Gary Spatz, children's acting coach and director of The Playground Los Angeles
Gary Spatz is one of the most sought-after acting teachers for children in the United States. His list of past and present students reads like a “Who’s Who” of young Hollywood. It includes two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank, Elijah Wood, Ryan Gosling, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Amanda Bynes, Stephen Dorff, Jessica Biel, Kay and Danielle Panabaker, Hillary Duff and countless others. Gary has been the on-set coach for several hit television shows including Roseanne, Sister Sister, The Smart Guy and for the CBS Emmy Award winning Everybody Loves Raymond.He recently completed his third season as the acting coach for Dylan and Cole Sprouse, the leads of the Disney Channel series, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.Disney has long relied on Gary’s expertise. From his coaching on the film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids to The New MMC, where he nurtured the talents of performers such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Keri Russell.
Gary recently signed on as Acting Coach for Smokewood Entertainment’s feature film Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer (2011 release). The film is based on the critically acclaimed international children’s book series Judy Moody by Megan McDonald. Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness (Precious) are producing.
In 2005, Gary founded the young actors’ conservatory “The Playground”, where actors can learn to play in a professional arena. He is delighted to finally have a program in which to share his passion for the performing arts.
Gayla Goehl assistant director of The Playground Los Angeles
GAYLA GOEHL
Assisant Director/ Acting Teacher/ Private CoachGayla started teaching while still in college earning her B.A. in Theater Arts from Western Illinois University, where she also holds a minor in Vocal Performance. While in New York she started private coaching and teaching. Upon moving to Los Angeles, Gayla was Lead Teacher at CenterStage, LA where she conducted classes in Advanced Scene Study, Script Analysis, Audition Preparation, Cold Reading, Improvisation, and Relaxation & Concentration Skills.While there she also established, developed and taught beginning and advanced classes in Commercial Techniques and Auditioning For Pilot Season. Additionally, Gayla currently teaches both On-Camera Audition Techniques and On-Camera Commercial Techniques at the prestigious Hollywood acting school Stella Adler.
Assisant Director/ Acting Teacher/ Private CoachGayla started teaching while still in college earning her B.A. in Theater Arts from Western Illinois University, where she also holds a minor in Vocal Performance. While in New York she started private coaching and teaching. Upon moving to Los Angeles, Gayla was Lead Teacher at CenterStage, LA where she conducted classes in Advanced Scene Study, Script Analysis, Audition Preparation, Cold Reading, Improvisation, and Relaxation & Concentration Skills.While there she also established, developed and taught beginning and advanced classes in Commercial Techniques and Auditioning For Pilot Season. Additionally, Gayla currently teaches both On-Camera Audition Techniques and On-Camera Commercial Techniques at the prestigious Hollywood acting school Stella Adler.
A member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA she has performed in over one hundred and forty theatrical productions including creating lead roles in Off-Broadway World Premiere productions
Information about other instructors at The Playground can be found on the Staff Page at the website.
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