Jessica Freitas

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. That is what makes Meisner actors so great. We expect more from ourselves and the people around us.

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, then 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 ~

Larry Dorsey Jr

Jarrettology changed my life. The Meisner Technique Studio taught me how to be a better human being, how to feel deeper, how to love with intensity. I learned how to channel my passion. It transformed my life, and for that, I am forever grateful…

I come from a different world than most that attend the school…Due to historical/systemic and socio-economic reasons I was involved in criminal activity that you only see in movies…I’ve witnessed the destruction of many people close to me: incarceration, addiction, insanity, ptsd, traumatic disability and more death than the average person can imagine. As I transitioned out of that lifestyle, I was trying to recreate my identity without turning my back on my people. I knew that I was talented at producing laughter from those who were in negative emotional states- so in some way I loved humanity at a spiritual level. The Meisner training helped me discover my authentic self and cultivate my comedic dreams.

Jim Jarrett took a chance with me. I struggled with the discipline. I am known to break rules, I didn’t really fit in, I had a lot of personal issues, etc. He saw something in me and gave me a shot (He scouted me from another college class). I feel like Jim understood me because we both competed at high levels in sports, so I respected him like a coach, and he treated me like that one player who was always missing from the team- but came in clutch when they needed him. What I gained the most, besides an affinity for Caribbean culture, is that I discovered the beauty of loving other human beings. I literally became an activist shortly after leaving the studio.

Allee Gette

When I say that this training changed my life, I am not exaggerating in the slightest. I went into this training expecting to learn how to act, but I left it transformed as both and actor and a human being. I found a family that I will have in my life forever, I have no doubt about it.

I learned the power of truthful acting (of which the only drawback is that now I can’t watch a badly acted movie or show without cringing), and I embraced emotions that I’d never allowed myself to feel, let alone express in any way. I improved my work ethic, empathy, and fueled a passion that I’d only ever dreamed of pursuing.

Growing up, I’d always wanted to perform in some way, being a musical and creative person. But my shyness and stage fright made that nearly impossible. By the time I arrived at the Meisner Technique Studio, I’d overcome the majority of my shyness, but my stage fright was still very much present. By the end of the first class, my stage fright was practically decimated.

That’s not to say that everything comes that easily. Jim has done an incredible job to honor the format of his mentor, Sanford Meisner. In honoring that, he expects a lot from his students. He pushes us and makes us better, but in my experience it was ALWAYS for the best. There were times that feedback hurt, but you HAVE to take your ego out of the equation the second you enter the studio. This training is about turning you into a truthful actor, and everything that Jim does goes towards that goal.

After the formal training, Jim also offers an optional business class that teaches students how to enter the business world of acting. Everything from auditioning to landing an agent, and from building a resume to creating a pitch deck. I was lucky enough to take this class from both Jim and his incredible daughter, Kyla. She knows SO much about this industry, having worked on the other side of it for some time, and she is an amazing teacher.

If you’re interested in learning to be an actor, this is the place to go. It’ll be tough, but every second is worth it.

Danilo Koenig

I can honestly say that this was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far. Both as an actor and as a person.

Both Jim and Melissa are crystal clear as to what their standards, expectations and curriculum are. This isn’t “just some acting class,” but rather a commitment where you are truly taught a craft and way of working. It is not for everyone, which you are also told, and you most certainly get what you put in, plain and simple. On the other hand, if you want to receive world class training and are willing to leave your pride and ego at the door, then I can’t recommend The Meisner Technique Studio enough.

Those of you about to embark on this journey, I envy you; celebrate, too. Know that you are in the hands of two people that with all their heart and soul, care! They may, and will be hard on you if they see you slacking but know that everything they do is for your benefit. Don’t take it personally.

My advice? Work hard, work harder, play hard, play harder, work some more and whatever you do, stick with it!

Gina Won

Absolutely, hands down one of the finest acting programs in the country if not the world. That may sound like an exaggeration but for anyone who’s tasted true Meisner Technique training they know what I am talking about. Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia have extremely high standards and expectations for the students they take in. However, once they know you are a humble, caring, responsible, hardworking and honest person, they will do everything they can to support you and create the best possible learning environment for you. I can’t recommend The Meisner Technique Studio enough.

If you want to delve deeper into the profound interior world of this fascinating, exhilarating, life-changing and life-affirming art called acting, go to The Meisner Technique Studio’s website and arrange for an interview. The worst thing that can happen is that you’ll learn and you’ll grow because of it.

MICHAEL FARNIA

I came to The Meisner Technique Studio looking for a school that is genuine in its claim of teaching The Mesiner Technique.

I had taken many previous acting courses, yet after some research learned that for me the Meisner Technique is the most effective and liberating approach to the craft of acting. What ensued was a life changing experience both personal and in the craft. Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia are passionate, honest, loving teachers who deeply care about their students and human beings.

In addition to teaching me the technique the way it was intended to be taught by Sandy Meisner, Jim and Melissa taught me how to have the work ethic to pursue my dream and overcome my fears of failure. They deeply care for me and my dreams and are always available to me. I also learned how to navigate through the business part of an acting career, create professional marketing material and have strong auditions.

Today, as an Actor I’m capable of high quality work, equipped with all the necessary marketing tools and most importantly the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. If you’re serious about the craft of acting and are committed to your dreams, rest assured that your search has brought you to the right place to realize all of your dreams.

Matt Barrera

This training, under Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia’s leadership transforms people into students and then into actors, and they’re incredibly serious about it. Which also branches off into them being the most passionate, nurturing, knowledgeable and investing teachers I have ever studied with. Hands down! Jim and Melissa run an incredibly thorough curriculum.

The Meisner Technique Studio holds the exact same authentic principles Sanford Meisner founded his school on. And not only with the learning material but with what it takes as a person and as an actor to handle the learning material. Jim and Melissa hold their students to the highest standard and it is understood with great respect. Anyone who finishes the training, like I have, will leave empowered, incredibly prepared and have the professional skills to work in any medium opposite anyone or anything. I promise you!

Jim and Melissa are by far THE BEST teachers of the Meisner Technique. They are the biggest dreamers I know and they have so much passion for what they do and it’s incredibly contagious. They are there for their students 1000% of the way. While you’re in school, on days you don’t have school, and even like me, being finished with the training, they’ll be there for you, and they have been. I’m living proof of the experience! I left The Meisner Technique Studio a way better actor than I ever imagined and, as equally important, a better person. I am ready to audition, knock on doors, handle scripted material, take direction, develop and earn characters and show up with them. I am ready to work along side anybody and anything.

Without any exaggeration, with what I’ve gained artistically and personally, this school will be the only reason I propel anywhere in this profession!

John Lavette

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 ain’t easy…I would not have it any other way…

Thank you Jim and Melissa, from the bottom of my heart…

Olga Szpiro

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.

Connie Chen

You don’t need prior experience and you don’t have to be certain that acting is right for you. Maybe you just have this nagging feeling that won’t go away, a creative spark in you that refuses to be ignored. This is a safe place to uncover, explore, and expand what your creativity and imagination are capable of. This program is a commitment, but it takes time and dedication to peel the onion that is YOU.

So now that I’ve graduated, do I know for sure that acting is my calling in life? No, but within two months of completing the business class, I’ve booked 3 speaking roles; 2 TV pilots (one for NBC) and an independent film. Lucky? Yes, partially. But I pursued this on my own for 5+ years when I was younger and more “marketable,” and never booked this much.

Are you hoping to experience just one or two creative breakthroughs? Or do you want to methodically learn and practice how to achieve them consistently? At this school, you will sharpen your instincts, become more brave, confident, and free. And who knows, you might decide to do a couple of acting gigs afterwards.

John Hamil

Jim Jarrett is an incredible acting teacher and if you’re serious about this craft then look no further. Jim Jarret is a master teacher and there is a reason why Sanford Meisner chose him to carry on the Meisner legacy. I studied with Jim for 2 years. What a rewarding experience!

Jim will bring you to places you didn’t think you could reach as an actor in a very caring and safe environment. But he’ll demand that you work hard because he has so much respect for the craft of acting, ‘THE WORK’!!

Jim tells it how it is, no BS, a straight shooter, but a sincere passionate teacher who cares.Again he’ll know if you’re working at your craft when you come to class or if you’re bluffing and not putting in the time and effort that is needed.

I can’t recommend Jim highly enough and ten years on since having completed the course I can still call on him with questions and he has never let me down!

Edwin Richards

Jim and Melissa are excellent teachers who care deeply about the craft of acting and the well being of their students.

They expect students to commit to doing the work and to showing up on time. If you are willing to make that dual commitment, you will grow as an actor and a person. You will be part of a carefully nurtured, supportive class.

You will see some truly memorable work from your classmates and you will probably surprise yourself with what you are capable of. Pursuing the class takes patience, time and commitment, but I have found it thoroughly worthwhile.

Jyoti Swamy

I want to clearly state that this studio teaches the Meisner Technique in its PUREST FORM!

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.

When I look back at my greatest accomplishment, I don’t really look at it as an accomplishment at all, but rather a beautiful gift. This rigorous program has helped me figure out what I want to do with my life, how I will get there, and most importantly, why I am here on this planet. While I did study the techniques of good acting and how to break down a scene, I can confidently say that the lessons I’ve learned are far greater than just a scene. Before my training, I had a great deal of fear in my heart; fear for the future, fear for the unknown, and ultimately fear of failure. This training has released every fearful bone in my body, and I can proudly say that mentally I am ready for whatever obstacle or challenge my future holds. This training has played a pivotal role in the transformation of the powerful woman I am becoming, because after all I am a becoming woman and still have much to learn. Thank you Jim and Melissa, you changed my life.

Amber Glasgow

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’s insane how much I’ve grown as an actor and as a person. So many of the lessons can apply to real life.

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.

Tessa Rae Evelyn

This school is so much more than an acting school.

Not only are Jim and Melissa my teachers, my mentors, but they have also become my friends and family. This is a place where you learn to find your light and let it shine! Of course there are days when you fall flat on your face, but as long as you get yourself up and dust yourself off Jim and Melissa are there to support you and lift you up.

They genuinely want everyone in their classes to succeed. They love what they do, they take it seriously, and they put everything they have into this school… and that is probably an understatement. This school and its rigorous schedule taught me passion, patience, and to pursue my dreams.

I could not have asked for a better experience. If you choose to go to this school stay open and stay humble and choose to love every minute of this life changing experience.

Eric Burke

The Meisner Studio prepares you for the life of an actor. If/when you complete this training, you can honestly call yourself an actor.

If you’re late, if you don’t do your homework, if you’re not prepared, then you will be called out on it. If you are passionate, caring and dedicated to the craft of acting, and treat yours and other’s dreams with respect, you will be celebrated. Jim & Melissa set a standard in their work as actors (I have acted with both of them), and that standard translates into their teaching. This is NOT, I repeat NOT, just another acting class.

I came to it a bit later in life, and thank goodness I did. I now own my dream and support it with a solid acting technique as a foundation. I know what it did for me, and what it can do for you, IF, you are prepared to commit and want to be an actor, not just famous. Jim & Melissa are a packaged gift, and frankly, if your commitment is one drop less than theirs, then you don’t deserve their wisdom and care.

Abbey Moyer

This class isn’t for everyone. It is for people with enough integrity and self respect to listen to the teachings and use them as means to grow from, not become defensive of.

If you’re interested in learning the craft of acting the way Sandy Meisner intended, it doesn’t get much better than Jim’s school. It truly is pure and authentic and not watered down.

Jim and his teachers demand the most from their students and and holds you to a high standard. Anyone who is serious about this class should hold themselves to the same standard.

If you have enough personal integrity to take this class seriously and give it your all, you won’t be late. The universe conspires with you and you will never be late. No one person in my graduating class of 2009 was ever late, not once, and SEVERAL of them had to take BART, buses, cars, etc from the East Bay. Coincidentally I was lucky enough to be in a class with a very HIGH level of personal integrity and every single person wanted to be there and learn from Jim.

Jim is a wonderful teacher and has great passion for what he does. This class was absolutely life changing for me and has helped me in so many more areas than just acting. I’m so grateful.

JOHN HURST

As an actor and writer I have no hesitation in recommending this school to those who are interested in become artist and professionals in the true sense of the word. Jim and Melissa are two of the most passionate and gifted teachers I have encountered.

Yes. They will push to go beyond what many school would view as the minimum but that is because they believe in bringing to the surface the true totality of who you are as an artist, human being and emissary for the human condition. They are fiercely compassionate and deeply devoted to the goal of ensuring that your purest impulses and authentic gifts rise to the surface.

I have no hesitation in saying that both Jim and Melissa have made me a far better artist, and more importantly a far better human being. There is no doubt they set the bar higher than many schools, but I have been reminded time and time again that the true artist is the one who is accepts that to truly honor our profession we must demand nothing less than the best of who we are. I encourage those students who are PASSIONATE and COMMITTED to the process of acting to take the time to visit the school and see what they have to offer.
You will never work harder but by the same token you will never grow as much as you will during your course of study with these two remarkable individuals.

Mia Vazquez

This training has changed my life. No exaggeration, the foundation I received for the craft of acting serves as a whole new light in how I view humanity. There is no room for ego in the classroom. Once I opened my heart and stayed open to the teachings, I noticed I was developing a skill. Now, I know exactly which tools to pull out of my tool bag to get to work on my craft.

The founder and director of the studio Jim Jarrett and assistant director Melissa Thompson Esaia promised me on the first day that if I hung in there, I would graduate with an understanding for the craft of acting and I’d be ready to fly for the professional world. They were right! I’m so empowered to get to work!

They both have taught me it’s ok to dream! And, they’ve taught me the structure, the foundation building, the step-by-step process of how to make that dream a reality. I’m so empowered and thankful. Thank you Jim & Melissa. I’ll go fly now!

Ashley James

Your time at the Meisner Technique Studio will be intense, demanding, and require your full dedication, but the experience and knowledge gained at this studio is something you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Jim’s commitment and ability to cultivate genuine growth is a gift. He is pure in his approach to the Meisner Technique, and unrivaled in his ability to inspire greatness from his students. The world needs fearless artists willing to dig deep, listen to their instincts, and stand firmly in the truth of their imagination, this is what Jim Jarrett teaches at the Meisner Technique Studio. For all his tough love and wisdom, I am eternally grateful.”

Ashley’s Upcoming Project

Lucas Alves

This is an Acting School to help you become an Actor in the truest meaning of the word. Jim and Melissa are the most dedicated teachers I have ever known and love what they do.
They push you to new levels and challenge you to do better in the best way a teacher can. Jim and Melissa ARE Actors. It is very rare in this day and age to see True Actors today and it is a wonderful thing to be taught by both of them. Jim has always been so passionate about the Meisner Technique and he is always there to help you when you are having trouble understanding. I understand it is not for everyone, and Jim and Melissa even say that because they understand, which makes them even better teachers because they say it’s not for everyone.

I have tried other ways of working but none have had such an effect on me like this one has. Jim and Melissa teach with all their hearts EVERY class and push and challenge us all because they know what we all can do and if you want to be a true Actor then you should be excited to be pushed this hard. Jim and Melissa are True Actors and teachers and if you are dead serious about being an Actor in its truest sense then I would highly recommend joining this school.

You will lean so much about you and your craft but be warned, you will be pushed like every real actor should be but once you get to these points then your eyes will open to a whole new world of possibilities, creativity and commitment. All things an Actor needs to have to be an Actor. I am proud to have this way of working as my foundation as an Actor because it will just keep getting stronger and stronger.

I am proud to have Jim and Melissa as my teachers as I know you will be too.

Santiago Rosas

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 have actually had the privilege to have studied under Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia. In the training, not only do you learn about the craft of acting, but you learn about to beauty of being a human. You learn about the beauty of you, and I have learned to see the world through different lenses.

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. Look at their website, talk to the teachers (they will actually reach out to you), and the graduates of the training.There really aren’t enough stars to rate this school.

Emily Blackwell

Well all the other reviews should give you your obvious answer!

The Meisner Technique Studio is the best acting training out there! Yes I haven’t gone and participated in all of them but my experience here was out of this world. One of the first 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 6 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 was the best of my life and I will be forever grateful!!

Nancy Degnan

I graduated in March, 2014 but I will be a student of this studio for the rest of my life.
This studio is my home. Here, I discovered I am 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.

Melodie Casta

There aren’t enough stars to rate this school !!!

I wouldn’t trade this training for anything. It’s way more than an ”acting class” , not only do you get to learn a craft that will stay with you forever, but most importantly you go through an unforgettable, life changing, empowering experience in the safest environment possible. Jim and Melissa are both incredible teachers and ohhhhh !! so inspiring and generous. I consider this training to be a WORLD CLASS with no exaggeration.

I would advise 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 passionated dedicated and honest teachers you’ll ever have.

Aubrey Davis

The Meisner Technique Studio has been an absolutely priceless tool in my development as an actor. Truly priceless. The lessons Jim 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.

ROBERT WALKER

As a working graduate of the 2009 class, I can tell you that this school is absolutely legit.

1. You will learn to love who you are.
2. You will be the most authentic version of yourself after you graduate.
3. You will be surprised how well you can work as an actor. It should be hard and challenging, but it should also be a place where you can fall down, make mistakes and learn. And they care so much about each student, Advice? Don’t beat yourself up. You are enough.

Bring everything you’ve got to each class and rehearsal, and you’ll grow. And don’t be late. Ever. If you are, you don’t have the integrity to stay with the school. I always was at class 1.5 hours early because I commuted across the Bay Area.

Carolé Acuña

The Meisner Technique Studio is way beyond world-class and very an intensive acting training. This is a life changing, incredibly thought provoking, school of life, art, relationships, limitless growth, surrounded by people who eventually become family.

Jim Jarrett, Sanford Meisner’s last teaching protégée who teaches the closest in the world to how Sanford Meisner taught, has 25+ years of teaching experience, and Melissa Thompson Esaia, the other world-class Meisner teacher, trained by Jim with 10 years teaching experience with this technique, are both phenomenal teachers and consummate professionals in all realms. The opportunities that become available to the students are priceless. With this school, what you put in you get back.

I am honored to have completed the formal Meisner Technique training and the Business of Your Dream training. I’m currently a Studio Member which is a gym/laboratory for professional Meisner trained actors and it becomes available after the training, there is a wait list. I recommend this school to anyone who is passionate, committed, hard working, seeks major growth, wants to continuously take themselves to the next level again and again, has something to say. It’s great for actors, writers, directors, comedians, dancers, musicians, people that have dealt with trauma, even someone who has a deep-seeded insatiable desire to take everything to the next level, this school is for you.

Ron Bullock

The Most LIFE CHANGING thing I’ve done as an adult!

It feels like it has to be the best acting school in the world, and that feeling I get… could very well be right. This school is one of the very few that teaches the Meisner Technique the same way that Sanford Meisner taught it, the way it was intended to be taught because Jim Jarrett was the final teaching protégé of Sanford Meisner, learning directly from him not only the technique, but HOW to teach the technique!

Jim would never say this, but I feel I got even better instruction than any one did from Meisner himself, because Jim’s giving us everything Sanford Meisner gave him, plus the amazing life experiences and lessons of Jim’s life as well. Melissa is the other instructor and she’s been called the best instructor of the Meisner Technique by anyone that wasn’t trained by Meisner… and it’s not a contest, but she’s that good as well.

WARNING: as amazing as this school is, it’s not for everyone! I’ve taken acting classes for years prior to this and never felt near the growth and life changing transformation this school has brought me and just about every other graduate. However, you have to be willing to completely commit, sacrifice, and not let your ego get in the way of anything. It’s not an exaggeration when people call this school Life Changing.

Glen Caspillo

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.

Luke Loving

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. Completing the 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.

Kathryn Acker

What an amazing life-changing opportunity to have been given a chance to study at The Meisner Technique Studio! This was a place, a school, where I was supported and given a chance to chase my dream and grow as an actor! During my 2 ½ years, I was given tools to help me grow into my craft as well as build a solid foundation, which has made more even more confident to pursue my dream.

And I am insanely fortunate and grateful to have studied under Jim Jarret during my years there. He truly embodied Sanford Meisner and his teachings. To see him so enthusiastic about each teaching he taught made me that more driven and excited to work. In pursuing such a competitive field, one has to be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy. And there may be people who do not understand or support this dream. But Jim helps guide you through these obstacles. He genuinely cares and wants you to succeed.

I am not going to say the last 2 ½ years were easy. Each class and teaching pushes you. There were a lot of days that were hard. But I put his school, Jim, my dream as my priority. I was willing to put in that effort and work. I was willing to be vulnerable, to let loose and to have fun. And what I was given in return is more than I could have ever asked for.

Jim’s inspiration and creativity are endless. His passion for teaching is unmatched. He is sensitive and understanding of the fact that each student learns differently. As Sanford Meisner would say, each actor has their own unique “instrument.” And Jim would be able to cater his teachings uniquely to each student’s needs.

To find a teacher like Jim is very few and far between. He is one of the best! Jim, thank you for being such an incredible teacher and mentor. Thank you for believing in me!

Marie-Noelle Marquis

I have studied acting for over 20 years and seen my share of schools and teachers (Mainly in Los Angeles) and I can honestly say nothing even comes close to the Meisner Technique Studio. Jim Jarrett’s inspiring, dedicated and professional teaching has made me a better, stronger, more imaginative actor and more confident in my work. It has opened numerous doors to acting and filmmaking opportunities and brought an amazing community of artists to my life. If you are serious about your craft this place will guide you to your voice as an actor and as a person. Jim’s teaching will challenge you while being extremely supportive. Jim is one of those rare teachers who truly cares about the craft of acting and his students’ success.

****One very important fact; Jim is one of very few who was trained by Sanford Meisner to teach the Meisner Technique which was really important to me. The school also has an ongoing Studio after graduation and offer so many opportunities for alumni. I’m forever grateful I studied here and have had the mentorship of Jim Jarrett.

Heather Danielle

Absolutely incredible training with incredible teachers and classmates! I feel so blessed to have been a student here.

The classroom is filled with people who have integrity, passion, strong work ethics and an intense love for the craft of acting. Jim and Melissa have given me so much, they teach with passion, kindness and unwavering standards. Jim and Melissa are not only amazing actors but they are amazing teachers of acting.

They understand the craft with such depth and really have insight into each student’s needs. Words can’t express. If you train here, you will learn how to act – guaranteed. It will be hard and draining sometimes but also incredibly rewarding. Everyday I got to come to class and see some REALLY good acting. Stuff that blows you away. And yes, like everyone says, don’t be late and don’t miss class.

But guess what? You won’t ever want to miss class! The gifts you get from coming every class and working are priceless.

Thanks to Jim, Melissa and my classmates for the amazing journey.

Steve Lee

I’ve had a dozen or so acting teachers over the years, and compared notes with my acting friends in New York and LA, but none compare to Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson Esaia at the Meisner Technique Studio.

The program is an incredibly rigorous world-class training program based on how Sanford Meisner taught it, pure and simple. Anyone who researches the great acting teachers that changed American acting will quickly find Sanford Meisner somewhere at the top of that list. For those serious about learning the craft of acting, I can’t think of a better place to study. Not everyone who joins the class is able to handle the commitment required.

For those that are committed to learning and the training, you get the opportunity to learn and grow with like minded studies who share your commitment, which makes this class environment unique and the learning and personal experience all the more rich and rewarding.

The key to success in this program is openness and dedication. Jim and Melissa have an unwavering commitment to each student and their dedication and gentle guidance of the students in this program sets an incredibly high standard in the world of teaching.
In short, anyone who really wants to learn acting would be lucky to study at this school.

MISTY Day

Studying with Jim and Melissa will change you life. For the better. Forever. If you believe in the craft of acting, in its purity, in its ability to reach and communicate with others and the possibility to create positive change in the world, this is where you belong.

You will learn not only to be a better actor, but a better, more open, honest, present, sensitive person. Not a day goes by that I do not recall the teachings and benefit from all I learned. You will grow as an actor, you will grow as a human being.

Yes, there will be much demanded of you, your time, your effort, your honesty. Only take this class if you are passionate about acting. Take this class if you are serious. If you are willing to give it everything you have and gain more than you can imagine in return. Studying the Meisner technique was one of the most challenging and most rewarding ventures of my life.

I have the utmost respect for both Jim and Melissa. They are highly professional, caring and compassionate. They will care about your dreams as much as you do and they will help make those dreams a reality.

Julio Amando Lopez

I am so grateful that I found the Meisner Technique Studio.

Jim and Melissa are so dedicated and committed to sharing the knowledge and teachings of Sanford Meisner. They have taught me how to become a better actor, better person and a better human being. The Technique has helped me be more present, grounded and truthful than I ever thought I could be in my acting and in real life as well.

If you are really serious about becoming an actor and that’s your dream and goal then I recommend you take the gift of training with Jim and Melissa.

Annette Oliveira

If you want to study the brilliant methodical technique devised by renowned acting teacher Sanford Meisner, this is, in my opinion, is the best place in the country to do it. Meisner wanted actors to behave truthfully, spontaneously, creatively under imaginary circumstances. Robert Duvall, Susan Sarandon, Gregory Peck are just a few of the greats who benefited from his training.

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.

Jillann Morlan

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 training 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.