Studio Actors
“I first came to Margie’s studio for the same reason that most actors do… I needed a break from scene study. I was tired of feeling good about my craft but never feeling confident in auditions. I was sick of watching other actors take “my parts” and most of all I was tired of not getting the jobs. So, with all these feelings I came to Margie because everyone said that she was the best at teaching the “audition technique.” I quickly learned that her class was so much more than that. I also quickly learned that I was not nearly as good of an actor as I thought I was.
My first break through in her class was finding out what a “heady” actor I was. Actually, I realized this in my first class. Margie pointed out to me right away (in true Margie fashion) that I was analyzing everything and leaving no room for discovery and life. I was amazed and confused…how could this woman who just met me teach me something that I hadn’t been able to figure out in my entire acting career (or lack there of)? Thus started my admiration for Margie and the growth, discovery, and recovery I have experienced in the two years since.
Though Margie has clear and concise rules/steps to her method, I think I recently recognized her greatest contribution to my craft when I was asked to speak at a film festival in my hometown, Columbia, Missouri. I touched on many things Margie teaches in my speech, but ended with a line that really resonates with me, “Remember, you are enough.” This is a concept easier said than done and I still struggle with it. Actors, contrary to popular belief, have probably the most fragile egos of anyone out there. Of everything that Margie has taught me, this small concept is the most important. I remind myself of that short saying every day.
Margie is a fantastic teacher. But she is so much more than that…she is a mentor, a therapist, a mother, a crutch, and most importantly a friend. No matter where I end up in this crazy business, I will always consider Margie my mentor. And any other training I may receive will always be in addition to Margie’s class. Thank you, Margie!” Noah Schuffman
“I am in Courtney’s class (Intermediate Intensive). I am amazed after just three classes what a drastic improvement I have made. He has taught me how to connect and free myself up so I can listen and respond without thinking about my lines, because now I know how to get them without attempting to memorize. I have been so thrown… I now connect… and I am so excited! Wish I had found him earlier! ” Ren Trella
“Margie is the reason I have a career. Her technique and detail-to-character-relationship is the reason that I can say that I have 5 series regular roles, 3 pilots, 3 recurring roles, and over 40 guest starring roles (including 2 that placed me on the ballot for Emmys for Best Actor in a Guest Starring Role, Comedy and Drama) on my resume. Margie is the best in the business.” Phil Buckman
“Margie has created a unique environment with an amazing group of teachers. Having studied with Eden (at Margie Haber Studio), I was excited by the possibilities of what i could experience and where my career could go. Eden is an incredible force of energy, so in tune with every person’s fears and hopes. She pushed me to take the risk to do Margie’s weekend intensive and I am so grateful that I did. Margie as a person and teacher is unlike anyone I’ve known. She makes you acutely aware of how simple it is to just use the page as your friend, eliminate the fear that blocks us, and just experience the life through our imagination and being specific. I have never felt to powerful in myself and am truely humbled by the care and dedication that both Margie & Eden give to their students. Margie’s weekend is an incredible experience that has set me up with the faith and final building blocks to really live in the life and use who i am to colour my work. She really opens your eyes to how simple it is to just live and not perform or worry about the words. It’s worth every penny! This studio really does care about its students and wants you to succeed. Thank you to both Margie & Eden for turning on the lights, driving out the fear and making me see the potential of who I am and what I deserve. Laura Kearsey
“My experience with the intensive exceeded all my expectations, and that I was being taught by the teacher whose name is on the studio, I expected the world… I was chewed up and spit out and chewed up again and it felt great. Margie gave me the freedom to be me and not try to get anything right. I went to learn about a technique and left feeling filled with joy and excitement about life and those that I met in the class. The technique, though important, was secondary to the overall scope of things. What an experience I had. The weekend was exhausting, never frustrating but challenging and sooooo much fun.” Charles Porter
“Your cold reading class was not only the best cold reading class I ever took in Los Angeles, but it was the best class period I ever took.” April Montgomery
“I can’t thank you enough for including me in your class! The experience was once again invaluable. One personal thing I realized is that I’ve gotten my laugh back! Since my illness my lungs have been weak and I haven’t been able to laugh like I used to. But on Friday, during your class, I realized I was laughing! So, thank you for giving me my laugh back! Thank you for your kind advice and encouragement. I really needed to hear it! Not only do I have my laugh back but I feel like I have my confidence and hope back as well.” Eileen Tamblyn
“Barbara Gannen is amazing and gives students so much of herself so that we may all reach our highest potential. Barbara is giving me the confidence to go on in this business.” Arleen McGough
“Barbara Gannen, I thank you for the tools, your wisdom, your gentle grace.” Lawrence Chau
“I have been a working professional actor for 5 years. I’ve been in class here for about 6 months. I love the class because it is about my journey as an actor and artist- not about a ‘technique’ or some ‘famous’ teacher’s ego. Margie creates a safe, but tough and professional environment and acts as a coach and mentor on my journey. I leave every class feeling empowered and inspired as an actor.” Tom McCafferty
“You have totally changed the way I feel about auditioning. Just as I read in your book… you have taken something that I dread and turned it into a positive! I can’t wait to audition now and get to work on any “slices of life.” Without the worrying about memorizing lines or making mistakes… I have a totally new perception on auditioning.”
Reginald Stalling
“Margie really does teach you how to live a slice of life on camera. If you took all the fun people you know in your life and I know many, added them all together and multiplied them by infinity you still don’t get Margie.”
Gail Rosen – NYC
“I want to thank you for everything you have taught me this year. I am truly grateful for this life changing experience! PS: I just booked my first principal in a SAG feature film, believe it or not. and all thanks to all I’ve learned from you!” Terence LeClere
“I’m so glad I’ve studied with you. You are the best. My audition skills before you were good, but now I feel they’re absolutely stellar. Thanks to you.” Carl Palmer
“I just wanted to thank you for a stupendous weekend. I’m more deeply reminded that it’s the relationship and connection that brings the truth to any “scene.” Thank you for being a kind and encouraging teacher. I’m really glad I got to know you as a human being as well.” Katherine Vo
“Margie is an excellent teacher, actress, and person. I had high hopes after enrolling in her intensive, but was completely blown away after witnessing her in action. Thank you so much for your wisdom and guidance, Margie!”
Maurice Chevalier