Shari Shaw

"Great acting is an empowering creative process achieved through detailed preparation, personal expression, and the development of the emotional and behavioral lives of the character."

 

Rita Ora

"Dearest Shari, You’ve been so patient and so gracious with me, thank you for guiding me and leading me to a place I feel confident in being myself and encouraging my individuality. Let’s keep shining, love Rita Ora. X"
'Wonderwell' 'Fifty Shades Darker'

 

Eric Winter

"Shari has taken my auditioning
to the next level. So, let me tell you
she rocks!"
Series Regular - 'The Rookie'

 

Danielle MacDonald

"Shari is amazing! She helps you look at a script
and find the comedy that works for you so it's
genuine and authentic."
Starring in - 'Falling for Figaro', 'French Exit';
‘Dumplin’. ‘Bird Box’, ‘Unbelievable’

 

Emma Kenney

"I always leave Shari’s studio feeling satisfied, knowing I did my best work possible. Shari isn’t afraid to tell it as it is and everyone needs constructive criticism to succeed! Oh and I love working with her! Thank you Shari Shaw for always being my third eye and making my work layered!" 'Shameless' 'The Connors'

 

Ana Ortiz

“Working with Shari Shaw has allowed me to be more specific in my storytelling and has brought back so much joy to the process”
Series Regular - 'Love, Victor'

 

Derek Theler

"After coaching with Shari, my
auditions are incredibly specific.
I love working with her."
Series regular - 'Baby Daddy', '68 Whiskey', 'New Warriors'

 

Nadine Velazquez

"Shari is my super coach and she
makes me feel like a super hero."
Series regular - 'Queens', 'THE SIX'

 

Roselyn Sanchez

"Shari really gets me comfortable,
focused and ready to go."
Series Regular - ‘Fantasy Island’, 'Devious Maids'

 

Elaine Hendrix

"Shari is endlessly passionate about her students and their development. What a fiery, grounding pleasure it is to work with her."
Series Regular - 'Dynasty'

 

Freddy Rodriguez

"Shari Shaw is a great sparring partner for me."
Series Regular - 'Bull', 'The Night Shift', 'Six Feet Under'

 

Cote De Pablo

"Shari Shaw understands actors.
She makes the process of discovery
comfortable for actors."
'Series Regular - 'NCIS', 'The 33'

 

Matt Cedeno

"Shari has a 'no-fluff' approach
to getting down to business
and breaking a scene."
Series Regular - 'Ruthless', 'Power', 'Z Nation'

 

Amy Acker

Shari is Awesome! It's so nice to see her and then leave feeling like you are going to get the job.
Starring in - 'All Rise', 'Suits', 'Angel', 'Alias', 'Drive'

 

Lisa Vidal

"Shari's a dynamic teacher who's able
to tap into your thinking as an actor."
Series Regular - 'Grey's Anatomy',
'The Baker and The Beauty', 'Rosewood'

 

Max Adler

"Working with Shari is a phenomenal tool.
I highly recommend her for any actor at any level."
Starring in - 'The Trial of the Chicago 7',
'Switched At Birth', 'Glee'

 

Jen Lilley

"Shari Shaw is honest, insightful
and worth every penny."
Series Regular - 'Days of Our Lives',
Bold and The Beautiful'

 

Marla Sokoloff

"Shari has completely changed
the way I approach a role."
Recurring - 'Fuller House', 'The Fosters'

 

Charlene Amoia

"Shari has been my go-to audition coach for years. If I don't have enough time to prepare, I know I can go to her and I'll walk out the door feeling like I'm going to book the job".
Starring In - 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It', 'Birds of Prey'

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ShariShaw

One of LA’s premiere acting coaches,
Shari Shaw offers acting classes, coaching and consultation in all levels of performance.

Inspirational • Creative • Community • Collaboration

CLASSES

Join our supportive acting community where we provide the tools for your personal preparation that helps deliver confidence, excellence and success…inspiring richer, more captivating, performances flowing from personal passion, power and truth. Read More about our various classes.

PRIVATE COACHING

For stage, film, or television, Shari Shaw Studios is renowned for exceptional one-on-one coaching. Our talented coaches individually guide you to your best, most dynamic performance; be it on-set or for an audition. Skype sessions available, just ask us! We are here to help you realize your dream.

WORKSHOPS & INTENSIVES

Our monthly Online Bootcamp is a 2-class acting intensive workshop that will introduce you to the studio and teach you how to get your funny and drama on! We have one-day workshops taking place in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Hawaii, and Online. Don’t miss the fun!

 TAPED AUDITIONS

High-quality taped auditions are a must to getting the job. Shari Shaw Studios expert staff and state-of-the-art camera, lighting, sound and editing equipment will guide you to a unique and memorable performance and audition tape. All videos are edited and uploaded online, ready to share.

“We believe that every person who walks through our doors has the potential for success!”

Shari Shaw Acting Studio Is Dedicated To:

Developing the Actor’s ability to instantly access their deepest emotions in order to give the most vibrant, textured and interesting performances possible. Teaching the Performer to find and refine their Unique Personality and Voice. Providing tools for Personal Preparation that deliver confidence, excellence and success. Opening the mind and body to creativity and expression, challenging the imagination and eliminating boundaries and inhibitions. Inspiring richer, more captivating performances flowing from personal passion, power and truth.

The Positive Path for Actors

Booked It!

Shari Shaw: Studio Talk

What Our Clients Say

"Shari is a dynamic teacher who is able to tap into your thinking as an actor and communicate an exact picture of how to find our character and purpose in a scene."

LISA VIDALSERIES REGULAR - The Event, Southland, Smith, ER

"Shari is my super coach and she makes me feel like a superhero."

Nadine VelazquezSeries regular 'THE SIX'

"Shari Shaw is my spirit animal. I'm always love-struck by her passion, knowledge, and positivity. I leave her class with renewed energy and confidence, having found the heart and soul of the work."

GARRET HINESThe Big Short, The Hollow, Midnight Special, Trumbo

"Shari Shaw is like a great sparring partner for me like Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis would have a great sparring partner - that's what she is for me."

FREDDY RODRIGUEZSERIES REGULAR - Six Feet Under, Chaos, Ugly Betty, Grindhouse, Bobby, Planet Terror

"I truly enjoy coaching with Shari before an audition. Her pointers and breakdown of character are always helpful. Plus she likes to run the material with you endlessly which really prepares you to be comfortable, focused and ready to go!"

ROSELYN SANCHEZ

"Shari is endlessly passionate about her students and their development. The love and care she takes with each one is awe inspiring. This is important to mention in addition to her outstanding guidance, because half the battle in this crazy art/business is believing in yourself. Shari fosters the artist and their gift as a whole - body, mind, heart and spirit. What a fiery, grounding pleasure it is to work with her."

ELAINE HENDRIX

"Shari has the ability to make the most out of my time. After coaching with her during weekly classes, specific audition coaching, and self taping, I always feel much more confident after our sessions. Which really is what matters most. She is great at helping me make the best choices to bring the character to life, and still make it my own. I would recommend her to any of my actor friends who want to learn how to make the interesting choice and book the job."

DEREK THELARSERIES REGULAR - Baby Daddy

"Shari Shaw really is my third eye. She helps make all my choices more specific and sharp. Shari's positive energy and her process keeps you calm and confident. Shari rocks..."

LAURA BELL BUNDYRECURRING - Stanistan

"Working with Shari has increased my booking rate exponentially. Her ability to work with each individual actor and get their best performance possible is invaluable. I would recommend her to Any actor looking to take their craft to the next level."

TOMMY SAVASSERIES REGULAR - State of Affairs, The Last Ship

"Shari Shaw understands actors. Her gift is that she is easy and direct, making the process of discovery comfortable."

COTE DE PABLOSERIES REGULAR - NCIS

"I've been working with Shari for a few years now. She's taken my auditioning to the next level. I break down a character, break down the script, create great back story. And I've been nailing it every time in the room. It's taken me on to booking jobs. So let me tell you Shari rocks."

ERIC WINTERThe Ugly Truth, Brothers & Sisters, The Mentalist

"Shari is Awesome! It's so nice to see her and then leave feeling like you are going to get the job."

AMY ACKERAngel, Alias, Justice League, Drive

"Shari has a wonderful way of breaking through your comfort zone, especially when it comes to comedy. After I started taking her class and coaching with her for auditions, I noticed a huge leap in my ability to define myself as an actor and leave my neuroses at the door. It opened a lot of doors for me!"

FELICIA DAYThe Guild, Buffy The vampire Slayer, Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog, The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange, The Legend of Neil, Dragon Age: Redemption

"Shari is amazing! She helps you look at a script and really find the comedy that works for you so it's genuine and authentic."

DANIELLE MACDONALDStarring in "The East" and "Every Secret Thing" with Dakota Fanning

"Shari Shaw is an absolute muse for actors. I've been blessed to have her come back into my life. It is really her own riveting and authentic essence that has re-awakened me again to acting. By aligning who I am today with my craft in the most visceral way, I trust her every suggestion and her deep clear distinctive take on the life of a character. It is a language no one else speaks to me. She is unique and passionate about her craft, and it's infectious."

OLIVIA D'ABO

"Working with Shari is a phenomenal tool I highly recommend for any actor of any level. Especially one who may want to focus on comedy and sitcoms. As many of us might say, comedy is much more difficult than drama. Shari teaches you that the "truth always wins out." She gets your work to a hilarious point and you still believe every single second of it. Highly recommend!"

MAX ADLER

"Working with Shari is great. She is adept at finding where the actor and the script overlap, and working that character until it's really integrated into the performance. Her efficient, friendly, and detailed process always helps whether for an audition or a self-tape."

SATYA BHABHARECURRING - New Girl, Key and peele

"Shari has been instrumental to my growth as an actor, to booking roles and walking confidently into the audition room with specific choices and grounded performances. She has an uncanny ability to break down material in concise, spot-on and unexpected ways, giving each performance an added distinctive feel and depth. She helps make each read memorable!"

CHRISTINA OCHOARECURRING - Matador

"Shari Shaw is hard nosed, demanding and no nonsense when it comes to coaching actors. She has a unique way of always being positive while also pushing an actor to grow, improve and discover every nuance in a character and audition."

NICK TARABAYBelieve, Spartacus, Crash, The Sopranos

"Shari Shaw is honest, insightful, and worth every penny! She doesn't waste any time, diving right into the heart of each scene, helping actors craft bold, standout performances."

JEN LILLEYSERIES REGULAR - Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives

"Shari Shaw is a generous, encouraging, and enthusiastic acting coach and teacher. I've studied and coached with many acting teachers over the years, and Shari Shaw is by far my favorite (go-to coach) when I have big auditions. She has a love for acting that infectious. She has the rare gift to be able to find the key to unlock the best actor in you."

SALVATOR XUEREB

"It was entirely because of Shari's tireless efforts and carefully crafted classes, filled with support, that I was able to bridge the gap between the comedy in the page and the natural funny lying within me. I whole heartedly encourage any serious actor to take the time and make the effort to study with Shari Shaw."

KATRINA LAWSERIES REGULAR - Spartacus. CSI: Miami, Chuck

"Privately Coaching with Shari Shaw and taking her scene study class has been one of the greatest things I have ever done. Her specific tools of Effective memory and Day in the life of character work has inspired me to explore characters at a deeper level. Thank you Shari Shaw you are nothing less then amazing."

RUSTY COONESSons of Anarchy

"I've worked with Shari for a number of years and what I appreciate most is her direct, no fluff approach to getting down to business and breaking down a scene and character. She has an uncanny ability to be so very specific with every spoken word as well as unspoken, and articulate it in a way that resonates true with my own instincts. And with comedy....jus fuget about it!"

MATT CEDEÑOSERIES REGULAR - Devious Maids

"Shari has been my go-to audition coach for years. If I don't have enough time to prepare I know I can go to her and I'll walk out the door feeling like I'm going to book the job. She has believed in me in times that I didn't believe in myself, and her coaching and encouragement has made all the difference in my career."

CHARLENE AMOIADrop Dead Diva, The Mentalist

"I am so happy I "found" Shari! I was feeling in a rut and losing confidence, and Shari really got me to dig deep into the work and feel supported and prepared for auditions and jobs. I'm stepping outside my comfort zone doing comedy, but it has made my dramatic work that much deeper, and I just trust her and feel relaxed and comfortable under her guidance. Excited to see what is next for me while I continue to work with Shari!"

SARAH JANE MORRISSERIES REGULAR - OCCULT, Body of Proof, NCIS

"Shari has completely changed the way I approach a role. Her technique is literally a gift from the acting gods. Over the years she has given me confidence and faith - two things that are easily lost in this business."

MARLA SOKOLOFFSERIES REGULAR - The Practice, Big Day

"Shari Shaw has been a tremendous asset for me since I began working with her. I began using her as an audition coach but found our sessions so productive I soon I enrolled in her classes as well. She is clear and creative in her adjustments and I always feel better about my work after she has seen it. I'm happy to recommend her services to anyone who wants to become a better actor."

CHRIS REEDSERIES REGULAR - Sons of Anarchy

"I love working with Shari Shaw. She's amazing, funny and super talented. She knows her stuff, and I enjoy her class!"

QUINTON AARONThe Blind Side

"What I love about Shari's class is that you get to work every single week, all the work in class is really inspiring, and she's just given me tools through her 'Effective Memory' and 'Day In The Life Of Character' that have really made me become a better actor and enjoy what I do. She's awesome."

BRE BLAIRBall Don't Lie, The Unit, Criminal Minds, Hawaii Five-0

"Shari Shaw KNOWS comedy! She knows what it sounds like, looks like, feels like and most importantly: the WHAT and WHY something is funny. She brings your choices back to the source: character and story. I always feel 100% grounded and confident in my choices for auditions after a coaching session with Shari. In fact, I attribute my success of booking my first series regular to my coaching sessions with her. I highly recommend her classes and private coaching sessions."

DANIELLE BISUTTISERIES REGULAR - True Jackson VP, Get Smart

"Shari Shaw's classes are the ultimate preparation for making your auditions book you WORK. From the moments before you step into the audition room, to your read of the material, to getting a callback, to booking - Shari brings it all to the table for you. She makes it personal for everyone she works with. From her ability to strip away what is not necessary or what is blocking you, to building up what is needed for the job, Shari is amazing at crafting actors for the work that is out there. Always exposing us to the latest material from parts that are currently auditioning, her classes are up to the minute on work that is available in Los Angeles. It's great to be a wonderful actor, but until you know how to audition well, there is very little work to be had. Shari takes you to that next level in your career. And I thank her for every minute she has spent with me in this process!!!"

MIM DREWMarvin Marvin, The O.C., The Practice, Frasier

"Shari Shaw has helped me tremendously with my audition technique. At my agent's suggestion, I started coaching with her, and my booking ratio increased substantially. Her style is supportive, smart and brutally honest. Sometimes she'll overhaul my read completely and at other times just a tweak or two. She knows what she's doing. My only regret is that I wish I had started working with her earlier."

ASSAF COHENFlightplan, 24, Heroes

"Shari Shaw is a blessing to all actors, from neophyte to seasoned pros. Her coaching is smart, direct, tasteful and incisive. Shari gets it! Shari understands what it is to be present - with energy, focus and relaxation, with a wonderful sense of humor, respect and a deep knowledge of what works. Run, don't walk, to this wonderful coach."

ROBIN THOMASLaw & Order, Life Unexpected, Nip/Tuck

"Shari's specific direction and insight consistently help me with honing in on the life of a character -- she's my ace in the hole."

ETHAN ERICKSONGeneral Hospital, Melrose Place, Fashion House

"Shari is our go to coach for clients when we need someone to bring the funny!"

TODD JUSTICEMANAGER - Justice & Ponder Management

"I am continuously impressed by Shari's ability to break down sides and make a scene come to life. I am consistently awed by her skill; the results are immediate. She is a master at teaching how to get you off of the page and 'into your body.' Shari can find the funny in anything and is wonderful at helping you identify your strengths and expand on them, so regardless of the material, the work becomes uniquely yours. Few coaches are as skilled at the audition process as Shari Shaw."

ROBINNE LEERECURRING - House of Payne & Seven Pounds; Hitch (w/Will Smith,) Hotel for Dogs (w/ Don Cheadle)

"As a writer, Shari's class and her unique insight helped me fashion complex and exciting characters, in believable high stakes situations, that ultimately helped my work."

RAY THOMASEMMY WINNING WRITER - Days of Our Lives, Passions

"Shari very quickly gets you to make specific choices that make sense for the audition. She helped me prepare for a Fox pilot, and I got the role as a series regular."

MICHAEL FRIEDMANSERIES REGULAR - Living Loaded

"Shari has really helped my confidence as an actor - specifically by helping me break down the character and allowing me to shine through the life of the character."

DIEGO SERRANOSERIES REGULAR - Time Of Your Life, 24, The Young And The Restless, CSI Miami

"Shari's just funny, and she knows what's funny. Working with her has helped me tremendously broaden my comedy range."

JASON DOHRINGSERIES REGULAR - Ringer, Moonlight, Veronica Mars

"Every actor needs Shari Shaw in their corner. She's a wonderful coach."

PATTY McCORMACKThe Bad Seed, Playhouse 90, The Sopranos, Frost/Nixon

"Shari has this talent to very quickly zero in on the strengths and weaknesses in your work as an actor. She then teaches you how to showcase the strengths and conquer the weaknesses in a direct, digestible way. The bottom line is, Shari gets it done. My booking rate almost doubles when I coach with her. I almost don't want anyone to know about her so then there will be more work for me!"

HILLARY TUCKNCIS, The Mentalist, 90210, Grey's Anatomy, Necessary Roughness

"Shari is one of my favorite coaches; she helps you bring the truth in comedy. Encouraging yet honest, she challenges you to be your best."

JAMES KYSON LEEHeroes, Las Vegas, The West Wing

"I would never dream of going out for an audition, be the part big or small, or working up a character without first going to Shari for coaching. She has a magical way of distilling the essence of the character and form fitting it to my personality and skill set. And she does it with great subtlety and intuition."

MICKY DOLENZ"The Monkees"

“I look forward to working with actors who have worked with Shari Shaw - they have talent, confidence and do their homework. It makes my job easier and more fun!”

PAMELA FRYMANDirector Producer "Merry Happy Whatever" "One Day At A Time" "How I Met Your Mother"

"I've seen Shari in action with her students a number of times. She's a delight to watch. She's straightforward, yet constructive in her criticism. She's also super encouraging when she talks about an actor's life. If I were an actor -- I'm not, it's way too hard -- I'd feel as if I were in great hands."

MARK WILDINGExecutive Producer "Good Girls" "Scandal"

"I love working with Shari Shaw. She helps me take apart the script, reflect on myself and bring my energy where it needs to be. Shari has given me the tools to focus my mind and body while staying positive in a field that can wear hard on you. She reminds me to circle back to why I’m doing it in the first place and have a positive attitude that’s real."

LISA LOEBGrammy Award Winning Singer-Songwriter/ Writer/ Actress "Fuller House" "Teachers"