Teaches online

Teaches all skill levels

Age: 18+

Speaks English, Spanish, French

Teaching since 2001

PhD - Transformational Actor Training

About James W.

4.8

(6)

I have been teaching and coaching for over a decade. I live in Los Angeles and work professionally as an actor in theatre, film, and television. I have an MFA from the American Conservatory Theatre. With my PhD research at the California Institute of Integral Studies (funded by The Esalen Institute) I explored a distinct teaching approach that focuses on cultivating the extraordinary capacities of great actors. I have taught at The American Conservatory Theatre, The Berkeley Repertory School of Theatre, The Theatre of Arts, Naropa University, and privately. I love the creative process of teaching, and I teach primarily through caring relationship to my students. We can meet online or in person. I have a huge library of resources to support you with. I also will often record our lessons so you can listen or watch them multiple times as a way to get maximum value from the work we do.

Instructor details

Subject

Location:

Teaches Online

Teaching Hours

Monday

11:30 AM-7 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM-7 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM-7 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM-7 PM

Friday

11:30 AM-7 PM

Saturday

1 PM-4:30 PM

Sunday

1 PM-4 PM

Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Pricing

30 minutes

$50

45 minutes

$75

60 minutes

$100

ReviewsWrite a review

83%

17%

4.8

6 Reviews

Jeffrey

Teacher's studio

James Wagner is actually the best teacher of creative work I've ever had in any field, and as a writer/ filmmaker/ musician dude, I have had a lot! His teaching is rigorous, passionate, and results-driven, while remaining flexible and sensitive at the same time. His knowledge of acting and theatre theory is endless. He is always trying to expand the possibilities in his classes, bringing in guest speakers, and facilitating unexpected exercises. He is also an inspiring, warm hearted person. Kate and I started a theatre company with actors we all met in his classes, so that should tell you something. I honestly would not be the same person had I not encountered his generous vision of acting and theatre. You cannot go wrong by having him as a coach or teacher.

Posted May 30, 2017

Deborah

Teacher's studio

I met James when I took his class at Berkeley Rep (Eugene O'neill scene studies). I immediately knew he was the kind of Acting coach I'd want to train me, the level of professionalism and high standards is invaluable. During a short trip to LA, I met with James for a 3 hours coaching in which we created a 3 year plan to go from Student actor to working actor this was followed up with some online (Skype) sessions. Next I took another scene study with James at Berkeley Rep in which we workshopped Contemporary plays, James in a kind, professional way was able to push me to the level he knew and expected his students to be. And recently I took an Actor's retreat end of last year, again I left the retreat so inspired and motivated. I can tell you now that I have been in a few Theatre productions, I have and continue to meet the goals we set out for me sooner than what we had mapped out. I couldn't have done it without James vast knowledge of acting and motivation. I highly recommend you study with James!

Posted May 26, 2017

Gino

Teacher's studio

I've studied with James in both a workshop context, and one-to-one on-line. Both were very valuable and enjoyable experiences. James is a very skilled actor, a very learned man, and an insightful teacher and director. Each element of his teaching is a different expression of a life that is clearly committed to his art as an actor. I found working with him to provide a deep new view of the playwright we studied (Albee in our case), and a very supportive guide to my personal work as an actor. I can highly recommend him.

Posted May 20, 2017

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Experience

Acting Instructor

Sep, 2008 - Present

Berkeley Repertory Theatre

I have taught acting, audition technique, business skills for actors, and movement at Berkeley Repertory School of Theatre for almost 10 years.

Acting Instructor

May, 2005 - Present

American Conservatory Theatre: MFA and Young Conservatory

I have taught movement, improvisation, acting technique, and business skills for actors at ACT's MFA program and Young Conservatory.

Education

MFA Acting

Sep, 2005 - Jun, 2008

American Conservatory Theatre

PhD - Transformational Actor Training

Sep, 2008 - May, 2013

California Institute of Integral Studies

Affiliations

Actors' Equity Association

Dec, 2007

Actors' Equity Association, founded in 1913, is the labor union that represents more than 49,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society.

SAG-AFTRA

Apr, 2011

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.