20 Best Acting Programs In Long Beach, CA (2022 Updated)

As a junior at David Starr Jordan High School, my personal experience would say that this is the best High School in Long Beach. We panther's are the most productive. We help our community the best we can and everyone is noticing our change. From the campus atmosphere to our test scores. Our school is very diverse, so all the stereotypes about Jordan are false. There has be no "riots" or anything in my 3 years. Our Small Learning Communities are very active and well known. From JMAC, all the way to ACE. We have good sportsmanship when it come to sports and we care about one another. Thanks to the schools' Staff, Faculty and the Student Body, I would like to say I am proud to be a J-TOWN Panther!I would also like to say, come visit the school before you judge us. Because no one likes to be labeled wrongly. Thank you.Marisol Lopez

I've gone to Jordan for the past two years because it is my home school and I've always wanted to transfer. It's not because of the negative comments that are said about the school, it's the fact that there is a lack of spirit there. Also, I feel like transferring to a bigger, more diverse school would give me the high school experience that I'm looking for. Plus, half of the campus is under construction. What I like most about Jordan is that a lot of opportunties are provided for us and I have taken advantage of many of them, like Building Bridges Camp, Cameo, Upward Bound, Community Scholars, ETS, Leadership Long Beach, etc.Ahmad Thomas

So I am currently attending Jordan High school for my third year , and my experience has been amazing. I am glad to be a part of the Panthers. It is spectacular to have so much diversity at Jordan because students are influenced by each others backgrounds/cultures greatly. The IB program is still proudly standing and I am glad Jordan is the only known high school to have this program. Hopefully by when I graduate next year I will receive my IB Diploma. Overall the teachers are great and supportive and I am sure they want their students to have bright futures after high school. Go Panthers!Heidi smiles

Beautiful performance arts center at the California State University in Long Beach. Saw a wonderful acrobatic show this night. It did not disappoint. The seats were great, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the venue is a very nice setting. You can see all kinds of memorabilia from the singing duo, The Carpenters in the main lobby. From their clothes, to Grammy awards, to gold records on the wall. A great display! Bring the kids! We will be back for at least 2 more shows!Kevin Techmeier (Mein Seoul)

Small performing 🎭 arts theater. Easy parking directly in front of the theater. They offer snacks and drinks (for a cost $$$ inside), easy access to bathrooms 🚻 and t-shirts of the performance at the time. #carpentertheater #longbeachperformingarts #playsinlongbeach #performingarts #theater #googleguides #letsguide #womenwhoguideNicole Cooper

Very nice. Comfortable & warm setting. Staff friendly. Parking space purchase was a learning curve. My suggestion is use the kiosks there. I went online & "reserved" my space. What a stressful experience, since clock started ticking as soon as I was finished. I didn't need my space until the next day.MC York

Awesome location for a Convention and Entertainment Center, notwithstanding renovations and pandemic closures! i haven’t been in the newly renovated Entertainment Center, though remember the elegance inside when it was known as the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. I’ll be excited to revisit the building once again when it reopens. I remember when the marine artist WyLAND and crew painted the mural around the arena, setting the record for the world’s largest mural and also establishing the center as a culturally significant work of the visual arts! The modern convention center has been popular with internationally recognized companies and organizations, having meetings, exhibits and shows! Symposiums often take place here with educational lectures and self help gurus. The building is centrally located within easy access of local hotels, Pine Av. business, The Pike Plaza and Shoreline Park.Jim Kara

We went here for a Bellator MMA event and it was awesome! Great view all around and our seats were just perfect (lower row in 117) and good AC. The arena is not too big so seems like most seats have a good view. There was plenty of drink and snack spots serving the typical event food such as nachos, pretzels, etc. Clean and nice restrooms is a plus. Seats are comfortable but a bit on the older side. Parking was $15 which is not bad compared to other venues and conveniently near the main doors so we didn't have to walk a lot. Overall we had a great experience at this convention center.Betty H

Been here for a few events and everytime it's a different experience since it's all different events. Staff at all events seems nice and helpful at all events and that's very good with consistency. Layouts are always planned right with events from activities, food, shows, and vendors. Parking is the worst for the most of the events as this area has limited parking areas and the traffic is bad as it is. Entry can be crazy depending on the size of the events, some are ok but most can be long wait times. Overall glad they always have something different and fun going on.Erik P

Improv LA was such a treasure to find! Ryan was the best teacher I could have ever dreamed of! He is such a happy ball if energy and he shares his excitement of improv with the class. He taught at a really good pace and he taught us amazing skills in a way that was easy to apply! He warmed us up to get comfortable with our classmate and the stage. By the time you were on stage you were ready to go! The class dynamic was very motivating and welcoming too! I loved my classes and I look forward to continuing school at Improv LA 😀 <3 thanks improv LA! I’d also like to add that improv classes aren’t just skills for being on an improv stage but you learn lesson that you can take with you in your daily life!!! You learn to think quickly and your since of humor blossoms ☺️Laurel Magin

Wow, I didn't know what to expect going into the Improv level 1 class but it was incredible! Our instructor Sean really created a safe space for us to all get creative, expressive, and break out of our nervousness! Everyone in the class were either beginners or looking to refresh their performance skills. But one thing we shared was our nervous exuberance to just get started and we all ended up co-creating such a fun environment! Especially with this being one of their first in-person classes since Covid started, everyone was so excited to jump in and have fun! It was really cool also checking out local improv performances in LA that our instructor told us about and connecting with like-minded people who were interested in improv. Can't wait for level 2!Alina Brown

I just finished the 6 week level 1 improv course and I'm so glad I did it. I highly recommend for literally anyone – whether you're intrigued with getting into Improv, want to challenge yourself, or just get more comfortable speaking in front of people. It's super refreshing to just let your guard down and have fun. Our teacher, Ryan, made made me feel extremely comfortable right from the start – he was fantastic and made all the difference in my experience so I'm very thankful to have landed in his class. It's also a great way to meet people!Gillian Couchman

My son has been a member of the Po1 family for over 10 years now. From the minute we walked into the studio we knew we had found a home for our son and his martial arts journey. As my son progressed through the ranks at the studio, we knew we had made the right decision, he has never complained about going to class and has never wanted to quit. He has been on demonstration teams, competition teams, been able to help teach and mentor younger students and has gained experiences in leadership that are hard to find in other places. Having the opportunity at a young age to take a Certified Instructor Training course and then use that in classes he has helped teach is an invaluable experience for anyone and the fact that they encourage higher ranking youth to get involved tells you about their commitment to their students. My son is an Advanced Honorary Black Belt and is truly looking forward to his next journey, Adult Black Belt. I am extremely proud of the fact that he is a Po1 student and look at the confidence, respect and commitment that the studio teaches and am so thankful that we are part of the Po1 family.Rob Groome

My son and daughter both have been a member of the Po1 family for over 12 years now. From our very first class we attended, we knew we had found the right place for children to start their martial arts education. The studio offers great classes with enthusiastic and caring instructors. The instructors are in tune with the children’s needs and not only teach martial arts but life skills as well. Both our children have been involved with demonstration teams and competition teams. In addition they are both part of a certified instructors program where they learn the skills to teach others and mentor younger students. My son recently earned his Adult black belt, which is a journey he will never forget. He wears his black belt proudly. Looking forward to my daughters journey to earning her black belt soon. We couldn’t have found a better studio where you are treated as family.Amisha Patel

What more can I say this dojo has been my daughters saving grace. My daughter has been a victim of bullying and me figgy and the whole power of one staff have become extended members of our family. Mr figgy especially has gone above and beyond for our daughter ñ. He is always there for us. Has been a mentor for our daughter and brings a certain light and energy to power of one that we can honestly say is what makes our daughters experience one of a kind. This dojo not only has built our daughters confidence but shown her discipline and been the motivation that we could not do for her. Ty so very much mister figgy and power of one for being part of our daughters journey and helping her become the amazing little lady she is becomingTammy Henderson

Marisol was our everything during our pregnancy and childbirth journey. We took her Bradley classes while I was pregnant, she was our doula, and we had a baby wearing session with her after our LO was here. Marisol is knowledgeable, compassionate, and inspiring in the way she teaches her classes and coaches during childbirth. She will never tell you what to choose, but she will always make sure that you are informed and empowered to make your own decisions during your pregnancy and birth experience. We learned so much from her during the Bradley classes. Our labor and childbirth did not go as we originally planned, and after four days in labor we ended up having to have every intervention we hadn't wanted, including an emergency c-section. However, through it all Marisol was unwaveringly supportive and the information that we had gained from her class helped us to understand the reasons behind why the doctors were suggesting certain things and what the benefits and drawbacks of each were. In the moment, it's difficult to think straight, so we were very grateful to have had time during our Bradley class to learn about and consider all our options ahead of time, so that we had a clear idea of what we would be willing to do and when. Marisol only broke her rule of not getting involved directly with the medical staff once (and I'm so glad she did) when she advocated for me to get water after my surgery when I felt like I couldn't breath because my mouth was so dry. She also stayed with my husband in the recovery room until after I had arrived and was feeling well enough to hold the baby. As much as she supported me throughout everything, of equal (if not more) significance, she was an amazing support to my husband during labor. As the person experiencing the labor directly, I was too deeply immersed in the experience to think about anything except what I was going through. Marisol helped make sure that my husband was taking care of himself during our ridiculously long labor experience. She was also there to talk him through everything that was happening and to answer his questions, give him pep talks, remind him to take breaks, etc. We highly recommend Marisol and all of the services that she offers. She is a genuine, and caring person who will educate and empower you to have the birth experience that you want.Lindsey Rojas

When I found out I was pregnant I would ask people what was the best advice​ they could give me for when I went into labor. My cousin who had just had her 5th baby all natural and unmedicated recommended told me that she​ and her husband had taken a Bradly Method course before their first child. She said it helped her husband learn how he could best assist her during her labor. Her husband made all the difference in keeping her calm, relaxed, and focused on giving birth. After knowing that I went ahead and enrolled in Marisol's Bradley Method class. At first,​ I thought my husband would be bored learning about this topic, but to my surprise​​,​ he always looked forward to attending class. The group was made up of four couples-so it was all pretty intimate and Marisol made the class really interactive and fun! She uses different methods of teaching-workbook/reading, youtube videos, dolls, visuals, games, and discussion. I am a registered nurse but L&D is not my specialty. I knew this course would be a great way to refresh my knowledge as well as learn new things (and I did!). My husband on the other hand was clueless about the labor process, but by the time we completed Marisol's course, I felt comfortable that my husband was going to be a good coach. Unfortunately,​ I didn't go into labor naturally as I hoped for, but I can say that my experience was beautiful. I was relaxed and excited to give birth to my baby knowing we were well prepared. Thanks Marisol!Yuriced Carbajal

My partner and I hired Marisol as our Doula and we also attended her Bradley course. I highly recommend both! The course is lengthy but I love being informed and prepared, and this course absolutely helps with that, as well as prepares the partner to assist and participate, which is invaluable. Marisol brings her depth of experience to every stage of the course, and that makes it interesting and fun. She was always ready to answer questions, and keep us participating so that we got the most out of the course. As our doula, I could reach out to her at anytime with questions and concerns. She really encouraged me to learn how to advocate for myself in a medical setting, and through her I became very aware of the consequences of common procedures performed on pregnant people. My partner called her our "baby lawyer" haha I gave birth at Long Beach Birth Center, and while I was already surrounded by knowledgeable women during a medication-free labor, having Marisol there was the cherry on top. At this point we considered her a friend, and she could say very little to me in labor to communicate a lot. She is so calm and supportive, everything you would want in a doula. Thank you for everything, Marisol!!Jenny Sherman

If you are considering signing up for 3-2-1 Acting Studios, call up and register for a trial class today… you will not regret it. We signed our 6 year old daughter up for classes at 3-2-1 about a year ago and the experience has been amazing. Right from the initial phone call, to the very first time we stepped inside the studio, we were always welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm. After each class the wonderful staff perform a recorded playback on a TV where you can see what your child worked on that day which is always fun and interesting to see. After a few months of classes, our daughter was invited into 3-2-1's Showcase and Acting Career Program and at the completion of the program, she received offers from multiple talent agencies. She now has a fantastic agent and is getting regular auditions. Our daughter continues to look forward to her classes at 3-2-1, where they continue to support her learning and development. A big thank you to Ms. Mae, Alejandra, Amanda, Ron, Melissa, Frankie, and all the teachers and staff. You are all so incredibly talented and we very much appreciate that you are always available to answer any questions we as parents may have. You provide a fun, creative, encouraging and supportive environment for our daughter to grow in.Grace Williamson

My son was signed w/ an agent last summer and I wanted to help him work on his acting skills and most importantly confidence. I will say that we were very fortunate and blessed to come across 321 to help with his endeavors. We weren’t quite to the point of going anywhere in person for sessions so the Zoom option was perfect. The staff has been very great, knowledgeable, patient and helpful when it comes to helping my son with an actual audition as well as just different types of scripts. They are great in general with all the talents. He’s had great coaches and enjoys his sessions! I can see him opening up more and building his confidence. We would highly recommend this acting studio for any and all aspiring artist/actors. Thank you, Janis, Wes, Ms. Mae, Amanda, Alejandra and the rest of the staff for your expertise and nurturing to Jeter’s ambition. Your service is greatly appreciated. And another positive is they respond back to any questions we parents have; while we are navigating the industry ourselves to see our children succeed. Again, we thank you all! Keep changing lives and building confidence one talent at a time. 💕💕Yanisha Mitchell

If your child has a dream of becoming a professional actor, 321 Acting Studios is the real deal!!! Not only will your child receive top notch acting classes but you, as a parent, will get the necessary advice to support your child's career. Ms. Mae is extremely knowledgeable about the industry and her advice is pure gold. The staff and teachers are also amazing, very professional and demonstrate that they truly care about the kids by providing a nurturing, warm and safe environment for the kids to learn, grow, and have fun. Since joining 321 my daughter's acting skills and confidence in public speaking has improved tremendously. Thanks to 321, she now has professional representation in LA and in our home town Chicago. My daughter is now actively pursing her professional goals and her dreams!!! She loves her teachers, classmates and Ms. Mae. We feel very fortunate to have found 321 Acting Studios and can't recommend it enough.Luciano Salem

When I moved to LA last winter, I was excited but nervous to really begin my career in acting. However, after meeting Brad Heller, founder of The Heller Approach, many of my worries were at ease. Not only does Brad make his classes a safe and encouraging environment, but he also teaches in a way that inspires you to continue working hard and learning as much as possible. The Heller Approach has definitely improved my acting skills immensely and I can see a huge difference in my acting now as opposed to a year ago. Not only does Brad help with acting technique and preparation, but he also offers incite and advice on the business as well as auditions, which is a crucial part of an actors success. I really cannot stress enough how amazing these classes are, part because of the technique, another part is because of the other students that are so welcoming, but a huge part of this is because of Brad himself. Knowing you have someone in the business that is as helpful and excited for your own journey as Brad is, really lets you feel safe in an industry that does not always make you feel like that. I am excited to continue working with Brad in the next few months and continuing my journey in acting, and I encourage anyone else who wants a real raw technique and great support to try out The Heller Approach. It really has been a great honor not only to work with Brad, but meeting him and having him in my life. I cannot say enough great things about my experience with him and the school!gianna scolamiero

I started training with Brad Heller, the founder of The Heller Approach Acting Studio, around a year ago. I had no prior acting experience before training with Brad but that was not an issue. Brad goes in depth as to why his method differs from other methods and why it is better and also more enjoyable to do. Acting is such a complicated thing to do but while working with Brad he makes it seem so simple yet incredibly affective. He really teaches you how to be truly in the scene and really get the mindset of the character. Brad preaches acting is a two step process of preparation and execution. If you do the preparation correctly and put in the work the execution is almost effortless and way more fun and enjoyable to do. Brad not only helps with ones acting skills but he also introduces you to the business and teaches you how to do auditions and break into the acting business with a step by step plan. If you do choose to work with Brad or anyone from The Heller Approach Acting Studio you will be given a book on acting and the Heller Approach technique. I can not stress enough how great and informative this book is when it comes to acting. Overall, I could not be happier with my experience working with Brad Heller and The Heller Approach Acting Studio.Stone Keener

This is the only class I recommend to anyone! It's fantastic… Back in 2015 my manager referred me to Brad Heller / The Heller Approach and I remember thinking "if a talent manager wants me to work with this guy then there must be a good reason". I've taken quite a few good acting classes in LA and this is by far the best I'd ever seen. I studied with Brad for a year before I moved back to TX to take a break from acting. Now, 5 years later, I'm back in LA and getting back into acting so I reached out to Brad to see if he's still teaching class… I was stoked to hear that he was able to continue class during the pandemic on zoom so I signed back up. I've been back in his class for 6 months now and couldn't be happier with how it's going. I actually kind of like the zoom classes more than in person. I just can't say enough good things about Brad. If you are serious about acting and want to take things to the next level so you can start booking jobs, Brad is the guy to get you there!Trevor D. Nelson

Before taking this class I had never been on a motorcycle, much less I didn't even know how to put it in gear. After the lessons that are taught, both in the class and on the range. Are very helpful on building a solid foundation on how to be in control when riding. Initially I had enrolled for the weekend lessons, the instructors Jennifer, Kevin and Ashley were great! They communicated clearly on how to perform the exercises and how to improve when performing them. I enjoyed my experience so much, that even though I did not pass the riding portion to obtain the certificate, I was determined to get back on the range and re-ride for it. After reaching out to Amanda (or the person that responded to my emails, thank you), and scheduling a re-ride, I was determined to get the certificate. On that day, both Nick and Jennifer were helpful in communicating to me on what I needed to do to better execute the exercises when it came time to be tested on them. With their help, I was able to successfully complete the course and with the confidence to hit the open road. Overall it was a great experience, that I highly recommend to anyone interested on learning how to ride. TL;DR: take the class, you won't regret it.Javier M.

Today my mom took her exam, even thou she didn’t pass. She wanted to leave a good review because she said the staff if all great. And she kinda knew because of what Carl said in class. You have to do a check in before reaching the gloves and helmet at the range or simply going on a ride. Even thou she knew today was a hard day, she wanted to break 17 year death anniversary of a loved on this date by passing her exam. It dawned that the course is literally GREAT!!! Keep your promises and C.M.T.P. Will keep their promise, to show you and teach you. She’s been singing speed, position, aim, and turn since she got home. Usually on this day she would be sad. But because all the staff were great her spirit remain great. So if you really want Jennifer to teach you the song go to this school. My mom said Bryan and Kevin were great instructors. Their customer services was outstanding. And she remembered to go home and practice releasing the clutch slowly and maintaining a steadily increasing pressure to the throttle with a towel 😆. I’m sure my mom will pass the next time. Thank you all for making my moms day, and teaching her to ride motorcycles she so excited to try again.Tiphanie Bernal

My instructors Marna & Jennifer are amazing teachers. I normally get so nervous doing things out of my comfort zone but after a while they made me forget I was even nervous! I had so much fun the second day. They had a fun dynamic and made jokes to put us at ease. Anytime I made a mistake they gave me plenty of time to take a breathe and correct it even when I made the same mistake multiple times. If I was unsure of something, they were really there to answer my questions and help coach me. They were very firm in the rules but kind. They really know what they’re doing! I’m so grateful. I was also lucky that my classmates were equally eager to learn and we were all super supportive of each other. I could see everyone quietly cheering while each individual took their turn on the tests. Overall this class was definitely worth it. If you and your classmates participate, it’s so much more enjoyable. Thank you so much Clutch! Definitely recommending this course to everyone.Andy Sedillos

My wife and I were drawn to Maple Village Waldorf School soon after moving to Long Beach in 2010 and it quickly became clear to us that the Waldorf style of education, as well as the small class sizes, the warmth of community at this school, and emphasis on healthy, sustainable living were going to fit our family well. After four years with the school I now feel that Maple Village is one of the best private school values in greater Los Angeles. Both of my children (currently in kindergarten and 2nd grade at the school) have flourished in an environment that teaches the whole child, with particular emphasis on art, handwork (e.g. knitting, sewing, and woodwork), music, storytelling, and movement to compliment the typical main lessons covering math, language arts, etc. I am happy to add that Maple Village also incorporates Spanish language instruction beginning in 1st grade and continuing through 8th grade. Teaching such a breadth of topics at a Waldorf school and incorporating creative ways to reinforce concepts is no easy task but so far my children’s teachers have been more than up to the task. This is a great school and I cannot recommend it enough for any parents considering the Parent-tot, Preschool, Kindergarten, or Grades programs up to 8th grade. Note that for working (or busy) parents morning and after-school care are available (morning care is free for Grades students).Carver and Byron Scott

We have two children attending grades this year. The teachers are excellent, as are the assistants and specialty teachers. The staff is also very nice and well organized. All are committed to Waldorf education, which creates such a great environment for young children. The classrooms are beautiful and the curriculum is elegant but rigorous. The community is really nice…a very friendly and open group of parents. Every day there is a lot of discussion and helpful debate about parenting, improving the school, etc. The level of commitment to the school is remarkable. It is an easy place to develop friends, organize play dates, get help with child care, etc. We love the neighborhood setting of the school and the accessibility to nearby parks. Being able to walk or bike to school is a real plus. As the school grows it may have some growing pains but we really can't imagine a better school to send your kids to for K to 5th grade. The price is very fair too.Steven Berry

As a public school educator (Speech pathologist) I get to see every day the differences between the Waldorf education and public school education. Although I work at one of the top schools in Long Beach I see key things that are missing in the curriculum of the public schools. The Waldorf education incorporates so many aspects that adhere to the natural development of the child's brain. Mostly the child at a Waldorf school may not even know they are learning. Because of my education which incorporates many brain and child development teachings I greatly appreciate the education my children are receiving at Maple Village. I am happy they not only benefit academically but strive at building their will and confidence. And our family greatly cherishes the community, care, love (hugs) and inspiration that the teachers and staff at Maple Village have embraced our family with.Bridgett Campbell

Put my son through classes here when he was younger. Gary runs a great ship, the education that kids get here make a huge difference in not only acting ambition but also prepare them much better for life itself. They get real life education from real people that have been there, done that. It is not a cheap training, but money is made to be spent on important things, and an investment in your children is never a mistake! It is something that the kids get immense emotional growth as well as tremendous group interaction experience that gives them a big advantage as they grow up and work through the grades in school.Crana Lad

a lady went up to me telling me to bring my daughter here saying shes cute to try it out for acting i brought my 2 daughters and a lady name rebecca i guess thats was her name with eyeglass with curly hair telling rude things about my daughter saying thats she is mental in her head only because she was to shy to talk she was the worst person i iwish i could sue her for doing that i know you cant say no a child only because you they are mentalSmolBean

Acting at the Playground is Amazing. We love our online teacher Sean Burgos. They also have in-person classes. Great acting school.Cynthia Morgan

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE SYLVAN LEARNING!!!! They take the time to find out exactly what area and skill your child needs to be successful and work on that until your child not only understands the skill but that they are also confident that they can share what they have learned. They are consistent with monitoring your child's progress. My son loves every tutor he works with and Alex is just the best. She breaks down the study plan and gives us detailed information about what tools will help our son. We saw a change right away amd we continue to see progress reflected in his school work and how he communicates with the family. We are here because of the success of the program and the professionalism of the tutors and Alex. During our conferences Alex is transparent, direct, caring, understanding, and encouraging. Due to the Pandemic alot of our children have some gaps that need to be filled that it challenging to get in school. This program fills those gaps and takes your child to the next level. I 1000% recommend Sylvan Learning to anyone trying to get their child the customized individual support they need to succeed.Katrina Patterson

My daughter started the reading and vocabulary program a little after the school year had just started. She was struggling and not having the type of confidence that she should have had going into the second grade. The distance learning the year before definitely attributed to that. With just two hours a week, we see an improvement instantly. Her teacher notices a big change in confidence and participation. We get to see how she has progressed through the program with their monthly assessments. Fast forward to the end of the school year and she's reading into the third and fourth grade levels. She will be starting the writing program for the summer and we couldn't be more excited for her. I am happy that we found a program that my daughter enjoys. We couldn't have made a better decision in choosing Sylvan for our daughter.Rot Tan (Rothana)

My daughter started going to Sylvan in October of 2021. She’s in 2nd grade and tested at late kindergarten. Although the price can be a little shocking I do not regret it AT ALL. This place is truly phenomenal. The staff are all wonderful and the program they use really works. I couldn’t be happier with placing her here. (And yes I researched several other options because of the price but you really do get what you pay for.) So if you want your child to succeed and really get some confidence and educational skills I HIGHLY recommend Sylvan. And the best part of it…. My kid actually likes coming here. She has made some new friends and loves they’re incentive program. Thanks Sylvan, YOU GUYS ROCK!!!Krystyn Adler

Kick it Up is a fun, supportive, and inspiring dance studio. My daughter has been dancing here for more than 10 years. They offer classes in ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, hula, hip hop, contemporary, vocal, and theater classes. The front desk staff is friendly, inviting and very helpful. The dance instructors are encouraging, caring and knowledgeable. Kick it Up offers opportunities to compete and perform with their dance teams. The competition teams compete at Regional comps around the Long Beach area and at Nationals in Las Vegas. They also offer Performance teams that have performed at the CSULB basketball half time shows, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, USC basketball games, the Orange County Fair and even the Clippers vs. Lakers game at the Staples Center. Ms. Susan, the owner is outgoing, has a strong head for business and is cordial to everyone she meets. She remembers everyone’s name, kids and parents alike, and treats everyone with respect. She is always on the look out for new, innovative and exciting opportunities for the studio. Kick it Up offers programs that most studios do not have. Currently, Kick it Up offers the Dance Step program, a dance education and leadership program, that allows students to aid in the classroom and learn to give back to the studio community by helping to encourage and support younger students. The students who undertake this program learn leadership skills and are empowered by their new found abilities. Kick it Up also belongs to YPAD, Youth Protection Advocates In Dance and they make sure that the dancers are safe and learn age appropriate choreography. There are two Recitals per year, Winter Showcase and the June Recital. Recently, Kick it up has added dance shoes to their merchandise line. Tap, ballet, jazz and lyrical shoes are now available to purchase in the studio. Really fortuitous, when you need shoes right away, or if you are a new student without shoes. The main draw at Kick it Up is the caring studio community. Kick it Up is a family, and you feel that family atmosphere if you hang out in the lobby for any significant amount of time. Parents are friendly, even the competition dance moms get along, and all the students are supportive and encourage one another.Kristina Hadsell

Our daughter has a strong passion for dance. Since she was 2 years old she has taking classes at different studios. Many of them unorganized or with improvised teachers, definetly places where you cannot learn a discipline of a sport. Until we found KIU, a studio where you can immediately tell how much passion and time the owner has invested to. There you can find classes and dancers at different levels and styles, teachers who share the same passion with the majority of the students, and overall a nice and a familiar environment where everyone, parents and students support each other because we all truly feel that the success of any of our dancers raises the bar and make our kids to work harder and strive for the best.MyBochis Silvia

Can't believe I haven't reviewed my home away from home yet! My older daughters both dance here and we are grateful for all the amazing opportunities to grow and work, experience and play, connect and enjoy the journey of dance and fitness for the entire family. After almost 5 years, we are still amazed at the new and creative routines, the growing staff of energetic and friendly instructors and the dedicated leadership of the always kind, fabulous, and positive, Susan Janson. The Adult Ballet & Tap and the adult fitness (Zumba, Ballet Barre & Hot Hula) classes are great for all levels and the supportive instructors are tireless and fun!Tiffany Bellah

Landmark ballet center for classes in Long Beach. Has been operating out of the same location for at least three generations. They have a Peet's coffee right next door that is part of the academy with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They made me a coffee custom to my order that was far superior to what I recieve at my local St*r*u*ks coffee shop. The staff and patrons tend to have an off putting air about them as well as a cliqueish attitude when arriving with a new child and needing to ask questions in order to orient oneself. One of the better values around for ballet Instruction in the area and they produce various performance pieces in theatres that allows students to showcase their skills.Kimberley Carter

Long Beach Ballet Arts Center is a Class Organization Yesterday, Nov 1, 2014 – I was deeply honored to be a guest of the Long Beach Ballet Arts Center. Artistic Director, David Wilcox and Ballet Mistress, Shani Englert were gracious hosts as I was greeted and invited to view rehearsals for their upcoming Nutcracker Season. I was deeply moved by the level of excellence and professionalism shown by this young group of talented dancers. This year's program is being billed as their '32nd Anniversary of Southern California's Most Popular Production' and America's Most Spectacular Production of The Nutcracker. I must agree with this statement. .Ed Coyoli

The eldest has been a student for a year and has made the cut for their Nutcracker performance thanks to a great and attentive teacher. The studio is really nice especially since the rebuild. But they could stand to have a larger men's room accommodation.Thomas Friedrich

Patrick is an amazing resource for auditions. Not only does he keep you in shape for them with his class but he also makes himself available to you for coaching. I never go into a big audition without coaching with him first. His simple, collaborative and experienced way of breaking down auditions allows you to feel confident in your choices so you focus on showing up, "nailing it", and having fun! His class is supportive and based on positive reinforcement and encouragement. He takes the time to get to know you as an artist and he will always push you to push yourself. It is hard not to get excited about acting when you are around Patrick's enthusiasm and love for it. It really is a motivating environment. Patrick is the perfect balance of teacher and collaborator. He teaches because it is what he loves to do and above all he is a wonderful human being who wants nothing but success for his students. You will be hard pressed to find a more dedicated teacher.J S

Patrick is a fantastic guy. He describes himself not as a "teacher" so much as a "coach' – and he is the most supportive coach and champion you will ever have. He is patient, caring – truly concerned about you the actor. Patrick has a keen sense with actors at every level – and a way of working that brings character and life out of your performance or audition. He instils confidence and inspires us to do our best – gently. Plus, unlike other teachers, it's never about him, always about you. His class is fun too- very easy going but we work hard and get results fast. I have had many acting teachers and coaches over the years and I trust Patrick the most with my auditions. I always go into the room confident, knowing exactly what I'm going to do. Whether it's at his regular class in Hollywood, in person or by Skype – Patrick will work hard for you. He is one in a million and one of Hollywood's best kept secrets – seriously.Harry Rob Bruner

Patrick has transformed the way I approach acting – and auditions – by making me realize that PLAY is not just used to describe a theatre show, but to describe what we, as actors, should do when we are acting. We should play. Being the character, finding what makes him tick, seeing how he behaves, discovering how he speaks – this is all Play. Patrick's weekly class is an on-camera audition-style class. Everyone 'auditions' once – we all watch back, Patrick (and the class) gives comments and constructive advice, and we do it all over again. Not only is it my weekly acting workout, it is helping me find new ways of Playing. I also use Patrick's coaching service before auditions. The best testimonial I can give him is that since I've been using him, my success rate is 100%. Go audit this friendly, supportive class for free and see why it is so different from all the others – we'd love to see you!Andy P

My name is Doris and my daughter is Violet Horne. We are from a small and historic town Lahaina, Hawaii, just minutes to the beaches. Violet was 4 years old, in 2nd grade (online) with performance arts skills when she was selected to compete at the week-long event at IPOP. My husband and I jumped at the opportunity! The age group Violet was in was ages 4-12, against hundreds from across the globe, and in the acting, modeling, singing and dancing category. We planned very carefully, trained very deliberately, and the IPOP experience went very smoothly! Violet won 1st runner up for acting/commercial script! Violet was one of the youngest contestants. She turned 5 years old the week of the IPOP competition. She had to stand in line according to her contestant number (2129) for up to 1-2 hours per competition category. Violet is just a baby, she cried every time we had to leave her in line. But she also made about 12 new friends, while standing in line with other contestants. She played and greeted with her new friends for many days at IPOP. There was a lot of down time in between competition, a dance party night, red carpet event, awards dinner, etc. where Violet bonded with them. They were from all over: Santa Barbara, London, Puerto Rico, Montreal, Montana, etc. They are now all Instagram friends! Thank you IPOP for this live changing opportunity! On the last day, she had 14 callbacks from agents, managers and music producers. Exactly 7 days later, we signed an exclusive Agent and Manager in Acting/Modeling for Violet. Her name is NATASHA CHALENKO.Doris Horne

I would like to thank everyone involved in IPOP! Steven was so excited to be a part of this experience! When he was little, we left his abusive father. He was 2 years old when we left. He had 4 older siblings at that time. We have struggled a lot since he was born. I have since remarried and my husband now has adopted Steven (and his older brother Austin). He has raised them for the last 9 years as his own children. Today, we made it official. My husband is now on Steven’s (and Austin’s) birth certificate! Without God and my husbands unconditional love and support for me and the children, idk where we would be! IPOP! Has made my boys dreams come true! He has the ability to make a better life for himself! We now have 11 children! Four are grown but we still have 7 at home! Because IPOP has given Steven the confidence he needed, my other young children are striving to become like him and rise above their past and become better little people! Thank you so much for helping my whole family!Andrea Ford

Wow! I am blown away. What a professional event this has been. Well organised with attention to detail, covering all aspects from the venue, registration, the programme line up, support from the IPOP headquarters and exceptional service from the personable and efficient staff. This platform has given our talented young artists the ability to connect with agents and scouts that they would never have been able to before; and the celebrity coaches provided invaluable tips on performing at the various bootcamps. This has been an adventure filled week – and some of our artists actually say it's the best week of their lives. Thank you iPOP!Chantal Bezuidenhout

I was introduced to Held2gether when I attended one of their shows. I had such a good time I decided to check out the free workshop they offer and needed up taking a class. 5 classes later I'm loving improv. The classes are filled with a diverse group of people ranging from late teens to septuagenarians. Everyone is there to have a good time and there is no judgement. In the first class we were asked why we decided to take the class and the reasons were as varied as the people. There are some people who do improv as a stepping stone to a career in entertainment but the vast majority are doing it just to have fun and try something new. There are as many introverts as there are extroverts in the classes. The instructors are all very friendly and helpful. Their feedback is always positive, well-meaning and constructive. They are truly terrific. We all laugh A LOT and have a good time. If you are even slightly interested you should at least attend a free introductory class which are usually offered once a month. You have nothing to loose and will have a great time. If you are not interested in taking a class there are still many opportunities to support this group. They are several shows a years. I suggest checking their website for more information. I hope to see you in class or at a show.Brian Casey

I started on "Zoomprov" during the pandemic and have been enjoying in person classes for a year. The classes have about 12-14 students and I learn from watching my classmates as well as from doing the exercises. "Yes, and…" has become integral to my healing. Improv is the best mindfulness exercise I have ever done. I get to experience being in the moment. One thing I appreciate is the opportunity to set personal boundaries in terms of physical contact and content. I have had several classes with both Darren and Richard. They love teaching and provide a good blend of positive and constructive feedback. When you consider the price is $10 per hour, the value is incredible. I can barely get a decent drive thru meal which doesn't even last an hour for that price. If you have ever wanted to see what improv is about come to one of the Free Workshops. Or go to one of their shows. Details at held2gether.com. Tell them Kate recommended you. Yes they are willing to use my preferred name. Oh one last thing you can repeat classes as many times as you want. I had pros as fellow students in my Level 1 class. So much fun.Jenny Bruner

Thank you so much for everything you’ve imparted to us, Darren! You’ve truly changed all of our lives for the better, especially our neurological wiring. I’m sure of this! We'll miss you on Monday nights but hopefully we see you again soon! I really appreciate your nurturing positivity, constructive feedback, and overall energy. The whole group feels to me like we’ve become one big family because of you! Long Beach is truly fortunate to have you and Held2gether! I hope in person shows come back soon. We love you so much!!! ❤️Buhay Malaya

The theater itself is very nice. The production that I saw was good but not great. Parking is ridiculously overpriced. A season subscription is expensive and provides little overall discount (except the insane parking fee) and forces you to buy tickets for shows that you mostly likely have no interest in.m

Lovely Thatre beautifully decorated. Excellent friendly staff. Located in the Long Beach convention Center. They do put on excellent plays. They serve snacks and cocktails. If you subscribe they do have money saving. Packages. Check it out if you have the opportunity.Glo Merci

I am thrilled that the ICT is back, live! A few years ago, I "won" tickets at a silent auction, though I had never heard of ICT. We have been season subscribers since! The venue is small and the seats are comfortable so it's the perfect place to enjoy a play.Judy Kiriyama

Feels kind of quiet and old timey. The long and lack of a drinking fountain leave a bit to be desired, as well as parts of it looking a bit dated. The place does definitely have a charm though. Great for the student productions and medium to small musical events that happen there. I prefer musical events here over the auditorium, because there is usually more engagement with the audience.Joseph Lloyd

Fred Astaire Redondo Beach held there Oscar performance extravaganza. The theater staff was amazing. To which the show ran perfectly. Thank you El Camino College Campus Theater staff. Job well done. The show went on. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼Sidney J Marquez

Absolutely awesome. Talent is always great. A true Gem in the Southbay. Only $10 for students, and about $20 for nonstudents to see great performances.Don Bennett

Children's Theatre of Long Beach (CTLB) is not your typical children's theater group. I've been involved with theater for most of my life. As a child, I participated in children's theater groups that were little more than pay-for-play groups. My parents paid lots of money and the groups put me on stage. CTLB is a non-profit group that tries to keep costs down. This allows CTLB to be more inclusive and available to almost everybody. CTLB has three branches. Theater By Children, Theater For children, and the unique Inspirational Child Series. CTLB strives to keep the atmosphere positive. Thus, the Theater By Children programs allows for more creativity and risk-taking. This makes theater not just fun but builds children's self confidence. Theater For Children (the branch in which I participate) is mostly adults, adults who want to expose children to the joys and magic of attending live theater. CTLB's Inspirational Child Series takes it a step further. Telling the stories of Anne Frank, Helen Keller, Ruby Bridges, and Sadako makes theater not just fun but meaningful. This is unique to CTLB. I enthusiastically recommend CTLB for children and adults. They are different.David Hillinger

Children's Theatre of Long Beach is amazing for its caring and talented teachers and for the rich experience it provides for each and every child who participates. This is not like a cookie-cutter children's theater where a 100 kids congregate on stage. This is a Children's Theatre where children get a chance to learn about theatre, learning singing, dancing, character development, acting, sets, theatre etiquette while working up to a performance in which each child is a valued member of the ensemble. CTLB is a non-profit and scholarships are available so more kids can participate. I have enjoyed each performance of this fun and caring group. They also have performances for children/families put on by adults that are well worth seeing such as The Diary of Anne Frank, Addams Fsmily in Concert, James and the Giant Peach, and The Secret Garden.Anne Gundry

Highly recommended! This company can do so much for your child! My son started Theater with CTLB when he was four years old. It has given him so much courage, confidence, and talent that he can use in every aspect of his life. He now belongs to SAG and he is a working actor. The Life skills, tools, and lessons that this company teaches can give so much confidence To children and make them feel like they could do anything! Thank you CTLB for being the roots to Talon’s future! He can’t wait to sign up for the next play!Starla Alford