Andrew Benne

Top Acting Coach

Since opening his first acting studio in 1989, Andrew Benne continues to be an extremely active force in Hollywood, coaching an impressive list of working actors for nearly two decades. His endless commitment to his work, and a genuine love for teaching, has earned him a reputation among actors that is unequalled in this industry. Having already studied with several prominent teachers - including Stanford Meisner, Stella Adler, Paul Sills and Tony Morina - Andrew began studying under verteran teacher Edward Kaye-Martin, for whom he began teaching in 1988. Branching out on his own a year later, he opened the celebrated Moment to Moment Studio in the heart of Hollywood, where, as Artistic Director for ten years, he developed and refined his own personal acting technique - taking the best of the various methods he had studied and combining it with his own new and innovative approach. The groundbreaking result - which he has come to call "The Work" - has been taught to hundreds of students over the years, a high percentage of whom have gone on to become successful working actors. In 1999 Andrew was asked to teach The Work at several noted universities. He subsequently taught the Meisner technique at the New York Film Academy, and served on the faculty at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts Hollywood during its inaugural year. In 2001 he opened The Andrew Benne Studio, his third working studio, in a thirty-five seat Equity-waiver theater in the newly-established NoHo Arts District, where he continues to offer a variety of classes for both beginning students as well as seasoned actors. His motto, "Study Hard, Get Work," speaks not only to the focus and discipline that Andrew expects of his students, but also of the tireless energy and dedication which Andrew himself invests in his classes. With a keen eye for understanding human behavior and a skill for bringing out nuanced, authentic performances, his individualized, "hands-on" approach with each student offers an entirely unique experience for any actor at any level. An actor and director in his own right, Andrew has appeared in several films and television shows and numerous commercials, and has directed several Equity-waiver hits and has won a Dramalogue award and an L.A. Weekly Critics Choice award. In addition to acting, directing and teaching, Andrew is currently working on a book of his work.