Professional Acting Lab

Professional Acting Lab

Each class is limited to twelve students and each student works every week. There are generally three main areas of study: Scene Study (incorporating the trigger approach), stretch work, and audition skills. The classes also engage the student in every area of the life and career of the actor.

Scene Study - "The Trigger Approach"

The trigger approach is a technique originally developed by Richard Seyd as a way of breaking down text, thought by thought, to enable the actor to live more authentically and spontaneously in the moment during performance. All actors are told that “being in the moment” is important, but rarely is the actor taught how to be in the moment effortlessly. The trigger approach is designed to give the actor a working methodology for achieving that performance state.

Stretch Work

Stretch work focuses on expanding your range as an actor. The actor and the teacher first agree on what areas of their work the student is weak. All actors have natural strengths and weaknesses. Through very highly structured improvisational work the teacher focuses the actor on his or her own problem areas. Through this work, over time, the weaknesses themselves become strengths, enabling the actor to approach their work with more confidence and to become more fully rounded as performers. It is a profoundly effective way to continue growing as an actor.

Audition Skills

Actors need a specific and repeatable technique for reading from scripts in high pressure audition situations. We also work in class on finding appropriate monlogue material, as well as help with editing and getting pieces up on their feet. Underlying all this is helping actors learn to get themselves in to a peak state so they can consistently show up with their best work. As all athletes, dancers, tightrope walkers and high level performers know, the key is to learn to manage nerves rather than fight them.

When working on audition skills, the classes focus on cold readings, finding and preparing monologues that show your full range, and developing a marketing strategy for yourself as an actor, including dealing with casting directors, agents, photos, resumes, etc.

Student Testimonials

“Bobby Weinapple is not only the ideal acting coach, but an incredible mentor and role model. He works with detail, patience, and 100% attention to his students. As an actor, director, and performer himself, he listens with great care and is devoted to each of his students individually, while creating the safest, professional, and most supportive environment. He also is a STELLAR college audition coach, and as a result because of him, I am now a working actress in LA with a BFA.”

Krista Marie Yu
Reboot, Last Man Standing, Dr. Ken, Agent Carter, Cougar Town, Parenthood

“As an ‘aspiring’ actor in LA , I studied with Bobby for 2 years in SF before having the confidence to move down to pursue my dreams. When I think about what separates Bobby from the other teachers is his ability to make you feel heard and that your ‘acting journey’ is a collaborative one. Bobby is one of the best, and he has made me a better actor and coincidentally, a better person during my time studying with him.”

Stephen Chang
90210, Southland, CSI

Class Details
Bobby Weinapple


Mon. 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Cost: $80 per class