Jim Jarrett and dear friend Jim Parrack with James Franco at
opening night of Of Mice and Men on Broadway. Jim Jarrett is as rare a man as you will find in our profession and our art form. As a teacher he is pure authenticity. His fidelity and reverence to Sanford Meisner is unparalleled by anyone teaching Mr. Meisner's approach to acting. Period. Without exception.
"Jim is an extraordinary actor and teacher and his talent is enormous."
Jon Voight Academy-Award Winner - at opening night of MEISNER
"Jim Jarrett represents everything Sanford Meisner stood for. He is a dear friend and colleague and I couldn’t recommend him as a teacher or his school more whole-heartedly".
Bob Carnegie Founder / Director Playhouse West
"Jim is a wonderful friend, actor, acting teacher, and a wonderful human being as well. We need more like him. And his show on Sanford Meisner is simply incredible! I literally thought I was watching Sandy. That's how incredible he is!"
William Alderson Co-Director and Head of Acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse 1967 - 1986
Our Greatest Testimonialsare our students working at the highest levelFeature Films | Network TV | Broadway
"The Meisner Technique Studio has been an absolutely priceless tool in my development as an actor. Truly priceless. The lessons he shared in class are still to this day, now almost ten years later, beautiful little landmines that hit at just the right moment teaching and guiding me again and again. The work that is created and shared amongst everyone in class has always and will always fuel me greatly. It is what keeps me going and in those times when I’ve wanted to give up and find an easier career with a straight path. It’s truly an honor to be a part of this family and I couldn’t ask for a more courageous, thought provoking, dedicated group of people to look to for inspiration."
"I am forever grateful to Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia because they gave me the tools to be a more courageous, free, open, motivated, and empowered human being . Graduating from the 2 year training marks one of my finest accomplishments to date. I put more effort into the training than I have put into anything in my life because Jim and Melissa are incredibly nurturing and inspiring. Talk is cheap - and they back it up 100%. If you want to learn the craft of acting and truly have it mean something, look no further. Give yourself the gift of this training. It's truly the best around."
"Jim Jarrett is the best teacher I have ever had and the passion he has for teaching comes from his heart. Having trained with the best, he is the best teacher of the Meisner Technique. He makes the class a safe place to be real, to go where we as artists must go to work to be truthful. Once you complete the course the confidence you feel is priceless. The confidence I've gotten from Jim Jarrett has given me a new beginning in life and as an actor. Never would I have thought I would have come this far with my craft."
"Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia are without a doubt the most talented, authentic, passionate and generous acting teachers I have ever encountered."Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia are without a doubt the most talented, authentic, passionate and generous acting teachers I have ever encountered.
I have been studying the craft of acting on and off, taking various classes and workshops, since I was a child. By the time I completed my Master's degree in Performance Studies at NYU, Tisch School of the Arts, I was tired of partaking in a smorgasbord of trainings and acting techniques, all of which left me wanting something more.
After seeing Jim perform his one man show, "Vincent," and subsequently learning that he had an acting studio in San Francisco, I knew that "something more," which I had always been hoping for as an actor was still within my grasp.
Jim's personal talent, integrity and craft speak for themselves. Before I knew Jim as my teacher, I admired him as a one of the greatest actors I have seen perform on a stage. The old adage, "Those who can't do, teach," holds zero truth at The Meisner Technique Studio. Jim and Melissa both teach from years of solid experience and they possess a remarkable, deeply rooted and developed craft, which they are able to pass on to their students with the utmost amount of clarity, consistency, professionalism and compassion.
Jim and Melissa care about their students on a deeply personal level knowing full well how intertwined one's personal and creative life can be, especially with regard to the craft of acting. In acting, the actor is the instrument, and Jim and Melissa take great strides to encourage and challenge their students to be the best version of themselves both inside and outside of the studio. This allows them to consistently create a classroom full of passionate and hard-working individuals who foster each other's creativity, sensitivity, authenticity and professionalism.
Studying at The Meisner Technique Studio proved to be a truly empowering experience for me personally, creatively, and professionally. Completing the two years of formal training at the studio, as well as, The Business of Your Dream course was no easy feat, but nothing worth having comes easy, and I have already reaped the benefits of my time and training at The Meisner Technique Studio tenfold!
Soon after completing my training at The Meisner Technique Studio, I relocated to Chicago where I have been auditioning nonstop and taking control of my dream by writing and creating my own work. There is no question in my mind that this training has made me a stronger and more well rounded actor. I am confident, free, and able to tackle any curveball that comes my way in auditions because of the incredible work ethic and craft that I honed while at The Meisner Technique Studio.
The challenge of pursuing work as a professional actor has only just begun, but I know I can move ahead with great confidence thanks to the incredible foundation, craft and support provided to me by Jim, Melissa and The Meisner Technique Studio community as a whole. I am forever grateful for my training and I hope this account of my experience will encourage anyone who has a serious passion to pursue acting to do so at The Meisner Technique Studio. You owe it to yourself, your creativity, and your career aspirations.…Read MoreLess
"I would advise to anyone who is truly passionate AND committed to attend this school because I can say without a doubt that there is no other place like it..."There aren’t enough stars to rate this school!!! And this is way more than an ''acting class.”
Not only do you get to learn a craft that will stay with you forEVER but most important you go through an unforgettable, life changing, empowering experience in the safest environment possible. Jim and Melissa are both incredible teacher and ohhhhh !! so inspiring and generous.
I would advise to anyone who is truly passionate AND committed to attend this school because I can say without a doubt that there is no other place like it, truly a magical place where you will build a craft that will allow you to make your dreams come true.
I have an immense respect, love and gratitude for Jim and Melissa who are the most passionate, dedicated, and honest teachers you'll ever have.…Read MoreLess
"This class was absolutely life changing for me and has helped me in so many more areas than just acting. I'm so grateful."If you're interested in learning the craft of acting the way Sandy Meisner intended, it doesn't get better than Jim's school.
It truly is pure and authentic and not watered down. Jim and his teachers have great passion for what they do.
This class was absolutely life changing for me and has helped me in so many more areas than just acting. I'm so grateful.…Read MoreLess
"If you want to learn the Meisner technique, this studio teaches the technique in the MOST AUTHENTIC way."I want to clearly state that this studio teaches the Meisner Technique in it's PUREST FORM! J
Jim Jarrett was trained and authorized to teach this technique by Sanford Meisner himself. I say this because there are many schools out there who teach this technique under this claim, yet let me set the record straight, if you want to learn the Meisner technique, this studio teaches the technique in the MOST AUTHENTIC way. But you still have to bring it.
This school isn't for everybody. This school is for professionals. Through this training, amidst all the struggle and obstacles that I have faced, I have learned that my passion is acting but my purpose is to help and serve. I am a new and improved person because of this training. And every student who has finished this training can attest to this truth. Both Jim Jarrett and Melissa Esia Thompson "talk the talk" and "walk the walk".
They know what they're doing and to grow in this training, it is vital to be open…Read MoreLess
"This isn't another rip off acting studio... if you're looking for a quick six week workshop this isn't the place for you."Well all the other reviews should give you your obvious answer!
The Meisner Technique Studio is the best acting training out there! One of the reasons why I fell in love with this studio was because of the bar they raise for the students! You're expected to be on time, show up prepared, and truly give yourself over to it and when you have a classroom of people all doing exactly that ... its pure magic. This isn't another rip off acting studio... if you're looking for a quick six week workshop this isn't the place for you. But if you're looking for somewhere transformational, personal and real then you should attend here.
You will be a different person, a better person by the time you graduate and you will be able to call yourself an actor and have it mean something to you.
The time I spent at the Meisner Technique Studio were the best two years of my life and I will be forever grateful!!…Read MoreLess
"Both of these actors have given everything they have so that people like me can feel the joy of personal discovery"Jim and Melissa have created and are constantly evolving a Safe, Nurturing and Encouraging environment so that the Child inside each of us can reach out and begin to be the actor we want to be....and more importantly...to be the human being we are supposed to be...
Both of these actors have given everything they have so that people like me can feel the joy of personal discovery and self revelation...
They push and cajole and constantly remind us that acting is listening....that we are all responsible for our actions...that you can count on a Meisner Trained actor to do what they say they will do...and that dreams do come true...it aint easy...i would not have it any other way...
thank you Jim and Melissa, from the bottom of my heart...…Read MoreLess
"It isn't all just kindness and humility; prepare to work your ass off."What a blessing! This place is truly one of a kind.
If you really want to learn a craft for acting, I recommend this place in a heartbeat. Jim and Melissa are so kind, and are serious about creating a safe environment for you to grow.
It isn't all just kindness and humility; prepare to work your ass off. It is SOOO worth it when you see what real estate you can gain!
If I had a list of words that come to mind when describing Jim and Melissa, I would say: committed, supportive, caring, and consistent. They really know what they're doing.…Read MoreLess
"This is a beautiful, passionate family to be apart of, and I am grateful for every minute I have spent in this place."This school is amazing.
Not only will you be able to feel confident as an actor when you finish this training, you will change immensely as a human being.
Melissa and Jim are the best acting teachers I've ever had. They are kind and compassionate human beings, but at the same time, they are going to be completely honest in your strengths and weaknesses as an actor, so that you can grow to be the best actor you can be. If you're looking to be sugarcoated, then this is not the place for you.
If you are looking for a place to grow immensely and learn to be fearless, come here!! If you are serious about acting, come here and your life will change.
This is a beautiful, passionate family to be apart of, and I am grateful for every minute I have spent in this place.…Read MoreLess
"Jim and Melissa are nothing short of passionate, caring and sometimes tough loving teachers who truly want their students to be THRIVING artists in every sense of the word."It's true. This school is not for everyone.
The students at the Meisner Technique studio are held to a very high standard - the same standard that Jim and Melissa hold themselves to. Yes, we're expected to be on time - would you show up late to a film set? Yes, we're expected to be ready to WORK - would you show up unprepared on opening night?
Jim and Melissa are nothing short of passionate, caring and sometimes tough loving teachers who truly want their students to be THRIVING artists in every sense of the word. Yes it can be tough at times - really tough, but that's growth baby! If you want to be an actor, a talented competitive actor, the Meisner Technique Studio is the first step on the Yellow Brick Road...
Thank you Jim and Melissa ~ my dreams are no longer just dreams because of you. I am forever indebted ~…Read MoreLess
"If you want to study the brilliant methodical technique devised by reknowned acting teacher Sanford Meisner, this is, in my opinion, is the best place in the country to do it."If you want to study the brilliant methodical technique devised by reknowned acting teacher Sanford Meisner, this is, in my opinion, is the best place in the country to do it.
Jim Jarrett, who studied intensively under Meisner, and fellow teacher Melissa Thompson Esaia are determined to deliver the training as closely as possible to the way Meisner himself taught it. ? At the same time, they beautifully and sensitively address the emotional, spiritual and practical challenges faced by working actors. This is a professional school that places professional demands on its students.
Yes, you are expected to show up on time. Yes, you are expected to work hard. ? Jim and Melissa insist on creating a work atmosphere filled with respect, appreciation, a positive attitude. They are dedicated, hard-working and amazingly accessible to their students. Jim and Melissa are intelligent and insightful teachers. ?They are honest and demanding but also nurturing.
They deal sensitively with actors, realizing we all place tender, difficult human feelings on the line as we work. ?My time at the Meisner Technique Studio has fostered great friendships, and great opportunities to practice the craft of acting with other serious actors and directors.
Long before I started this training I worked professionally in New York City and in regional repertory theaters. ?I studied with Uta Hagen, and with teachers who came out of the Actors Studio, the Atlantic Theatre Company and Meisner training. ?But the best, most comprehensive acting schooling I've experienced came from Jim and Melissa.
If you want to inject truth and spontaneity into your acting work, this is the place to be.…Read MoreLess
"Here, I discovered I'm an artist. I discovered I have a voice that deserves to be heard."I graduated in March, 2014 but I will be a student of this studio for the rest of my life.
This studio is home. Here, I discovered I'm an artist. I discovered I have a voice that deserves to be heard. I discovered my dream. This studio has empowered me to live my life fearlessly and rid myself of limits and "I can't's". Jim and Melissa are generous, caring, humble, passionate teachers who live what they teach.
As a student, you're held to a high standard of professionalism, which is what makes every class special. You've gotta bring it, you will be exposed if you don't work hard, because you're surrounded by people who care immensely about what it means to call yourself an actor. You can't "cruise" through this training.
If you're interested in and committed to growing as a human being and an actor/artist, then this is the place for you. Be prepared for the highest caliber of professionalism, which means showing up on time with your work done. This expectation is incredibly inspiring and motivating if you embrace it and step up to the plate, it's incredible to have teachers who care enough to hold you accountable for your behavior and work ethic.
You won't believe what you can accomplish in two years.…Read MoreLess
"There really aren’t enough stars to rate this school."The Meisner Technique Studio is a hidden gem of an acting school in the beautiful Presidio of San Francisco.
I can say that because I had the privilege of studying under Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia. For any dreamer out there that has been contemplating where to study to further their dream, I encourage you to look into the Meisner Technique Studio.
There really aren’t enough stars to rate this school.…Read MoreLess
The Meisner Technique Studio
