Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny K. Lai.
Hi Danny, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
It started with singing in the shower, which eventually led to being in a 4-part harmony choir in high school, then musical theater for 2 years; took a break from it all, thinking this would be permanent (no more art), majoring in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in literature, communication, & speech, doing all these presentations and being encouraged to major in drama, got my secondary.
From there, did the back & forth thing between SF and LA, auditioning, not booking as much as I’d like. I had fantasized about teaching high school drama, but that didn’t work out. Went back to school to get my teaching degree of Teaching English as a Second Language. After training at First Take Acting for almost 8 years, I was asked by my coach and founder of the school, Nancy Berwid, if I wanted to teach for the school, and my heart leaped for it right away. I’ve been teaching acting since the beginning of January 2013.
What was 1 or 2 classes at a time for short stints, after Nancy hiring a growth coach, the school grew tremendously, and I currently teach 8 classes a week, 3 in-person, 3 online, 1 online Kids class, and 1 offsite with middle school kids. I certainly also teach at City College of SF and work with ESL students. I’m in the business essentially of helping people’s dreams come true, whether it’s acclimating to a new country and starting over again in a new language or helping people go from having never acted or a rekindling of interest from a long-lost love to getting representation in and moving to LA and competing here, and beyond to other parts of the country such as New York, Atlanta, thanks to the online classes.
I just coached someone yesterday for an audition, and he booked it that very same evening! So, it’s pretty rewarding. I also like to dabble in other things, such as filmmaking and music. But helping people is the most satisfying for me. I also do ministry, which is an unpaid yet amazing time. God has helped me reach my calling. And though I still act from time to time with representation here, it’s clear that I’m really here to help others hone their craft.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road. 20 years of working in retail. Going back to school after 8 years, being the older guy than my fellow students, working full time while in graduate school and also doing a church leadership program was challenging. Not having work at the college post covid and having only one part-time income of teaching acting was tough also. Getting married only to be divorced 2 years later, get into some substantial debt (still climbing out of that hole but progressing). My father being so sick, the sickest in ICU at one point, and having to help my folks. God, Jesus Christ, teaching and acting, and art have helped me get through these things.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in teaching for TV/film acting and ESL. I’m most proud of seeing my students grow and the achievements they accomplish. My ESL students move on to live successful lives in this country. Over the last 3 years, I have taught an entry-level acting mixed-level class, yet people have gotten picked up by LA agents. It’s kind of mind-blowing to see how consistency really pays off for my students. What sets me apart from others is my thoroughness and attention to detail, my quirkiness, Christ’s love in me to love others, my passion, giving people both truth and love; oh yeah, I have ADHD, which comes in handy ironically enough with my teaching lol
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My care and love for others, fighting for people when they sometimes don’t fight for themselves or see their value or potential , doing my best to stay coachable and open to feedback, as well as trying to be in relationship with God and Christ, versus being too self-reliant, trying to keep seeking God first-this never looks perfect lol- and staying within their spiritual community at Searchlight Fellowship, a church where I host an in-person and online small home fellowship group.
Pricing:
- $450 for 8-week online acting classes with a chance to continue for $400
- $550 for 8-week in-person acting classes with a chance to continue for $500
- Private tutoring in ESL is negotiable per 30 minutes or 60.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556632409183
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyklai/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielklai/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DANOOOTUBE
Image Credits
Cynthia Smalley Photography
