NEWS
JULY 8, 2026
MARK TALLMAN’S “YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS” EARNS EMMY NOMINATION
ActorClass is proud to celebrate alum Mark Tallman and the cast and creative team of Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors, nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the 78th Emmy Awards.
Mark continues his role in the acclaimed series alongside Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn, Hoon Lee, Lena Hall, and an outstanding ensemble cast.
From his years of training at ActorClass to his continued success in film and television, we are thrilled to see Mark contributing to one of the year’s most celebrated drama series.
Congratulations to Mark and the entire Your Friends & Neighbors team on this remarkable achievement.
March 15, 2026
I Signed Up for Acting Class and Stopped Performing
What began as a simple acting class to improve public speaking became a powerful journey into vulnerability and self-discovery. Through scene work, private coaching, and emotional exploration, the writer was pushed to confront buried memories, family wounds, and the truth behind their own composure. Acting became less about pretending and more about revealing what was already inside. Read the full story here.
December 9, 2025
When clients become stars and
take you along for the ride!
Since 2006, Before he executive produced and starred in his own show on Netflix, before he became a New York Times best-selling author, Ryan Serhant has been a long-time client of ActorClass. Our studio’s founder and sole teacher, David L. Epstein, has coached Serhant on nearly all of his major film, television and theater auditions, including his feature-film debut, While We’re Young, Opposite Ben Stiller and Adam Driver. Epstein also co-produced with Serhant and directed him in a number of shows Off-Broadway including Purple Hearts.
“Miraculously, Ryan has kept me in his corner for the last twenty years. Even after his meteoric rise, Ryan’s loyalty has been unwavering. I consider myself very lucky to even be near his orbit, much less standing beside him at the season two premiere of Owning Manhattan.”
AUGUST 14th, 2025
Casting Director of Broadway’s, Othello, STARRING DENZEL WASHINGTON, TEACHES MASTERCLASS AT AC
Jarrett Reiche, the casting director of Disney’s The Lion King, and Othello on Broadway, starring Denzel Washington, conducted a masterclass intensive with actors from every level of our studio. Mr. Reiche worked one-on-one with each actor in the room and, with wizard-like precision, adjusted each performer towards better and more realized performances. Thank you, Jarrett. It was an honor to have you in our community!
March 27th, 2024
MARK TALLMAN, ACTORCLASS STUDENT, ON APPLE TV
February 11th, 2024
ACTORCLASS STUDENT WORKS WITH SCORSESE
Congratulations! Hiroko Yonekura appeared in the 2024 NFL Superbowl Squarespace commercial directed by Martin Scorsese.
“I had been looking for a competent, friendly and professional acting studio for years and I finally found one that fits my criteria. ActorClass provides an incredibly safe environment where you will be creatively challenged and held to the highest standard of excellence… The classes are great for everyone at any level, even people who speak English as a second language, like me. As long as you are serious and dedicated, ActorClass is the place for you. I first joined in 2023 and not long after, I booked a Super Bowl commercial directed by Mr. Martin Scorsese. This success led me to join SAG-AFTRA and has opened a world of opportunities. If you have a passion for acting but felt that other acting studios left your engines empty, ActorClass and the inviting community it provides, will become the rocket fuel of your success. At ActorClass you will grow!” – Hiroko Yonekura
September 22, 2023
ACTORCLASS NAMED: #1 ACTING STUDIO IN NYC
ActorClass is proud to be ranked the #1 Acting Studio in NYC by Distinguished Teaching, 2023!
“The annual Distinguished Teaching awards recognize the top educators in each U.S. city. We employ machine learning and a business analytical program to sift through hundreds of thousands of verified sources. Criteria includes trust, reputation, the steady flow of reviews, credibility, licenses, accreditations, rewards and the lack of complaints in public registers.
We track over 500,000+ blogs, consumer review portals, and social media accounts, and monitor over 140 thousand educators nationwide to help readers narrow the search. Out of that number, only a fraction of highly qualified professionals meet the strict eligibility requirements to make our featured list of 1000 across all categories. Even smaller numbers are featured as the best teachers across the country, an astonishing feat considering the unsolicited nature of the recognition.”
September 18, 2023
SAM VARTHOLOMEOS JOINS TOM HOLLAND
We are thrilled that Sam Vartholomeos has joined the cast of Apple TV’s, The Crowded Room, produced by and starring Tom Holland.
We’ve watched Sam develop his craft over many years. landing roles on Star Trek Discovery, A Play is a Poem directed by Joel Coen, and two seasons as the lead on Bridge and Tunnel, written and directed by Ed Burns.
We’re so proud Sam, and deeply honored that you continually return to class to inspire the next generation of ActorClass students.
Video of 2023 class interview coming soon…
March 8, 2022
ACTORCLASS REPRESENTS AT THE OLIVIER AWARDS
We’re so proud of AC student of ten years, Tom Kelsey, who understudied and performed the lead roles in London’s hit production, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, which was nominated today for BEST ENTERTAINMENT OR COMEDY PLAY at the prestigious OLIVIER AWARDS. This uproarious play goes behind the scenes and shows what happened on the set of Steven Spielberg’s original blockbuster, JAWS.
Bravo, Tom! Thanks for trusting ActorClass to work your audition and callback! It has been such an honor watching you go from our classes and private sessions, to acceptance at London’s Royal Academy, and now to the elite Amabassadors Theatre on London’s West End.
November 5, 2021
KELSEY COACHED FROM RADA TO WEST END
We are so proud to announce that on Nov 5, 2021, ActorClass student of ten years, Tom Kelsey, went from understudy to making his West End debut at London’s Ambassadors Theatre in the hit show, THE SHARK IS BROKEN. Bravo, Tom, all that hard work has finally paid off!
Written by son of legendary actor Robert Shaw, THE SHARK IS BROKEN is a behind-the-scenes comedy about what happened on the set of Spielberg’s, JAWS. Our Tom Kelsey portrays the eccentric American actor, Richard Dreyfus, to a sold-out London crowd replete with standing ovations.
In 2012, Tom came from England and enrolled at our studio, immersing himself in scene study, private sessions and Shakespeare. The success of our approach became obvious when Tom returned to his home country and was accepted at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Since that monumental moment, Tom always consults with ActorClass for big auditions. Bravo again Tom! Thank you so much for always trusting ActorClass. It is an honor to work with you! Cannot wait to see what’s next in your career!
Watch the YouTube interview with Tom when he returns to class to talk about his first show on the London stage…