Gary Spatz's 'The Playground'
Premier Young Actors' Conservatory - Gary Spatz's "The Playground"
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Message from Gary Spatz's 'The Playground'
For over 20 years, Gary Spatz has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. One of the most respected acting teachers for children in the US, Gary Spatz offers groups classes, private coaching and on set coaching for film and television. Gary Spatz's "The Playground" is located in the heart of Los Angeles's Century City area, adjacent to the Westfield Shopping Center. This LA acting school's space has been designed to create a comfort zone for the actor while providing a professional atmosphere with studio-grade lights, cameras, monitors and more. Gary Spatz is a renowned LA acting coach, working in his second season with Dylan and Cole Sprouse, "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," and he has served as acting coach for countless other Emmy award winning sitcoms. Check Gary Spatz's "The Playground" website for class details, admissions and staff bios.
Reviews for Gary Spatz's 'The Playground'
If you even consider going the cheap route and getting acting classes on CD or some other nonsense, then you might as well get your child a CD on how to drive because they will end up crashing for both scenarios. The point I am trying to make is that they need to learn in an environment where they are in front of real cameras, real audiences, and are being taught by teachers with a real genuine spirit for acting. Take it from me, do not ignore the natural talents that your child is already starting to possess. Instead, consider The Playground It can be a very gratifying experience for both you and your child. It is not only about the study of acting, but they also get a better understanding of what to expect from the entertainment industry which includes preparing them for auditions, how to choose an agent, what to expect behind the scenes, and so on. Since enrolling for classes about five months ago, my childs reading and confidence level has soared. He has learned some techniques to help reduce stress, he is more articulate, and heck, if I can notice the positive change in my child, then I hope the same result will occur with yours as it has with so many others. I probably sound like an infomercial for this acting school, but I really do feel as if The Playground and all its staff have done such a wonderful job. My son loves every aspect of The Playground, from the classes, to the teachers, to all the new friendships hes made. The website is helpful and they do their best to keep the parents informed and involved as much as possible.
Posted 02/18/09 | Report Abuse
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Definitely a great, well-equipped acting school, with a warm staff, and eager kids who want to act. We have nothing but kind words to share about Gary Spatz, Gayla, and the rest of the crew because we feel that they genuinely enjoy teaching something that theyre all passionate about, and that is to act. To our surprise, Gary Spatz has a very sincere, down-to-earth personality considering that we just saw him on the E! channel the other week being interviewed about some teen stars of today like Zac Efron, and Miley Cyrus, etc. Lets just say that my 7 year old was more than ecstatic to see his teacher on television and it was also nice for us as parents to see the owner of our acting school being recognized for his efforts in the past and present.
Posted 01/08/09 | Report Abuse
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Dear Reader, I am a 30 year SAG Actor who has produced an indie film ($1.5 M budget) and is well-known in the industry and in certain fan circles. I am also a parent of a young man who has been a part of the Playground for only 3 months. He is consistently pleased with his experience at the school, The process involves writing and performing in both workshop and performing sessions. I endorse this program for one reason: it is bona-fide. The young staff are courteous and seem very dedicated to their craft of inspiring everyone around them to be creative. My child is better at speaking and projecting as a result of attending the Playground, and there is no doubt that his creative juices are flowing. His confidence is growing. It's so easy to allow natural skepticism to overflow into pessimistic, even dangerously angry, feelings. Acting is a great occupation, whether professional or amateur. Show business is another thing altogether. It requires a thick skin and lots of luck. But it also requires a proof of talent. The Playground provides a place where that talent can be nurtured in a safe and friendly and kind environment. There is no quid pro quo. There is good value there however.
Posted 11/21/08 | Report Abuse
8 out of 24 people found this review helpful.
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Our son expressed an interest for acting after we took him to see the popular musical, Wicked. We thought it was just a phase, but now we see him trying to act out different scenes with his friends or even make a comedy show with our DV Camera. It has been non-stop and I have never seen him so passionate about anything else. With that being said, we knew that enrolling him into acting school would be a great investment. If he decided not to be an actor, I could see him sprouting another interest in some other facet in the entertainment industry such as being a writer or being part of the crew behind the scenes. Whatever it may be, my wife and I thought that Gary Spatzs The Playground would be a great foundation for him to be inspired. Sorry if I ran a little off track here, but Im sure that I am not the only parent whose child expresses an interest to pursue a part in the entertainment field. Like many of you, our problem was that we didnt know where to begin. Trying to research everything about acting classes online proved to be too overwhelming for us and it didnt help that every acting school claimed to be the best in the business. Thankfully, another parent whose child attends The Playground help shed some light. Her son is also taking the standard drama class with my son in the junior high and she was just as eager to tell me about Gary Spatz as her son was eager to attend the acting workshops. My wife and I honestly thought it was all bunch of hype but when we arrived, the staff and management couldnt be any more helpful and welcoming. Gary Spatz is down to earth and genuine and we really appreciate that. I agree with a lot of the testimonials on here as far as the whole vibe of the classes and staff. This is one of the best things weve done for my son and when our other little boy gets older and also expresses an interest for the arts, we know right where to send him.
Posted 11/03/08 | Report Abuse
8 out of 31 people found this review helpful.
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Why "The Playground" your asking? Well, The Playground has so many things that actually help you in life and in show biz. Gary Spatz does everything and anything to help out his students. He really cares about the teachers, the students, and our goals. The Playground is like one huge family. The teachers there are amazing and fun and I know that if I have any questions about the entertainment business, I can always get a straight answer. All of the teachers has had their own experiences in television, production, and theatre. They know everything about show biz and also the classes are so very inspiring. Gary Spatz has helped so many people achieve their goals and that means alot to Gary. There is no other acting school Id rather go to and The Playground" IS THE PLACE TO BE!!!! Thank you- Michelle P. Class of 07
Posted 10/08/08 | Report Abuse
13 out of 43 people found this review helpful.
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I am more than satisfied with The Playground and all the friendly staff members. They are all so personable and dedicated into helping each student hone their acting abilities and develop into creative skillful actors. During the workshops, the parents get to sit with each other and hang out. My kid always comes back to me with a huge smile on his face and thats all that matters. To sum it all up, The Playground is a great acting school (theyre not a talent agency as so many people think) and I highly recommend it.
Posted 09/22/08 | Report Abuse
13 out of 55 people found this review helpful.
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As a parent it is such a blessing to see your child blossom and gain confidence in herself. She has gained so much from her experience at the Playground and I believe this experience will have such a positive effect on her in so many aspects in her life. After her performance, I expressed to my husband how well Paris had done and that whatever the cost, whatever the effort, The Playground has been all worth it. Our little tiny nine year old could fill a room with so much personality and expression. My experience watching her last week was priceless.
Posted 09/14/08 | Report Abuse
14 out of 50 people found this review helpful.
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Gary is amazing! My daughter has taken classes from him over the years and he is fabulous. Gary has been in the industry for years. He was one of the group who selected the Mickey Mouse Club years ago that found Justin Timberlake, Brittney Spears, Christina Aguilara, and more. He has an eye for talent and the skills to take your child to the next level in acting. The only problem we have had is the long drive to get to him is not always easy.
Highly recommended!
Posted 08/08/08 | Report Abuse
13 out of 47 people found this review helpful.
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Gary Spatz is the best acting coach we've ever had. He is so inspiring and caring about his students it's amazing. We learn so much each week and every week is a different experience. The teaching staff is really great, too. They give you constructive criticism and help us be prepared for all kind of situations in the audition process. The private coachings are really great and every time we called Gary he was always there for us. By the way - do you notice that the only people writing bad reviews only sign up to say something bad about The Playground? It's like the same person over and over again. I just noticed it, it's like someone is obsessed with slandering!
Posted 04/28/08 | Report Abuse
16 out of 56 people found this review helpful.
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As with any profession, it takes training to learn the skills and techniques of the business -- not only acting, but also voice, movement, business, and promotional skills. The acting business is extremely difficult and competitive so one of the best ways for an actor to get cast and become known is to study in a good actor training program. So if youre thinking that your kid will become a mega superstar after attending The Playground, youve got to realize that it is just a stepping stone. Its sad to see what people are saying about Gary Spatz. Hes got so much first-hand experience in this industry I am happy to have him and The Playground lay the foundation for my little guy.
Posted 04/25/08 | Report Abuse
15 out of 58 people found this review helpful.
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
We?ve had and are still having a lovely experience over at Gary Spatz?s The Playground and I?m serious when I say that my kids rant and rave about it all the time. Both my kids have met classmates that are just as enthusiastic about the acting classes as they are and they look forward to the workshops every weekend. I find it so endearing that Gary Spatz himself works so closely with the children and staff and is very much into the school programs. The learning environment is impressive and provides the closest thing to actually being on stage, or being ?on set?. Their website is also a very helpful tool because you can sign-up for various classes, look at your kid?s performance video, check the calendar, and read about the staff. It?s great. In fact, I?m glad we found The Playground that I felt compelled to write about it.
Posted 11/19/08
I had a wonderful experience at The Playground. Deciding to take acting lessons was not something we took lightly. It was completely new to us, since my daughter had never expressed an interest in acting, and it was a big commitment of time and money. I am SO glad we did it! Marissa loved every minute of it and has learned so much about herself in the process.
Many people have dreams of becoming famous actors, and of course it would be awesome if that happened for her. I was happy to give her the opportunity to try something new, but my hope was that if nothing else, she would gain the skills, confidence, and poise that one needs in life to speak in front of others. She got that and more from your program. Thank you very, very much for a truly wonderful experience. I loved that we always saw you there and that you would take the time to chat with the kids and parents.
I just don?t understand why someone would feel they?re being scammed because you dedicate so much to the kids and truly deliver what you promise ? which is a professional environment to learn acting skills. There?s no way I?d go to another acting school and there?s no way I?m going to trust anyone who says you?re a big scam ? it?s just not possible and it?s worth every penny spent.
Pros: Gary Spatz and his whole staff of teachers
Cons: FAKE negative reviews
Posted 08/15/08
Expensive? Yes. Scam? No way. The old saying 'you get what you pay for' works with Gary's school. I can honestly say that my daughter got really solid acting training from very good, professional staff members. The one angry person who keeps posting 'scam' everywhere should take a second to look up the definition of that word in a dictionary. When you get scammed you pay somebody for a product or service and get nothing in return. This is not the case at the Playground. We paid top dollar and got excellent acting training in return.
Posted 07/29/08
"Acting classes"? "For kids?" That's what I thought when my wife first told me that she wanted to sign up our daughter at The Playground. In all honesty I'd rather have my child do some kind of athletic activity. But I have to admit that I've been very impressed with the impact the Playground classes have made on her. According to her teachers she's more confident in class, she's more expressive, and she's even been trying out for school plays which she'd never had thought of before going to the playground. I realize that the film and tv industry is really tough and that my daughter probably won't have a career but I can honestly say that she's been able to develop a more intuitive, creative side because of her classes at The Playground. Parents know that it's a bit of an investment to send your child there but I think giving your son/daughter that kind of creative training helps them immensely in their current development and future endeavors. Thanks Gary and the staff at the Playground for being so committed to helping my daughter make the most out of her experience! -John
Pros: Friendly/Nurturing Staff, Amazing Facility
Cons: None
Posted 05/21/08
Hi, Im Susan. I go to Gary Spatz the Playground. Hold up, If yall think Im 40 or somethin, Im one of the actors there. 11 years old, yep! By the way my mom let me write this. All you people who say bad things about Gary, have you guys done his classes? I didint think so. From an eleven year old girl point of view of this acting place, I consider it, the best! Ever since I was about two, people, castings, started to ask me and my sister who is also part of the playground, we were getting called to be actress. All of them were bad. One that I remember, Labeled us. Who labels kids? When I was nine, I was called for the billionth time for another acting thing. I thought it was another scam like the other ones, but I tried anyways. It turned out to be( Drum roll please)... The best place in the universe. Just because of Rockin Gary, I have an agent and proudly an official actress. My mom always tells me, " A journey with one thousand miles begins with one step!" Just because of Gary and his friends, Im on the 500,000 step. Speakin about teachers, the teachers are great. Gayla Goehl what a women. She is fantastic. I have many friends at the Playground like angelina and stephanie. Angelinagot an agent and Stephanie is getting there. So stop saying bad things of my home, its one heck of a PLAYGROUND.We from Playground are very ofended by this rude messages!Please dont do this anymore!
Love you Gary Spatz and teachers!
- Susan ( 11 years old )
Pros: Everything is Rockin!
Cons: None
Posted 04/29/08
Yes, it totally does look like someone is purposely trying to slander The Playground! Is he obsessed? Get a life! It looks like HE'S the scammer! We were actually referred to The Playground by a trusted family friend. I cannot even tell you the magnificent changes my child has gone through since he started a couple months ago. His communication skills have improved so much and this has been such a positive experience for all of us - not just my son. We're definitely looking forward to another great year with you and your staff! Gary I support you 100%!
Pros: This positive experience for my son will last a lifetime
Cons: People who are obsessed with slandering The Playground
Posted 04/29/08
Our experience at Gary Spatz's Playground has been very rewarding in more ways than one. My daughters started training there almost two years ago. In the beginning, I did have my doubts because after visiting so many schools for child actors, I never thought we would find such an amazing environment and staff. As soon as you walk into the doors, you can feel the welcoming energy and can see the expressions of happiness on the children?s faces. I remember my youngest daughter was a shy and reserved girl. Immediately after one month of classes she began to show a side of her we have never seen before. Her personality began to shine...My older daughter has become very attached to the teachers. They have been incredibly well chosen by Gary. What can I say about Gary? There is something amazing about him when you watch him interact with the children. You can see and feel the children?s love and respect for him. I am there every week and have had the chance to observe my girls before and after they begin their class. I am a lucky mother who has had the opportunity to have my kids surrounded by such an extraordinary staff.
Pros: everything is nice
Posted 04/29/08
My daughter has gained a lot from attending classes at the playground. The staff has always been easy to talk with and get feedback. Our child loves to do this and we did some research and decided to have her go to the Playground because we wanted to help her with what she's passionate about. I have recommended the playground and will continue to do so. It is a fun and safe environment and the instructors care about teaching the kids. I hope that if anyone is interested in signing their child up for classes come and see for themselves.
Posted 04/27/08
My child went to a couple of the workshops that The Playground offers and now he has more confidence, his memory skills are improving, he's learned how to make friends, and he can express himself in ways I could not have taught him. Either way -- your child can have a real passion for acting and actually want to pursue the entertainment industry, or your child can at least have a hands-on experience of this fascinating industry and leave with memories that will last a lifetime and a nice DVD.
As far as the "scam" -- there is none! There were no animals when I arrived. Gary Spatz and his staff are honest, all they want to do is nurture the creativity and confidence in every child. Thanks to Gary and staff! I always recommend The Playground to my friends and family.
Pros: Very professional environment. They use the real-deal hollywood equipment.
Cons: They'll get over their stage fright soon enough! Besides, you can practice lines together.
Posted 04/18/08
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