The Acting Without Agony Academy

Welcome to Brad Heller's

THE ACTING WITHOUT AGONY ACADEMY.

Thank you for your interest in our school, The school is built around the lessons of the late Don Richardson who wrote the critically acclaimed book ACTING WITHOUT AGONY: AN ALTERNATIVE TO 'THE METHOD'.

One of the main reasons the students at our school have had so much success as working actors in Major Motion Pictures, Television Shows, and National Network Commercials is because of one of the main principles acting should have: IT SHOULD BE FUN. The technique we teach keeps acting exciting and enjoyable; hence the title of our school and the title of Don Richardson's book. NO agony when we act.

Acting is amazingly fun and fulfilling. This is what acting is supposed to be. After all, what is the point of pursuing this craft if it isn't an enjoyable experience to create and perform characters and scenes? This is why most actors love it so much. When we were kids, we pretended to play cops and robbers, or played the fairy princess. Why shouldn't acting be fun like it was when we were kids? It is possible to have a technique that has been used by some of the greatest, most successful and famous Academy Award winning actors of our era, and for it still to be enjoyable.

Although some would beg to differ and have created techniques which cause actors to dig into their own personal tragedies and traumatic experiences, Brad Heller teaches a technique that does NOT require an actor to do this. After all, does an actor really want to be thinking of some terrible experience in his life while trying to play a scene on a the set of a television show??? This is NOT necessary, and there's a technique that we teach which is even more effective, and keeps acting enjoyable.

To be able to live in this imaginative world we create as actors is an amazing experience, and when you discover the technique that Brad teaches, you will see how acting can remain fun, beautiful, creative, exciting and everything actors dream about.

He also teaches you how to use these tools in the very competitive industry in Hollywood so that you are prepared and can book the audition. Furthermore, when you do book your first job on a network television show like "Heroes" or "Criminal Minds", it will be one of the most exciting and fun experiences you can have. The entire experience from creating the character, to analyzing the scene, to the audition, to performing the part on the job: The technique Brad Heller teaches keeps acting enjoyable and, of course, it works.

We offer a positive learning environment for people 15 years of age and over in our Tuesday and Thursday classes. We also offer private lessons for children ages 5 - 14, as well as adults. Some of our students have been studying with us for over 15 years, building, along the way, extensive resume's in television and film. Please check out the TESTIMONIALS section of our website to see what Brad Heller's students are saying.

Professor Brad Heller is also a working actor and producer, who first learned this technique as a student in Don Richardson's acting classes. After Don Richardson passed away, while continuing to pursue his own acting and producing career, Brad Heller began teaching the technique of his former teacher and mentor, and has been teaching for over fifteen years at his own school THE ACTING WITHOUT AGONY ACADEMY and also at UCLA. His love for the craft is infectious, and his belief that the creation and exploration of a character should be inspiring, which endows students with a great support system in the midst of what we all know can be a difficult industry to navigate.

We teach all levels of acting from beginner to the professional working actor. Classes range in scope from cold reading to scene study, with additional time spent on the business of acting, including marketing and other career enhancing tools. Brad prides himself on being available to each student, both in and out of class.

We offer a reasonable price structure as well financial aid to students who qualify. Email Brad Heller personally at brad@actingwithoutagony.com today for more information.

Call us today and be sure to ask how

you can audit a class for FREE!

323 . 962 . 8077

The Acting Without Agony Academy is Proud to Present Live Skype Lessons Available to All Students All Over The World!

We are now offering lesson via WEBCAM in real time on the service SKYPE. You can get private coaching from Brad Heller, one on one, without having to leave your home. All you have to do is download SKYPE (it’s free) – it only takes 5 minutes – and you’re all set! This is a great service so that you can receive lessons from Brad Heller from anywhere in the world.

Learn more about Skype by clicking on the link below...

What Our Skype Students are saying...

BRENT SHEARER, OHIO

"Brad has been instrumental in my development as an actor. I study with Brad over Skype, and while I was skeptical at first, after working with him a couple times, I realized you CAN train and learn over the Internet without sacrificing quality. Brad is able to point out the little things in each scene, which is amazing considering he lives several thousand miles away! I feel like he is right there in the room working with me, and I look forward to each and every lesson."

MICHAEL PALOIAN, LOS ANGELES

"Having an acting lesson has never been so easy now that you can do a lesson on skype. I live 15 minutes from Brad and still choose to do my lessons on skype. It allows me to focus on acting before and after our lessons and I feel like I retain the notes much more because of it. Brad is an amazing teacher, he teaches you the best and most efficient way to act. I have received numerous compliments on my acting when I've been on sets and its all because of Brad, if you are serious about acting Brad is your guy."

MICHAEL HUDSON

"RECENTLY SIGNED WITH MOMENTUM TALENT AGENCY"

"Brad’s class is the first formal acting class I have ever taken. Since I have been enrolled in his class I have signed with momentum talent agency and I have learned countless tips and tool to perfect my craft. However most importantly, not only have i gained an indispensable acting coach, I have made a friendship that I was cherish as long as I live. " -Michael Hudson.

Click below to see what LA Weekly has to say about The Acting Without Agony Academy...

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Should you feel your message has not been sent,please send emails to brad@actingwithoutagony.com. Thank you.

DANIELA LEON

"VOTED ONE OF THE TOP 10 MOST TALENTED KIDS IN THE UNITED STATES

"Recently appeared on' DANCING WITH THE STARS"

"Brad is so awsome and a terrific teacher. I love working with him and listening to his remarkable techniques. Love going to his classes and adore seeing him each week. He has taught me so much and I can't wait to learn more."

FREDDY SIGLAR

Freddy just booked one of the main roles in Tyler Perry's new "Madea" feature films entitled, I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF.

"Brad has been a wonderful acting coach to my son, Freddy. When he works with Brad prior to an audition, he usually books the job. His technique, though not difficult, has brought out the best in Freddy."

Norine Siglar, Mother of Freddy Siglar, represented by Society Entertainment.

TRENTON ROGERS

"My Own Worst Enemy" with Christian Slater. On NBC.

Actors who have worked with Professor Heller...

MASI OKA

Series regular in HEROES and has roles in major motion pictures like GET SMART with Steve Carrell.

JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN

EDWARD BLAKE/THE COMEDIAN in WATCHMEN, and DENNY in GREYS ANATOMY.

ADRIAN BELLANI

2 1/2 Years on PASSIONS.

“It’s great to meet someone and work with someone who just simply get’s it. He’s honest; if it’s not working, he’ll tell you. He makes me fearless, makes me believe that I simply have to 'live.' I need that from a coach.”

BENJAMIN STONE

AKA BEN JOHNSTONE

RECURRING ROLE on the hit show "TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU." Lead roll in the play "The Dreaming" which was preformed specifically for the Queen of England at Windsor Castle.

"I've trained with different acting coaches in both London and Los Angeles , and I have never found a class that I truly look forward to every week. Brad has taught me to really let go and enjoy what I do, which in turn has made me get out of my head and be more in the moment. Brad is a fantastic teacher and a really great guy."

What Students are saying...

NATALIE DISTLER

7 Years Series Regular playing daughter of Dennis Leary on the hit show "RESCUE ME"

"I've trained with many acting coaches in both NY and LA, and I have never felt as confident going into an audition as I have after working with Brad. He taught me how to be more present and in the moment. Brad is a wonderful teacher that truly cares and knows what he is talking about."

GEORGE FINN

RECURRING ROLES ON:

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, COLD CASE, BEVERLY HILLS 90210 ...AND MANY MORE...

"Brad Heller is an acting coach who knows what he is talking about. Most acting coaches will just tell you how to do your scene their way. Brad will work with you to create a character that will feel natural and unique to you as well as the casting director. If you want to go into an audition room and book the job, then I recommend you work with Brad. "

JUDGE REINHOLD

Beverly Hills Cop 1 and 2, The Santa Claus 1 and 2, Ruthless People, Fast Times at Ridgemont High

"I never show up for work without working with Brad first." He keeps me real & He points out both my strengths and weakness in an encouraging way that allows me to make the most of every opportunity."

A.J. LAMAS

Recurring role on AS THE WORLD TURNS.

"I've taken so many acting classes. I almost feel like I should be teaching by now. Most of them were a type of 'Method' technique. What I love about Brad is he teaches me things that I have never been taught before..."

CODY GIFFORD

Represented by LUBER/ROKLIN ENTERTAINMENT

"When I first met Brad Heller, he told me he was the best. For the past year I've been meeting with him twice a week and let me tell you, everything he said was correct. He is a true professional and, in a place like L.A. that's full of false personas, Brad delivers exactly what he promises. Acting Without Agony made me the actor that I am today."

DAKOTA RIVERS

Recently auditioned for the lead in A COHEN BROTHERS FILM, an ABC pilot, represented by APA and Mara Santino.

I just want to thank you for all of specialized teaching...I am pleased to see her growth in her acting ability in the short time she has worked with you. You are AWESOME at what you do, specific, precise, interactive, constructive in your critisism, yet never critical. I am pleased to tell you Dakota has signed with Mara Santino @ Luber-Roklin, and now signed with APA Agency. Thank you, we look forward to continuing her work with you as you hone her skills to make her the actress she has in her. You are truly the PROFESSIONAL we were looking for!!!!

Thank you,

Melanie Rivers (mother of Dakota Rivers)

DANIELLE MONE' TRUITT

IMPACT TALENT GROUP
Danielle was just flown to New York for a final callback for the Broadway Production of RAGTIME, and has a final callback meeting with the SHAPIRA AGENCY

"Brad is an amazing teacher. He really helps you believe in yourself while challenging you to be great and not just good. His teaching definitely gave me that extra push I needed, and prepared me to book the jobs I always dreamed of getting. Thanks Brad!"

BRITTANY FINAMORE

GUEST STAR ON Disney's 'CORY IN THE HOUSE' and ‘GHOST WHISPERER on CBS,' and also a RECURRING ROLE on 'ANOTHER WORLD', and represented by Sovereign Talent and Society Entertainment.

"The Acting Without Agony class is so refreshing compared to some of the other classes I've taken. In my very first session with Brad I had a moment of clarity and I knew right away what needed to be changed in the scene we were working on. I love the idea of not having to be beaten down and broken to be a good actor. You can still give a great performance and have fun with it!"