Actor & Acting Instructor

Acting Instructor

"We each contain within us all the seeds of any character we will ever need to play." - Marlon Brando

James DiStefano has over 20 years of experience as an actor and acting teacher in Los Angeles. Throughout his extensive career, he has worked with and learned from many of the most talented and respected directors in film and television, including Kathryn Bigelow (Oscar nominee for The Hurt Locker), Bobby Roth (Lost, FlashForward), Mark Rydell (Oscar nominee for On Golden Pond, Emmy nominee for James Dean, for which James Franco won a Golden Globe), Michael Schultz (Cannes Golden Palm nominee, Winner Best Film at American Black Film Festival) and Danny Cannon (Executive Producer - CSI).

Acting Classes

"I've worked to create a space that nurtures full expression and elicits the real joy of acting." - James DiStefano

James teaches Masters Classes including the first Cold Reading Class in the history of the prestigious Actor’s Studio. Under the leadership of co-presidents Al Pacino, Ellen Burstyn and Harvey Keitel, he teaches from a curriculum which he has created and developed over 15 years.

Actors learn the craft of acting as well as specialized camera technique to gain valuable on-camera experience.

Private Coaching

Classes Include: Scene Study/Script Analysis – How to break down the script to make deeper, more accurate choices. Your work may be very strong, but if your choice is wrong... 
Read more