Teachers
The staff of teachers at the BHP are all home-grown, trained personally by Milton in the BHP approach, and have a combined several hundred years of experience as students themselves at the BHP. All are professional actors, writers and/or directors, and are themselves pursuing the goals they are responsible for teaching.
| Richard Lawson | Richard's Web Site |
Richard Lawson has to his credit an auspicious list of film, television and stage appearances. His first professional job was in the national company of the Pulitzer Prize winning No Place to Be Somebody. He has also starred in the Los Angeles drama critics award winning performances of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Streamers. Other productions include Fool for Love, Checkmates, Vision and Lovers, The Mighty Gents, The Talented Tenth, Hapgood, and The Exonerated.
Some of his films include Poltergeist, Streets of Fire, Stick, The Main Event, Coming Home, Audrey Rose, Wag the Dog, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and Guess Who.
His vast television experience includes being a series regular on The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Dynasty, and Chicago Story. Movies of the week like Jericho Mile, The Golden Moment and Johnnie Gibson, FBI, Pandora's Clock and Jackie's Back. He has also guest starred on such popular small-screen series as MacGyver, Wiseguy, Amen, Parenthood, St. Elsewhere, Picket Fences, Judging Amy, The Division and NYPD Blue to name a few. Lawson created the part of 'Lucas Barnes' on the soap opera All My Children.
From 1983 to 1994, Lawson helped to administrate and run the drug education, training, treatment and aftercare program for the National Basketball Association. Today he is a highly sought-after interventionist and continues to counsel people all over the country.
Lawson has been a teacher at the Beverly Hills Playhouse for twenty-five years and a student for thirty years.
| Allen Barton | Allen's Web Site |
Allen Barton has been a student of the BHP since 1990 and currently serves as its CEO/Executive Director. He has been involved in BHP management since 1996, and has been on the teaching staff since 2002. He was the editor of both of Milton's books, Dreams Into Action and Acting Class, and apprenticed directly with Milton for many years both as a director and teacher.
Allen is a graduate of Harvard University, and has numerous L.A. stage, television and film credits. He currently works primarily as a writer/director, and helmed LA stage productions of The Real Thing, Rabbit Hole, The Last Five Years, Burn This, About Faith (world premiere), I Make You Laughing (world premiere), Pink Dot, The Engagement (also writer), as well as several short films. His first feature film screenplay, Real Music, was a top-three finalist in the CAPE New Writers Competition, and is currently in development.
Also a prize-winning classical pianist, Allen studied at New England Conservatory, was a summer fellow at the prestigious Tanglewood Institute in Lenox, Massachusetts, and has recorded five compact discs, currently available at cdbaby.com, the iTunes Store and other major digital download services. He was a prize-winner in the 2002 Los Angeles Liszt Society Bi-Annual Competition and performs regular recitals in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and throughout New England, including almost 20 annual holiday concerts at the BHP's Skylight Theatre in Los Feliz and regular appearances at Katselas Theatre Company and S.T.A.G.E. Benefit fundraising events in Los Angeles.
Read AB's BHP Blog at: www.bhplayhouse.wordpress.com.
| Art Cohan |
Art Cohan is an accomplished award-winning actor and director who has worked extensively for over 25 years in New York and Los Angeles in theater, film and television. Some of his film and television credits are available on IMDB. Art first started his studies with Milton Katselas in 1987 in a workshop in New York and has been attending classes at the Beverly Hills Playhouse since 1992.
In addition to his Scene Study classes, Art has also been teaching the "What's This Play About?" class to the advanced classes since 1992. Milton considers this "the most important class at the school" as it teaches the actor and directors in a practical way how to read a script and "take the black words on a white page and create life's colors." He also teaches a "How to Audition" class to students at the Playhouse. This is a 4-week intensive where actors can discover what's getting in the way of them booking jobs and solve that problem. Many of his students enjoy a higher percentage of callbacks, booking ratios and landing professional representation.
Art's primary focus is human nature and he is passionately committed, dedicated, and devoted to the student who wishes to understand every aspect of emotion, motivation, agenda, plot, plan, scheme or trick that any human is capable of in trying to determine a character. Many of his students credit him with changing their life as a person as well as a performer. It's one thing to dig deep inside and find your strengths and weaknesses to make the character live and breathe; it's quite another to take that inner journey and re-emerge with additional personal power as a human and an artist.
Art's students learn the Katselas approach and techniques as well as the business savvy required in maintaining a successful career and his "no holds barred style" empowers the actor to refuse the limitation of imitation and discover the endless imagination of the artist within.
| Rick Podell | Rick's Web Site |
Rick Podell has spent his career in all areas of the business - actor, writer, producer, director, and teacher. Rick's theatre career began by being hired by Andrew Lloyd Webber to be the original narrator in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Rick went on to do such Broadway shows as Evita, Company, Two by Two, Sugar, The Fantasticks, Chapter Two, and most recently co-starred as one of the original Broadway cast members of Sunset Boulevard, opposite Glenn Close and Betty Buckley.
Rick has starred in over 75 episodic television shows, including a year on Days of Our Lives, and has co-starred in movies opposite such stars as Anne Archer and Melanie Griffith.
Also a stand-up comedian, Rick has played Las Vegas and around the world, opening for such stars as Cher, Tina Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mac Davis, The Mills Brothers, and George Benson. He was the first American comedian ever to perform in South Africa.
As a writer, Rick wrote during the golden era at MTM, the home of such shows as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and others. His screenwriting break came when he wrote the script for Nothing in Common, starring Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason. His most recent script was for the CBS Movie Gleason, starring Brad Garrett.
| Gary Grossman |
Feature films include Bachelor Party, Mr. Saturday Night and Leprechaun 4. Television credits include: Series Regular On The Air (ABC), recurring roles Push Nevada (ABC), Night Court (CBS), Wonder Years (ABC) plus guest starring roles on Everyone Loves Raymond, Mad About You, Murphy Brown, just to name a few.
Gary has been the Executive Producer for Camelot Artists since 1984 and recently became its Producing Director. He has produced over 200 stage plays, including over 50 world premieres. Among his other celebrated productions are Romeo & Juliet (3 LADCC Awards), AIDS Us (3 LADCC Awards), Dylan (3 LADCC Awards), Lone Star, Balm and Gilead, Four and Visions and Lovers.
In addition to his work for Camelot, Gary has produced for the prestigious Matrix Theatre Company, where he was associated with the celebrated productions The Home Coming, End Game and The Seagull. For television he co-produced the MOW Sadie and Son (CBS) and the sitcom pilot Man in the Kitchen (ABC). He is the Executive Producer for award-winning director Chuck Workman's newest documentary The Actor's Life.
Gary is most proud of his 22 year association with director Milton Katselas and The Beverly Hills Playhouse, where he is a longtime student of Milton's master class, as well being a member of the teaching staff. As Executive Producer for Katselas Productions he produced Milton Katselas's national bestseller Dreams Into Action, as well as over 30 seminars, lectures and over 10 solo art exhibitions for Milton Katselas in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Tokyo.
| Rob Brownstein |
Rob Brownstein has worked as an actor and director at The Odyssey Theatre, The Falcon Theatre, The Court Theatre, Yale University, The Hollywood Court Theatre, The Hudson Guild, The Roundabout, Circle Repertory Company, Interact Theatre Company, The Riverside Shakespeare Company, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, among many others.
National tours include The King and I and The Little Prince. Television credits include The Guardian, For the People, Purpose, Snitch, Georgetown, Astronauts, Room 302, Hostage Hotel, Outreach, Very Bad Things, Bean, Chicago Hope, Picket Fences, L.A. Law, and Desperate Housewives.
He has taught at the University of North Carolina and at Circle Rep School of Theatre, as well as privately coaching in New York and Los Angeles. He has been Director of Development for Palisades Pictures, and a Director/Writer for the Walt Disney Company.
He was a longtime member of the Circle Repertory Lab in New York, a founding member of the award-winning Interact Theatre Company in L.A., and is currently a member of Milton Katselas' master class. His wife, Robin, is a veterinarian, and their son, Will, a professional toddler.
| Howie Deutch |
Howard Deutch began as a director shooting movie trailers and commercials and then moved into major motion pictures. His films include: My Best Friend’s Girl, The Whole Ten Yards, The Replacements, Grumpier Old Men, The Odd Couple II, Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Great Outdoors, Article 99, and Getting Even with Dad. He also directed the television film, Gleason.
He has directed several plays at New York’s Ensemble Theatre, as well as directing Music Videos for performers like Billy Idol and Billy Joel. Deutch has also successfully tackled episodic TV, directing shows such as Melrose Place, Caroline in the City, Tales from the Crypt, Watching Ellie, and Stevie Sanchez.
| Alex Craig Mann | Alex's Web Site |
Alex Craig Mann’s first instinct to act was at 8 yrs. old when, for some unknown reason, he hated Ricky Schroeder from the T.V. show Silver Spoons. "Mom, I can do that. Come on...get me an agent!" Fortunately or unfortunately, his mother insisted on a college education. Besides getting an agent while living in Springs, East Hampton in New York wasn’t so easy. So, Alex turned his sights elsewhere. However, very quickly, Alex realized that acting was the only thing he had a true passion for and began studying the craft.
His training took him from a B.A. in theatre from the University of New Hampshire to studying Shakespeare in Performance at Cambridge University in England. After graduating, he backpacked through Europe by himself. He landed in Avignon in the south of France. There he studied French, one of his other passions. "I have this incredible passion for the French culture and language. My dream is to be fluent and to live in Paris". The initial 3 week tour turned into 4 months and, finally, he decided to return to the States to pursue his dreams. One month after landing back in New York he was in Los Angeles.
In L.A., he began his professional training with Milton Katselas at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Since arriving, he has performed in over a dozen of L.A.’s most respected theatres, and met Zack Norman while appearing as Eugene in a critically acclaimed and award nominated production of Neil Simon’s BROADWAY BOUND at the Hudson Theatre. ("Mann wins the audience...and captures our attention"...LA Times.) Mr. Norman brought him in to meet Henry Jaglom for the role of Barry in "FESTIVAL IN CANNES" which led to his first lead role in film. Regarding "FESTIVAL IN CANNES", he’s been quoted as saying,
"It is every actor’s goal to one day work with a director and a cast such as this one. I realized a number of dreams in doing this film. I remember one day, waiting to go to the set, and sitting around a table with Henry Jaglom and Maximilian Schell while they traded stories about their lives in art. I sat in amazement as I listened to Max tell stories of Brando and Clift. No matter what happens in my career or life this experience will remain a highlight."
On T.V. Mann has appeared in several popular shows including "FRIENDS", "PARTY OF FIVE", "SEINFELD", "KING OF QUEENS", and "LAS VEGAS". His film work includes Frank Oz’s "BOWFINGER", Terry Gilliam’s "FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS", "STRANGE WILDERNESS" (for Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions), and is currently starring in Steven Rothblatt’s "OH BABY".
In recent years, Alex has turned his attention towards his newest passion – directing. In 2004, he directed Eric Bogosian’s "SUBURBIA" for which he won the Ticket Holder Award for Best Director. He followed that with several critical and box office successes – Neil Labute’s "AUTOBAHN" , John Patrick Shanley’s "SAVAGE IN LIMBO", and the world premier of the highly touted award winning play by Bruce J. Robinson, "ANOTHER VERMEER". He is currently signed to direct the 2005 runner up for the Pulitzer Prize, “THE CLEAN HOUSE’ by Sarah Ruhl. Recently, he made his first venture into filmmaking with his two shorts "BENNY" and "LOVE & MARRIAGE".
He is a 17-year student of Milton Katselas and is thrilled to be continuing his teaching. He currently resides in L.A. with his wife, Gabrielle, and baby boy, Parker.
| Michael Petted |
Actor, musician, writer, and producer Michael Petted studied with Milton Katselas in his master class for many years. He was directed by Milton in the play Tea and Sympathy, which he considers one of his most formative artistic experiences.
Michael was nominated for the Ovation Award (L.A.’s Tony Award) for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ray in Lone Star with Don Swayze. That same year he starred in another Ovation Award nominated play: A Gift From Heaven with Beth Grant. He was also named Backstage West’s Stage Spot Performer for his turn as Pony in Eric Bogosian’s Suburbia, and received critical acclaim for his performance as Tommy in the John Patrick Shanley play The Dreamer Examines His Pillow.
On television he has worked with George Clooney, Donal Logue, and Kevin Corrigan. Most recently he played one of the lead roles in the film Mayor Cupcake, opposite Lea Thompson and Judd Nelson. As a musician and songwriter Michael has produced and played drums in many successful touring bands.
He is very passionate about teaching at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.
| Jennifer Gelfer |
Jennifer Gelfer is an Actor, Director, Teacher, and private coach to some of the finest actors both here and abroad. Among her many acting credits are HBO's "Sex and The City", NBC's "The Doctors, and Disney's "Ice Princess".
She has Directed theatre in NYC, LA, and London. Her most recent revival of Lanford Wilson's, "Burn This", for The Collective Tree has been widely acclaimed. Directing credits in LA, include, "Pearls Before Swine", The Owl and The Pussycat, and Associate Direction of the Los Angeles Critics award winning "Dylan".
In NYC she has Directed the MITF's, production of Padraic O'Reilly's "Stray Dog Hearts" which won the award for best show. The Duo Theatres production of "Brilliant Traces", as well as the world premiere of "Colors of Autumn".
In London she has been made an Associate Member of the West End's Theatre Royale Haymarkets Masterclass, an honor she shares along with Dame Judi Dench. She is the only American this honor has been bestowed upon. On the West End she has collaborated with Sex and the City's, Kim Cattrall in Sir Peter Hall's production of "Whose Life Is It Anyway" and David Mamet's critically acclaimed, "The Cryptogram" @ The Donmar Warehouse. She can be seen in the BBC's documentary of "What I'd Really Like To Do", teaching one of her acclaimed Masterclasses.
Jennifer studied with Milton Katselas both in his advanced class and then onto his celebrated Master class for seventeen years. She credits him with making her the accomplished artist she is today. Milton taught me that I could do it all and that is the gift I want to give to other artists.
| Robert Zimmerman |
Robert started working professionally at age eleven at The Sharon Playhouse. The next several years included training with Jack O'Brien (Old Globe Theater) and Tony Richardson (British National Theater) and some 60 stage productions from Connecticut to San Diego.
After taking a break to do a some globe trotting, Robert arrived in LA to begin learning about Film and TV. He has appeared in Twin Peaks, The Larry Sanders Show, Port Charles and starred in the BBC made for TV movie, Murder, Too. Other film credits include the controversial Don's Plum with Leonardo DiCaprio & Tobey Maguire and Working Trash with Ben Stiller. Rob also worked onstage at The Matrix Theater in the all star cast of The Tavern and received very strong reviews for his performance as the lead in Prelude to a Kiss.
Robert first came to the Playhouse in 1991 and, in the words of one his teachers, 'found [his] home.' Over the next decade plus, he dedicated himself not only to his studies, but to the other students' growth, as well. He is fascinated with the process of actors discovering what elements of the teaching work best for them. Working in as many as seven classes per week, Robert has helped guide literally hundreds of students to the rewards offered by Milton Katselas' technique and vision of 'a room full of stars.'
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| "I know without question that I owe my career to the Beverly Hills Playhouse." |
| - Jorge Garcia, Lost |