Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Chesters.
Bryan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. I’ve performed on stage and screen in Chicago, NYC and Los Angeles. I’ve received both my BA (Music) and MFA (Theater) from UCLA (Magna cum laude). I’ve taught acting at UCLA, YPS Studio, LA School of the Arts, Arts Camp & LAUSD. Some of my students have included Nathan Kress (iCarly), Chad Broskey (Disney’s: Read it and Weep), and Lexi Ainsworth (EMMY Winner – General Hospital), Laura Long (TURN).
I interned at UDK Casting for two years and served as both an audition reader as well as running camera for auditions. I’ve studied with some of the best acting teachers in the country including: Bobby Lewis (Founder of the Actor’s Studio & original member of the Group Theatre), Mel Shapiro, Salome Jens, Ellen Geer, Gil Cates, Jean-Louis Rodrigue, Larry Moss, Terry Schreiber, Ken Lerner, Tom Irwin, Jeff Perry, Shannon Cochran, Gar Campbell, Marilyn Fox. I was the recipient of several acting awards including scholarships from Carol Burnett, George Burns and Laura Pels and recently BEST ACTOR award at the LA Movie Awards for my lead role in Forerunner.
Recent TV/Film acting credits include: WAR DOGS, HARVEST SEASON, A HAUNTING AT SILVER FALLS 2; MAD MEN (Dir. Jon Hamm), MODERN FAMILY, ANGER MANAGEMENT, GREY’S ANATOMY (Dir. Jeannot Szwarc), MOM & DAD UNDERGRADS (w/ Kristy Swanson) & JET SET (w/ Eric Roberts).
I’m a company member of the prestigious Pacific Resident Theater in Venice, CA and was an original member of the SAVAGE PLAYERS in which LA TIMES critic David C. Nichols praised me in The Psychic Life of Savages at the New LA Theater Center.
My work in the theater includes plays by Shakespeare (Hamlet), Williams (The Glass Menagerie) and Chekov (The Cherry Orchard) to name a few. Some of his favorite roles include: Eddie (Hurly Burly), Charles (The Clean House), Oed (Big Love) and Millet/Binky (Fuddy Meers). I consider myself a triple threat and played the Gene Kelly role in Singin’ in the Rain at two different regional theaters. (Art Park-NY, Glendale Theater, CA). Broadway Tours include: 1st National Sunset Boulevard (Dir. Trevor Nunn) and 42nd Street-European (Dir. Jon Engstrom). As a director, he worked alongside Mel Shapiro and assisted him on ANGELS IN AMERICA: Parts One and Two.
I’ve also adapted, produced and directed the 25th Anniversary Production of ST. ELMO’S FIRE at the Flight Theatre in Hollywood, CA. Lately I’ve been writing a lot – my film SAVING JOHN MURPHY got into many film festivals including the Montreal Film Festival.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think the hardest thing I’ve encountered is accepting that the road of an actor is full of ups and downs. It’s like the lyrics to one of my favorite Sondheim songs – “I’m still here” – the lyric goes “…Good times and bum times, I’ve seen ’em all, and, my dear, I’m still here. Plush velvet sometimes, sometimes just pretzels and beer, but I’m here.” And that’s the life. It’s very rare that someone is able to maintain constant success. I’ve been so fortunate in my life to have amazing opportunities – but it’s also very disheartening when the ‘show ends’ or the ‘filming is complete.’ You always feel like you’re scrambling to get ‘that next job.’ I think that’s why a lot of people give up on their acting career because it’s truly difficult to get through the low times and figure out how to survive – both financially and creatively. Luckily, I discovered a long time ago that I LOVE teaching and I’m very good at it. It fulfills me creatively and also can provide extra income between acting jobs.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Actor’s Theatre Los Angeles story. Tell us more about the business.
Actor’s Theatre Los Angeles is intended to serve all actors in all mediums of the entertainment industry. It’s my belief that well trained actors should be able to handle the demands of any role on stage or screen. Therefore, it is my mission to provide a nurturing environment to foster each actor’s creativity, while providing them with all the tools they need to be successful working actors in theatre, film and TV. I think the thing that is most unique about my company is that we are a hybrid studio and each week we switch formats – so one week the actors work on stage with legitimate playwrights and hone their acting chops – then the next week we work on camera- and focus in on auditioning skills and film acting technique. It’s a great blend and I’ve had many success stories with all of my actors.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed a shift of young American actors not wanting to put the time in to their acting training. The British and Australian actors seem far more committed to putting in the time into training and honing their skills. It saddens me that a few years ago The Sam French Acting Bookstore closed here in the valley. Luckily there is still one on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. But I think it is a sign that young actors aren’t committed to reading plays or working on stage roles the way they used to in year’s past. In the age of YOU TUBE video stars and REALITY TV stars – many young actors want to be “famous” but very few want to be ‘good actors.’ There are many teachers in town who don’t even teach technique and they just hand their students ‘TV/film sides’ and coach their personalities – almost like ‘life coaching.’ However, that actor will never truly grow and flourish as an artist. I’m training actors for a career – not just a ‘one liner’ on a show.
Contact Info:
- Address: Actor’s Theatre Los Angeles
@TU Studios
10943 Camarillo St.,
North Hollywood, CA 91602 - Website: www.actorstheatrelosangeles.com
- Phone: 818-679-7881
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actorstheatrelosangeles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actorstheatrelosangeles/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/actorstheatrela
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/actors-theatre-los-angeles-north-hollywood
Image Credit:
Camera Creations – Julie Hopkins
Bryan Chesters
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