Georgia Hollywood Review March 2022

LA VIBES

Playhouse West Features an Amazing Cast of Characters By Ti e r r a Jone s

Robert Carnegie

Wolfgang Bodison

Holly Gagnier

Kathleen Randazzo

Froi Betancor-Toner

Gabriel Grier

P layhouse West, founded by Robert Carnegie and actor Jeff Goldblum, is one of the top acting schools and repertory theatres in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, and it recently reopened its doors for in-person learning in April 2021. The school was endorsed by the late San- ford Meisner, an American actor and acting teacher who developed an approach to acting instruction called the Meisner Technique. The institution is also highly recom- mended by agents, managers, and casting directors. Stu- dents who have honed their craft at Playhouse West have been highly successful and have received Golden Globes, Emmys, Academy Awards nominations, and have ap- peared in numerous films, TV shows, and on Broadway. Playhouse West is credited with mounting numerous plays and showcases over the years, along with the annual One Act Play fests in which 24 one acts are showcased over three weekends. The school also hosts an annual film festival, and also offers 120 Hour Film Festivals throughout the year, in addition to a podcast. These are the legendary teachers of Playhouse West, below. More information can be found at www. playhousewest.com. ROBERT CARNEGIE, OWNER AND CO-FOUNDER Carnegie, along with actor Jeff Goldblum, founded the world-renowned Playhouse West. He mastered the Meisner Technique and worked with legendary acting teachers Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, Harold Clurman, and Lee Strasberg. Carnegie also starred in many hit TV shows and films. His gift to the acting world continues to inspire and mentor actors around the world. WOLFGANG BODISON Bodison studied the Meisner Technique at Playhouse West under the tutelage of Robert Carnegie. After years of serving as a teacher at the school, he was then cho- sen to serve as director of the school when Tony Savant

FROI BETANCOR-TONER Originally from Manila, Philippines, Betancor- Toner discovered Playhouse West and his passion for acting by accident. He was asked by his friend, a working actor at the time, to accompany him to audit a beginning class at the school. He was so moved and inspired by what he saw that he immediately signed up for class. Ten years later, he found himself being invited by the school’s founder, Carnegie, to become part of the teaching staff. Betancor-Toner has studied with each teacher at Playhouse West over the years and proudly calls it his artistic home. He has acted in productions around the LA theater scene. GABRIEL GRIER Grier is a professional actor, writer, producer, director, and international acting teacher. He has taught comedy improv workshops and performed all over the world. Grier’s improv experience helped him receive bookings in numerous national commercials for Toyota, Mountain Dew, Call of Duty, and Geico. Founder of Gibbon’s Tail comedy group, he hosts the Gibbon’s weekly show at Playhouse West, where he has taught since 2012. DOUG VAN BEBBER Van Bebber has acted on stage since he was 14 years old. While in high school, he won a coveted spot in the UCLA Theater Arts Department. Upon graduating from college, he studied for six years under Carnegie at Playhouse West. Van Bebber went on to write, produce, and act in his own original stage shows throughout Los Angeles. His plays appeared at The Improv on Melrose, The HBO Workspace, The Tiffany Theater, and The Hudson Theatre. In 2020, he wrote and produced two Daytime Emmy Award-winning series for NBC and CW Network. His work has appeared on HBO, Showtime, Sundance Channel, ABC, NBC, CBS, BBC, CW Network, and Bravo. He teaches the Screenwriting Lab at Playhouse West. IG: @playhousewestla | Film Festival: playhousewest.com/pwff Podcast: playhousewest.com/blog

moved to Philadelphia to open Playhouse West Philly. As an actor, Bodison is best remembered for his role as Lance Corporal Harold Dawson in the critically ac- claimed Rob Reiner film, A Few Good Men . Since then, he has appeared in countless movies and TV shows and continues to make a career as a working actor. Bodison has written and directed several short films which have screened in major festivals and won awards worldwide. HOLLY GAGNIER Gagnier, a Los Angeles native and a top private coach, began her acting career in a commercial for Mattel at three years old. Through her father, a cinematographer, she grew up on film and TV sets. Gagnier also studied with Sanford Meisner through his two-year program, including training as part of his invitational summer intensive at his home on the island of Bequia, 100 miles west of Barbados. In addition, Gagnier studied with William Esper, William Hickey, and Milton Katselas, and others. From breaking down the script for a booked job, auditioning, or career counseling, clients are often referred to her coaching ser- vices by top agents and managers. KATHLEEN RANDAZZO Randazzo is an actress, director, and producer with over 20 years in the entertainment industry. She has worked with some of Hollywood’s top talent, including Scott Caan, James Franco, David Spade, Olivia Newton- John, and George Segal. Randazzo also directed the hit comedy play Psyche on Vine , which featured Sean Whalen ( Twister , Never Been Kissed ), Sean Carrigan ( American Vandal , The Young and the Restless , Ford v Ferrari ) and Wolfgang Bodison ( A Few Good Men , Tucker’s War ). This comedy ran for a year in Hollywood to sold out shows. As an actress, Randazzo had a recurring role on the first season of Veep on HBO. She also appeared in the James Franco project, Tenn , based on the life of Tennessee Williams, and Ultimate Evil , a TV series based on the Son of Sam murders.

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