A creative home to a community of passionate actors

Welcome to Our Acting Community

 

We believe in nurturing the next generation of artists by offering a diverse range of acting techniques. Our acting school empowers students to build their unique “Golden Box” of tools to excel in film, TV and theater.

About Michelle Danner

Michelle is a film and stage director and a renowned acting coach. Her father Alexander Valdez, who opened the very first William Morris Agency in Paris, France instilled in her a strong passion and work ethic that has stayed throughout her life.

Teaching Career 

Michelle has taught acting for 27 years and has worked with many A-list actors privately and on set including Chris Rock, Henry Cavill, Gerard Butler, Emily VanCamp, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek and more. 

In-Person Acting Classes

Our in-person acting classes offer a range of tailored experiences, including personalized coaching, hands-on scene work, and dynamic group exercises, all designed to meet your unique acting needs.

Online Acting Classes

Our online acting classes deliver interactive coaching, virtual scene work, and engaging group sessions, all customized to suit your specific acting goals and schedule.

International Students

Our acting programs for international students include immersive training, cultural integration, and personalized support to help you thrive in a new environment.

Kids and Teens Acting Classes

Our kids and teens acting classes provide creative play, confidence-building exercises and improvised scene work tailored to young performers.

Small & Dedicated Groups

You'll be part of small learning group on the same level.

Happy & Joyful Atmosphere

Collaborative environment that will alow you to grow as an artist.

Tailor-made Tutoring

The learning plan will focus on your individual needs.

RENOUNED ALUMINI

TESTIMONIALS

“Michelle is a wonderful director to work with”

Donald Sutherland

(The Hunger Games)


“Michelle is the best director”

Mirielle Enos

(World War Z)


“Michelle is a wonderful visionary”

Andy Garcia 

(Oceans 11)


“I owe my career to her”

Enrique Murciano

(The Night Agent)

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions

We’ve collected our answers to the most common questions.

Our classes cater to all experience levels, from beginners to advanced actors. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, we have a class for you.

The Michelle Danner Acting Studio offers more than just world-class training; it opens doors to exciting real-world opportunities. Depending on the timing of their attendance, students may be eligible to audition for roles in Michelle Danner’s latest films, participate in various theater productions, and showcase their work at our annual film festival, Cinema at the Edge. These experiences provide invaluable practical training and help students build their resumes.

The Michelle Danner Acting School is dedicated to preparing you for success in auditions through a combination of targeted training and personalized coaching. Our curriculum includes specialized audition techniques classes where you’ll learn how to approach different types of auditions, whether for film, television, theater, or commercials. We focus on key elements such as cold reading skills, scene analysis, and delivering a standout performance under pressure.

Comprised of highly trained professionals, including graduates from prestigious institutions such as Juilliard, NYU, and Yale, our instructors are also active working artists who bring real-world experience to the classroom.

Our studio is recognized as one of the top acting schools in Los Angeles and across the country, largely due to the diverse and enduring techniques we teach. We offer a wide range of tools from the Meisner, Strasberg, Adler, Hagen, Chekhov, and Stanislavsky techniques, allowing students to choose methods that resonate with their personal style and inspire them to reach their full potential.