Instructors

TERRY ROSS, OWNER/DIRECTOR
Terry
began teaching her unique workshops in San Diego since 1997. She has acted, directed, and taught professionally for the last 20 years, in addition to serving as a casting director on independent films, dialogue coaching on network series and private coaching.

Terrys’ 20-year acting career began in the Bay Area where she performed with such companies as Berkeley Repertory Theatre, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Theatre Rhinocerous, was a member of the award ­winning One-Act Theatre Company, and a co-director for Tour-de-Force Theatre Company. While in the Bay Area, represented by Ann Brebner, she appeared in numerous commercials, television programs, and films.

After moving to Southern California, Terry formed her own theatre company, Moving Arts Theatre and produced and directed an award-winning production of “Shirley Valentine.” Directing highlights in Southern California include “Execution of Justice” for Diversionary Theatre (she appeared in the original production at Berkeley Repertory Theatre), “Blue Window” and “Arcadia” for the University of San Diego and choreographed numerous Shakespearean productions for the M.F.A. Program at the Old Globe as well as choreographing and directing "West Side Story", "The King and I "and "A Christmas Carol" for Hoover Performing Arts Academy.

Terry was a series acting coach for the San Diego-filmed ABC series, "Push" and most recently served as the Casting Director for the feature length independent, "Pushing Thirty", starring several of her students and premiering in 2009 at the San Diego Film Festival.

Terry has been a faculty member of the Professional Actor Training Program at the Old Globe, and theatre departments at University of San Diego, San Diego State University, and University of California, Davis and co-founded the Twin Cities Theatre & Film Alliance in Minneapolis.
Terry received her acting training from the renowned American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, and holds an M.A. from Stanford and an M.F.A. in directing from the University of California, Davis.

GUEST INSTRUCTORS :

CASTING:

JASON L. WOOD, C.S.A.
Casting Director and Producer Jason Wood started his career at Twentieth Century Fox Television as a casting executive for the studio. During his time at 20th, the studio produced many memorable prime time television shows such as: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, X-Files, The Practice, The Simpsons, Dharma & Greg and Ally McBeal. These shows are notable for their discoveries of breakout stars that went on to become household names. Wood was then hired as the Vice President of Talent and Casting for Peter Guberís Mandalay Pictures Television. At Mandalay, Wood participated in the development of projects for television and new media and served as casting director on Rude Awakening, a Showtime series with Lynn Redgrave, Sherilynn Fenn and Tim Curry along with the Coca-Cola sponsored series Young Americans. This WB series marked the television debut of future stars Kate Bosworth, Kate Moenning, Charlie Hunnam and Michelle Monaghan. As an independent casting director, Wood has worked on projects for all major network and cable outlets, including the Emmy winning Monk on USA starring Tony Shalhoub and most recently the ABC pilot and series Samantha Who? which earned 2008 Emmy win for Jean Smart and a nomination for Christina Applegate. Wood and his partner Tammara Billik received a 2008 Artios nomination for Outstanding Comedy Pilot Casting. Not limited to television, Wood has also established himself in award winning features. He cast the 2005 Sundance Film Festival hit Quinceanera, which accomplished the rare feat of winning both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award. He also cast 2007 Outfest HBO Audience Award winner Shelter, 2007 Toronto Film Festival hit Ping Pong Playa, and Pedro which premiered at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival. Wood received a 2007 Artios nomination for Outstanding Feature Casting for Quinceanera and a nomination in 2008 for the feature Park starring Ricki Lake,

D. CANDIS PAULE
Casting director for Stu Segall Productions where "The Ex List" was filmed for CBS, "Veronica Mars" was filmed for three years for the CW Network. Along with several episodics for Fox’s My Network, she has helped cast a variety of pilots and movies of the week. Her most recent credit was “Flying By” a feature film starring Billy Ray Cyrus and Heather Locklear. She has worked on SAG and AFTRA projects in addition to union and non-union commercials and industrials as a freelance casting director. Other credits include directing, most notably for the Playwrights Project and The Fritz Theatre, and she has been seen throughout the country as an award-winning actor. In addition to voice-over work and private coaching, Ms. Paule is also proud to serve on The Fritz Theatre Board of Directors.

JOSHUA M TEMPLE
has worked in the entertainment business for several years and it has given him an extensive knowledge of the production process and what is needed to cast a project efficiently with the best talent possible. He has had the pleasure of working with Shamon Freitas Model and Talent Agency, one of the top model and talent agencies in San Diego. He has also worked for four years as a Casting Director for Stu Segall Productions. Joshua has also cast various theatre productions, independent and commercial projects. He tries to produce, write and wants to act.

 

IMPROVISATION:

 

JASON HORTON

Jason Horton is a Los Angeles writer and performer, by way of San Diego, by way of New York, by way of New Jersey. He is an alumni of iO West, where he can be seen performing around Los Angeles with Shark Attack!, Wizard St. Cloud, Days Of Passion, and the iO Harold team Fraternit.

Jason has been acting, writing and improvising at the Upright Citizens Brigade since 2007. Jason has studied sketch and improv under Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, Billy Merritt and more. Jason has been a part of such shows as Quick n Dirty Musicals, Lets Do This, The Spooky Scary Sketches Spectacular!, Sketch Cram, Not Too Shabby, Dirtiest Sketch in LA Contest, 3 on 3 Competition, Cagematch, Charlyne Yi and Me (You) Show. Jason has also performed in the 2007, 2008 & 2009 LA Improv Comedy Festival as well as the 2007, 2008, & 2009 Del Close Marathon in New York City. He can be also be seen in The Smart Show webisodes, Funny Or Die Exclusives.

ADAM RUDDER
Adam is a filmmaker and founding member of the award winning Comedy Improv troupe, the Hinges; named ‘best theatre group’ on KGTV’s Channel 10’s A-List two years running. Adam uses “Yes and” as the golden principal of improvisation; meaning the actor ACCEPTS whatever it is they are offered AND adds to it. It involves listening, trusting, expressing and taking chances. Improv is the ultimate art of creating on the spot and gives performers the confidence they need to get on stage everyday. The ability to improvise and create in the moment is crucial to commercial as well as theatrical auditions ­ plus it is fun, fun FUN!

 

MONOLOGUE COACHING (ADULTS):

 

FRANK DI PALERMO

Frank is an agent for the Shamon Freitas Agency.

 




MONOLOGUE COACHING (KIDS):

 

LENKA JURIC

Lenka is the Artistic Director for Arts Off Broadway Community and Youth Theatre, and has worked as a Musical Theatre Director, Choreographer and Composer with Broadway Bound Youth Theatre and Broadway Theatre Arts Academy. Her strong advocacy for the arts as a required course for primary education prompted her service as a judge for the California Education Theatre Association (CETA).

 

Lenka has performed professionally as an actor, singer, dancer and musician in the U.S., London England, Italy and several parts of Eastern Europe. Before traveling to Europe she attended the Los Angeles Theatre Academy and studied with PHS Production’s, Actor/Artist Studio. After completing a Bachelors of Science in Business Management, she founded Artistic Dynamics, a company that coaches and promotes actors, singers and musicians. As a mother of two and a performer herself, she realizes the value of performing arts for children, teens and adults.

For more information on classes and schedules, call (760)-454-0382 or send an e-mail.