Gary Spatz is one of the most respected acting teachers for children
in the United States. He regularly coaches actors for auditions and callbacks for feature films and episodic television. Gary's been teaching classes for children and teens for 25 years. Most recently he coached the young lead in Super 8 Joel Courtney, in his feature film debut. In addition, he was the acting coach (alongside Gayla Goehl, asst. director at the Playground) for the young cast of Judy Moody and the Not
Bummer Summer. Also Gary was Dylan and Cole Sprouse's acting coach for the hit Disney channel show The Suite Life of Zach and Cody. In the past, Gary has served as the children’s acting coach for many television productions, including the Emmy award winning CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, Roseanne, Sister, Sister, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, and The Smart Guy. The Playground is located in Century City area of Los Angeles, near the Westfield Shopping Center. The Playground’s Orange County Satellite Studios are located in Costa Mesa, California in the Offices of South Coast Plaza. Both locations have been designed to create a comfort zone for the actor while simultaneously providing a professional atmosphere with studio-grade lights, cameras and monitors. Gary Spatz has been the acting coach on several Disney productions including MMC (The New Mickey Mouse Club where he also served as creative consultant) and the feature film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. He specializes in teaching young performers and has taught young actors that have gone on to star in such productions as Felicity, Beverly Hills, 90210, Malcolm in the Middle, That 70s Show, Jurassic Park, and many, many more.
Mission: Teaching acting classes is one of Gary’s primary passions in life. He focuses on creating an environment that allows the students to take risks and exercise their imaginations. "The Playground - A Young Actors'
Conservatory" is an on-camera program where young actors are asked to challenge themselves - which truly stimulates their abilities. Gary and his staff of professional actors/teachers strive to nurture each
student's creativity. They are dedicated to helping your child-actor develop a personal technique for on-camera television and film performances. Children will learn the craft of acting and parents can learn
about the business.
