Young Actors Space

We have schlepped our son to YAS for four years now. I say, «schlepped» because we drive from Santa Monica to Van Nuys for the YAS experience.
It’s beyond worth it!
My teenage son, who rarely shows excitement for anything these days, always looks forward to Saturday class with Patrick.
Last year, on his birthday, I offered that he could miss acting. He wouldn’t have it. Missing YAS was seen as a punishment not a treat.
Desperate to avoid the headache known as LA traffic my husband I shelled out 3 x the amount that YAS charges for a school in Santa Monica (rhymes with Hedgemar). It was a disaster. Not only was the management disorganized and aloof, but my son felt the instructors were eons behind YAS’s talent pool.
That was three years ago and we now embrace the traffic to and fro. It’s a small price to pay for the benefit of having Patrick inspire my son to know himself.
Because that’s what I’ve seen. I’ve seen him teach his students to get quiet and check in with themselves. Make conscience choices (good or bad).
I could care less if my son has a career in acting. I’m way more impressed with the life lessons his learning under the YAS tutelage. P. S. He’s booked a lot of jobs as well.

Young Actors Space «YAS» came highly recommended by my children’s talent manager. I began sending my daughter to private coaching with Patrick about 8 months ago. Soon after, my son began coaching privately with Nora and Patrick before starting group classes. My first impression was the positive energy that flowed throughout the building, led by Patrick, Nora and the «YAS» team. They believe in their student’s abilities and have an undeniable approach. They also know how to coach to raise the odds of getting a call back and yes, even booked. Yet, most importantly, enabling the actor to trust in themselves and their choices. This is a hard feat for anyone!
Currently, both my children continue to learn and grow in the care of these two INCREDIBLE coaches in group classes. Because Patrick and Nora respect their clients and have honorable humility, you never hear them boast of the several BIG screen names that have sat in the same «YAS» chairs week after week… not only that, those same big screen (TV/​Film) names continue to support at performances and demos of new students. They show up unannounced in gratitude for Patrick and Nora because without them, their journey may have been a different one. Although I’m just a mom, I am a witness! You should walk the halls and see the faces on the walls. It may just take your breath away.
What I know for certain, there are new students sitting in those same seats and one day will be seen on the big screen. Now that’s exciting!

I tried out this place and it is okay but you can find better. I think Patrick is a really nice guy who knows a lot about acting. The problem was that I wanted something more serious than this. I recommend researching a little more before signing up.

The Young Actors Space (teaching children, teens and adults) is terrific acting school. Director, Patrick Day and Nora Ecktein are experienced, wonderful teachers. I have been in the Adult Class for two years. The combination of scene study and improvisation have been really helpful and I find that my acting is improving all the time. The class is also just incredibly fun but I am still constantly challenged which is important. Patrick and Nora also coach privately for auditions. I would absolutely recommend the Young Actors Space for beginning, intermediate and advanced actors of all ages!

I have been going to Young Actors Space for about four (non-​consecutive) years now. It’s honestly my favorite place to be, ever.
Patrick and Nora are fantastic! They’re able to not only develop you as an actor, but as a human being. I went there at 19, very introverted and unsure of myself. Definitely a project. They first had to get me out of my shell, over any insecurities I had, and then they were able to work with in terms of who I was as an actor.
The class itself is very nurturing to all skill levels and types. It’s not a levels-​structure like many of the others in LA tend to be. It’s on-​going.
Most classes are split 50/​50, improv and scene study. Each week, the improvs tend to have a different theme. There will also be different warm-​ups and warm-​up games each week.
I could probably write a list two pages long of the different kinds of improvs and themes I’ve been through in that class, but my favorite by far is called «song day». You perform a few verses of a song as a monologue or scene, which terrifies a lot of people, but honestly? Most people I’ve seen are empowered and exhilarated after it’s over.
Not only is it a fun class, but it’s full of fun people, all wonderful actors and actresses. Everybody’s positive, dedicated, and they’re just overall good human beings. Some of the best people I know, some of my best friends, I’ve met in this class.
The way I tend to break it down when people ask me about the class I’m in, it this: «Let me put it you this way. I’m broke. I can’t afford to take classes. But, I find the money. I make it work. Because I need to be here.»

Amazing! We enjoyed watching the show! Frankly, I never expected children and teens to be such great actors and actresses! Great success! In just two weeks they put together such a spectacular performance! A separate part was written for every child and the play was very smart and funny. The kids became good friends. This is perfect environment for the children. My daughter could not find a hobby that she would be interested in. This place is a blast! She enjoys every session. At the summer conservatory she had a memorable time that she’ll be looking forward to next year.
Young Actors Space is perfect in every way and I would gladly recommend it to any one