Chris Fields Acting Studio

In the early 2000s I audited several acting classes in and around the city of Los Angeles, most of which left me completely disillusioned with the concept of a class structure offering me anything new to learn or practice. Then I was referred to Chris Fields by an exceptional actress with whom I worked in a play. After observing her habits of work I was impressed enough to meet this man with whom she was studying.
All I can say is what transpired in my first meeting with Chris convinced me that this was a man who knew more than I did, that he was someone for whom I’d work hard and trust, and that I could walk away from sessions with him confident that my money wasn’t going to waste. I was right.
What sets Chris apart from anyone else I’ve ever studied under is his ability to equip you to take care of yourself as an actor. I’d been in countless situations before where teachers knew how to agitate a performance/​reaction out of me some afternoon, but I’d then be left with no idea how to make it happen again the next day. That isn’t teaching and it isn’t learning.
Chris works with patience and great care, and his respect for acting as a PROCESS influenced my treatment of myself as an actor. I used to be very hard on myself if I hadn’t nailed a performance or even a cold-​reading, berating myself in private. Chris recognized this and addressed it pretty simply. Today that kind of self-​punishment doesn’t even occur to me. Chris taught me to opt for compassion and a focus on what needs to be worked on next, rather than damaging myself or wasting energy not feeling good enough.
To this day Chris Fields is the man I credit as the one who granted me access to my art. I know when I receive positive feedback, be it from critics or contemporaries, it’s due in no small part to what I gleaned from Chris’ classes.

Having taken a major time-​out in my acting career, I was so fortunate to meet Chris and find a home again. The lineage of this man’s experience touches the roots of American acting from Stella Adler to Bobby Lewis to Wynn Handman. And while he is grounded in that remarkable New York history, Chris is also an exuberant, youthful spirit who has driven me past my own doubts and fears and into my own true artistry and creativity. Driving home one night from his studio in that sheer exhaustion that actor’s know so well, I realized that I had finally manifested something that I’d set out to be twenty years before: an artist. There is so much laughter and joy in Chris’s studio that sometimes you forget how challenging it all can be. And that’s one of the many gifts. The work in this studio has positioned me to succeed in film, television, auditions, commercials and theater.

Chris is the real deal. He is kind, patient, wise and brings out the actor in you. Years after receiving my MFA from a prestigious acting school I was cautious and scared to begin training again. I audited several classes in town and was turned off by the large class size, the guru-​like teachers and the adherence to rigid technique. I found my home with Chris. He respects his students, teaches with care and reverence for the artist and the material. He does not manipulate his students to get a result but empowers the actor to her own process. He teaches actors how to be truthful and specific. He teaches moment to moment acting. This class is all you need to learn how to be truthful, specific, full and emotionally present. I have found a freedom and a depth through Chris’ teaching. He is an actor-​whisperer.

Chris Fields is the acting teacher who most deeply affected me and my work… run, don’t walk to study with this man. His approach to Meisner technique completely changed the way I show up, such that I always feel my feet on the ground, know I have my soul present in the space and that I can trust it, myself, my preparation (whether it’s extensive or a just a fleeting knowing) let go and be alive onstage/​on location with my fellow performers… sometimes it feels like flying. Acting becomes an art of Practical Being — that you, your colleagues and your audience can trust and be inspired by.

I studied with one of the masters of acting while a student in Manhattan. Freddy Kareman embodied all that was honest and brave and simple. I was on Broadway within a year. And when I moved to LA and when Freddy passed away, I thought — well, that is the end of an era. And in a sense it was. But when, through a very dear friend, I met Chris Fields, I was reminded of why I love studying. And scene work. and stretching myself. And being in the moment. Truthful. Simple. Brave. Because the work — is why we are actors. We love to delve into the lives of these characters. We love to live.
Chris is the real deal in a city of so many imitators. He is deeply intelligent and cultured. He loves teaching. He pushes his actors. He loves good writing. He feels the scenes.
And I believe that his work has given me back that golden confidence I discovered in Manhattan. And with that sense of self, of confidence in my craft and most importantly, with the knowing that listening and responding — coming from my own point of view is everything — how could I — or any of us — ever go wrong?
Chris teaches these values that Freddy once taught him in the late 1980’s.
He is a prince. I feel very grateful to have found him. I highly recommend his class.

Excellent class, brilliant teacher — with an «There are no shortcuts» approach to the craft (which having trained with some of the best in NYC and grown up in the theatre I wholeheartedly believe). This is not a «how to book the job» acting class (as sooo many classes in LA are). This is a «how to be the most extraordinary and specific actor you can be» class, where I have seen tremendous growth from his students in a short period of time. This is the class that will enable to you to know what the fuck you are doing when have booked the job and actually have to act. Tools, Skill. Legit.
Chris is both patient and challenging, and he drives the class with his great wit and enthusiasm which is infectious. He has studied with the greats (seriously) in NYC — and brings an amazing wealth of knowledge and skill to the room. I have taken his class, I have acted with Chris, I have been directed by him. He is one of the best.

When I first moved to LA over 16 years ago, I did not know the first thing about what I was doing. I had a talent manager who told me NOT to take acting classes and after a few months of getting less than stellar feedback, it was suggested that I take a class or two. I went to a teacher who shall remain nameless and she basically tore me down to a shred of myself and I was lost. A talent agent of mine at the time suggested I go study with Chris Fields. Another client of theirs, Zoe McLellan (NCIS: NO) had had a similar journey to mine and he had helped her immensely. I was desperate and needed help. I was not sure what to expect, but I quickly realized that no one had really taught me how to act until I met Chris. I sat down with him and knew I was finally in the right place. He had a gentle way with me which made me feel safe and comfortable. He took me back to the basics and within a very short time I really started to fall in love with acting. I feel like I got an undergrad and a Masters in Acting from Chris. I studied with Chris off and on for more than 8 years and privately coached with him for auditions. My career started to take off and I always go back to the basics of what Chris taught me. I have worked with Chris as a teacher, a director, an artistic director and a person and my favorite role of his is that of teacher. Go take his class… he will teach you how to be gentle with yourself, stretch yourself, love yourself and love acting.

I had stopped taking acting classes for years as I was growing tired of the same guru-​like teachers and felt like I was doing the same scenes and being charged ridiculous amounts of money per month to do so. Also, my professional career had seemingly slowed to a death-​like crawl. A friend was taking Chris’ class and raved and he said «You must come study with this guy. He’s beyond amazing». I hemmed and hawed and finally at a low point I went and met with Chris and from the moment we sat down to talk, I knew I was going to take his class. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Having studied with him on and off for over 8 years, I can’t even begin to describe how much his class made a difference for me professionally. After studying with him for only a few months, I started booking jobs right and left. He is my secret weapon. Please, do yourself a favor. Give yourself the gift of this man and his brilliant scene study class. Your career will thank you. :)

I am so honored to get to the be first review for this amazing teacher! If you are serious about becoming the best actor you can possibly be, you must train with Chris. This is a no BS acting class and Chris really takes the time to get to know you and help you grow as an actor and artist. He creates a safe space where you can really play, hone your craft, as well as fail (thereby learning the most.) His advice and training have been invaluable to me over the years. He is also the artistic director of the Echo Theatre Company, and is constantly putting out amazing shows and readings. I cannot say enough. This class is different from all the other Hollywood acting classes in the best way possible.