About Us
Read about the Bay Area Acting Studio Instructors:
Christy has worked in the industry for over 20 years, she started out as one of 50 students (out of more than 3500 applicants from all over the country) chosen to study with Sandy Meisner for a month-long intensive on the island of Bequia in the West Indies. It soon became clear to the fifty students that these classes were essentially a month-long audition. When the classes ended, Christy learned that out of the fifty students in the summer program, she was one of only 22 chosen to continue to study in Sandy’s two-year private class. The following two years studying with Sandy were intense and immensely rewarding. When the two years ended, Christy was invited to join Sandy’s first ever Master Class, which at that time was called The Actors Lab.
After Sandy passed away, Christy continued to study at the Master Class level with John Ruskin in L.A. for four more years. In addition to her acting studies, Christy continued to act, write, direct and produce independent films, one of which brought her nominations for both Best Film and Best Actress. She also began teaching and taught at The Actors Group before moving to Northern California to direct films.
Her decision to open an acting studio in the San Francisco Bay Area came from her discovery of how difficult it was as a director to find local actors that could handle emotional material in a truthful and meaningful way. To solve the problem, she began teaching one class a week to help actors who, like her before she discovered the Meisner Technique, were looking for a way to connect meaningfully to their craft. She soon found that she enjoyed teaching as much as directing and acting.
Sadly, Sanford Meisner passed away without having the opportunity to see Christy become the great teacher they both knew she would be “some day.” It was from their shared and deeply held desire to help other actors fulfill their dreams of becoming honest and truthful actors that the Bay Area Acting Studio was born.
While coaching and teaching actors the art of acting and the Meisner technique, Christy became passionate about helping her talented actors take that next step and achieve their dreams of being working actors in the industry. She then teamed up with her long time friend and Mentor Kyle Fritz, a well established Talent Manager in Los Angeles for 20 years. She has been working as a Manager out of Kyle’s L.A. Office and coming back twice a month to teach her Master Classes and her well received “The Actor’s Edge” class, which prompted her to start a Tele-Seminar series where she teaches how to get an “edge” over the competition.
After Sandy passed away, Christy continued to study at the Master Class level with John Ruskin in L.A. for four more years. In addition to her acting studies, Christy continued to act, write, direct and produce independent films, one of which brought her nominations for both Best Film and Best Actress. She also began teaching and taught at The Actors Group before moving to Northern California to direct films.
Her decision to open an acting studio in the San Francisco Bay Area came from her discovery of how difficult it was as a director to find local actors that could handle emotional material in a truthful and meaningful way. To solve the problem, she began teaching one class a week to help actors who, like her before she discovered the Meisner Technique, were looking for a way to connect meaningfully to their craft. She soon found that she enjoyed teaching as much as directing and acting.
Sadly, Sanford Meisner passed away without having the opportunity to see Christy become the great teacher they both knew she would be “some day.” It was from their shared and deeply held desire to help other actors fulfill their dreams of becoming honest and truthful actors that the Bay Area Acting Studio was born.
While coaching and teaching actors the art of acting and the Meisner technique, Christy became passionate about helping her talented actors take that next step and achieve their dreams of being working actors in the industry. She then teamed up with her long time friend and Mentor Kyle Fritz, a well established Talent Manager in Los Angeles for 20 years. She has been working as a Manager out of Kyle’s L.A. Office and coming back twice a month to teach her Master Classes and her well received “The Actor’s Edge” class, which prompted her to start a Tele-Seminar series where she teaches how to get an “edge” over the competition.
Beth has had the acting bug since she was a little kid and her parents let her play a pickpocket in "Oliver." She spent many years on stage as well as back stage and even kicked up her heels in ballroom, latin, and swing dance exhibitions. She eventually found her way to TV and film in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. She began studying Meisner Technique with Christy years ago as an eight-week class, but just never stopped... Beth has been teaching since graduate school where she got her Masters degree in Geology/Geophysics. She also spends time on the computer doing everything from website design and graphic design to program and project management.
For more information or to contact Beth directly, visit www.bethbemis.com
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For more information or to contact Beth directly, visit www.bethbemis.com
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Melissa was last seen onstage with American Conservatory Theatre in the World Premiere of "Monstress". You can catch her on DVD, Netflix, and iTunes in the award winning indie film, "East Side Sushi".
Melissa’s passion for acting has been deeply enriched through her study of the Meisner technique. She has taught improvisation and acting at San Jose Repertory Theatre through their children’s programming, as well as with The Red Ladder Theatre Company, San Jose Rep's resident improvisational outreach theatre company, where she worked with communities from preschoolers to teens and teachers to CEOs, helping to bring acting, improvisation, and creativity into the classroom and workplace.
With over ten years of acting and teaching experience, Melissa has performed onstage across the country, and continues to work in television, film, and commercials. Her love for the craft and zest for life has brought her to teach both adult Meisner technique and kids & teens classes here at Bay Area Acting Studio!
For more information or to contact Melissa directly, visit www.melissalocsin.com
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Melissa’s passion for acting has been deeply enriched through her study of the Meisner technique. She has taught improvisation and acting at San Jose Repertory Theatre through their children’s programming, as well as with The Red Ladder Theatre Company, San Jose Rep's resident improvisational outreach theatre company, where she worked with communities from preschoolers to teens and teachers to CEOs, helping to bring acting, improvisation, and creativity into the classroom and workplace.
With over ten years of acting and teaching experience, Melissa has performed onstage across the country, and continues to work in television, film, and commercials. Her love for the craft and zest for life has brought her to teach both adult Meisner technique and kids & teens classes here at Bay Area Acting Studio!
For more information or to contact Melissa directly, visit www.melissalocsin.com
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Jay Ruby is an actor that started in the Bay Area and is now living in LA. This last year has been full of great auditions for shows like Grey's Anatomy (ABC), CSI: Cyber (CBS), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW) AND a booking on FX's hit series, The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story!
Aside from teaching acting, Jay also teaches high school (World History and Economics), and occasionally teaches martial arts. When he’s not teaching or acting, Jay is raising two boys.
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Aside from teaching acting, Jay also teaches high school (World History and Economics), and occasionally teaches martial arts. When he’s not teaching or acting, Jay is raising two boys.
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Kyle's biggest dream in life is to be an inspiration to people. Whether it's through acting or teaching, he invests himself deeply to his cause. Kyle is a versatile artist, with experience on both sides of the camera as a Meisner-trained actor with experience in television, film, and improvisation, and a writer and director of multiple short films. Kyle is represented in the San Francisco and Los Angeles markets and appeared recently in an episode of Scandal on ABC!
Prior to acting, Kyle worked locally in the Silicon Valley, among tech giants, which has helped him to empathize with the many students here at Bay Area Acting Studio. He continues to train and improve his skills in pursuit of the journey. Kyle brings passion, knowledge, and a "dorky" sense of humor to his work and his teaching, and endeavors to help everyone pursue their grandest dreams.
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Prior to acting, Kyle worked locally in the Silicon Valley, among tech giants, which has helped him to empathize with the many students here at Bay Area Acting Studio. He continues to train and improve his skills in pursuit of the journey. Kyle brings passion, knowledge, and a "dorky" sense of humor to his work and his teaching, and endeavors to help everyone pursue their grandest dreams.
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Mark’s passion for acting began as a child, when he saw Jodie Foster and Scott Baio in "Bugsy Malone." He is now a Bay area based actor with experience in film, television and theater, and his training in the Meisner Technique with Christy English has inspired his passion for teaching and coaching. When he’s not in a class or on a set, he’s usually still on a set in his role as a professional commercial and portrait photographer.
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Karen Brelsford is a working actor in Canada, San Francisco and LA’s Film, TV, and Theatre industries. She is conservatory trained (American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York) and specializes in improv and sketch comedy.
Karen regularly performs with various San Francisco improv groups including The Iron Stage (Improvised Game of Thrones) and SF Improv Collective. She has trained with improv greats in New York and Canada.
Karen's love of improv began 15 years ago when she was asked to join the shortform improv group, Throw Us A Line. This weekly fast-paced show led to a thriving career in improv and comedy, including performing with Canada’s
award-winning longform group, Sin City. Karen has taught improv in Canada and is excited to bring her passion
and skills to the Bay Area Acting Studio. Karen also has a M.Sc. in dendrochronology and performs as a comedic Kate Middleton impersonator!
Her TV credits include such shows as FOX’s Gracepoint and Hallmark’s Cedar Cove. Karen’s New York Theatre experience includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Night Must Fall. Her Canadian Theatre resume includes The Odd Couple in addition to numerous other productions.
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Karen regularly performs with various San Francisco improv groups including The Iron Stage (Improvised Game of Thrones) and SF Improv Collective. She has trained with improv greats in New York and Canada.
Karen's love of improv began 15 years ago when she was asked to join the shortform improv group, Throw Us A Line. This weekly fast-paced show led to a thriving career in improv and comedy, including performing with Canada’s
award-winning longform group, Sin City. Karen has taught improv in Canada and is excited to bring her passion
and skills to the Bay Area Acting Studio. Karen also has a M.Sc. in dendrochronology and performs as a comedic Kate Middleton impersonator!
Her TV credits include such shows as FOX’s Gracepoint and Hallmark’s Cedar Cove. Karen’s New York Theatre experience includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Night Must Fall. Her Canadian Theatre resume includes The Odd Couple in addition to numerous other productions.
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Estella Gabriel is a bilingual, multi-faceted, passionate artist, with a passion for actors. Estella is a consummate artist, working both sides of the camera as actor and as co-founder and President of Fe' Films, where she writes, directs and produces narrative films.
Personally, Estella is no stranger to overcoming struggles in life, starting at a very early age. Growing up in the East hills of San Jose, the early and unexpected death of her father forced her to realize the importance of seizing each day and making it her own. She dabbled in acting, but soon took a break out of necessity to help support her young family, with a day job in the corporate world. When an otherwise devastating layoff re-awoken her to her true passion of acting, she resumed her work as an artist. She immersed herself in acting classes, in which she thrived artistically, most especially the Sanford Meisner technique. With the help of her Coach and Manager, Christy English, she very quickly began to secure work as an actor. Estella currently has representation in the LA, San Francisco and Louisiana markets, through which she continues her love for Television and Film. Most recently, she worked with Ben McKenzie on the series premiere of Southland which entailed an intense shootout on Hollywood Blvd.
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Personally, Estella is no stranger to overcoming struggles in life, starting at a very early age. Growing up in the East hills of San Jose, the early and unexpected death of her father forced her to realize the importance of seizing each day and making it her own. She dabbled in acting, but soon took a break out of necessity to help support her young family, with a day job in the corporate world. When an otherwise devastating layoff re-awoken her to her true passion of acting, she resumed her work as an artist. She immersed herself in acting classes, in which she thrived artistically, most especially the Sanford Meisner technique. With the help of her Coach and Manager, Christy English, she very quickly began to secure work as an actor. Estella currently has representation in the LA, San Francisco and Louisiana markets, through which she continues her love for Television and Film. Most recently, she worked with Ben McKenzie on the series premiere of Southland which entailed an intense shootout on Hollywood Blvd.
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Kyoko Dole is a SAG/AFTRA actor living and working in LA where she has booked a Bud Light Super Bowl Commercial, was most recently pinned for a role on Grey's Anatomy (ABC) and is busy regularly auditioning for network and cable TV roles as well as feature film roles including VEEP (HBO), Blue Bloods (CBS), Criminal Minds (CBS), Modern Family (ABC), How to Get Away With Murder (ABC), Scandal (ABC), Superior Donuts (CBS), a feature film produced by Will Ferrell and much more!
Kyoko began her acting training at Bay Area Acting Studio studying under Christy English in The Meisner Technique and eventually The Meisner Technique Advanced Class as well as Christy's other Master classes, has since moved to LA and has continued to train at the well-known Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade (where the likes of Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Melissa McCarthy and other comedic greats have trained), and has also studied with Lesly Kahn and continues ongoing training with Annie Grindlay.
Kyoko, Samurai on her father's side, inspired by her family history, trained in martial arts and weapons including traditional Katana (samurai sword), Nunchaku ("nunchucks"), Kama blades, and Japanese Wooden Bo Staff. Some of the Katas (samurai sword practice sequences) that she has trained in are the same exact sequences that Samurai used to train hundreds of years ago. She considers each of these disciplines beautiful and graceful art forms and strives to master each.
She regularly offers coaching via FaceTime or Skype, as well as returns to the Bay Area Acting Studio every few months for in-person coaching, and loves helping actors train in both the art form and business of acting.
Read more about Kyoko at: www.kyokodole.com and imdb.me/kyokodole
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Kyoko began her acting training at Bay Area Acting Studio studying under Christy English in The Meisner Technique and eventually The Meisner Technique Advanced Class as well as Christy's other Master classes, has since moved to LA and has continued to train at the well-known Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade (where the likes of Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Melissa McCarthy and other comedic greats have trained), and has also studied with Lesly Kahn and continues ongoing training with Annie Grindlay.
Kyoko, Samurai on her father's side, inspired by her family history, trained in martial arts and weapons including traditional Katana (samurai sword), Nunchaku ("nunchucks"), Kama blades, and Japanese Wooden Bo Staff. Some of the Katas (samurai sword practice sequences) that she has trained in are the same exact sequences that Samurai used to train hundreds of years ago. She considers each of these disciplines beautiful and graceful art forms and strives to master each.
She regularly offers coaching via FaceTime or Skype, as well as returns to the Bay Area Acting Studio every few months for in-person coaching, and loves helping actors train in both the art form and business of acting.
Read more about Kyoko at: www.kyokodole.com and imdb.me/kyokodole
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Kyle is a Graduate of the Atlantic Theater Company Professional Conservatory in New York City, and has his a B.A. in Cinema Production from San Francisco State University.
With an accumulated 10 years of experience behind and in front of the camera, Kyle is keen on helping actors learn more about the industry so they can make the most informed decisions for their careers. He has been closely involved with our studio since 2012, as a student, a teacher, and an assistant to many of our programs for both Kids and Adults (including Christy’s Pro-Class and our Invited Guest Weekend classes).
Kyle is also the head of our Reels Production Program here at BAAS. He is a great resource if you are in need of updating your actor business materials, or want to discuss transitioning into the New York market, audition preparation, and expectations involved with being an actor.
If you are seeking guidance and would like to work with Kyle, he is available for coaching via phone or Skype.
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With an accumulated 10 years of experience behind and in front of the camera, Kyle is keen on helping actors learn more about the industry so they can make the most informed decisions for their careers. He has been closely involved with our studio since 2012, as a student, a teacher, and an assistant to many of our programs for both Kids and Adults (including Christy’s Pro-Class and our Invited Guest Weekend classes).
Kyle is also the head of our Reels Production Program here at BAAS. He is a great resource if you are in need of updating your actor business materials, or want to discuss transitioning into the New York market, audition preparation, and expectations involved with being an actor.
If you are seeking guidance and would like to work with Kyle, he is available for coaching via phone or Skype.
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Ruth Baker is an energetic actor with a passion for teaching. Ruth's interest in performance began when she was a child, and it flourished after she started her family. She began studying the Meisner Technique with the Bay Area Acting Studio in 2010 and is currently enrolled in and continues to hone her craft in Christy English's Master Class.
Ruth teaches multiple classes at the Bay Area Acting Studio and regularly goes out for auditions.
Additionally, Ruth has worked as a professional makeup artist for over sixteen years. She has worked on many projects, both behind and in front of the camera, and considers it all valuable.
Ruth teaches multiple classes at the Bay Area Acting Studio and regularly goes out for auditions.
Additionally, Ruth has worked as a professional makeup artist for over sixteen years. She has worked on many projects, both behind and in front of the camera, and considers it all valuable.
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Read our Policies Page >
When enrolling for classes, please use a valid email as our instructors use these email addresses
to send important updates regarding classes.
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