Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Allas.
Hi Peter , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
ZAstudios was founded on the collaboration of myself and my NYC classes and Robert Zimmerman in San Francisco. We previously studied for years under legendary Acting Teacher Milton Katselas and have a strong sense of theatre training (mione from the East Coast under “Circle Repertory Co.” and Rob “Old Globe, SD”). We mounted a 30 annivesary production of “TALK RADIO” in which I starred an he directed in SF, and then formed a string partnership that has helped us expand to LA, Honolulu, HI, on line and small short classes in Miami, & Chicago . My beginning started in Chicago as a child and later formed shape in my teens in NYC under many great acting/directing teachers from Ernie Martin “the Actors Studio”, to Warren Robertson. and of course Boston University’s B.F.A program as well as Fordham U and Lincoln Center!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been blessed to have started as a dancer under Phil Black in NYC, and directors training in NYC having dorected off-broadway and as an actor performed as well and won a Gregory, Helen Hayes, Carbonell, BATCC, and even several LATCC nominations and awards for acting & directing. Additionally I have won many awards for my debut film “short” “Soul Searching In SF” , a dark noir psychological horror film, and nominated an actor for my performance in the co-italian produced indie film “Il Mio Fratello Gioacchino” (My Brother Jack) with Marco Leonardi & Freddie Rodriguez.
The biggest struggles have been as a teacher maintaining a strong student body that has the same FEVER and passion that Robert & I posses as artists. It is all about your attitude towards the business and focused commitment. We have had a number a very successful students work as series regulars, multi episode guest starring roles, Daytime TV, and films. Currently we placed the first Asian & American actress on an extremely popular NETFLIX series and she beat out “real brits” by perfecting a UK acccent! YEAH one for “OUR SIDE” for a change!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am proud to be from CHICAGO, and an honorary “MAMET MAFIA MEMBER” thanks to my Uncle JJ Johnston, and Joe Mantegna, and of course my family’s Mediterranean background which gave me a mastery of DIALECT and ACCENT work as a performer and teacher. Having performed accents from ,New Orleans (Cajun and “Yawk”), NYC, Boston, low country, Moscow, Athens, Havana, Buenas Aires, Barcelona, Marseilles and Italy (north and south) too name a few.
As a an actor I am most proud of my award winning performance as “Teach” in “American Buffalo” opposite the brilliant Ed Gero @ The Studio Theatre directed with precision an authenticity by Joy Zinneman (another fellow Chicagoan). and as a director….well I love all my children (hahah thats what i call my plays), I would have to say The multi nominated BATCC 2018 production of “ALL THE WAY” starring Michael Monagle and wonderful cast of 17 actors playing 66 roles (nominated for best enselble as well). But my heart lies with my aborted during covid productions of “Speed the Plow” , and the workshop production in SF of “VENUS IN FUR” (too a sellout crowd for the first 5 days!). I am off this spring to direct the first ever production of “Venus In Fur” in Barcelona en ESPANOL…in March!
What sets me apart is two things – I come from a sports mentality and TOUGHNESS to keep persisting and HARD WORK an TEAMWORK (No ego just make the team best it can be and you will be a winner), and I truly believe my lofe experiences havung lived all over the US from Chiacgo, NYC, Boston, Miami, and Santa Monica and parts of Europe, which helps you “see life and real people and study them as well as ALL ART FORMS!”
What was your favorite childhood memory?
As an artist – 1776 the musical at the Shubert in Chicago & watching my cousin George star opposite his future wife (both nominated for Jefferson awards) in “Streetcar”.
As a person – the joyous love & support I received from my family and mother wherever i was to be true to myself and become the man and artist I am today! (Strong females in my. childhood have been a major influence my success)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zastudio.online
- Instagram: zastudiola
- Facebook: Peter Allas
- Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/peterallas
Image Credits
2nd Picture top @ premiere wth actress Sofia Milos (CSI:MIami/Soprano’s).(One my actresses i coach)
bottom row left (directing in SF the award winning short “Soul Searching In SF)
