Young Actors Space – The Original & Premier School for Young Actors

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OUR STORY

Established in 1979, Young Actors Space has been the premier destination for young actors looking to improve their craft.

Our passion and commitment to developing talent
has helped us to nurture some of the brightest stars
in the industry, starting as early as age 5.

Young Actors Space, also known as "YAS", was founded by Diane Hill Hardin and Nora Eckstein. Each were bred in the industry, and brought their extensive knowledge of the entertainment industry to establish a dedicated performing arts academy for young working and aspiring actors.

Patrick Day joined the teaching staff in 1993, fresh out of college at USC. In 2008, he took over as owner of The Space, and has remained it's head instructor and artistic director ever since.

Over the last 4 decades, YAS students have permeated every corner of the entertainment industry, and a countless many have achieved highly successful acting careers.

But more than that, our students succeed in life.

From architects to doctors, proud parents to skilled entrepreneurs, and at least one rocket scientist, YAS actors receive a training that benefits them in every aspect of their life - even years after they've left.

Our proudest accomplishment comes in the form of having 2nd generation YAS students - the next generation of young actors whose parents are also Young Actors Space alumni.

Life is an improvisation.

The world has changed and evolved, as has YAS. We have shifted primarily to staying online for the immediate future. Self-taping from home is here to stay and YAS is here to help. You can sign up for online lessons HERE!

We also hope to continue to pepper in some more in-person classes in 2023! These classes are invite-only for actors looking to work professionally in the TV and film industry. They are small with a maximum of 12 actors. These in-person classes are held outdoors and in-studio at a private location. They are organized on a first come/ first serve basis as time and safety permits.

As production has become more relaxed with the vaccine mandate, so are we. If you are interested please email info@youngactorsspace.com and please include in which YAS zoom class (year and session) you worked with Patrick. Returning in-person students from pre-Covid 19 will be happy to know the new YAS Studio is very close proximity to the Old YAS Theatre.

If you're new to YAS, please mention who referred you so we can add you to the waitlist and look forward to welcoming you as space and dates become available!

OUR PROCESS

At YAS, we believe that no two performers are the same. Every actor's talent is unique and an essential component of this diverse business.

We nurture and encourage our actors of all ages to explore their creativity, build confidence as a performer, and hone their craft in a supportive non-judgmental atmosphere.

Our classes are structured with half improvisation and half scene study with a focus on heightening the actor's sense memory, exploring their imagination.

Our instructors are trained in various acting techniques, such as Meisner, Stanislavsky, Adler, and other great masters, however we also feel it's important that actors become masters of their own "method". This is why we teach the individual using a broad variety of exercises and approaches, rather than focusing on any one school of thought.

Our method can be broken down into six core segments designed to create a truthful, intuitive performance: Analyze, Memorize, Personalize, Relax, Listen and React. We are a process oriented school, and our goal is to train actors to make strong choices, get out of their heads, and into their hearts.

OUR FACULTY

PATRICK DAY

DIRECTOR | INSTRUCTOR

Patrick Day (He/Him) has been an instructor at Young Actors Space since 1993, joining its founders Diane Hill Hardin and Nora Eckstein. He is an alumnus of the University of Southern California, earning his BA in Theatre with an emphasis on Directing.

In his tenure at YAS, Patrick has taught and worked with thousands of today's brightest young stars. His teaching methodology is strongly rooted in 35 years of experience as a professional actor, director and teacher.

He believes every actor works differently, and incorporates the art of improvisation into his classes in order to extract the raw ability and talent out of his performers. His method can be broken down into six core segments designed to create a truthful, intuitive performance: Analyze, Memorize, Personalize, Relax, Listen and React.

Patrick began pursuing acting as a child which gives him a valuable perspective as an instructor. Being a former child actor himself, he deeply understands the unique journey that young actors experience while growing up in the industry...

NORA ECKSTEIN

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR | INSTRUCTOR

Nora Eckstein has been coaching and teaching actors since 1980. An acting coach specializing in young professional actors, she was a founding teacher at Young Actors Space, and has been teaching there since the beginning.

Her students have starred in countless roles in film, television, and on stage. She can rarely flip around the TV channels without catching several of her current or former students. As a partner in Hardin/Eckstein Talent Management for over twenty years, she coached and mentored a long list of successful young clients, many of them continuing to have thriving adult careers.

Taking the reins as Artistic Director of Young Actors Space in 2005, Nora revitalized the annual Summer Production Workshop, writing an original play each year for the young actors who come from all over the world to participate. She is also co-author of several books of original scenes and monologues for child and teen actors.

She has been the on-set coach for many film and television productions and has been a guest instructor at workshops around the country...

ELISE TULLIUS

OFFICE MANAGER | INSTRUCTOR

Elise Tullius a Los Angeles based Actor and Acting Instructor born and raised in Southern California, has been performing in one capacity or another since the age of 4. Elise was a dancer, gymnast, cheerleader and soccer player, and in college took her first acting class and was hooked.

Elise went on to graduate with her Associates Degree in Fine and Performing Arts from Citrus College. She then transferred and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from the University of Southern California. Throughout college, the focus of Elise’s studies was in writing and acting, both for the stage and on camera.

In 2013, Elise joined the adult class at Young Actors Space where she continues to study both improv and scene study techniques under Patrick Day. Since joining YAS, Elise has been involved with staged productions, as a producer, stage manager, and performer.

Elise is a warm, kind, nurturing, engaged and accessible teacher. Being a YAS instructor allows Elise the amazing opportunity to give children a safe and creative environment to play and grow. Elise strives to provide the same space she longed for growing up.

JULE NELSON-DUAC

INSTRUCTOR

Jule Nelson-Duac is an actor/director who has worked with such companies as Warner Bros, Cartoon Network, and The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles. She holds a MFA in Classical Acting from the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Jule has taught classes and workshops in Shakespeare and Acting techniques all over the USA and United Kingdom. Her past credits include work in theatre, television, film, and voice-over. She specializes in audition techniques and text analysis.

MAURA CORSINI

INSTRUCTOR

Maura Corsini is a Los Angeles based actress, musician and acting instructor originally from Wilmington, Delaware.

Maura began her journey in the performing arts as a child studying Russian Ballet and soon gravitated towards acting and music in her early teens. After high school, Maura studied theater at Atlantic Acting Conservatory in Manhattan and moved to Los Angeles later that year after completing her program.

Maura began in the adult class at Young Actors Space in January 2015 and has been consistently studying ever since in both scene study and improvisation as well as on camera technique. After two years at YAS she was asked to be a teacher's assistant, and trained under Patrick Day and other instructors at YAS.

Her most recent credits include her role as "Dobbitt" in The YAS Theatre's production of Below the Belt, as well as voicing the character "Dana Ward" in the BAFTA Nominated video game series Life is Strange: Before the Storm. Most recently, she wrapped on a feature film shot in Oklahoma as a supporting role that will be released in theaters March 2019.

SCOTT ALAN MOFFITT

DIALECT COACH

Scott Alan Moffitt (He/Him) is a Los Angeles based Actor and Dialect Coach.

Originally from Texas, Scott graduated with a BFA in Acting from TCU in 2012, and moved to LA to pursue a career acting in film and television. After taking classes at YAS for a few years, Scott joined the staff as Office Manager and Dialect Coach in 2016.

Most recently, you may have seen Scott on stage in the YAS Theatre
Company’s productions of Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang as “Bob” and Below the Belt by Richard Dresser as “Dobbitt”. He is also frequently involved in producing the Space’s annual adult showcases.

Using his intimate knowledge of dialects and the International
Phonetic Alphabet, Scott teaches working actors how to learn new dialects and accents. His goal is to provide students with the tools to become self-sufficient at learning dialects, add new dialects to their special skills section, and feel confident in the audition process.

“Young Actors Space is the only proven training ground in the world where child actors become adult actors.”

FAQ

1-41. Have fun!!!
42. All scenes should be memorized by class time.
43. No electronic devices will be allowed in class. Students may bring them, but they will be asked to deposit them in our phone box for the duration of class.
44. Open toed shoes or flip flops are not allowed in class.
45. Dress comfortably and for movement. No short skirts/dresses. Exceptions are made if you are dressing as the character in your scene, but you should bring a change of clothes to change back into.
46. No eating in class. If you need to bring a snack, we can hold it in the office for you to have during a break.
47. No gum in class.
48. Actors should not give notes to other actors.
49. Relax. Listen. React.
50. Most importantly…have fun!

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to register for all classes, except for Summer Camps and Workshops which require a $200 deposit.  This will reserve your space in a class or workshop and the remaining balance is due on or before the first class.

If you prefer, you may also pay-in-full to register for class.

For your convenience, you may pay deposits, pay-in-full and pay remaining balances to register for classes right here on our website, as well as over the phone or in person.

All class & workshop prices can be viewed on the REGISTRATION page.

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of your registration for all classes, except for Summer Camps and Workshops which require a $200 deposit.  This will reserve your space in a class or workshop and the remaining balance is due on or before the first class.

For your convenience, you may register for classes and pay deposits, pay in full and pay remaining balances right here on our website, as well as over the phone or in person.

You can pay on our website's registration page via PayPal and all major credit cards from Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.

You may also call us to pay over the phone with a credit card, or you are welcome to pay in person at YAS with cash, check, or credit card.

Yes, our Sibling Discount rate is 10% off the first sibling and 20% off any additional siblings. Please call the office directly at 818-785-7979 to take advantage of these discounts.

Yes, you can take multiple classes in the same session and receive 20% off each additional class. Please call the office directly at 818-785-7979 to take advantage of this discount.

*Multi-Class Discount aplies to the class with the lowest price and applies to Young Actors Space classes and workshops only. Classes from renters do not qualify.

Yes, new students are welcome to audit a class in the appropriate age-range. Please be advised that audits are for students only. If the actor likes it and decides to join the class, the full session amount would be due by the second class. If they decide it's not for them, then the audit is free.

In addition to class audits, we also offer periodic demo classes that prospective students are more than welcome to come watch.

*Due to their intensive nature, audits are not available for Youth On-Camera Workshops or Dialect classes.

Please call us directly at 818-785-7979 to schedule your coaching.

Coaching pricing options and additional details can be found on the registration page by clicking on the coaching option.

We accept payment over the phone with a credit card, or you are welcome to pay in person at YAS with cash, check, or credit card.

No, we do not offer payment plans at this time. The entire balance is due on the first day of class or at the time of coaching.

You may choose to pay a deposit online or over the phone to reserve your space in class and then pay the balance when you arrive at The Space.

We do accept payment for tuition online via Paypal, cash, check or credit cards.

Due to the unpredictable nature of our private coaching schedule, we do not keep regular office hours. However, one of us will be in the office when class in session.

Please check our calendar to view class times and feel free to call when a class is in session as there will typically be someone working the front desk. If you are unable to reach us please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we are able.

Yes, we offer a variety of classes for adults including Acting, On-Camera, Dialects and Private Coaching. All of our classes and workshops are listed on the CLASS page and coaching services are listed on the COACH page.

In an ideal world, students would be able to attend every class in a session they sign up for - but we understand that life happens. For this reason, during a normal 8 – 12 week session we allow up to two expected absences which we can prorate off the total price of class. For classes lasting less than 8 weeks we allow up to one excused absence*. In order to count as an expected absence, you must inform us via email of any absences prior to the start of the session.

An expected absence is any absence you make us aware of prior to the start of the session. An unexpected absence would be any missed classes we were not informed of prior to the start of the session.

*We do not offer or guarantee dedicated makeup classes. If during a session there are multiple classes for the same age group running concurrently, actors are welcome to makeup in the other class. For instance, if there is both a Saturday and Sunday teen class, a student from Saturday who must miss a class and lets us know ahead of time is welcome to makeup the absence in Sunday. These opportunities are contingent upon multiple classes being available and students informing us of the absence ahead of time. Makeup opportunities do not extend past the current session of enrollment.

Click HERE For our full attendance policy.

While we are unable to issue a refund for unexpected absences, we are able to give you credit for the value of no more than one unexpected absence towards a future session.

In order to earn this credit, please make us aware of the unexpected absence as soon as you know you or your young actor will miss class. If you wait until the class is already missed to let us know, or do not inform us at all, we will not offer a credit for the class.

We would ask that you delay registering until a future class in order to give that spot to a student who can attend the full session. If our class schedules do not work for you, we also offer private coaching which we can schedule around your availability.

We do not offer or guarantee dedicated makeup classes.

If during a session there are multiple classes for the same age group running concurrently, actors are welcome to makeup in the other class.

For instance, if there is both a Saturday and Sunday teen class, a student from Saturday who must miss a class and lets us know ahead of time is welcome to makeup the absence in Sunday.

These opportunities are contingent upon multiple classes being available and students informing us of the absence ahead of time.

Makeup opportunities do not extend past the current session of enrollment.

No, we only organize our classes up by age group and area of study. We believe actors of all background, skill levels, and outlooks bring something unique to the table, and we can all learn from each other. Often times, just like on set, you will find actors who are working professionals doing scenes alongside students who've never performed before. It's all part of the journey.

All students will have access to our STUDENT PORTAL while they are registered for a session, which contains our entire database of scenes. Youth students will always have scenes assigned to them by instructors, however if they find a scene in our database they would like to do they are welcome to ask their instructor to do it in a future class. Adult students are expected to pull their own material for classes, but they should not feel limited to using our database - feel free to bring in whatever material you'd like.

No, we do not allow parents to view our classes, as we believe it's important for our students to feel as if they have a place where they can grow creatively on their own terms. Just like in the real world where your child will go in for the audition without you, we believe it's important for their development to gain confidence on their own.

If you are interested in seeing your child in class, we offer periodic demo classes (typically the last class of Fall and Winter sessions), where family, friends, prospective students and industry professionals are welcome to attend.

We also offer parents an opportunity to see their kids perform during our Summer Production Conservatory, and if they are in our on-camera class students are sent home with all the footage recorded during the session.

We're always happy to give you our input on any industry professionals you may be considering. Before requesting our direct advice, please download our YAS RESOURCE GUIDE to see some of our favorite recommendations.

No. Studying at Young Actors Space does not guarantee auditions, work or employment.

As required by state law, Young Actors Space is bonded with the State of California. Additionally, we have private liability insurance, and each of our instructors has Child Performers Services Permit from the State. Bond # W150220962

YAS is currently an approved vendor with the following schools & programs:

Inspire Charter Schools

Blue Ridge Academy

Cabrillo Point Academy

Granite Mountain Charter School

Sage Oak Charter Schools

Due to the nature of billing with these programs, students who take YAS classes using charter or homeschool program funding are not eligible for our early registration discount.

If you are interested in YAS becoming a certified vendor with your charter or homeschool program, contact us at (818) 785-7979 with their information.

In our 40 year history, we have never paid industry professionals to come and see our students, and we have no problem getting industry to our events despite this. We believe if someone is interested in our actors, it’s because of our reputation and the talent that we produce. As an actor or a parent of an actor at YAS, you can guarantee that if an agent or manager is here to see our talent it is because they are genuinely interested in the students on stage, and not because they are collecting a paycheck.

For additional info, feel free to email us at info@youngactorsspace.com or call us at 818-785-7979

REQUEST TO AUDIT

You may CALL US AT (818) 985-7979 (or) FILL OUT OUR AUDIT REQUEST FORM and we'll contact you shortly!

PATRICK DAY

DIRECTOR | INSTRUCTOR

Patrick Day has been an instructor at Young Actors Space since 1993, joining its founders Diane Hill Hardin and Nora Eckstein. He is an alumnus of the University of Southern California, earning his BA in Theatre with an emphasis on Directing.

In his tenure at YAS, Patrick has taught and worked with thousands of today's brightest young stars. His teaching methodology is strongly rooted in 35 years of experience as a professional actor, director and teacher.

He believes every actor works differently, and incorporates the art of improvisation into his classes in order to extract the raw ability and talent out of his performers. His method can be broken down into six core segments designed to create a truthful, intuitive performance: Analyze, Memorize, Personalize, Relax, Listen and React.

Patrick began pursuing acting as a child which gives him a valuable perspective as an instructor. Being a former child actor himself, he deeply understands the unique journey that young actors experience while growing up in the industry.

At fifteen, Patrick was cast in the title role of the four-hour American Playhouse special for PBS, ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN. He co-starred with legendary talent such as Lillian Gish, Jim Dale, Frederic Forrest, Geraldine Page, Barnard Hughes, Butterfly McQueen and Richard Kiley.

Even on set, his respect for the art blossomed into a desire to teach. Patrick earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with an emphasis on Directing from the University of Southern California in 1993. Shortly thereafter, his agent referred him to Young Actors Space.

Patrick's list of acting credits also includes: Series regular Chris Pressfield on Fox’s TRIBES, Bobby Wayne in Disney/Touchstone's ERNEST GOES TO CAMP, Marvin in Paul Osborne’s critically acclaimed indie feature FAVOR, Travis in CUT TO THE CHASE with Lance Henriksen, and roles on TV shows such as GREY’S ANATOMY, NCIS, DESIGNING WOMEN, JAG, and CRIMINAL MINDS. (Click here to view his complete list of credits on IMDB )

Patrick most recently directed the web series H.O.A.R.S. with Lucy Davis. He has also directed hundreds of plays throughout his career. Favorite theatrical productions at YAS Theatre include BATTERY, which was featured in Variety and his original play CYNICS that received L.A. Weekly Pick of the Week and was recommended by the L.A. Times.

In addition to running Young Actors Space, Patrick travels for on set coaching and teaching acting. Past clients have included P.B.S., Barbizon International, the Pasadena Playhouse, and various schools and universities.

If you would like to schedule a seminar in your area, please email patrick@youngactorsspace.com to request further information.

A few of Patrick's notable press features:
Variety
Voyage LA
Listen to Patrick’s interview with Bonnie Wallace on her Podcast, Hometown to Hollywood.

Learn more about Patrick at www.PatrickDayFilms.com

NORA ECKSTEIN

INSTRUCTOR

Nora Eckstein has been coaching and teaching actors since 1980. An acting coach specializing in young professional actors, she was a founding teacher at Young Actors Space, and has been teaching there since the beginning. Her students have starred in countless roles in film, television, and on stage. She can rarely flip around the TV channels without catching several of her current or former students. As a partner in Hardin/Eckstein Talent Management for over twenty years, she coached and mentored a long list of successful young clients, many of them continuing to have thriving adult careers.

Taking the reins as Artistic Director of Young Actors Space in 2005, Nora revitalized the annual Summer Production Workshop, writing an original play each year for the young actors who come from all over the world to participate. She is also co-author of several books of original scenes and monologues for child and teen actors.

She has been the on-set coach for many film and television productions and has been a guest instructor at workshops around the country.

Nora has a B.A. in Theater Arts from CSUN, where she majored in Creative Drama/Theater for Children. She was an apprentice with the Mark Taper Forum’s Improvisational Theater Project and performed and taught with LAUSD’s Performing Tree Project. As an actress, she studied with Don Eitner, Tom Troupe, Paul Sills, Michael Shurtleff, Joan Darling, and Ron Sossi. Her screen credits include Happy Days, Amelia Earhart, and Masada. She was a company member of American Theater Arts in Hollywood for eight years where she performed, studied, and taught Improvisation and Scene Study.

Raised in the entertainment industry, her father was writer-producer George Eckstein (Duel, The Fugitive, Masada), her mother was actor Ann Guilbert (The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Nanny, Getting On), and her sister is actor Hallie Todd (Lizzie McGuire).

Nora is married to product developer, Marek Sekowski, and their daughter, Clara Sekowski is a physicist currently working in the space industry.

SCOTT ALAN MOFFITT

OFFICE MANAGER | DIALECT COACH

Scott Alan Moffitt is a Los Angeles based Actor and Dialect Coach.

Originally from Texas, Scott graduated with a BFA in Acting from TCU in 2012, and moved to LA to pursue a career acting in film and television. After taking classes at YAS for a few years, Scott joined the staff as Office Manager and Dialect Coach in 2016.

Most recently, you may have seen Scott on stage in the YAS Theatre Company’s productions of Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang as “Bob” and Below the Belt by Richard Dresser as “Dobbitt”. He is also frequently involved in producing the Space’s annual adult showcases.

Using his intimate knowledge of dialects and the International Phonetic Alphabet, Scott teaches working actors how to learn new dialects and accents. His goal is to provide students with the tools to become self-sufficient at learning dialects, add new dialects to their special skills section, and feel confident in the audition process.

For information on his dialect classes or to book an in-person or online dialect coaching, email info@actorsdialectcoach.com.

Listen to the Scott's interview with Bonnie Wallace on her 'Hometown to Hollywood' podcast: https://bonniejwallace.com/the-actors-dialect-coach-scott-alan-moffitt/

Learn more about Scott at www.ScottAlanMoffitt.com and www.ActorsDialectCoach.com

LET'S GET STARTED!

RELAX | LISTEN | REACT

(818) 785-7979 | info@youngactorsspace.com

Young Actors Space is bonded with the State of California and all instructors have a Child Performer Services Permit. |  Bond # W150220962

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