Client Testimonials

“Marjorie, you are full of hope; full of ambition; full of courage, of the expression of your talent which wants a place without any vulgarity. You now deserve a platform for your talent.”

“For Marjorie Ballentine, with appreciation for continuing your labors in the vineyard.”

“Marjorie has helped me enormously … renewed in me a passion for the work. She’s honest, wise, insightful, and caring – and the closest thing to Adler out there.”

“I began coaching with Marjorie Ballentine in 2005. Thanks to Marjorie, my acting has gone to a whole new level of commitment and understanding. Marjorie’s incredible wealth of knowledge about acting and her captivating ability to teach have proved absolutely invaluable for me – in both auditioning and performance. Marjorie’s teaching is no-nonsense thespian training in the tradition of Stella Adler. Marjorie, like Stella did, teaches not only acting but also an “attitude” toward acting. She is the very best out there.”

“Whenever an actor asks me where to study or coach, I point them toward Marjorie Ballentine.”

“When I began acting, teachers always wanted me to either tone down or eliminate my raw talent… and to ONLY use technique. Marjorie has not only helped me to better use my raw talent, she has also taught me that using raw talent AND technique can and should coincide. While working with her, I always push it to the limit and dig deeper… always!”

“Marjorie works quickly and precisely. She has an excellent and passionate approach to scene & script analysis, and pushes you to find an honest, sometimes-difficult inner life for the character you’re working on. She helps you find a place to begin building a character you can believe in, so you can try to make others believe in it too…”

Fearless. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Marjorie Ballentine.  I mean, there are other things too.  She’s a beautiful person– kind, warm, hilarious, passionate, odd (in a wonderful way) and smart. Marjorie allows you to believe that you CAN.  There are so many things I thought I couldn’t do before I met Marjorie.  She puts me at ease when I coach with her.  She encourages me to look inward.  And she provides me with such a detailed map. She also asks the important questions. What’s the bigger picture?  What is the author trying to say?  What are the themes of the piece?

I have enjoyed many years in her master acting class. It’s NEVER about the business in her class, she doesn’t stand for it. It is wholly and totally about the work.  That has been such a valuable lesson.  Marjorie has helped me grow so much, not only as an actor but also as a human being. There are no excuses. There is no ego.  If you want to be a deeper, truer, more meaningful actor, work with her.  I encourage it!  (but c’mon, don’t tell everybody, k?)

“Marjorie has been like God kissing me on the forehead, rewarding me for following my heart and then blessing me with someone authentic, talented, honest, and unforgettable. I don’t want another acting coach for as long as I live.”

“My paths crossed with Marjorie during a time in my life when I felt like I didn’t understand my talent anymore. My so-called “tricks” were dried up and left me creatively blocked and frustrated. Upon meeting and working with Marjorie I started to understand there was a whole world of technique and that there was so much more to learn. My fears began to dissolve, and my craft began to open up. I’ve never met anyone with a more intense enthusiasm for the truth of the work, and for her students. Her teaching style is fierce, raw, and extremely hands-on. She’s not there to stroke our egos, but to be honest. Truthful. There’s no room for “Hollywood” in her classroom. We come here to work, learn, to be open, and to grow as actors.

“Not only is Marjorie my acting coach; I consider her a close friend and a mentor. I’m looking forward to continually deepening my experience as an actor with her by my side.”

“She remains the greatest acting teacher I ever had. Marjorie is my mentor.”

“Marjorie taught me with great passion a craft I still use. She demands effort; she inspires the best in all of us. I call her my Buddha Haagen-Dazs!”

“Working with Marjorie is a guttural experience. She gets straight to the essence of the character/scene and helps you find images that trigger your work. She makes your mind sweat. Her passion is inspiring. I love working with her!”

“I love working with Marjorie. Sometimes I get an audition from one day to the next and I really have no time to study the script. Marjorie can analyze a scene in seconds and she helps you make specific, interesting, very real choices that casting directors always take note of.”

“Marjorie has renewed my love for acting. She inspires a high level of work and through her tough love approach, I have been pushed to work the hardest ever, which has resulted in the most gratifying experiences, as well as some of my best performances. By watching her teach others, I’ve become a more effective director, and I think my auditioning style has improved. I am constantly amazed by the work I see her pull out of people, and I aspire to be able to do the same.”

Sunny Boling CSA

“Marjorie brings dignity to actors and creates in each individual the wish to constantly improve oneself.”

“The only sin passion can commit is to be joyless. The Studio has passion, has joy and is the home I always return to. Thank you Marjorie, my friend, my teacher, my mentor.”