Michael Leoni

Introduction: The truth is what you're searching for in yourself, your character and your work. In order to find it, you must first know yourself as an actor, a person and a product. Success in this industry depends on having a strong sense of direction in all of these areas. Michael Leoni's classes are specifically designed to help you achieve this. It takes guts not to try to control anything. Working with Michael will help give you, the actor, a working knowledge of yourself, your craft and the business of acting. His goal is to guide actors through their most raw selves, towards the most important and intense truths of the character, so the audience forgets they are watching acting. Act like a human being. Know yourself: In order to become a character, you need to be fully comfortable with yourself and understand the instincts, emotions and rawness of human behavior. As humans, we all have basic needs and desires. Once you understand them, developing the life and back story of your character will naturally become more truthful. Discover your type: Are your headshots working for you? Find out how to market yourself for your type, to get you the roles that you want. The coach: Michael Leoni has been called a true actor's director because he connects with the actor on a human level and provides a safe, honest and nurturing environment for creative freedom, self-discovery and a focused commitment to the business of acting. Directing and writing for over 12 years, Michael spent the last six between New York City and Los Angeles. His projects have received rave reviews by the press, industry professionals and more importantly, by the actors he's worked with. During the course of his coaching and directing career, he has worked with actors varying from beginners to professional film, TV and Broadway-level talent. The end result of his work has connected actors and singers with theatrical and commercial agents, managers, record labels and direct casting. Michael has had plays and short films in festivals in New York and L.A. His recent hit show, Elevator, ran in L.A. for 10 months to rave reviews. He is currently in post-production on a feature documentary and pre-production on a feature film. Private and group lessons are available. For more information and rates, please email Michael with your name, contact info and a brief introduction of yourself. We are always willing to work with actors to make sure they can afford to study their craft. Actors of all ages are welcome. Testimonials: "As an acting coach and teacher myself, I am highly critical of referring other coaches. Michael Leoni is the exception to that rule. As a strong director, he brings a passion for the craft, as well as a brilliant awareness of human behavior. He is a strong teacher with the ability to take actors to the most honest place. I've seen his work as a director, actor and as a teacher, and I highly recommend him!" - Lisa Pantone - Casting Director, Acting Coach "Working with director Michael Leoni was an experience I would recommend to anyone. His vision and direction took me to places I never thought possible." - Luke Barnett - Actor, film and TV "Watching Michael work has been completely inspiring. Creatively, he's years ahead of his time, both as a writer and as a director. It's his passion and dedication to the work that I found most impressive, but his knowledge of what's current and what's new is the true genius that continues to attract top level of industry to his work." - Jeanne Elfant Festa - Piper Cub Productions "Working with Michael brought my acting to a place that I never thought it could be. He's up close and personal, and he knows exactly how to get what he wants out of you. He connects with you on a level that makes you feel safe and free to go to the places you're afraid to go." - Rachael Page - Interscope Recording Artist "He has a passion, curiosity and drive for what goes on beneath the surface of his generation. He is unafraid to reveal the truth. He creates from the realities of what he finds. He goes to those places; brutally at times, that majority of us don't want to see." - Peter Flint - Broadway Actor, Director "Michael Leoni's class hit a very interesting chord for me mentally. I learned more about myself through him than I have from any other teacher or class in my academic history. I am very grateful for having him in my career." - Banks Boutte - Actor, film "Taking an acting class with Michael Leoni was an exhilarating thrill ride of experience. I know in my gut that I have what it takes to create living, breathing characters from ink on a page when I trust my instincts and just go for it!" - Sandy Payne, Writer/Actor