"QUITE SIMPLY THE BEST WORKSHOP OF ITS KIND IN CANADA! Training is one of the key elements in the future of the Canadian film and television industry. And David and Theresa's workshops are what will give serious actors that professional edge."- Tom Shoebridge [ founder, Summer Institute of Film & Television]
"Sears and Switzer offers a very good audition class. And the information can help you make the most of your 3 minutes in there. It helps you get your head focused in the game, get out of the opportunity to perform , even in that three minutes, what helps you. It can help teach you how not to beat yourself up and second guess every second of a ship that has sailed. Well worth the time and investment." - Lynda Mason Green, actor and founder of Canadian Actor's Online
David and Theresa, I just wanted to thank you for everything. I wanted to let you know that my scene with Ms Barrymore went really well... it was totally surreal but great! The scene went well, so I couldn't be happier! I had an amazing time and you two are absolutely incredible...you are so professional and love what you do so much. I learned so much and I can't wait to get out there to more auditions! -Shawn
"David & Theresa, just wanted to let you know that I got booked for a movie that's going to be filming in Hollywood. I'm very excited about it and I feel I have you two to thank. After watching video footage of myself before your class it's completely different than the results after the 6-weeks in Focus on Film." - Jeremy
"I managed to land my first gig on my first try - it was a commercial, a US national for Bud Light. Needless to say I was surprised and thrilled to get it, and shooting it was a great super-fun experience - definitely something I could get used to! Since then I've managed to be cast in a short film to air on Bravo and was fortunate enough to land a Sears holiday commercial that just shot this past weekend. I should mention that I wouldn't be enjoying this moderate bit of success I've had lately if not for having taken classes with you guys at the studio. I've gotten so much out of your classes, I definitely refer to things you've taught me when I'm about to enter an audition or work on set. And as mentioned, once I get on better financial ground I hope to take more classes with you for sure. But in the meantime, THANK YOU! I couldn't have gotten this far without your help. :)" - Ken
Just thought I would let both of you know that I had my second interview with that agent today and she couldn't believe the improvement. She said and I quote, "That course really works!! You have an agent Cara." She was very impressed. So I would like to thank you both so much for all of the wonderful new skills I learned this past weekend after taking your course. I think I learned more in those two days then I did in 4 years of University. Now we'll see if I can land some work! - Cara
"If the proof is in the pudding, I'm tasty butterscotch. I earned enough credits for full Actra membership within 8 months of the class. Last week I shot my twenty-second commercial. I can honestly say that I think about your advice every time I audition right down to my slate. In the last few months I've landed every spot for which I've auditioned save one or two. Needless to say, my agent loves me... The spots have been wrapped around some movies and TV spots so I could not be happier with the way my career has been going. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your excellent teaching and advice." - Drew
"Well, it's been a little over a year since I left the "Sears & Switzer" nest and I thought I'd drop a quick note to let you know how I'm doing. Wow! What a year!!! Firstly, I want to say thank you. All your direction, guidance and advice continues to pay-off. I'm forever taking your words into each and every audition- From scoring a great gig on the Family Channel (the spots won 2 Bessies) through to a small role on a CBC mini-series this fall, plus good roles in three plays including a recent Fringe Festival play (where I received a really great review in Eye magazine), 6 student/indie movies, auditioning like mad and gaining my Actra Apprentice status it has all been a great experience or as the kids say these days, "It's all Good". I run into many actors from your classes and we talk endlessly about the skills that we picked up while under your spotlight. (I hear that it's slow right now...well if that's the case than I don't know what actors are doing, because in all honesty if I was any busier I couldn't keep up!--but that comes from the work ethic that you impressed upon me that I have to work just as hard at getting work as my agent does--if not more!)" -Thanks W.P.
"OK, since I did your awesome class I've booked 3 commercials in one month and I am hitting an 80-90% call-back ratio THANKS, Rob"
"I did your commercial audition workshop and wanted to let you know that I booked my first U.S National Commercial today. I've had a few regional commercials but this is my first union booking. Taking your workshop made auditioning easier and less mysterious!" -Linda AND OOPS THEY DID IT AGAIN: "not long after... like real soon after... I took your weekend course... I landed an USA National spot...airing down south so I've never seen but those cheques are rolling in.... Now I can say that I really feel more confident in my auditions for commercials...(which I used to never land) just as I am in TV/Film [which always seems to be easier for me to land than those simple, stupid one line spots that bring in the bigggggg $$$$$$...]" -Diana
"Hi Theresa, Hi David
, Yesterday I had my first shooting day with Atom Egoyan he is just great - and the whole shooting was so great. I am so happy I did a good job. And I'm also happy that I took your course. During my preparation I remembered a lot of tips you gave me specially for the close ups. I want to thank you for your support you are great teachers. I had to do they whole scene in a close up and of course a master. But before we did a rehearsal, Atom wanted to see what I'm going to do Bruce Greenwood was my partner and he was just listening and I told them my story - it was so quiet after and than Atom said " beautiful" I got a lot of compliments from all the other actors. I didn't realize that everybody was watching who I am and what I'm going to do. Nobody knows me of course. But then Arsenine his wife came to me and said that they are very happy to have here. Bruce Greenwood as my partner wow! He is a very good actor but also a very nice colleague. And after the whole shooting Atom came to me and said "you are a great actress" Hmmmmmmm!! So you can imagine - I'm flying now somewhere in the clouds. This was my first shooting day in short form. And I just wanted to say thank you for your coaching and being just great teachers. - From cloud seven... Susan" "Hi David and Theresa... I wanted to let you know I'm filming my first commercial April 20, An American production."YIPPEE!" I am dedicating my first commercial to both of you, as previously mentioned. Thank you for ALL YOUR SUPPORT, GREAT TEACHING AND ENCOURAGEMENT!" -Pamela “The audition class is a necessity... it turns GOOD ACTORS into WORKING ACTORS.” -- Rachel Neville-Fox, Noble Talent
"Just wanted to touch base and say hello to both of you and share some of the good news. It has been just under a year since I took my last course with you. This power course really assisted me in the "Green Room", I can't tell you how many times I referred to my notes before walking into the Audition for a last minute confidence boost. Well since then many great opportunities have arisen, I was cast in two independent films, one being a feature film called the "Poet" and the other a short film called "Fallen", playing both Principal and Actor roles.
Last September, I worked on the movie "Where The Truth Lies", I was in a scene with actors Maury Chaykin, Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth. I was directed by Atom Egoyan and spent approximately 3 weeks working on this movie set, what an amazing experience!!!!. The movie premiered at the Cannes Festival and should be released in Canada sometime early fall of 2005. my first union credit was an actor role on the T.V series "Missing", starring Vivica Fox and Mark Consuelos. You could imagine how thrilled I was when I received my first Actor role contract, especially the buy out, what a great Feeling!!!!!.
Well, it has been quite an eventful 10 months since studying at Sears & Switzer, thanks for introducing me into the world of acting( Fundamentals course), thanks for showing me how the camera works (Focus on Film course) and finally thanks for being great teachers!!!!!!!!. I have only just started my career.......the sky's the limit........"
"I always recommend Sears & Switzer to my clients... just great."- Linda Butler personal manager, Butler Ruston Bell
I certainly appreciated being given the opportunity to practice so many test-auditions "on camera" under your guidance. Your enthusiasm, sense of humour and gentle yet specific team coaching style was perfect. I feel a lot better equipped since taking your course. - Sincerely, Julia
Good morning Teresa and David, Thank you very much for another terrific acting experience. I often wonder how I am ever going to remember the multitude of valuable lessons you cram into such a short time but it never ceases to amaze me how often lessons you taught me pop into my mind at the appropriate time. I have so many things to learn in this business and the desire of people like yourselves to share your knowledge makes this difficult, but wonderful, craft a little easier to bear. -Norm
" Really practical classes that make a difference to working actors... I'm always telling people to study there..."- Craig Alexander casting director
Hi David and Theresa, I just wanted to send you a quick note thanking you again for the audition weekend I just completed. It was certainly intense and challenging, and extremely educational. Once again, great class! hope to take future classes with you guys. It was very enjoyable and you both do an excellent job of presenting the material and keeping the focus of the class. Hope to see you at my show at the Tarragon next week. -Mark
As always, training with the two of you was an exciting, inspirational, and extremely enjoyable experience!!! I also felt that we were really blessed with a very special talented and eclectic group of young actors on that particular weekend! Immediately after the classes I signed with Warren Beatty and AAB Talent. I'm really feeling "turbo-charged" about auditioning again! Thanks for reminding me about how much fun it can be. Yesterday, on the set of: "Zoom" I ended up in a scene with Chevy Chase, and was able to ad-lib some business with him as comedic scientists! The crew burst out laughing after the cut; Here's hoping it's a keeper for the film...It felt like an audition that went well! -Brad
I have been doing many commercials here in Athens, GREECE. I have to say that everything we learned in your class was extremely helpful and was exactly what the casting directors were looking for. I thank you for that. I did a Nestle Crunch commercial on Wednesday. All I did was make them "wish that they were me". It really works! -Elia
" I suggest scene study with Sears & Switzer to my clients all the time! I've seen the positive results."- Robyn Friedman personal manager AMI [formerly of Fusion Talent]
Your Scene Study class really helped me to break down a scene, add levels of emotion and energy to a script. You also taught me technique and honesty amongst other things. I wanted to take the time and Thank You for what you've taught me. And that Direction (taking it I should say) is the easiest thing for me. I love it. But finding Direction - well that came from you both. - Dave
Hello Theresa and David! This is just a quick little note to thank you both very much for an extremely worthwhile weekend. Your workshop ran like a well rehearsed and finely tuned show. You created a thoroughly positive, constructive, and entertaining atmosphere that went a long way to opening the doors for experimentation. I delighted in the efficiency with which you took us through the exercises and passed on innumerable tips - and you managed to do this without making me feel like a small calf in a herd. I learned a great deal from you...and have I got notes! Yipee! -AMY
"A solid training foundation is the SECRET to success of the professional actor. Sears & Switzer provide that foundation!" -Emmerson Denney, Emmerson Denney Personal Mgt.
Even though I thought I knew how to audition, I quickly discovered during the weekend that I had not and why! Since taking your course, I have only had 2 commercial auditions, and been cast in 4 commercials! My current role is in the musical comedy 'Pinchpenny Phantom of the Opera' playing the roles of 7 Divas (constantly getting killed off). What fun! I have just been cast in the upcoming premier performance of 'The Dance of the Dead' at Canadian Stage. I just wanted to write, and thank you for giving me the advice I needed to be successful at auditions!-Fran
Hi David and Theresa, I just completed your class on Acting fundamentals this past Thursday, and I felt compelled to let you know just how amazing I thought it was. I must admit that when I was looking into taking the class I was skeptical as to how much I could really learn in only four classes. Well, all I can say is that you totally blew me away. Your teaching techniques are fun, easy to understand and comprehend and your studio is clean and very professional. The best day of the past four weeks have definitely been Thursday nights when I studied with you guys. Thank you for igniting in me something that I thought was gone. - Your biggest fan, Cathy
By the end of the weekend I just felt so much more comfortable in my own skin in front of the camera. You guys accomplished so much more in one weekend than I could have possibly asked for in any course and I really appreciate that. Thank you, Saeideh
Dear David and Theresa, You've always been so supportive of me and my career. I wanted to fill you in on my good news. Mighty Brave Pictures is smokin' and so is my acting career. Everything has fallen into place. Just recently I have been booking half of all my auditions. I've been doing really dynamic work and I'm seeing it in the bookings and paychecks. Every time I work I use techniques that I've learned from you. I have my US work papers and a few NY agents wanting me to sign up. I will still put focus into NY but I'm in no rush because things are going so well here. -Lisa
Dear Theresa and David: I can't fully express my appreciation for the session we had Wednesday. I received the script (7th revision), on Sunday. I had " Hans " in my mindset, fleshing him out and spinning ideas to the Director who was on set in Bulgaria, almost all of which he liked. (Those Bulgarian long-distance phone calls will be murder). However, I hadn't read the part aloud until the session. You gave me confidence with the character, and useful insights in general. Thanks. " I must always be ready to submit myself unto correction..."; one never ceases to learn, knowledge being power. See you in the advanced workshop. JP
I would like to thank you, David and Teresa. You two are amazing! It seemed that when ever I needed a boost, you guys knew when to give it! When my confidence in my abilities were shaky, the two of you made me look inside... You two are an extremely talented pair, and I am humbled and grateful to have studied under you! Ciao -Georgia
Dear Theresa & David... My goodness, it's been a whirlwind since I last saw you both in Fundamentals, Focus on Film and Scene Study! As you may recall, I got picked up by [*agency*] immediately and have since booked 9 commercials, 6 print campaigns, corporate & music videos, and an independent short film. I am now a full ACTRA member. Thanks again for everything! We all owe you a lot!! -Jennifer
Thanks for the kind words...and thanks for teaching us so much. See you back in class soon!
David & Theresa
Time for some shameless self-promotion!