Young Actors Classes
Founded on the authentic Meisner Technique, our Young Actors Classes are led by Amy Ruskin and taught by instructors trained through the Ruskin School's own Meisner Technique program — a lineage that traces directly back to Sanford Meisner himself through school founder John Ruskin, who apprenticed under Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse and is one of only a handful of teachers he personally authorized to carry on his work. Every instructor gives kids and teens real tools to build confidence, break through self-consciousness, and create honest, powerful work. Whether the goal is the school play, a future career, or simply growing as a person, this technique meets students where they are. Material is selected to support each student's individual interests and growth. New and returning students are always welcome, and private coaching is also available for auditions, self-tapes, and college or conservatory prep.
Class Offerings
Enrollment for Fall 2026 is open now! Classes run September through December for ages 8-20, in-person at the Santa Monica Airport or online via Zoom. New and returning students are welcome, and you can enroll anytime — tuition prorates from your start date. Scholarships are available.
Call 310-390-4212 or email info@ruskinschool.com to reserve your spot.
Classes for Children
For children starting at 8 years old, we teach a combination of Meisner Technique, Spolin Exercises and Scene Study. These classes are fun, engaging, and teach real acting techniques that can be applied on set or in the school play.
60 min classes $35 per class
90 min classes $45 per class
Classes for Teens
For students up to 20 years old, we deepen the Meisner Technique training with scene study using age appropriate work. From finding confidence in your work, to BFA auditions to landing an agent and growing a career, we focus on the individual goals of each student. No experience necessary.
90 min classes $45 per class
2 hour classes $55 per class
Private Coaching
Whether you need help with a role, audition, or a self tape, or would prefer one on one training, we are here for you. Email us to book a private coaching session.
What is the dream?
When parents come to our school to enroll their children or teens, our first question is, “What is the dream?” Whether the answer is to get into a top university, book more auditions, or simply to feel more confident, we tailor the material your child works on in our classes to support that dream.
Alumnae
We are so proud of all our graduates, whether they are pursuing a career in the arts, or they grew to find a new passion. Here are some of our artists who are achieving success in the industy.
Our students have attended top institutions LACHSA, NYU TISCH, Boston University, Emerson College, UCLA, USC, Loyola, Brown University, Vassar College, Syracuse University, Ithaca College, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Cal Arts; Atlantic Theatre, Neigborhood Playhouse and many more.
Many of our students have been Finalists, Semi Finalists and Merit Winners in Spotlight Arts- Acting, including Grand Prize Winner Rhenzy Feliz.
Top left clockwise: Zoë Bleu (Dracula), Shai Chase (21 Laps), Rhenzy Feliz (The Penguin), Lily Collias (Cape Fear), Lola Skye Reid (Big Sky), Charlie Bushnell (Percy Jackson & The Olympians) Milo Manheim (Tangled), Herizen Guardiola (Dare Me)
Faculty
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Amy Ruskin
Director/ Young Actors Teacher / Media Training
Born and raised in New York City, Amy was six years old when she fell in love with acting and began performing in plays, film and television. Amy earned her degree in Theatre Arts & Comparative Literature from Brown University and trained in programs with Julliard, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Shakespeare & Company. After moving to Los Angeles, Amy continued training while working in production, supervising many network reality series including FOX, NBC, USA and E! directing on-camera talent, as well as writing scripted children’s shows. Amy is proud to have launched the Classes for Young Actors program in 2009 at the Ruskin School, and is honored to have supported hundreds of students as they have grown into incredible young adults. Amy also merges her training in Meisner Technique with years of directing and cultivating talent to offer unique perspective on Media Training that brings authentic connection and communication to the business world. Amy resides in Topanga with her husband, John, their sons, Bodhi and Cooper and their dog, Champa.
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Laurel J. Barham
Young Actors Teacher
With more than 25 years in the theatre, she continuously serves as an acting coach, teacher, performer and director. Performance credits include more than 30 musicals and plays: a few favorite roles include Ainsley (Misadventure), Mama (Night Mother), Madame Thernardier (Les Miserables), The Mayors Wife (Seussical The Musical) Mother Frog/Turtle (A Year With Frog and Toad)) and Betty Blast/Irene (Footloose-the Musical). An award winning director (“Starmites”, “Scarlet Pimpernel”, “Measure for Measure” “Twelfth Night “, ”Smokey Joe’s Cafe”), she has directed over seventy five one acts, plays, musicals & revues -including Cafe Plays with the Ruskin Group Theatre- and has produced and directed short films and a documentary. A graduate of The Ruskin School of Acting Two Year Meisner program, she continues to study the craft of acting and the business in Los Angeles and New York and loves to share all she learns with her students. Laurel is known for her passion to inspire young artists to celebrate their individual creativity, while learning to collaborate with their peers. She abides by the philosophy that Theatre is Life and each young actor is encouraged to dwell in the realm of possibilities onstage and off. Her students can be seen on Broadway, National Tours, Independent Films and Commercials. She is a lover of nature, laughter, silliness, warm hugs and all things Disney- she is proud to be a facilitator in the Youth Education Series program at the Disneyland Resort! Laurel currently resides in Orange County with her amazing husband Robert, awesome son Nathan, adorable rescue dogs Zoey & Tilly and Max the cat.
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Ginger Ramsay
Teacher Adult and Young Actors
Ginger discovered her love for the arts at a very early age while growing up in Alabama. After earning her Master’s Degree in Business, she found her way to Los Angeles and began a very long career in the entertainment business developing, marketing and managing talent. She worked with some of the most successful artists in the world in the music industry from the studio to the Broadway stage. At the same time, she continued to nurture her love for acting and eventually decided to attend the 2-year Meisner Technique program here at The Ruskin School of Acting. She was later asked to join the Acting Faculty and decided to make a “major” career change, and has been acting and teaching both adult and young actors for several years.
Not only has she experienced our school as a student and teacher, but also as a parent. Her son, James, enrolled in the Young Actors program and trained under Amy Ruskin for over 8 years.
In her new career, she has combined her business background with her passion and training for acting to provide both a professional and creative perspective for all of her students. She has been a Westside arts, soccer and animal-loving mom for 28 years living in the Santa Monica community with her husband, Jeff, her two kids, James and Josie and her “zoo” of rescues: 3 dogs (Bowie, Bailey & Sadie) and 2 cats (Chloe & Patches).
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Michael Laurie
What People Are Saying
“If I could pinpoint anything in my 13 year old son's life that has made a difference in his growth, it is Ruskin. He has been taking acting classes with Ruskin since 4th grade and it has boosted his self- confidence, made him a better listener and of course made him a better actor. I recently overheard him talking to someone about the classes and he said he feels like he is part of a safe community where it is okay to put yourself out there and okay to fail. The combination of the Meisner Technique and the warm, supportive and collaborative teachers have helped him grow into a thoughtful, open minded, empathetic young man. I was so impressed by Ruskin, that I did the 2 year program. I can’t say enough good things about this special school and what it has done for us. Thank you Ruskin!”
—Jane Keller
I cannot recommend this acting school more highly! This was - and still is, one of the most awesome inspiring and amazing experiences for my son- all through his teen and high school years. Amy Ruskin gives and gives- and is genuinely the most amazing teacher there is! She has not only created a class of talented individuals but continues to give them a place to know how to recognize and use their talents with confidence! THANK you so much - you have built a community that will last long after the student moves on in their careers! xoxo
— Ruth Steinberg
“Amy and her staff work with the highest integrity and intentions. It’s our go to source for acting and the creative process.”
— Venice Guardiola
Both my children started their acting training with Amy Ruskin and her team and my son is now a freshman at DePaul university (one of the best theater programs in the country) on an acting scholarship. Amy helped him get auditions for film, and theater rolls over the years until he went into the acting program at Santa Monica High School.
— Andrew Chase
"I am so grateful to have found Amy and The Ruskin School of Acting. My son has found a home within the Ruskin School of Acting and has learned skills I believe he could not have learned anywhere else! The attention to the young actor is authentic and inspiring!"
—Sara Essner