I am so glad I did the Evolving Actor Intensive! It allowed me to relax into my authentic self, leading to 5 BOOKINGS in the next few weeks! Two years later, I'm still using the fundamentals James taught. I've signed with a better agency and booked 40+ gigs - ranging from commercials and theatre to feature films and TV pilots. This intensive will get you out of your shell. James is patient, organized, and mostly importantly, a very good actor.
- Safinah Chau
James is a genius teacher. I loved the class. The depth and breadth he achieved, the techniques he offered, and the unique perspective on the acting process he shared were all done with a profound understanding of the art. He is uniquely brilliant at working with actors and I feel extraordinarily lucky to study with him. - Marjorie
Before the actors' retreat, I was timidly going in the direction of listening to my body with various movement explorations but your exercises were a lot longer and more deliberate. They showed me how I could benefit from continued exploration of that kind of work. Also, doing authentic movement work with everyone punched a hole through the self-consciousness veil before it wrapped around me again. – Pearl Wang
Before the actors' retreat, I was timidly going in the direction of listening to my body with various movement explorations but your exercises were a lot longer and more deliberate. They showed me how I could benefit from continued exploration of that kind of work. Also, doing authentic movement work with everyone punched a hole through the self-consciousness veil before it wrapped around me again. – Pearl Wang
I taught at UC Berkeley for 25 years, and James Wagner is one of the most gifted teachers I have ever encountered: perceptive, kind, challenging, knowledgeable, patient, and no-nonsense all at the same time. He has the unusual ability to see the artist as a whole creative being and guide accordingly. - Marika Kuzma
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James' coaching has played a pivotal role in changing my life these last few years. After nearly 6 years of taking classes, I still felt unsure of what place theater was going to have in my life, but his coaching propelled me into pursuing professional theater work more intentionally. Since then, a number of exciting things have happened: too many to list. It feels amazing and exciting to know that I am exactly where I need to be, and to see the unknown as magical. I am grateful for his having played an important role in my journey as a theater artist. - Joyce Huh |
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James has a good eye for priority feedback and will hone in on the biggest obstacle of your work, making the sessions extremely effective and productive. He's professional yet provides a comfortable environment that's great for vulnerability and creative play. - Melanie Falconer
Our whole class is talking about how great James is. He filters, combines, and communicates all the various acting tools he has in a very deep and soulful way. We are spellbound by his love of the art. James really cares about what he’s doing; it comes across and inspires his students. As a group, our class bonded in a very special way because of the experience of being in James' class; and best of all, our bond has continued beyond the work we shared. - Jeffrey Kimmich
James taught a wonder Eugene O'Neill scene study class. James assigned scenes and followed up with wonderful notes including many useful rehearsal techniques. Also, we learned about the context about Eugene O'Neill and his plays. Everyone would benefit from taking a scene study class with James. - Shelia Cress
James has all the qualities a training actor should look for in a coach: total professionalism. exquisite standards, loving discipline, and vast knowledge. He will challenge you in a constructive way. He is devoted to your growth: guiding you through your own artistic discovery in a profound way. He genuinely cares about your progress. Your goals are his goals; he stays by your side, encouraging you, and watching proudly as you achieve your dreams. - Deborah Cortez
James' Actor's Retreat turned a corner in my understanding of what acting actually is, and what it means. I now see that acting is the exact opposite of pretending... its all about honesty. At first, I was a bit worried when I read that it would be part 'spiritual retreat', but everything we did turned out to be a grounded in reality, related to what James was trying to teach us in our scene work and class discussions. He led us through all the exercises by example, which created a safe environment that not only helped us step over (and past) our individual hesitations and fear, but also brought us closer as friends. A remarkable experience that touched everyone deeply. - Ann Barnett
I had a wonderful experience taping monologues with James. He made me feel comfortable trying new tactics and gave excellent coaching tips to help me visualize what was happening for my character in the moments before the start of the text. I came away with a variety of takes that show a broader range than I had achieved while rehearsing on my own. I highly recommend working with James and feel I have grown as a result of this process. - Kate Cryan
Our whole class is talking about how great James is. He filters, combines, and communicates all the various acting tools he has in a very deep and soulful way. We are spellbound by his love of the art. James really cares about what he’s doing; it comes across and inspires his students. As a group, our class bonded in a very special way because of the experience of being in James' class; and best of all, our bond has continued beyond the work we shared. - Jeffrey Kimmich
James taught a wonder Eugene O'Neill scene study class. James assigned scenes and followed up with wonderful notes including many useful rehearsal techniques. Also, we learned about the context about Eugene O'Neill and his plays. Everyone would benefit from taking a scene study class with James. - Shelia Cress
James has all the qualities a training actor should look for in a coach: total professionalism. exquisite standards, loving discipline, and vast knowledge. He will challenge you in a constructive way. He is devoted to your growth: guiding you through your own artistic discovery in a profound way. He genuinely cares about your progress. Your goals are his goals; he stays by your side, encouraging you, and watching proudly as you achieve your dreams. - Deborah Cortez
James' Actor's Retreat turned a corner in my understanding of what acting actually is, and what it means. I now see that acting is the exact opposite of pretending... its all about honesty. At first, I was a bit worried when I read that it would be part 'spiritual retreat', but everything we did turned out to be a grounded in reality, related to what James was trying to teach us in our scene work and class discussions. He led us through all the exercises by example, which created a safe environment that not only helped us step over (and past) our individual hesitations and fear, but also brought us closer as friends. A remarkable experience that touched everyone deeply. - Ann Barnett
I had a wonderful experience taping monologues with James. He made me feel comfortable trying new tactics and gave excellent coaching tips to help me visualize what was happening for my character in the moments before the start of the text. I came away with a variety of takes that show a broader range than I had achieved while rehearsing on my own. I highly recommend working with James and feel I have grown as a result of this process. - Kate Cryan
James has been my teacher. I have worked with him for 8 years and had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him. He is my go-to person for feature films, stage performances, commercials, or just in-class presentations. He is flexible and personable. Initially, I wasn't sure that moving from live sessions to on-line would work for me, but it really does. Give it a try. It's like having a coach sitting on the other side of your desk. He is humble so he won't flaunt his skills, but they will reveal themselves with his ability to tune-in and be present to your experience. He is intelligent, well read, and a resource of information on everything from basic acting skills to a wide variety of existential and transformational tools. Leave your ego at the door, because James coaches acting from the soul."
- Marianne Shine
- Marianne Shine
I felt like I grew a lot and learned so much in his class. He is a tremendous teacher. I have learned many practical exercises and activities to take with me, but most importantly I learned about myself. - A. Miller
James is the kind of teacher who is in tune with his students; he listens to their strengths and weaknesses and gently coaxes them to new methods of acting that not only build confident foundations in the acting and improvisation world, but open doors to new ways of learning as well. - S. Tyler
After working with James I felt like my acting skills, stage presence, and voice throw had improved so much since the last time I was on stage. He taught us many valuable things like having character thoughts, staying in the moment, and voice exercises which helped me in my role in an Indian adaptation of 'All About Women' by Miro Gavran. I hope to work with him again in a class or workshop! - Sneha Prasad
James is the kind of teacher who is in tune with his students; he listens to their strengths and weaknesses and gently coaxes them to new methods of acting that not only build confident foundations in the acting and improvisation world, but open doors to new ways of learning as well. - S. Tyler
After working with James I felt like my acting skills, stage presence, and voice throw had improved so much since the last time I was on stage. He taught us many valuable things like having character thoughts, staying in the moment, and voice exercises which helped me in my role in an Indian adaptation of 'All About Women' by Miro Gavran. I hope to work with him again in a class or workshop! - Sneha Prasad
EVOLVING ACTOR RETREATS:
Attending the Actor’s Retreat turned a corner in my understanding of what acting actually is, and what it means. I now see that acting is the exact opposite of pretending – it’s about absolute honesty. At first I was a bit worried when I read that it would be part 'spiritual retreat', but everything we did turned out to be grounded in reality, related to what James was trying to teach us in our scene work and class discussions. He led us through all the exercises by example, which created a safe environment that not only helped us step over (and past) our individual hesitations and fears, but also brought us closer as friends. A remarkable experience that touched everyone deeply. – Ann Barnett
Attending the Actor’s Retreat turned a corner in my understanding of what acting actually is, and what it means. I now see that acting is the exact opposite of pretending – it’s about absolute honesty. At first I was a bit worried when I read that it would be part 'spiritual retreat', but everything we did turned out to be grounded in reality, related to what James was trying to teach us in our scene work and class discussions. He led us through all the exercises by example, which created a safe environment that not only helped us step over (and past) our individual hesitations and fears, but also brought us closer as friends. A remarkable experience that touched everyone deeply. – Ann Barnett
As a student and as a fellow acting teacher, I found James’ approach to classroom scene-work process was challenging and productive. He unveiled new methods that clearly moved his students to deeper levels of revealing character and interaction. Most notable, however, was his insightful, kind and respectful approach with all the participants urging us gently to a greater comprehension of the place of acting in human relations and of human relations in acting. - Sandra Rockman
As I've reflected on the workshop over the last couple of days, and told friends about it, I more and more realize how valuable it was, what excellent and useful tools we were introduced to, and what good exercise it was for the real world of acting. And even when it was extremely challenging, it was fun. - Mark S.
James gave me a new empowered outlook on communicating with casting directors. Now I will approach these interactions with confidence, positivity, and the knowledge that I am offering my artistry. - Ellen Dunphy
James is a real working actor who shares his own experiences and knowledge about self taping and auditions. He gives honest feedback in a kind and encouraging way and his class is full of valuable, practical tips and information that will help both beginning and experienced actors improve their performance and submit higher quality auditions. I highly recommend his class for anyone interested in upping their self-tape game.
- Alfred Jay Spielmann
"My sessions with James have transformed how I approach working as an actor. His guidance has helped me to focus my approach so that the time I spend on acting is strategic and fruitful. I feel more grounded and confident as an actor thanks to his coaching and as a result, I get real artistic fullfilment from my performances.
- Meg Wilhoite, San Francisco and New York Actor
"James holistic approach to coaching gets you out of your comfort zone and into a grounded creative zone so that you can focus on and allow the character to serve the story it is a part of. He helps each student find their magic and supports it by meeting them where they are as people and as actors. Watching James work with other actors in a class is as helpful and empowering as it is when he is coaching you in a scene. Working with James has increased my confidence and given me the personal tools to move forward as an actor. He is my go to coach."
- Nancy Heine, Actor