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Young Actors Space, established in 1979, is the original and premier school for performers as young as age 5 to adults. Our passion and commitment to developing young talent in the craft of acting for the last 30+ years has given us the opportunity to help nurture some of the brightest stars in the industry.
Young Actors Space is one of a kind. We are a unique and exciting school for actors and have earned the respect and admiration from industry professionals since our beginnings. At YAS, we believe no two performers are the same - every actor's talent is unique and an essential component of this diverse business. We encourage our actors to explore their creativity, build confidence as a performer, and discover and hone their craft in a warm, non-judgmental atmosphere.
Our classes are structured with half improvisation and half scene study. We used truth based improv to accentuate the uniqueness of each actor. Our goal is to make the written scene seem like an improvisation. We train our actors to make strong specific choices based on the writer’s intent. YAS is a process oriented school that encourages its actors to get out of their heads and into their hearts. (*Bonded with the State of California Labor Commissioner) |
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Young Actors Space features three working spaces for classes and performances.
THE WHOLE THEATRE: The Whole is an intimate black box space with a seating capacity of up to 35, professional light grid, tech booth, and newly upgraded air conditioner and heating system. This theatre hosts the teen and adult classes, rents out to local productions, and is the cornerstone of our in-house Whole Theatre Company. 2011 saw the WTC's standing room only production of John Cariani's Almost, Maine. The Whole has previously been home to critically acclaimed productions of Alan Bownes' Beirut, Daniel Therriault's Battery, and Rent, starring YAS alumni Jessica Biel.
THE BIG ROOM: Used primarily as a classroom, The Big Room has our largest seating capacity (up to 50 seats), track lighting and a raised 15 1/2' x 9' stage. Current renters include Choice Skinner's "Breaking Through" class for adult actors.
THE TV ROOM: Known informally as the TV Room, this intimate space is utilized for rehearsals and classes. The room is equipped with a wall-mounted flat screen monitor and video-friendly China ball lighting as well as a raised 11 1/2' x 12' stage. Current renters include Jan Bina and Jon Smet's popular Commercial Workshop for children and teens, which makes full use of video review.
YAS also features a lounge area for our waiting parents, with comfortable couches and a well-stocked book shelf!
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PATRICK DAY
(Director)
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Patrick Day has been an instructor at Young Actors Space since 1993, joining its founders Diane Hill Hardin and Nora Eckstein. He is an alumni of the University of Southern California, earning his BA in Theatre with an emphasis on Directing. In his tenure at YAS, Mr. Day has taught and worked with literally hundreds of today's brightest young stars. |
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NORA ECKSTEIN
(Instructor)
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Nora Eckstein has been coaching and teaching actors for over twenty-five years. An acting coach specializing in young professional actors, she was owner/artistic director of the Young Actors Space for three years, and taught acting there for over twenty-five years. Her students have starred in countless roles in film, on stage and television.
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LEANNA SPEAR
(Instructor)
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Leanna Spear began her time at Young Actors Space at age 15 as a student in Patrick Day’s class. After falling in love with YAS’ methods, she expressed an interest in teaching. Three years of instructor training later, Leanna joined the staff. As a working actress, Leanna possesses up to date knowledge of the industry & the projects for which her students audition.
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GILMER MCCORMICK
(Associate)
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Gilmer attended Carnegie Mellon University graduating with a BFA Degree in Theatre Arts. In 1971, she originated the role of "Gilmer" in the Broadway hit musical Godspell. She later earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for that role in the film version of Godspell, directed by four-time Emmy Award-winning David Greene.
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JAN BINA
(Instructor)
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Jan Bina graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Theatre from Mundelein College in Chicago. She also has a M.A. from Indiana University in Radio and Television. She is an actor, casting associate and writer-producer – a typical Los Angeles hyphenate. While living in Chicago, she performed for many years at The Second City and had an award-winning comedy act. |
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JON SMET
(Instructor)
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Jon Smet has a B.A. in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University and an M.A. from Goddard College. He co-created a two-man comedy act, which toured colleges and comedy venues across the country. That act brought him to The Second City in Chicago. He enjoyed a long stay there as a performer and as a director. |
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CHOICE SKINNER
(Instructor)
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Choice Skinner has coached many successful actors who are currently in films and on television. With over 25 years in the entertainment industry and 10 years as a successful working actor, fight coordinator and stunt person. Choice also brings his experience as a director, producer and writer as a means of equipping his actors with the necessary tools to succeed. |
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Young Actors Space was established in 1979 by Diane Hill Hardin and Nora Eckstein. Having each been bred in the industry, they brought their extensive knowledge of every facet of entertainment together and formed Young Actors Space. This team was the first in the entertainment industry to establish a dedicated performing arts academy for young working and aspiring actors. Not just any academy - an academy with a solid professional structure that works. |
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OUR NOTABLE ALUMNI LISTING (In Alphabetical Order):
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Chad Allen
Penn Badgley
Jessica Biel
Samantha Boscarino
Thomas Wilson Brown
Amanda Bynes
Brandon Call
Candace Cameron
Kirk Cameron
Scout Taylor Compton
Miranda Cosgrove
Zoey Deutch
Leonardo DiCaprio
Shannen Doherty
Jason Dolley
Stephen Dorff
Haylie Duff
Hillary Duff
Sean Patrick Flanery
Lyndsy Fonseca
Brian Austin Green
Brittany Curran |
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Jake Gyllenhaal
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Lukas Haas
Lucy Hale
Melora Hardin
Eddie Hassell
John Huertas
Christine Lakin
Dillon Lane
Allison Mack
Tobey Maguire
Tina Majorino
Ryan Malgarini
Kellie Martin
Chris Masterson
Danny Masterson
Danica McKellar
Scott Menville
Alyson Michalka
Amanda Michalka
Tamera Mowry
Taylor Thompson |
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Tia Mowry
River Phoenix
Lindsay Price
Cassidy Rae
Efran Ramirez
Molly Ringwald
Azure Skye
Hilary Swank
Kristy Swanson
Emma Stone
Shiloh Strong
Tiffany
David Tom
Heather Tom
Nicholle Tom
Scott Weinger
Elijah Wood
Shailene Woodley
Ryan Wynott
Ahmet Zappa
...and many more!
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JESSICA BIEL
(7th Heaven, The Illusionist, Stealth, Elizabethtown)
“The Young Actors Space has the best classes for young actors.” |
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EMMA STONE
(Zombieland, Superbad, Malcolm in the MIddle)
"Patrick Day taught me how to cry, and I mean that as a compliment! YAS was my outlet to grow and learn and study acting as a teenager. I will always be grateful for what I learned there and still remember it as my favorite classes I ever took." |
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RYAN MALGARINI
(Gary Unmarried. Lost In Space, Freaky Friday)
“The teachers at YAS are great. I've learned so much about getting into character for roles and how improvisation can come in handy both for auditions and the work itself. I know that the training I’ve had with YAS contributed to my success in landing a series, and I can't thank them enough.” |
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JUDY SAVAGE
(The Savage Agency)
“Young Actors Space is the only proven training ground in the world where child actors become adult actors.” |
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LISA SUNDSTEDT
(Girls Behaving Badly, Chealsey Lately (writer)
“I learned more in one day than other classes I’ve taken lasting 6 weeks. Jan and Jon were so supportive. They made me feel totally comfortable in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at you can learn a lot from them.” |
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MICHAEL BARTOLACCI
(President - Barbizon Label)
“If only there was more than one Patrick Day in the world. Eighteen years in the business and the response from our students after a Patrick Day workshop is unlike anythiing we've seen before. Kids learn more, not only about acting, but about themselves, in less time with Patrick than with any other coach I've worked with. What else is there to say?”
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