Playhouse West LA Podcast

I am so excited to bring Lincoln and Gabe, two teachers from Playhouse West to come on the show and talk about the new IMPROV class coming to the school!

We also talk about the PHW party coming to the Pineapple Hill on May 2, 2026. Time to have fun!

Showtimes:

Saturday, 10/18 @ 7pm

Friday, 10/24 @ 7pm

Saturday, 10/25 @ 7pm

Sunday, 10/26 @ 11am

Location:

10634 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

In 2000, Jim Jarrett was invited to Manila to give the Keynote Address at The International Theater Festival. The festival's theme that year was 'The Theater's Greatest Influences,' so Jarrett was asked to speak about the four years he spent with Sanford Meisner. Appearing in front of a SRO crowd, he spoke about the lessons learned as a student of Sandy's and about the essence of what has become known as 'The Meisner Technique.' Most of all, Jarrett brought Sandy's character to life by recreating the most memorable teaching exchanges between the master teacher and his students. When he finished, the audience was so inspired by Meisner's passion that hundreds literally poured forward to thank Jarrett personally for introducing them to a man whom an hour before, most had never even heard of.

Overwhelmed by the response he'd received, Jarrett walked out of the hall that night with a new idea: he would introduce the world to the genius of Sanford Meisner. And as he made notes on how to accomplish this ambitious goal, Jarrett realized the true gift of having written down everything Sandy had said in those classes – not to tell stories about Sandy, but to actually bring the legendary master to life for new audiences by portraying him onstage.

Jarrett spent the next year poring over his 2,000 hours of class notes for material to include in his new and unnamed one-man play. Early on, he decided to omit the 'nuts and bolts – actors only' of The Meisner Technique, opting to instead select material that would benefit and inspire anyone with a dream.

We sit with Wolf Bodison, Film Festival Director and Kim Demarse, Film Festival Coordinator, and talk everything we have to look forward to for this years, PLAYHOUSE WEST FILM FESTIVAL!

There is also an official after party too! Listen and find out all the details!

Info for the FILM FESTIVAL: https://www.playhousewest.com/pwff

Playhouse West student, Eric S. sat down, pen to paper, produced, and directed a short film. How hard was it and should you? What is holding you back?

Annie Creech took the Screenwriting Class here at Playhouse West, taught by Doug, with no experience what so ever. She later took what she learned, wrote a short film, and won a Best Original Screen play Award. Find out how in this episode!

Follow here at https://www.instagram.com/anniecreech/

A lot of new people come in, watch a beginners class, but unsure what is happening. This podcast is for you. Listen to this whole podcast and you'll be more prepared for your audit. Trust me, you'll get it. See you in class.

We sit down with actor, teacher, artist, Gabe Grier from Playhouse West. While in a recent class, he gave all of us students some real gems that I know everyone should listen to!

What did our manager tell us to do to kill it in 2025!

Also, we speak to a PHW student in the beginning class who had a "HOLY CRAP" moment! The light went off! Good times!

Ally and Sarah from Monday morning class with Mr. C came on to talk about our challenge to all the other classes at PHW!

WE CHALLENGE YOU! 2- 3 short films until the PHW Film Film Festival! Lets go!

Also, we have a Dia De Los Muertos Party coming up on Nov 2, 2024 at the Pineapple Hill Bar in Sherman Oaks. Come dressed up! Details are here.

We speak with two students from Playhouse West who did what most people wont. They wrote, shot, and produced their own film and submitted it to many film festivals, including the Playhouse West Film Festival. Lets learn from them!

https://www.instagram.com/playhousewestla/