Melissa Skoff Cold Reading

“Melissa Skoff is the first casting director that truly encouraged me, challenged me, supported my passion for acting... I find myself coming back to her classes to stay fresh and work with other fine actors.”
- DON D.

“Melissa Skoff is the real thing. A teacher who knows her stuff and loves sharing that knowledge with her students. A too-rare thing in L.A.... a casting director who knows how to act and LOVES ACTORS.”

- TERRY K.

“She’s been casting huge projects forever and she knows what the producers and directors respond well to. ... Most auditions and jobs don’t give you a week or more with the material. Melissa teaches you to become great within minutes.”
- HENNA F.

"Melissa's class has given me an

in-depth approach to cold-readings that get to the heart of the audition process. From getting to the core of the scene to blocking for the room, her class has really given me the upper-hand. Thanks Melissa!"

-ARNIE A.

“Melissa is able to guide an actor through the jungle of feelings without damaging their soul. ... I realized her ‘genius’ when I found myself getting ‘brave’ again. What Melissa gives is courage.”
-FRANCESCA C.

"Melissa has created and established a working environment of trust, honesty, and loving support. Her class is designed to nurture and develop the actor's authenticity within the work. Her approach will provide the actor with tools that will help them break through the obstacles that hinder and stall their talent. Her passion for the craft and the actor makes her a dynamic and important teacher. She also provides invaluable and practical insights of the "business" of acting. She is a wonderful and important influence in my work and career. Melissa Skoff is a gem; and her class is a true treasure.

Thank You Melissa!"
-THOR E.

"She keeps the environment incredbly safe and supportive. And she really LOVES class... that’s just so important in a teacher. I especially recommend Melissa’s class to theatre actors who are starting out in the film business.”

-KENDRA M.

"Melissa Skoff's Cold Reading Class will, indeed, inspire and transform you into the actor you are meant to be. Melissa's natural caring spirit, knowledge, and her students will be the highlight of your every week: ~ you'll wish it would never end..." :)!

-CYNTHIA T.

"Melissa's class allows you to act every week, while working with different partners & improving your improvisation skills. It's also one the most embracing and safe environments I've acted in. The entire class is professional, and yet welcoming and encouraging. And great for my ego, too! Soo much fun!"

-NIKKI G.

"Melissa's depth of experience and knowledge of the craft of acting and auditioning will surprise you when it appears from behind her easy going nature. Shes the Best..."

-SAUNDERS B.

“I can’t stand impersonal classes or intimidating teaching styles. Melissa genuinely likes her students and provides a place where you can be yourself; appreciated, encouraged, instructed, challenged and inspired to come back each week!”
-PAUL C.

"My agent told me to take a cold reading class so I asked around and a friend highly recommended Melissa's class to me. Signing up for her class was one of the best choices I've made since I moved to LA.. I look forward to class every week because I know that I will learn so much and push myself so much further than I was the

week before."

-LINDSAY A.

"Melissa Skoff has an innate, uncanny and amazing ability to instinctively cut to the chase and get to the point of who you are as an actor. There is no judgement, just a dedication to bring who you are into the light. She has incredible insight and many successful years in casting enabling her to introduce you to abilities you never knew you had. She is tireless and relentless giving 100% always. Melissa loves and respects actors. She will show you how to trust yourself enough to fall backwards and learn how to catch yourself. Wouldn't you like to do your best work consistently instead of on occasion? Time and time again I have seen her bring out of professional working actors hidden talents sending them in directions they would never dream of. She encourages you to be fearless, she will challenge you and cheer for you. She is a formidable foe of negativity and will not let you down. She is able to reach into her extensive collection of scenes from plays, television and film collected over 2 decades and produce the material that works best for you. She heads you in the direction of your best work, providing an avenue of incredible discovery."

-KIM H.

"I would recommend Melissa Skoff's class to all actors. Melissa knows how to communicate with actors to zero in and find the essence of the scene. As an aspiring director, as well, it was great for me to learn from Melissa's example on how to work with actors to get the most out of their talent. Through precise notes and experimentation, Melissa makes her class a true learning experience as well as a hell of lot of fun! "

-EDDIE V.

"I’m a working actor. I’ve been in the business for 20 years and was looking for a cold reading class to stay fresh while pregnant. I was blown away by Melissa’s commitment to her students and sheer love of the craft. She focuses on honing each pupils strengths, while encouraging them to reach outside their comfort zone. She is all about taking risks and not being afraid to make strong creative choices that set you apart from everyone else. She gives permission to be fearless in a completely professional & safe environment. Her adjustments are spot on. I am always amazed by Melissa’s library of challenging & meaty scenes. Her ability to observe a cold reading and with very specific & minimal direction takes an average scene and turns it into a phenomenal scene. Usually once a month (give or take) Melissa surprises us with professional industry guests to observe and give feedback on our work. I signed with a fabulous Manager at 8½ months pregnant because Melissa presented this opportunity. Hands down, Melissa is the most profound and gifted teacher I have had the pleasure of working with in Los Angeles. I highly recommend studying from such a pro."

-PAM L.

"Melisaa Skoff's acting class is an experience that I would label as must do! The class is a perfect confluence of preparation, professionalism, teaching , training and introduction. You are taught how to prepare for any audition. What casting directors care about and what they don't. She frequently has directors, managers, agents and producers visit class. Giving attendees a great opportunity to meet, discuss, perform, engage and network with the people that can help aspiring actors the most. Many of her students have been given opportunities that may not have been available without her dedication, concern and connections. I walked into a cold read audition last week and felt like I owned the space and you know what? I got the part! When I left the audition I laughed to myself because I felt so prepared. Whether I got the part or not I knew the director was going to have to make a tough decision. Thank you Melissa! And for anyone considering her class, need I say more!"

-BILL P.

"Melissa Skoff's Cold Reading Class helped me with the auditioning process in so many ways; learning to make strong choices and connect with my partner. I grew a lot over the time I was in class. Melissa loves working with actors and challenges her class to consistently do better and go farther each week. For me, there is no other cold reading class in town! I mention it to actors all the time who are looking to improve their craft."

-BRAD S.

"To me, a lot of acting classes are so competitive and self-important, you feel, especially at the beginning, like you're walking into a lion's den--not so with Melissa's class. I felt comfortable performing on my first night (unlike many classes, you will have the opportunity to do a scene each and every class). Having cast television and film for over 25 years, Melissa brings a wealth of experience to the room, instilling in her students the practical tools that help them get the job. It is a nurturing environment, which is why you see many familiar faces in the seats, year in and year out--agents and managers included. As it happens, I met my first agent and manager at Melissa's class."

-RAY K.

"To me, a lot of acting classes are so competitive and self-important, you feel, especially at the beginning, like you're walking into a lion's den--not so with Melissa's class. I felt comfortable performing on my first night (unlike many classes, you will have the opportunity to do a scene each and every class). Having cast television and film for over 25 years, Melissa brings a wealth of experience to the room, instilling in her students the practical tools that help them get the job. It is a nurturing environment, which is why you see many familiar faces in the seats, year in and year out--agents and managers included. As it happens, I met my first agent and manager at Melissa's class."

-RAY K.

“I love Melissa’s classes! Melissa genuinely cares about the students, and she uses her extensive experience in casting to give insightful, real feedback to actors – from the other side of the casting process. The energy is perfect for the creative soul and everyone feels like family. We always have fun, and I always learn something new.”

- Julia L.