Basilio Cerdan

“Before I joined the Meisner Program I thought I knew exactly what true acting was about. To no one’s surprise I was set straight from the first session. The instructor, Ranjiv Perera, made it clear that this class is not for everyone. For those who want to continue living their life in the non-artistic world this place is not for you. But for those who want a safe space to express, play, grow, and let loose of any societal constraint, you have found this gem.

After completing my first year at the Meisner program, I looked back and saw how much I have grown not only as an artist, but as a human. From learning to being present and managing my time management, to taking the finest details in and letting it affect me. This class has taught me so much about myself and I can’t wait to see what other tools I unlock in the second year.”

Aaron Atkinson

“It takes a certain level of security and perseverance to get through the first-year program. The 2nd year program is a totally different ball game. Time after time, you have to step up and be your best self. That isn’t as easy as one may think. This was the toughest year for me, by far. However, I achieved a level of growth that would not have been possible if I hadn’t gone through this second-year program. As a student, I wanted to be held accountable. I had a teacher who held me to it, no matter the conditions. He knew my need for this was bigger than the adversity and tough circumstances that came my way in my artistic and even non-artistic life. With a teacher that demands your absolute best and a technique that requires it as well, you have no choice but to see growth if you commit and submerge yourself in this. I’m so grateful I did. And beyond honored to be able to represent my Meisner family the best way I know how!”

Adam Chance

“My first year experience was incredibly eye opening. When I attended the introduction class, I was completely moved by the technique. I left feeling incredibly emotional and curious about the process. I instantly knew, then and there, that I needed this class more than ever.

Meisner allowed me to free myself from intellectualizing acting and instead focus on simply living, going moment to moment, working off my partner, and truly listening. The level of discipline this technique teaches is unlike any other. The depths you explore within yourself throughout this program are truly extraordinary. It has completely changed me as an actor, as well as the way I conduct myself in both my artistic and non-artistic life.

I have studied in various acting classes, but for me, this is levels above anything I have done before. The technique truly simplifies the work, and throughout each stage of the program, everything starts to come together.

What Sandy created, and what Ranjiv is teaching, gives an actor the best tools possible to explore, play, and reach their full potential—if they are willing to commit and dedicate themselves fully to the technique.

Studying the Sanford Meisner Technique was the best decision I have made as an actor, and I could not recommend it highly enough to any actor.

A simple sentence came to me to summarize what I learned through the first year program:
“Acting is a remarkable dedication of discipline to be present in the moment.””

Alexander Black

“If you’re looking to study at a studio dedicated to carrying on the legacy of Sanford Meisner’s teachings as he left them, if you are ready to commit yourself to an immersive and rigorous system of training with patience and humility, if you’re prepared to lay yourself bare, to own all facets of your self—both light and dark—so that you can utilize that true, imperfect self as an instrument, then you should seriously consider training at The Sanford Meisner Center.

I found Ranjiv to be not only insightful, incisive, and tenacious in his pursuit of the truth and excellence in the studio, but also deeply caring and compassionate. He has fostered a sacred creative space where your artistic fire and emotional honesty will be welcomed, honed, and cultivated, provided you honor the space and commit to the work.

I’m deeply grateful for my time at the studio and for Ranjiv’s guidance in the craft.”

Anthony Huacuja

“I had an incredible experience learning the Meisner Technique. Ranjiv provided us with clear and specific expectations from the beginning, and I knew what was expected from me as a student. I enjoyed every class and looked forward to the next one, anticipating what I would learn. Some of the best weeks of my life have been because of this class. My classmates were very encouraging, and I made friendships through the program. Ranjiv provided me with the tools to be emotionally open and a safe environment to explore those emotions. My favorite aspect was how much I learned about my instinctual truths of how I am as a person. I have become more grounded as a person than ever before. I learned to read behavior from my scene partner and to work from my instincts. I cannot express enough how many valuable tools you will receive from this program.”

Ash Yap

“This program challenged and expanded my understanding of myself and what I offer as an artist. There were moments that were thrilling, moments that were baffling, moments that were frustrating and I wanted to give up. But repetition will always save you, and if you keep going and commit to the truth in every moment, that’s where everything falls into place. For me, it was discovering that I had to turn off my brain and lead with my heart and not be afraid of my emotions; allowing myself to be affected by the other actor and the given imaginary circumstances. Having completed this program, I feel prepared to take on anything while also knowing that the skills I’ve honed will only continue to sharpen with time and experience. For anyone curious about studying this technique, please know that it requires you to go all in with your heart so that you can find the depths of yourself as a person and as an actor. As you progress, those depths will unlock the magic of the characters and stories you will honor. And in the process, you will have so much fun doing it, because at the end of the day, remember how powerful your imagination is and how fun it is to play.”

Ashlyn O’Grady

“The first year training I received at the Sanford Meisner Center was a transformative experience unlike any other acting class i’ve ever taken. The instructor Ranjiv Perera is a master in the craft and understands how to guide students to success using the road map left behind by Sandford Meisner himself. In this class, I learned the true meaning of acting as a craft and art form, and was able to hone these incredible skills in a way I never thought was possible. Here you are given all the tools you need for success, and are provided an environment in which you can explore these tools and strengthen them freely. If you want to reach the emotional depths and capacity for truthfulness required to be a great actor, look no further than the Sanford Meisner Center.“

Avery Stovner

“I never knew how simple the art of acting really was until taking classes at The Sanford Meisner Center. I used to think that acting was all about lying — about who could be the best liar, who could trick the audience the best, who could study their “role” the best. I was completely and utterly wrong! Acting is the ability to live truthfully under the given imaginary circumstances. To truly listen to the other person and give your deepest truth back. To put your words through the other person and demand an honest answer. To be completely present and connected with your partner. To not think, but instead just feel — feel what you’re going through in the moment and speak from the heart, not the mind. Beyond improving as an actor, I’ve also improved in my non‑artistic life. I listen with intent, I speak more clearly, I appreciate more, laugh more, cry more, and I’ve developed incredible discipline. It feels good to feel, and I choose to stay on this path of improvement because it’s that simple: make the choice to do what you need to do, and just do it.

I’ve learned all these things and have them ingrained in me — all thanks to Ranjiv Perera, the sole teacher at The Sanford Meisner Center. He’s like a modern‑day Yoda, without the green skin and large ears. He always has the right answers and knows exactly what to say. He’s straightforward, no BS, and what he says makes so much sense that you can’t help but believe it. If you’re serious about acting and ready for a challenge that will change your life forever, schedule a meeting with Ranjiv right now.”

Aza Sharavnyam

“First of all i thank our amazing teacher Ranjiv. It is an honor to learn from someone i truly admire and respect. It is an honor to call myself a “Graduate” of “Sanford Miesner Center”. I’ve become a better actress as well as a better person. I learned to be honest to myself in my artistic and non artistic life. I learned the depth of the emotional truth and true meaning of professionalism. This program pushed me up constantly, from my comfort zone to an unknown wonderland. It may feel scary but once you learn to trust yourself and your work, you will find the most fun and magical land within you.

Oh god, truly there are no simple way to explain this experience. It’s life changing and most amazing experience i’ve ever had. I feel very confident as an actress. I feel ready. This program gave me all the tools that i need for my craft. And i am carrying them for all my life. And i am carrying the name of our legacy, and all the respect and appreciation to my teacher Ranjiv in my heart.”

Braeden Sumner

“Almost immediately at the start of the Introductory class, I knew that The Sanford Meisner Center was the answer to my search for an acting program. Ranjiv had a blunt honesty that cut through the illusive BS I had witnessed in the other schools I had tested. From that introduction, I gathered that the Meisner Technique picks up the slack that is often left hanging in performance critiques. I wasn’t merely looking for a ‘class’–I was looking to invest my time, energy, and resources into a regimented program with a definitive end-goal of developing the tools I need as a working actor. The first year forces you to face yourself. It demands commitment, tenacity, and dedication. These traits can be attributed to Ranjiv as well as the Meisner Technique, and are required of you throughout the process. I have developed and grown on a personal and artistic level in more ways than I can even put into words, but finishing first year, I can confidently say that my commitment, tenacity, and dedication have deepened.

The Sanford Meisner Center and Ranjiv stood out to me among the slew of other acting classes in L.A., specifically for the truth that is required. More truth than most know what to do with. It’s not a bakery; you don’t show up twice a week for a cookie by way of compliments, although you may receive an actual cookie if one of your classmates is feeling generous. You’re not there to be validated, and that teaches you to feel the difference. When you hit and when you miss, you know it for yourself. It transcends the surface level, which is why we are called to this art in the first place.

Ranjiv is generous with the space and his time. He has such a sincere veneration for Sanford Meisner’s teachings and legacy, it is truly an honor to study under him.”

Brandon Jay Winckler

“Before discovering The Sanford Meisner Center, I would wander from acting class to acting class feeling like things weren’t quite connecting with me. I focused on being the actor I thought everyone else wanted me to be, instead of just being myself. Vulnerability is the key to truth, and the 1st year program taught me how to find and use that key. When you are fully connected with your partner and your deepest truth, magic simply happens. You feel that spark in the air the moment you experience the technique at work.

Ranjiv is an excellent teacher with a deep respect and passion for the art. His honesty is so valuable and everything said in class is intentional, direct, and meant to help you grow. Try as I might, anything I tried to hold back emotionally ended up being thrust front and center in the best way. The most amazing thing is I was encouraged to embrace and accept those truths whether they were “good, bad, or ugly”. Ultimately, I ended up discovering a sense of freedom and play that no acting class during my 8 years has been able to cultivate before. My experience with the Sanford Meisner Center has tempered me into not only a better actor but a better individual as well. This work will change you fundamentally, and you will be amazed by where it can take you if you allow it. The experience itself is one of the most challenging emotional climbs an actor will face, but by the end of the 1st year you will find yourself asking how you ever went without it.”

Brevin A. Woodford

“The Meisner Technique has opened me up quite a bit and has given me a solid foundation to feel confident to go out into this amazing career! From the beginning, it challenged me and pushed me to go beyond what was comfortable, which I needed! Unlike the few classes I have taken in the past, this conservatory style of teaching made me have to ‘jump in and go’ or else I would be left behind.

Accountability from the instructor, Ranjiv, also made sure that I wasn’t just getting by and that I was growing in the ways I needed to as an artist. The class called out how much of a people-pleaser I am and how I often don’t trust people… simultaneously, it allowed me to find and embrace my deeper truths to influence my art. Outside of class, it has made me have more open and real dialogue with family and friends and has strengthened my relationships. I didn’t take this class for that reason, but I am grateful for that byproduct nonetheless!

I still have a long journey ahead of me, but I feel so grateful to have been in class with so many amazing people. We truly have a great community to lean on… we have seen each other laugh, cry, yell, and overall experience true vulnerability. I know all of our emotional depth and capacity has grown exponentially and that it will translate well to the stage and the screen as I continue to hone my craft! To anyone interested in taking this class, please make sure that you are ready to WORK and do EVERYTHING that is told of you from day one. Trust that it will all make sense… when it all makes sense! I know I could have grown even more if I had done that and got out of my head trying to understand the ‘how’s’ and ‘why’s’, but no regrets… only lessons. Always remember, just feel and everything else will follow!”

Christina Giordano

“Year One of the Meisner Technique training was absolutely a work out for the senses. Two 3-hour classes a week and at least an additional two rehearsals a week helped me understand that I was not working the program but the program was actually working on me. The Meisner Technique is the only technique I’ve worked with that directly addresses moment to moment work. It teaches you how to live truthfully under the imaginary given circumstances by assisting you on how to stay in instinctual responses that arise directly off of your scene partner. Ranjiv has an excellent eye for knowing who you are and where your habits lie. When I went up to work I knew nothing would sneak by him. His assistant teacher Dylan, who graduated from The Sanford Meisner Center, brought his own expertise and knowledge of the Meisner Technique into our sessions. His feedback was especially helpful knowing it was coming from a fellow actor’s input. They both believe in the work and in us. It was a massively shifting year for my work as an artist and I highly recommend this program for beginners and seasoned actors alike!”

Cristian Clark

“Before coming to The Sanford Meisner Center to study The Meisner Technique I had no prior acting training experience. I come from a professional dance and choreography background and after many years of wanting to devote the same time, love, dedication, and passion to acting I finally found the place for me. From the moment I interviewed for the program and started day one I knew in my soul that I did not just want to train in acting, but I needed this training, and in particular under the guidance of Ranjiv Perera. There is a distinct difference between want and need. I did not fully comprehend the journey ahead, but I was thrilled to give it my all. I thought I had a sense of who I truly was, but coming into this training I knew there was more depth to be found; and although I was pretty open to myself about who I was, there were a lot of societal limitations I had unknowingly implemented in myself. Seeing where I am now, I can say the program did not only change me; it improved me. I evolved into the beautiful self I am now in all its wonder, joy, beauty, flaws, and terror. It is the acceptance of each of these facets that makes me more curious to keep exploring the human experience.

What amazes me most is how much I have already improved and evolved within just the first year of this program. When you are disciplined enough and care to do the work, the results simply show. Looking back at my year, I now understand what it truly means to listen to someone; reading behavior I can tell what it’s being meant beyond spoken words. Something I am most proud of is the ability to live truthfully under the given imaginary circumstances. Is staying present and connected to the human in front of me, the moment, and the doing of emotional preparation that I believe helped me achieve that. Daydreaming is a beautiful thing and when learned correctly what a powerful weapon it can be. Overall, this was a beautiful experience for me, and I am very happy that I stayed present through it all, never looking at the destination but enjoying the ride and appreciating the present moment. The Meisner Technique taught at The Sanford Meisner Center has shown me that amongst other things.”

Darius Levanté

“Discovering this program was revolutionary for me. Before I started, I felt disconnected from my craft and was desperately seeking ways to fill in the gaps. Although this was my first class in LA, I was captivated from the introductory session. There was a genuine willingness to return to basics, devoid of mind tricks or sales tactics. The Meisner Technique and this program reimagined how I listened and cared—not only about a scene partner but also the work itself, starting from the ground up. It taught me the simplistic power of living “… truthfully under the given imaginary circumstances.”

Now that I have completed the second-year program, I feel more confident than ever as an actor and artist. The program came with its challenges, but it has indeed closed the gaps I once had, transforming them into something deeper and evergreen. I am grateful to have this technique and community as a new cornerstone in my artistic journey. If you are looking for the best way to invest in, challenge, and equip yourself as the working actor you aspire to be, start here.

For my type A folks: (My top 3) – Provided concrete measures and practices on how to track your progression within the program and your artistic work. – It’s an experiential medium. Through your peers, you can see how each step brings forth transformative breakthroughs within them, which in turn elevates your work. – Developed a shared language, steeped in history, that you can always lean on. A language that all participants use, mitigating confusion.”

Demitrius Schmitt

The most important thing that this class exposed me to is the deference between a want, and a need. This last year was a journey of ups and downs that, for sure, were very empowering. On good days and on your worst days what you learn is very impactful and memorable. It’s the things that you take from each class that are what make coming so important. The valuable lessons learned become a turning point and a chance to grow. I learned that mistakes are OK to make as long as you do the work. I also learned that when in doubt return to the fundamentals.

Other classes don’t work on fundamentals nearly enough. Other classes I have attended also lack discipline. The Sanford Meisner Classes expect more out of me. There is no tomorrow. If you come in with that attitude and are waiting to be better tomorrow, you’ll be wasting everyone’s time including your own. Take advantage of today.
I get a wholesome feeling about being part of something bigger than just a class.

This is about being part of the Sanford Meisner acting community. It’s a privilege to be a part of this legacy and to be make sure to keep high standards. To be considered for the Sanford Meisner’s second year class feels more significant and more important because it is a huge accomplishment for any actor. In the first year, I felt like I had to work very hard, and that success wasn’t just handed to me. I definitely had to earn it. I look forward to working with all of my peers in the Sanford Meisner second year class, and thankful for this opportunity.”

Dovid Klein

“At the Sanford Meisner Center, I learned to stop thinking like an actor and start feeling like a human being. The work forced me to let go of my need to control, get out of my head, and just live in the moment. It’s been an incredibly freeing experience. I stopped obsessing over my performance and started putting all my attention on the other person. That shift led me on the path to being truly vulnerable in a way I never had before. What sets this program apart is how faithfully it follows Meisner’s original technique—no shortcuts or adulterations. I didn’t fully appreciate that at the beginning, but it’s the reason the class demands so much of you. This is the only training I’ve taken that pushed me this hard—and it’s also the one where I grew the fastest, not just as an actor, but as a person.”

Dylan D’Arezzo

“The time I have spent at the Sanford Meisner Center has opened up my life and my art in ways I will be forever grateful for. On that first day of class, I had a set of expectations for the skills I would gain and the work I would create over the course of the program, all of which were exceeded in every way possible. I did not think it was possible to grow so much in so little time. After only a year of class, I am able to say that I am proud of my work and what I am capable of as an actor. The work we do in class forces you to dig into the deepest parts of yourself, to face what you find, and to share it with the world.

The Meisner Technique has shown me that I am allowed to change, that I do not have to hold onto the parts of myself that I am afraid to let go of. I have learned to embrace the parts of myself that are true to my core, and to lead with my heart instead of my head. The work reaches beyond matters of the self, as well. I have come out of this training knowing the importance of giving in to your partner. To trust that you do not need to look for any answers in yourself, and that by caring deeply about the person in front of you and truly taking them in, all the work you have done will fall into place. All of this would not be possible without the time and care that Ranjiv puts into all of his students. He understands that each student is different, and he takes the time to teach every student in the way that will push them and help them grow into the artist they are capable of becoming.

Taking this class is the best decision I have ever made for myself. To even refer to my Meisner training as a ‘class’ feels like a disservice, because it is so much more than that. If you are looking to build a solid foundation for your acting career, and to play a LOT, this is the place to do it.”

Emma Massalone

“My first year at the Meisner Center has given me a steadfast foundation for this craft. When I decided to pursue acting professionally I dove in head first to get as much training as possible, without any formal theatre school. I took classes everywhere, however I found a common theme throughout. I was being breezed over, maybe a few quick notes that were lacking depth. There was no question of why I was doing what I was doing. I am in classes to improve, and Ranjiv would closely watch performances and discuss every detail of it. He takes the time to get to the truth of the matter, with every student. The Meisner center has given me the fundamentals that I can unwaveringly rely on. Every time. What I love about Meisner technique is that it is so deeply rooted in truth. And the truth always prevails.”

Eric Romero

“I always heard of the Meisner Technique, but in the far past I never gravitated toward it until the summer of 2024. I immediately knew after reading through the website, interviewing, and attending the intro session this was the technique I needed to better myself as an artist. The experience has truly been transformative in both my artistic and non-artistic life. I am proud and thrilled to take this with me into my future endeavors as an artist in both film and on live stage performances; furthermore, this is more than a technique it’s a legacy that I am deeply honored to be a part of. My response to any aspiring actor that is considering this technique is limited because it is an experience that one must go through. If you can accept that it’s an experience and dive into the unknowing, you will truly grow as an artist.”

Gavin Cole

“After I graduated college I felt like there was something missing. I had studied multiple different approaches, but somehow still felt that my work was empty. I had heard about Meisner’s method while in college but never had the opportunity to study it until 2021. Immediately I knew that this was the puzzle piece that I had been missing for so long.

Continuing this training after the first year ceased to be a want. It was a need, a firing burning inside me that couldn’t be extinguished. And the second year only fueled that fire more. I can’t think of any other training that actively made me fall in love with acting over, and over again each class. I truly believe that this training not only made me a better actor, but a better person as well. The best journeys are filled with twist and turns. Ups and downs, and bumps in the road. I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface, and I’ve got a ways to go. But I’m certain that the way I’m going is the right direction. A feeling I would have gotten to much later in life if I hadn’t have done this program. Something that was said over and over again in class was “It’s not about where you are going, it’s about how you get there”. Even though I am unaware of where this proverbial “there” is, I know now that I have the ability to get there no matter what is thrown at me.”

Gina Helena

“Studying the Meisner technique helped me learn how to stay open to how another person affects me in the moment. I entered the program with no prior acting training, and through the work I developed trust in what I feel and how it registers, without forcing behavior or outcomes. Over time, repetition gave me steadiness and presence, allowing moments to unfold naturally.

As the work deepened, it expanded my empathy and understanding of what it is to be human. I became less interested in judgment and more attuned to nuance, listening, and play. Through consistent practice, the work grew more layered and precise. Ultimately, I learned to live in the lines. I’m leaving the program with a lot of confidence in what I’m able to do as an actor. Overall, the experience was extremely enlightening, challenging, and fun! Exactly what I needed.”