Our Legacy... continues...
DeRon Horton
1st Year Graduate
“My experience taking the Meisner technique was really transformative. My truth a lot of the time was really selfish and to play the victim. And never really trying to understand the other persons needs in a lot of situations. This showed a lot in my abilities as an actor because our sole purpose is to live truthfully and give all our attention to the other person. At the Meisner center, I learned to care a shit ton more and focus on my partner. I learned to trust my instincts and follow my heart in regards to what they needed from me but also demanding the truth so I could truly believe what im being told to respond with truth. In class, I learned to not just take it as a class, but honestly allow myself to live truthfully under the given circumstances. Other classes were super technical and heady. Mechanical. I am not a mechanic. Or a mathematician. I do my best to speak from my heart. This class has allowed me to be completely open. To give more but also really listen to someone and not already have planned what im going to say. Allow every moment to be different because it will be no matter what. I learned a lot about myself. Some of which I am only able to understand. And the emotional capacity of which i am able to reach now I cannot see myself gaining somewhere else which I am incredibly grateful for. “
Stacey Danger
2nd Year Graduate
“After years and thousands of dollars spent bouncing from one acting class to another, I found I could not articulate anything I had learned. It was clear on screen I was stuck at an elementary level of work. I was finally getting next level auditions and could see I was failing miserably at them. I took stock and decided it was time to commit to a Master Technique. If one desires greatness, they must train with the Greats! Sanford Meisner’s technique always called out to me, but why, I could not say. Call it kismet. My heart already knew something my head did not. Perfect, as that is what this training is about.
The amount of growth I’ve had in nine months far surpasses that of all other studios I’ve trained at combined. This is a “Class of Mastery”, not a master class taught with a little of this and that. No matter what level you are, if you need to be the greatest actor you can be, this class will thrust you towards that. This training has allowed me to connect with my other actors in a way that brings truth and liveliness to the work. It teaches you to truly listen and use your imagination, to trust your instincts and play. It teaches you discipline and professionalism on a higher level… to show the fuck up and do your best work no matter what situation you find yourself in artistically or non-artistically. It teaches you selflessness in your work. And most of all, for myself, it reminded me why I love acting and chose to dedicate my life’s work to the craft.”
Vanessa Parker
2nd Year Graduate
“I’ve studied many different techniques and I have never been as challenged as I was during this program. Most other classes have come from such a heady or technical place. Generally you are taught that if you think something, the emotion will follow, but this class shows you that you can go straight to the heart and the emotion and it will fill the scene. Instead of working so hard to get yourself to a heightened, deep intellectual place alone, following your imagination and giving over all your focus to the the other person really allows the scene to go to a surprising and unique place every time with out you torturing sameness out of it… and it is SO MUCH EASIER!
I’ve learned so much about who I am as a person and how to more clearly look at others and be genuinely moved by them. This class has helped me see more truth in others and feel confident enough in my assessment to call it out and deal with it honestly. After all, the most interesting thing in life and art is truth and any individual’s honest response to it. When I have tried to explain the difference in the work that the Meisner approach takes verses most of other Actor’s Studio derived takes on acting, I would say that instead of starting from an intellectual, methodically planned start to the work, it comes from a place imagination and fully believing with your heart that given circumstances are real and you are honestly living in them. That way, the scene can take you anywhere and you will be honestly swept up in it. It is really exciting!”
Zachary Gordon
2nd year Graduate
“Although I’ve been fortunate enough to consistently work in the Film and TV industry for over twelve years, I had ironically never formally studied acting. In early 2017, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the Sanford Meisner Center. Words cannot describe the journey that my classmates and I have been on these last few years. I have built strong bonds with like-minded, passionate, and diverse individuals who, like myself, aspire to affect people through their emotional command and love of the craft. My love for life itself has also deepened; but my biggest take away from this program may be my newfound desire to listen and empathize with my fellow man, which is no small feat for a millennial if I may say so myself. I have not only learned that it is a privilege to do the work that we do, but that it is necessary to continue to work at the level we have been trained to under the guidance of Ranjiv Perera. To me, our truth is the most valuable currency that we have in this life and I’m confident in saying that I am now more than ready to share mine with the world. It was a privilege to work under Ranjiv and an honor to graduate alongside my fellow classmates. All in all, it has been an emotionally exhausting journey, but beyond rewarding. It is never too late to grow as an artist if that is what your heart so desires, as long as you’re willing to put in the work. I am indebted to Ranjiv Perera and the Sanford Meisner Center for instilling upon me a work ethic that has carried over into many aspects of my life and a newfound love for the craft I had aimlessly pursued for more than a decade.”
Tanner Risner
2nd year Graduate
“You have no idea what this class can do for you.
My 2 years here have included some of the most fun, fearful, excruciating, heartbreaking and best work that I’ve done. It’s been an incredible journey that’s taught me more about my craft and myself than I thought possible in this amount of time.
I used to watch people’s work and tried to analyze what they did and how I can emulate it but this class taught me to work from myself to truly feel my emotions and not fight them or be sorry for them. It’s taught me a technique that I can call my own and how to continue building that technique forever.
Knowing that I can call what I’ve learned my own, I’ve become a more confident actor who can walk into any room and know that I’m prepared and capable of giving whatever I’m needed to give with emotional truth. Honestly, I just know that I can go in and have more fun.
I can’t thank Ranjiv, Martin, my Meisner Family and this Technique enough.”
Johannes Aspegren
2nd Year Graduate
“I realized that I had no idea what acting was before I joined The Sanford Meisner Center. I was completely unaware of how truthful acting could be. Allowing oneself to really be truthful is an amazing experience.
We spend most of our days hiding our emotions but here we get to release them and let them out and at the same time learn to truly control them.
The first year gave me the confidence to trust in my abilities as an actor. Before this class I had never submitted for a single acting job but with the confidence I gained I started submitting and going out to auditions as often as I could.
The way Ranjiv teaches is truly powerful as he really pushes you to go places you might not have thought possible. You also get a great understanding of the business side of things. A lot of acting teachers will teach you a technique and that is it, but Ranjiv also covers other parts of the industry such as; how to find an agent, how to setup a budget, how to work the audition and how to book the room etc.
Nina Umpierrez
2nd Year Graduate
Ranjiv Perera is a teacher that knows how to push each individual student and get the most out of every single person in the classroom.
Moving to LA to pursue acting can be scary and it’s so easy to get lost. I don’t know how I would have been able to do it without the guidance and the constant training from Ranjiv through out the two year program. It gives you such an amazing foundation in acting and in general knowledge about the industry.
Completing this program has left me feeling ready and excited to go out and get what I need! “
Cameren Foley
2nd Year Graduate
“If acting is something you need in your life, then the Sanford Meisner Center is where you need to be. It’s not just an acting class, It’s a two-year journey that will push you to your limits and more. The class is structured beautifully, every class and every lesson has a purpose. Your classmates will become your closest friends as you grow and push each other forward. There are not enough good things to be said about Ranjiv Perera, the teacher of the course. Ranjiv treats every step of the class and every student with the utmost respect and care. This class is definitely not the easy route, but if you dedicate every bit of yourself to this program, refusing to quit, and refusing to settle. Then you will leave the Sanford Meisner Center with a concrete foundation and the confidence to conquer any challenge this art and this world can throw at you.”
Christina Ramirez
2nd Year Graduate
“Where do I even start…… get ready for the best journey and life changing experience you will ever go through. I’ve learned so much from listening to saying the TRUTH to knowing that I needed this more than ever. To perfecting my craft and being able to let it take me to the many different levels of emotion I never knew I was able to get to. I learned so much about myself and what my good, bad, and ugly really are. Being able to let my imagination take me to places I only dreamed of and making them a reality. The moments I had the last 2 years I will forever cherish deep in my soul because there is nothing like seeing yourself grow into the person you always were meant to be…… thank you Ranjiv and that is all.”
Sierra N. Smith
2nd Year Graduate
Jacob Dimenstein
2nd Year Graduate
“What was my experience like studying the Meisner Technique….
You laugh. You cry. You scream. You smile. You fall. You rise. You accept. You let go. You love. You dream. You believe. You feel.
…. then, you repeat.
Beyond grateful for an experience filled with unexpected twists and turns that open your heart and expand your mind. Work that guides you toward a deeper, everlasting appreciation, curiosity, and love for humanity and truth. Work I walked in wanting, and left needing more than ever. “
Damith Warnasuriya
2nd Year Graduate
“My experience at the Sanford Meisner Center has been life changing. This course has been not only challenging but also rewarding because of the realizations I would have in regards to learning about myself during the process. Because of this program, I have became a better active listener, better commander of my emotions and overall better human being that is able to establish a stronger connection with family, friends and the general public. Compared to the other classes I have taken, this is a program that is not an ongoing class that anybody can just jump in and out at any time. This is a 9 month commitment that requires rehearsal time and this pushes you to take this very seriously because if you fall behind, not only do you let your partner and self down but you will also slow down the overall progression of the class so the pressure is on! This experience has shown me that this is not a class that you sign up for but more like a life course that challenges you in order to push you one step closer to the professional artist you aspire to be.
Because of this journey, I have been able to increase my overall listening, memorization and imagination. I am a person that is very intellectual but wanted to be more emotional since I’ve had difficulty expressing my emotions. I was able to get out of my head, stay with the other person and connect with them on a deeper level through the power of repetition. To the non-meisner actors out there, the best way I can describe this is that if you want a strong foundation that is essential to this art then take this course because it will take you to the next level. You also will come to realize that even though learning the text in scene study is important, it is just merely the tip of the iceberg.”
Malak Radwan
1st Year Graduate
“The Meisner technique has helped me grow not just as an actor but as a person and an artist. It connected me to my heart, I learned to appreciate my emotions a lot more. What I learned in my first year has reflected on so many areas of my life. I learned to speak my truth especially to my family, which was a struggle my whole life. I also learned to listen more and be present. I now care more about people and that transformed most of my relationships. As an artist Meisner technique deepened my feelings and expanded my imagination in ways I didn’t believe where possible. I wouldn’t recommend this course just to actors, but to anyone who wants to explore themselves and be more open to the world.”
Star Don
2nd Year Graduate
“Just FEEL. Look another person dead in the eye and just FEEL. It’s the simplest yet hardest thing to do. Any pain we experience we install a defense system and build up walls…Meisner method teaches you to strip away the layers and reveal your soul. When you do that…when you feel connected with another person…when you feel true, uninhibited emotion…your audience feels with you. That is the greatest feeling you can have. People pay good money to FEEL something. We all desire it. This is what life is all about. And I want MORE of it. Nothing can stop me from diving into the 2nd year…heart first.”
Juliene Winborne
2nd Year Graduate
“Before joining the Meisner program, I was extremely unsatisfied with my work as an actor. I would always leave auditions feeling disappointed, knowing that I could’ve given more but not knowing how to get there. I had taken numerous acting classes, but none of them fully embodied what I was looking for. Then I found the Burbank Meisner Center!
Since, joining Meisner, my life has changed for the better. I have received many of the tools needed to succeed as an actor. I am more confident and more aware of myself and those around me. I’m also happier; Happier because for the first time, I can bring out the talent that I’ve always known was inside. I have gained the skill to fully connect with the actor in front of me, and the skill to command my emotions at a moment’s notice. For an actor it really doesn’t get any better than that! The program is more than anything that I ever could have imagined myself.
Ranjiv Perera is an excellent teacher! He is knowledgeable, and passionate about the craft and his students. Being in his class has been the best time of my life. My admiration for the program goes deeper than words can express, and I am eternally gratefully. The program has made me excited for the future. I hope to continue into the second year. I can’t wait to continue growing in this pursuit of becoming the best actor that I can be. Bring on second year! #meisner4life<3″
Alessandro Marino
2nd Year Graduate
“Stella Adler said that “your talent lies in your choices”. And the best choice I’ve done since I am an actor is have chosen to study the Meisner Technique. This first year changed me, for good.
Alexandra Dunmore
2nd Year Graduate
“The work necessary to become a graduate of the Sanford Meisner Center is soul changing. After leaving college I didn’t know that I knew absolutely nothing about acting. I knew how to fake emotions and ride off the excitement high that came from performing. But I needed more than that to become a successful working actor. I had thought that I knew myself, my emotions, and imagination. I thought I knew how deep I could go and how much I was willing to pour into my art, but with Ranjiv and the Meisner technique I learned who I was underneath the image I had formed of myself.
This technique gives you the best tools to help you in your art and allows you to relax and enjoy the work you’re doing. It helps quiet that little voice that says “you look ridiculous” when you’re performing. I am more than grateful for my time at The Meisner Center. I learned that it was okay to feel, that it was okay to cry, and I learned to accept the ugly in me, not just what I thought would sell as an actor. There is no controling emotions but I learned how to work with them to help make my acting more authentic and consistent. Thanks to Ranjiv and The Meisner Center I am confident as an actor and as a human being. I don’t fear auditioning as much because I know that I am giving my all when I step into a room. I had never had as much fun with my craft until I learned this technique.
The work I put in this class allowed me to open myself up in ways that I was too scared to do before. I am astounded that I thought I knew how to act before this class. This was not an easy journey. There were so many moments I was sure I could never go back to class, but I’m glad I did. When all the pieces of knowledge from the lessons finally fit together I felt astounded that I struggled so hard. It made so much sense! The freedom that comes with knowing what you can do and how well you can do it is the best part of these two years of training. These two years and everything I was taught won’t be forgotten. There were tears, laughter, anger, frustration, and fear, but I wouldn’t change the experience for anything!”
Albert Emery
2nd Year Graduate
Menen Basha
1st Year Graduate
“I’m not quite sure where to begin because so much of this experience is too big to summarize in a coherent paragraph but I will do my best. The Meisner technique is something that helps actors, like myself, get out of their own heads and into the moment that they are living through with the person in front of them. This is so essential for truthful acting because it should be real and different each time. The Meisner technique teaches you that it’s not about anticipating what will happen next or being hyper-aware of your own performance but rather to connect with your partner and live truthfully. I also find that with finding an acting technique, it’s imperative to have a teacher you respect and trust and that exactly who Ranjiv Perera is to me and many others. It is rare to find someone who is so passionate yet insightful and can foster your growth in countless ways. I feel so lucky to have found this specific school with this specific teacher and I can feel myself becoming a stronger actor with each passing month. Like many things in life, you get out what you put in and Meisner is no different. If you can fully commit and give everything you have to this program, you will grow and be rewarded in ways you can’t imagine. I strongly suggest you do yourself a favor and sign up if you are ready for a journey that will take you to new heights.”
Bryan Shilowich
2nd Year Graduate
“I discovered this course when I realized I needed to get back into acting after a long post-college acting drought . I figured a technical course would be a good way to get my toes wet (as opposed to auditioning for some random production). I quickly learned that this course is not a “get your toes wet” course; it’s a deep dive into the waters of discovering your truth. You learn to stop “trying” to “act” and instead learn how to feel your deepest emotions and let them guide you. This program is emotionally demanding and requires commitment – to the exercises, to your partners, to yourself. When everyone brings that level of commitment, it fosters immense growth for everyone. It’s hard to explain what you’ll learn, as experience is the essence of understanding. But experience is what you’ll surely get. If you’re serious about acting, I highly recommend making the deep dive into Meisner.”
Michael Roshangah
2nd Year Graduate
Amir Hasan
1st Year Graduate
“Wanting to be an actor was easy for me; however, developing that human need, that inner passion to be an artist, was something that I had to truly discover for myself. And, with great patience and acceptance, The Sanford Meisner Center became that missing link; connecting me to what it means to be a successful actor—a truthful actor.
Under the thorough instruction of Ranjiv Perera, I entered the first year program with little to no preconceived notions. I must admit, however, that the over-analytical teacher inside me fought hard to keep me in my head. It did not take long for me to realize that my brain was the biggest obstacle holding me back from becoming an honest actor. In time, I learned that I needed to embrace the power of vulnerability, and to give myself permission to play without self-doubt and self-judgement. At the start of my journey, I recall believing I was a good actor. And, now, after putting in the work, trusting the work, and after truly accepting that I am a good actor with the potential to be great—I can confidently say that I’ve grown more in one year than in all my previous years of training combined.”
