only time there were blow ups or anger was when the scene in a play had characters arguing with each other.
Jean Shelton Actor’s Lab attracted people from all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. And to be in the Script Analysis class or a Master class was a treat because the insight and understanding about acting that was shared with the students was unparalleled.
Many people watch that program called ‘Inside The Actor’s Studio with James Lipton’ on cable TV and marvel at what he has to share. Yet, we have someone like that right here in San Francisco at the Jean Shelton Actor’s Lab.
Jean’s school teaches the Stanislavsky’s system in the New York school style of ‘Method Acting.’ Apparently from what I learned there are several styles or approaches to teaching the Stanislavsky’s system of acting.
Jean learned her craft at the Actor’s Studio in New York City along side the great ones. Her story itself is remarkable.
Okay, now with all that said… keep in mind that any school or coaching is NOT perfect. There were times in class I sensed that the teachers only stayed within the boundaries of the established norm.
For example Jean at that time did not allow any material on stage that was not published. So no works in process aspiring script writers!
And, like any group or setting the school had its favorite choice of actors and plays that seemed to be preferred over more contemporary and up and coming artists and their works.
There are many actor’s labs and acting schools and coaches out there. One down side is that often they do not recognize each other so you might have to start at the beginning again with another school or coach when you complete one school and go on to another.
Best way to measure it is to take the time to discern how things work together. Do the actors, students respect and support each other? Do they respect the material and truly work at understanding it?
And, most important of all, does the director, instructor respect the students, their time? And are the best qualities of people encouraged and upheld within a professional frame work?
For more information see web site at:

The Shelton School/​Theater are my next door neighbors, and everyone that work there are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Furthermore, they seem to get a constant stream of really entertaining productions coming through.
I say check them out.

I have been taking classes here off and on for ten years. Don’t worry about how old I am.
This is a true actor’s school. They are dedicated to the the pursuit of art, beauty and the truth that it makes us realize. This is an outstanding school that will push you and make you truly become an artist so long as you are willing to invest your self.
Were it not for this place, I think that I would be an emotionally retarded person, who would miss out on the beauty, truth and passion that this world has to offer. Thanks to Jean and her son Matt, I have grown not only as an actress but also as a human being.
I love them

If you are willing to give it your all and find your core muse then this is the school to attend.
This is no fly by night school it has been around for along time and worth the research to hear what others have experienced while attending jean classes.
I personally worked with jean and found her classes to be profoundly intense and deep as she allows you to develop your skills.
I learned more about myself and my conscience levels as I developed a truer understanding of each character.
Amazing work…

One of my teachers in this school said in so many words – that acting returns us back to the simple, to what really matters. This acting school has really delivered on its promise and its mission statement (go read it on their website —
). I’m moved by the school’s commitment to the world, to people. I’m moved by the teachers’ vulnerability and the prep work they do to be present with their students each and every class time. I feel connected to humanity because of this school. This school is about finding heroes. If all you’re after is a quick way to be an actor, then this school is not for you. Crafting an art takes time. If you’re about transforming the world through acting, check out this school. They have «Scene Nights» every quarter where you can watch students perform 5 – 7 minute scenes (it’s like their final). You can also come audit a class and just sit in. Shelton Theater rocks!