Lynette Sheldon Actors School, Strange School New York New York

This is probably an okay acting school for professional actors but it's not the best place for ones who are just starting out. Everything there is geared towards the professionals but they let beginning actors in to make money off us. I had two teachers when I was there. The teachers seemed to understand advanced actors very well but got impatient and can be very disrespectful to the newbies. Extremely disrespectful. They also don't get it that disrespecting their students/customers is insulting and that it's wrong. They think they're perfect teachers and are running a perfect school. I am not returning to a place where I know my best efforts will only result in me being insulted. I don't say this out of a lack of dedication to learning acting. I say it because there is no reason to pay instructors a lot of money for lessons only to go there and be insulted. There's a difference between coaching and insulting and they don't understand it at this school. It's a big world out there and there are lots of other acting schools to choose from.

I was not surprised by reading the remark made by De Lovely and it only went to prove what I've known all along. Those you can...do. Those who can't...complain.

De Lovely, I will almost bet makes between $7 - $10 an hour maybe more with tips. And that will be all he/she will ever make because he/she has no basis for understanding constructive criticism. Lynette is a tough teacher and uses many tools to express who she is and what she expects. This is NOT grade school where everyone passes. She demands the best out of her students and unfortunately not everyone is apt to appreciate that. Especially the 'oh wo is me...I'm such a victim" people.

Part of the process IS to take additional classes because that is what makes an actor strong. Being able to participate in scenes with DIFFERENT partners is essential to learning the craft properly and it may take YEARS. This is NOT something you do if your time horizon is 2 - 6 months. If it is, take your whiny complaining butt out of her classroom and leave room for those of us who wish to pursue the craft with the necessary depth. Go back to your clerking job and get really good at that because it will be all you ever do. If you think the real world is going to reward you because you 'don't like something' think again. Don't waste your money or our time (those of us who appreciate all that Lynette has taught us and will continue to teach us because we know a gem when we find it).

Lynette has little patience for those who are careless and disrespectful of the craft thereby disrespecting the class, OUR time and OUR money. She is strong and demanding and attempts to bring out the very best in everyone. If you can't take the heat...stay the heck out of the kitchen and leave the cooking to the real chefs.

By the way..I really hope you get that 50 cents an hour raise.

As a former student of Lynette Sheldon i have never witnessed such 'favourite' behaviour. Indeed when i first started with Lynette mostly everyone had been with her a long time and i thought i would feel quite uneasy but Lynette made me feel so welcome and made sure I was immediately part of her tight knit group. The only people Lynette would NOT favour are those who do not pull their weight, who let down their scene partners or who do not respect their fellow students.
Please read other rebuttal posts on other report!! I am so saddened that a disgruntled student would try and ruin Lynette's reputation like this!

I was completely annoyed by the claims made by this person. I attended classes at this studio for years and guess what? It was the best move I've ever made in my life. Not only am I a successful, working actor, but the tools I learned in Lynette's classes have proved useful in many aspects of my life. Like this person, there are some people who simply can't handle being in ANY acting class. They are unable to take any sort of criticism and they are very bitter that they have no talent and will never get a working acting job. My advice to this person would be to move on from the craft of acting - nobody likes an unprofessional, tantrum throwing brat. Most likely this person already has a bad reputation and will have this experience over and over wherever they go - and they'll blame everyone else around them instead of taking responsibility for their own life.

Firstly I completely disagree with the reports based on The Lynette Sheldon Actors Studio. I have been a student there for over 6 months and she is one of the best acting coaches I have ever encountered and I have worked with a lot. Both in Australia and Overseas.

Not only does she give specific attention to each student's individual needs but she also encourages every student to fully explore the limits of there talent and creativity.

As for qualifications well she studied with Stella Adler herself in New York City (and if you do not know who that is FIND OUT). She has been praised by The Learning Channel and many of her students have gone on to win Emmy's, Tony's and so on. Sometimes the classes do run overtime but she does not force anybody to stay past the scheduled end time.

I have seen many students breakthrough personal and creative barriers in class and I myself have grown tremendously as an Actor. Lynette only works with people who are serious about their acting and who are willing to work, these are no drop in classes. This is a commitment but so are your careers. She truly inspires you creativity to live to your potential.

And please keep in mind these reports have been made by 2 disgruntled ex-students (for whatever perverted reason) who do not speak for the rest of the classes.

Lynette is a great teacher even though I don't have the opportunity to work with her at the moment, she still teaches me so much... So much of what she has shared and taught me comes back to me all the time.

Try and remember that acting is about life, experience, stories, other people... it is about being fluid and creative. You have to be flexible. There is always something to learn in every situation.

And if you don't like her methods then you should go somewhere else, but don't slag her off as being a rip off. What if someone who had the potential to work really well with her read what you guys wrote and missed out. Finding an acting teacher that you respond to and understand is a very personal process. It is part of your journey as an actor.

For anyone out there who is thinking of studying with Lynette please take note of what I am saying. Remember it is 'your' journey you have to find what works best for you.

Lynette was always honest with me and sometimes it was cutting, but it made me progress as an actor and as a human because she always tells the truth. She is very intuitive, one might say 'the soul of the universe' speaks through her. She is not conventional but beautiful and wonderful.

When was acting ever about being conventional anyway.

Lynette is the most inspirational teacher i have ever had the pleasure of studying with, she has a no nonsense approach to the craft and expects a high degree of effort and discipline from students in her class.

If you want to grow and reach places you never thought existed in the craft of acting then Lynette is for you, if you are ready to work hard and able to accept the truth then Lynette is for you, if you truly with all your heart want to be an actor then your experience with Lynette will become invaluable.
Lynette is for real actors, not for plastic actors.

I personally studied in a three year university drama BA program in australia, 2 years at a Meisner school (the repetition kind of course), a full time summer conservatory program in NYC, and also practical aesthetics, but to date nothing has been personally fulfilling, challenging and inspiring as Lynette Sheldons classes.

As for my education as an actor she will always hold a special place second to none.
she is the best..
actor