Read what actors have to say about working with Emily at ACEN Studio for Actors.
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Emily's class has opened so many doors for me in terms of my career and craft. Compared to when I first started taking classes with Emily and where I am now, my performances are far more full of life. Since taking class with Emily, I've booked multiple guest star and co-star roles on network television shows (NCIS, New Girl, Jane the Virgin,), as well as a reoccurring role ABC's new show 'The Catch.' Emily helped me with my lead role in an indy film titled BEFORE I FALL, in theaters this summer. And I just booked a series regular on an upcoming pilot! I could not be more grateful to Emily for showing me how to not only be a better actor, but a better person. -Medalion Rahimi

No matter where I need to get in a coaching session or a self-tape audition, Emily has great instincts, pushes all the right buttons, and I've had nothing but great results working with her. Highly recommended! Credits: Silicon Valley (HBO), Roseanne (ABC), Better Things (FX), Speechless (ABC), Casual (Hulu) - Brent Pope

ACEN challenges you in a new way. Emily pushes students to find that spontaneity and those strong choices which create that spark in interesting characters. She goes above and beyond by providing you with footage from all your scenes in class as well as provide you with information about the world of acting as a career. Good learning, good times, and good laughs! - Emilio Rigales

Emily has the unique ability to help actors extract the best of what makes us uniquely human, and put it into any character or scene. Her cold reading style creates fresh and spontaneous ideas, and she does it all while uplifting performers. She’s kind, smart, and understands how to communicate to actors. She has helped me create and showcase work for auditions that I am proud of. I recommend taking her classes! Credits include: Days of Our Lives, Good Girls, Show Me Yours. - LaToya Ebony

Emily is someone you can trust to go to those deep, dark places and find the truth of yourself within the scene. She is also deeply caring about the craft and extremely generous of her time to her students. Her passion for life, the craft of acting, and her ability to push actors to new places in their work is what compels me to write this endorsement of Emily. -Kelly Gullett

I really enjoyed working with Emily. First, she is as sweet as can be and so down to Earth. Second, and the most important thing anyone needs from an acting coach, she opened my mind to new approaches that really helped me become a better actor. Going into her classes, I didn’t know that what she was going to teach me was what I really needed at that exact time. At the time I started Emily’s classes, I was auditioning quite often and I found myself getting frustrated with the same thing in almost all of my auditions. After studying with Emily, I found that I naturally wasn’t working so hard to understand the characters or overthink as much. Things came more naturally. I saw the scripts and the characters differently. I actually saw THEM instead of just seeing words and creating the image in my mind. I absolutely recommend taking Emily’s classes! - Rea Eang

I learned so much from Emily. She really transformed the way I tackle a scene. Not only did her approach help me break down walls she also made it such a safe space to be vulnerable. It's important to be that person that does something different in the room, and she helped me find that. -Makayla Montelongo

I'm very fortunate to be able to learn from Emily. Her knowledge and love of acting shows in her teachings and has expanded my acting in ways I never thought was possible. She brings the best out of me and truly cares about her students. -Eric Cisneros

It's hard to pinpoint words to fully explain Emily Nelson. Firecracker, acting guru, a general powerhouse of creative genius and insight are the first things that come to mind. Emily has an uncanny way of pulling raw truthful and inspired work out of the most tired actor and is infectious with her zest for the craft of acting. Scenes and characters came to life in a new way with her and I cannot thank her enough for breathing new life into a craft I was starting to lose passion for after a series of less inspiring classes. -Jessica Iverson

I've hired Emily for private coaching sessions on several occasions for when I have a big audition or times when I've already booked the role but feel like I could use some adjustments. In either case, Emily was able to help me expand my view of the material, how my character relates to it, and how I relate to the character. Emily is great at being able to immediately identify where changes can be made, new approaches to try , and give you advice that is practicable and applicable in a meaningful way - as opposed to many methods that can lead to "over thinking" and put an actor in a more self conscious and uneasy state. Every time I've hired Emily as a coach I feel like I've grown significantly and feel more confident for the audition or the shoot. - Ryan Manuel

Emily really gets people! Not only is she extremely talented, she is there for her students and understands how to teach what each individual student needs to learn. She is exceptional. I trust her completely. -Dr..Denee Jordan- Already Well

If you want to practice in a supportive environment, you've come to the right place. Emily is bawdy and brash and beautifully talented. When you're good, she'll tell you. When you're not, she'll help you. Acting is such a pleasure with a teacher like her. -Alistair McKenzie

I don't know where to begin on what I have to say about Emily. I've been working with her for the past 2 1/2 years (after my 3 year theatre conservatory training at LACC theatre academy) and all I really find myself saying is, I'm so grateful for her. She is nurturing and fun and challenges you to bring your full self to your work. She's a fountain of knowledge and a great person to have on your team. She's helped me find who I am as an artist as well as finding my voice as an artist, which is so important. On top of all that, she's coached me into knocking socks off in the audition room. Thanks, Emily! -Helena Brennan

Emily completely transformed how I approach the work. She helped me break down barriers and drop into my acting. Through her guidance, I learned how to be completely present and authentic. I felt the hugest shift in myself and went from being a very presentational robot to a living, breathing person able to connect. - Liz Gunnell

Emily is a great acting teacher, coach, and mentor. She is open, honest, intelligent, creative, and possesses incredible emotional sensitivity. One of the best aspects of her class is the variety and experimentation she offers every class. She learns your strengths and weaknesses and works with you to expand your emotional range to become more emotionally free. I am more self aware, open, confident, and honest with my emotions since I have been taking classes with Emily. Her class is always one of the highlights of my week. -Ethan Hendry

You're in good hands with Emily. Including myself, she's helped countless actors immensely. I've seen many brand new actors who were inexperienced and self-counscience take class with her, and within 2 or 3 classes they were making huge strides and transforming into great acting partners. She's extremely knowledgeable and always willing to share what she knows. It feels great to have a teacher who invests in you inside and outside of class. She's encouraged students in class to highlight their strengths and challenged them to turn their weaknesses into strengths. She's also steered several students to pursue other hobbies that help them grow as an actor and as a person. Frankly it's not easy to put into words or writing, just how helpful and great Emily has been in my life and the lives of her other students...I could probably write a short novel. - Adam Gentzler

After studying with Emily Nelson I came away a completely different artist. I was filled with so much head knowledge on how to be a great actress from other teachers, but Emily stood out in her straightforward and heart-centered approach. It has transformed me and shown me in the moment that the real magic is not planned for, it is made in real-time with your scene partner. We spend so much time memorizing and funny enough, what is more important than memorizing is connecting with and taking in your partner and their emotional world and letting it affect and change you. How we feel is often how our character feels and I love how much more authentic I have become. Working with her gave me the break-through I needed. It really has made acting less cerebral and more emotional for me, which I appreciate as a sensitive person. - Erika Bronwell

Emily is the most intuitive teacher I've ever known, she would push her students to go outside their comfort zone in search of the truth. Emily has a gift for communicating with her students with real knowledge of the business and what is expected from a professional actor. Emily inspired me to take bold risks, not to worry about how weird or crazy it might be. I'm so grateful that I had her as a teacher. -Uyen Quyen

I loved taking classes with Emily! She helped me find and utilize techniques that worked for me and seriously improved the way I audition. She also forced me out of my comfort zone and got me to analyze my acting objectively. Most importantly, she was a source of encouragement and support which I deeply believe every working actor needs. -Katie Hemming