Shari Shaw Acting & Performance Studios in Los Angeles offers a wide-range of on-going in-person, online, on-set private coaching and group classes for performers of all levels, all around the world; from A-list TV & movie stars to business executives, pop stars, athletes, influencers, kids, new actors and everyone in between. Also offering regular seminars, showcases, boot camp intensives, workshops and retreats in Southern California, New York, Atlanta and Maui.
ABOUT
WHO
SHARI SHAW
SHARI SHAW is one of Hollywood’s top acting and performance coaches. A gifted, passionate, dedicated, high-energy coach, motivator, mentor, author and entrepreneur, Shari works with artists, performers and professionals from all walks of life, at every level; including A-list TV & movie stars, business executives, pop stars, athletes, influencers, kids, new actors and everyone in between. She has developed sure-fire methods to help performers Get Prepped, Get Pumped, Get Focused, Get Confident and Get The Job.
After graduating cum laude from Cal. State University Northridge Theater Arts, and a full scholarship to USC Drama MFA, Shari began a successful acting career in feature films, network TV shows, national commercials and theatrical world premieres. Simultaneously, she also acquired a high-profile clientele as a personal fitness trainer. Transitioning to coaching, Shari has built an instantly recognizable (and Award-winning) roster of actors who are seen in hit TV shows, major movies, Broadway, concerts, podcasts, online and, well, everywhere.
Shari Shaw Acting & Performance Studios in Los Angeles offers a wide range of on-going in-person, online, on-set and in-home private coaching and group classes for all levels of performers, all around the world; as well as on-location seminars, showcases, boot camp intensives, workshops and retreats in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and Maui.
She is the author of ‘The Positive Path for Actors’, currently on sale through Amazon and Balboa Press. She has directed the ABC Diversity Showcase and was the first female director of the NBC-Universal Actor’s Showcase. Her app, the “7 Step Prep For Success” is a coach-in-your-pocket guide for actors, auditioners, job-interviewees and performers, available soon through the Apple and Google Play stores.
Shari created ‘Tri-Act-A-Lon’, an extreme Mind-Body-Craft weekend retreat that combines rigorous and challenging emotional, physical, acting work and wellness with joy, celebration and community.
Shari has developed a program called ‘Act As If, Live As If’ for actors and non-actors to learn the tools, tips and techniques of accomplished performers to create and master any role they want to play in their daily lives – from job interviewing to dating – in order to be the star of their own life’s story.
Currently, Shari is producing a series of MasterClass-style instructional online videos to take her message of inspiration, confidence, positive prep and creativity to a world-wide audience. To make everyone’s every day performance, professional and real-life, more captivating, inspired, authentic and successful.
The Team
KRISTEN ARIZA
INSTRUCTOR
Kristen has appeared in over 50 national commercials as well as numerous TV procedural shows; among them Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS: Los Angeles, Bones, American Horror Story, HBO’s Emmy-nominated Confirmed, FOX’s Lie to Me and NBC’s Parks & Recreation and Friends.
Originally from Orlando, Florida, Kristen was cast in the Nickelodeon remake of The Tomorrow People, filmed on location in London. She received a BA in Theater at Florida State Univ and has performed on stages in New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Kristen loves the craft of acting and helping fellow actors in their professional journey. She is excited to be on staff at Shari Shaw Acting Studio, where she teaches a variety of Online and In-Person classes and privates.
VALERIE AZLYNN
INSTRUCTOR
Born and raised in New London, Connecticut, Valerie moved to New York City at age 17 to pursue a career as an actress, building her résumé by performing in the theater and singing with an opera company in Manhattan, New York. She later moved to Los Angeles. Selected TV credits include The Joe Schmo Show, Hot in Cleveland, Cold Case, CSI: NY, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, How I Met Your Mother, Joey, iCarly, The Loop, Mr. Sunshine, and many others. She starred as Melanie on the TBS comedy Sullivan & Son. On the big screen, Valerie has appeared in Poseidon and Tropic Thunder, among others. Valerie loves dedicating her time to helping actors hone their craft.
MITCH BERLOW
INSTRUCTOR
A graduate of Emerson College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA), Mitch has worked in 20+ commercials (3 award-winning), 6 feature films, countless voiceovers, and spent 11 years on-stage, singing and “moving." (He won’t call himself a dancer.) He has privately coached actors for film and TV for over 10 years and especially loves working with kids to develop and hone their skills for acting...and life! Mitch lives in Valley Village, a single Dad, with 3 kids and 2 cats.
Bre Blair
INSTRUCTOR
Bre is a Canadian actress whose extensive TV & Film credits include starring roles in Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club, NBC’s Game of Silence, CBS’s The Unit and a recurring role in the CBS police drama SWAT. She also played the fiancée of Michael Douglas’ character in the film Las Vegas. Other memorable appearances include Love Inc., Psych, Nip/Tuck, The O.C., What About Brian and Grey’s Anatomy.
MAC DUFFY
INSTRUCTOR
Mac is a Brooklyn-born actor, interactive storyteller, improviser, physical comedian, puppeteer and voice-over artist. He has a BA in Theatre Arts and honed his comedy and improv chops at LA’s UCB and ACME Comedy and Gotham City Improv and the American Comedy Institute in NYC. He can be seen in a variety of TV shows, national commercials, plays as well as his live interactive musical storytelling show, “Adventures with Mac Duffy & Friends”.
Mac has over 20 years of experience teaching acting, comedy, improv and storytelling and is thrilled to bring his unique expertise to the Shari Shaw Studios family.
SEBRINA PURCELL
INSTRUCTOR
Sebrina Purcell was born and raised in NYC. Sebrina received her BA in Theatre Performance at Austin Peay University. Once she graduated, she decided to finally make the leap to move out to Los Angeles to continue her dreams of working in film. Sebrina teaches Youth and Adult classes at Shari Shaw Studios.
ABIGAIL SNARR
INSTRUCTOR (YOUTH)
Hi, I’m Abigail! I’ve been acting, singing and performing all my life! I studied vocal performance at UVU and finished my time there in the Acting BFA. I’m passionate about helping students connect with their authentic voice, grow their confidence and find new mediums as they develop into more layered and creative individuals.
PATCH MOORE
Studio Manager
Patch is a Los Angeles-based actor. Credits include FX’s "Justified", numerous feature and short films, theater, commercials and comedy sketches. He co-wrote, produced and acted in “Dying to Sleep”, an award-winning feature at several film festivals including Best Original Screenplay at the Hollywood Gold Awards.
