My classes are held in a creative, trust-filled environment so that we are able to combine our storytelling (script breakdown and immersion in that story) with constant attention to the actor’s foundation. I incorporate Uta Hagen’s exercises as well as improvisational work and Bogart’s Viewpoints. After teaching young actors cold-reading and audition technique for the last 8 years, I found that my students needed additional tools with which to build their world. My clients are always growing and transforming their toolboxes so that they arrive on set with complete confidence.
- Tess

Tess created the Tess Kirsch Acting Studio after heading the “Reel Kids and Teens” Department at Margie Haber Studios where she began teaching in 2002. Her acting experience and time coaching led to her unique teaching style and specialized “Mock-Casting” sessions to help the young actors in their audition process. Tess works with actors of all ages, but finds her work with young actors to be incredibly fulfilling as they are growing inside and OUT!

Tess’ clients may be seen on TV in Madmen, Pushing Daisies, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, CSI, Law and Order, Secret Girlfriends, How I Met Your Mother, ICarly, The Wizards of Waverly Place, Without a Trace, The Game, Girlfriends, House, Las Vegas, That’s So Raven, Hello Sister, Goodbye Life, Love’s Long Journey (Lifetime TV), Judging Amy, Zoey 101, The Ghost Whisperer, The Starter Wife, Medium, CSI New York, Mad TV, The Bold and the Beautiful, Zach and Cody as well as many feature films such as The Proposal, Saving Grace, Dark Angel, Monster House, Mirrors, Shutter, The Last Mimzy, Disturbia, 1408, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Yours, Mine and Ours, The Cat in the Hat, Cheaper by the Dozen, Pirates of the Caribbean, Santa Clause 3, and Cinderella Story.

Tess holds a Bachelors Degree in Acting from the University of Vermont. She continued her studies at NYU as well as the Howard Fine Studios. In 2004, Tess produced Shaggs: The Philosophy of the World for which she won an Ovation Award. She has performed on TV and in films as well as in improvisational troupes at Second City and with the Knightsbridge Theatre Company. She recently worked as the on-set acting coach to the Irish actors in Hollywood Trials, now airing on RTE TV. In 2008, Tess was featured as an acting coach in a three-part series on child actors in Los Angeles, aired on KTLA News.