The Meisner Technique Studio — Local services in San Francisco

Life changing.

There are not enough stars to represent how INCREDIBLE this studio is. If you are looking to become a better actor, writer, director, film making and person―look no further.

I tip-toed into acting after pursuing writing for many years. I graduated from an MFA program in Southern California and left my writing community the moment I moved to the Bay Area. I was trying to find other creatives. I enrolled in some sketch comedy writing classes and improv, but between the teachers and the lack of effort or care from the students, I wasted time and money. I was interested in finding a group of creatives in the bay area. No dilettantes, but passionate artists who were going to push me and make me better. I had looked up “the best acting schools in San Francisco” and landed on the The Meisner Technique studio. After reading numerous reviews, each one praising the integrity of the instructors as well as the life changing experiences the students had, I knew that I had found the perfect place to grow into my dream.

From the moment I had my interview with Jim I knew right away that I had found my teacher. When I enrolled at the studio, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. I had no idea what I was doing, if I had any business looking into acting and where it all would lead. My how that changed. I was bit by the acting bug and every single class I’d drive home feeling so passionate about what I was doing. I worked hard. I poured everything I had into the training and I regret nothing. Those that knew me during this training would always ask about “my acting” because they could feel the passion inside of me. To be honest, this training was more intense than my Masters program (and that was tough as hell!) You get what you give and my class put in the work. It was beautiful to watch my classmates blossom into these sensitive, powerful, moment to moment, working from gut machines. My class became my second family. We were all there to support each other and lift each other up. The studio supports a healthy environment for learning and growing. It was such a safe place for artistic expression.

I feel incredibly blessed and honored that I was able to study with Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia and grow as an actor. When I first started studying, I didn’t think I could ever have the audacity to pursue acting as a career path. After two years, I can confidently say that I feel like I have a rock solid foundation to go after my dream. If you study here, you will leave with craft. You will hone in on your skills and discover what makes you so unique. You will realize that being an actor is a noble profession and to express humanity is sacred.

Sanford Meisner was a genius. His technique evolves and grows into this unbelievable ride. Each session you learn a new skill. Brick by brick you build a foundation in the craft and by the end of the journey you will not BELIEVE how far you came. Jim Jarrett was the last teaching protege of Sandy. He stays 1000% true to Sandy’s teachings and withholds the same standards. This is not a place to be casual. You study here to become an acting warrior!

Two years later, my love for the school and the technique has only grown. I am in the business class which is taught by Jim and his incredibly talented daughter Kyla Jarrett. Through this class you are exposed to how to practically go after this dream because knowing how to get work is the idea here! The price of the studio is so worth every freaking cent. The amount of knowledge, time and help you receive on your journey is immeasurable.

& one more thing....there are so many FUN events like the 24 HR Film Festival, The Sanford Meisner Film Festival, The Oscar Party (costume content), Talent Shows, Studio showcase, guest speakers and MORE.

The Meisner Technique studio has helped me become a fuller version of myself in “real life.” I cannot express enough gratitude for my teacher Jim, Melissa and Kyla and of course Sandy. I could go on and on. From the bottom of my heart, thank you thank...

The most pivotal decision in growing my dream, acting career, art, and love for the human experience thus far.

Before coming here, I'd often be faced with the question... "What do you do?" I'd struggle to even include the word "actor" in my response. After my time here studying, loving, exploring, working, and dreaming with Jim Jarrett and my fellow classmates, I can confidently answer people with, without hesitation, "I'm an actor". By the end of the training, I've learned what it truly means to say those words and to really mean them.

It's more than just an acting class. It's a class in becoming a professional dreamer. How do you live the life of an artist... and sustain it with discipline and health? You learn the craft, yes, but that's one part of the equation. I can't remember a time I really looked within myself so deeply and intimately. Why am I the way I am now? What happened to me? Where do I come from? Why do I do X thing? ETC. I learned how to identify key things about myself that make me unique -- my strengths, weaknesses, stretches, triggers -- not just as an actor, but as a human. I will be honest, I had to dive deep -- and it hurt. I grew and continue to grow because of it. I experienced, for me, my highest of highs, lowest of lows, and freest of freedoms here -- places I never thought I could go, and resisted going for years. I learned how to go to these sometimes scary places, healthily. I rediscovered my buried inner child here and my sense of imagination. I learned about truth and dedicating myself to it. I learned about freedom. I learned what it means to really listen.

My time here required incredible commitment, dedication, sacrifice, time, and energy. But that's just one of the many reasons why I cannot speak highly enough of this school. This is not the kind of acting class you can dabble in, miss occasionally, or... be late to. Some would argue it's a bit much, but I say the rigor of the curriculum was why I grew so much in two years. No time wasted. Why be late to your dream? Jim and the students of this school raise the bar to the highest standard -- all while supported by love, patience, and health. Jim Jarrett passes down the purest and most authentic training of the Meisner Technique -- I daresay as close to Sanford Meisner himself, just knowing how committed Jim is to preserving his teachings. Snippets of Sandy's teachings beautifully adorn the space -- I found myself reading them over and over, and found their deeper meanings to evolve and grow as I continued to grow during my time here.

I have to mention this one example, for those curious about tangible results. Because of all I learned and experienced here, I had the honor of being cast in Netflix's live immersive theatre piece, "Stranger Things: The Experience" during the summer of 2022. I became a working actor that summer. I was able to apply everything I learned at this school to the professional world, from audition to my final show. I remember the astounding feeling of receiving the script for the first time and knowing exactly what I needed to do. And, I did.

Another thing that stood out to me. This is not a class where you meet weekly, indefinitely until the end of who-knows-when. You come in with the goal to get out. A bittersweet, but beautiful and necessary thing. I left those doors with nothing short of confidence, empowerment, a full heart, and... the tools and mindset needed to continue growing my dream after this chapter has closed.

Jim is one of the greatest teachers and humans I've had the honor of crossing paths with. I'm honored to call him my friend. I could go on for paragraphs more, but I feel the value of my experience here cannot be justified from any one review. If you're serious about your dream, the best way to find out is to live it out yourself.

I feel beyond lucky, grateful, and humbled to have found Jim, this school, and my fellow dreamers here at the Meisner Technique Studio....

Before coming into the training with Jim and Melissa, I studied acting in college at UC Davis as my major, took classes at UCLA, other prominent schools and workshops. However, I never truly felt like I was ready to be an actor when I lived in LA. I knew something was off and I wasn't confident in my craft at all. I moved back to the Bay Area and I made myself a promise to really truly invest in craft to build a strong foundation and after 2.5 years with Jim and Melissa, I can now truly be honest with myself that I am ready to go back to LA to pursue my dreams. I feel so grateful and privileged that I got to study with the genius Sanford Meisner's last teaching protégé, my teacher for life Jim Jarrett and my other wonderful teacher Melissa Thompson Esaia.

Here is just a tip of the iceberg of what I have gotten out of this training: active listening, authentic, being human, creativity, work from the gut, be in the moment, integrity, professionalism, work ethic, FREEDOM, sensitivity, imagination, how to be grounded, etc. I used to be afraid of getting a script or not knowing what to do but through the training, I am now excited to work and audition! Jim and Melissa have helped me with building my CONFIDENCE by giving me these tools and challenging characters /scenes and because of that, I'm learned to love the work, trust the process, be free and creative with my imagination and go very deep with any character. One of the most important things that I take away from my training is that I've learned how to have fun and be mentally healthy about my work and the business of acting. This industry is TOUGH but I am tougher. I know 2 years might be intimidating but imagine that each class and lesson is a layer of concrete blocks, if you keep putting in the work and always put in a 110%, imagine how strong your instruments and foundation will be and the indescribable JOY of your fruitful work at the end!

There are times where I'd cry during my 1 hour drive from school to home because I was so ecstatic and happy that I get to learn from my amazing teachers and classmates. Through the training, I have became stronger as a human being, I learned how to love and understand myself, face my fears and became FEARLESS, understand that I AM enough and embrace my uniqueness. Coming to this training, I thought that I was going to be transform as an actor but little did I know, I have transformed as a human being as well. I learned how to take care of myself, be a better person and all of that have actually helped me becoming a better and authentic actor.

What I also love about my training at the school is the standards that Jim and Melissa have for their students because TALK IS CHEAP. They make sure that every student is on top of their game and that makes me appreciative because having high standards mean my investment is being protected and I am training with people who are as serious as I am. When I say investment, I mean both my money and my time. Beyond the training, I have also gained an artistic family that I trust and will always be there for me for life and that is priceless!

So there you have it. This IS world class training. Ask yourself.. How serious are you about your dreams? What kind of actor and human do you want to be? If you feel like there's something missing like I did, then I recommend apply, train and DEVOTE yourself with my teachers at The Meisner Technique Studio and be ready for a life changing experience!

P.S. To Jim and Melissa, thank you for your nurture and all you have done for me and the school! I don't know how to express my gratitude and appreciation for your passion and love. Thank you for motivating and...