Inner Circle Theatre

I really enjoyed Aaron Mliner’s Improv class. He helped me develop my Improv game so much more than I even thought was possible. He quickly identified areas that I needed most work with and worked with me using specific exercises to create better habits like focused listening and leading with emotion. As a stand up comic, the skills I’ve learned from this class is super helpful. It’s helped me further developing my comedic voice, timing, and crowd work. If you’re just starting out or just need to keep your improv skills sharp, I recommend taking Aaron’s class. You’ll definitely have fun!

Aaron Mliner’s Improv class is the best I’ve attended in LA. If you want to not only learn the basics, but also little hints on how to loosen up and find your comedic voice, this is your class. I’ll be taking it again.

Great improv class! Aaron Mliner creates a supportive environment and clearly teaches the basics of improvisation. Throughout Aaron provides guidance helping us realize our strengths while also giving us constructive criticism so we can become stronger improvisers for our team. I’ve taken a lot of classes in Los Angeles and I can’t think of anywhere else that combines this level of expertise and value. I definitely recommend!

I have taken many different classes in the past 7 years and have never experience such an amazing, genius class! Jeffery truly cares about his students, and lucky for us he is by far the best teacher I have ever taken.

For me, the Inner Circle Theatre (ICT) is not just an acting class. Of course, the weekly class is a chance to brush up on technique, dig deeper into character development, and work out with other artists who take their craft seriously. But ICT is just as importantly a group of like-​minded professionals who keep me accountable — whether it’s the frequent question: What have you done for your career this week? or the weekly question: What did you learn/​remind yourself of tonight?
ICT members have referred me for acting/​directing gigs. They have invited me to participate in their projects, as well as collaborated with me on my own productions. This is a group of proactive artists who are not complacent, waiting for others to create opportunities. The support and challenge I receive from other members is invaluable.
ICT’s Creative Director Jeffery Brooks loves actors and acting. He provides the training and the opportunities to create art, helping us keep our souls alive when the daily stresses of the business and survival jobs threaten to flatten us. At the same time his considerable experience as a professional manager allow him to coach us on the practical, step by step logistics to build a working actor’s career in the TV and film industry. I admire the way he tailors his approach and his advice to each student, whether it’s a young person who just arrived to LA from theater school or a seasoned character actor who is looking to re-​focus his career.
Jeffery has helped me with everything from booking co-​star and guest star roles to navigating the gauntlet of series regular auditions. The artistic environment he has created have provided me an outlet for performing in unique and exciting venues. The ICT community has now become my theater family. As an «aunt of a certain age» I can highly recommend ICT for family members of all ages.

I’ve only been taking classes here for about two months but it’s already done more for me than I can even express. I went from feeling lost, stuck, clueless, and frustrated to having an excellent teacher, a support system, and a plan with realistic goals. Jeffery is the kind of teacher ever actor needs.
When I first moved here from PA, ICT happened to be the first acting class that I audited. It didn’t take me long to realize this was the one.
Jeffery is the kind of teacher that takes the time (although he’s able to read people pretty quickly) to get to know each and every student on a professional and personal level so that he can help you both grow as an actor and get your business plan together. Plus class is actually fun. (Imagine that)
Oh and one last thing, if you’re thinking about joining but still have doubts, shoot them an email to come and audit the class for free. You’ll get to jump in that first day and see what the class is really like before you make a financial commitment.

I audited a lot of classes in LA but knew I wanted to study with Jeffery at ICT as soon as Id audited his class. I wanted to get educated about the business dynamics of the industry while also continuing to develop my craft. Inner Circle Theatre covers detailed grounds on both! I learned from Jeffery and countless amazing guest speakers, not to mention the talented and hungry group of actors and entrepreneurs that ICT attracts. You can’t beat the price for the quality. Jeffery is dedicated to allowing his students to be what they can, he offers showcase nights and other performance based opportunities for his students to get in front of people that could further their business. It was via one of ICT’s showcase nights that I put up a scene which led to working with the theatrical agent that was there that particular evening. Go sit in on a class. Talk to Jeffery. You’re guaranteed to learn something valuable!

To be honest, I don’t ever recommend places to study. I think that’s the job of the artist/​student to find out for him/​herself because everyone is different. I will say, however, that I’ve been with Jeffery Brooks for a hair over a month and he’s great! I recommend it for myself, which is all I can really do. Not only do I get reminded of things I’ve learned in the past, but I learn new things as well. And I’m loving that! I really feel connected with what is taught here and I know continuing to work on my craft here will make me grow as an artist and person. I look forward to writing another review in 3 months. Or 9 months or even 2 years from now. I feel that’s the kind of place this is. So check in with me later. Adiós!

So many acting classes in LA are just that… acting classes. At Inner Circle Theatre, equal importance is given to the craft of acting and the business of acting. Skill alone does not a career actor make, and no one understands this better than Creative Director, Jeffery Brooks. He so generously offers his unique knowledge from his many years’ experience as both an actor and a talent manager. How many acting teachers can also expose you to managers, agents, casting directors, and other industry professionals? Jeffery is truly a rare find and has one of the biggest, most giving hearts of anyone I know.
As an acting coach, Jeffery is careful to cater his feedback and direction to each individual actor’s strengths, challenges, and personality to illicit his/​her best performance. He does not subscribe to a «one size fits all» approach. Need career advice? He’ll offer strategies specific to you and your «lane.» Perhaps the biggest reward of working with Jeffery is that he will challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and experience all aspects of production. We have on several occasions found ourselves writing and shooting our own material!
None of these projects would come together without the willing, creative, and supportive members of Inner Circle Theatre. Again, more than just an acting class, it is a community. The members rise to the occasion to help each other succeed, and they bring a level of talent that keeps me on my toes and commands me to step up my game. My confidence has improved greatly since I joined this group, and I have booked more acting jobs in my two and a half years as a member than in all of my other years of acting combined! I cannot say enough about Jeffery Brooks and Inner Circle Theatre!

I was so lucky to have found such a wonderful group of people who are creative, supportive, incredibly talented, and brilliant! Jeffery Brooks, who has walked the walk and talked the talk, really knows his stuff. He knows how to connect with everyone on a personal level, and how to bring the best out of everyone.
He has an audition technique class which is hands down, the best in town. I’ve lived in NYC and spent many hours in classes/​courses but this is the best – bar-​none. He provides you with all of the expertise, advice, learning, and tools to really make an impact on your career. Even better, there are industry nights where agents, casting directors, and managers will come in and see your work, and not only give advice on the scene, but on the industry, which is incredibly helpful. So many opportunities come the way of members because of Jeffery and so many bookings have happened for members from what Jeffery preaches and teaches.
I am so proud to have found a new home at ICT (Inner Circle Theatre) and continue learning and growing as an actor every week. Jeffery TRULY, WHOLE-​HEARTEDLY cares about everyone and wants the most for everyone. We play, have fun, grow, learn, get batter (as people and as performers), and work together.
The creativity and support is endless, ans I highly recommend sitting in on a class and joining ICT to bring out the best performer in you.
The door is always open.

I have been studying with Jeff Brooks for some time now. I find him bright and well versed not only in the teaching aspect of auditions and acting but also in the industry in general.
One of his qualities include the manner in which he senses each actor/​student in their individual psychology and how they respond to life. He moves the actor forward considering these aspects of their personality. This has created an environment for me to learn, grow and feel safe as my self confidence advances in this work.
He appears to understand and have a pulse on the industry.
He helped me land a top notch agent as well!
I am in gratitude for his service as my coach and mentor.
Lynda

I really loved their «Romeo and Juliette» Play!!! Very Romantic and Beautiful setting ! The actors had worked very hard and brought to life this tragic love that brings me to tears every time! Thank you for the most memorable high light of my Valentine this year:-)!

Jeffrey Brooks is the best acting class in LA — hands down
He’s got mind expanding knowledge bombs for days. His audition intensive on Thursdays is the reason I book.
I’m luck to have found Jeffrey and Inner Circle Theater — ICT (by the way) puts up some incredible and unique work.
Check them out!

When entering Inner Circle Theatre for the first time, you may have one of 3 experiences: some students will come intimidated, others will come full of enthusiasm, and others will come not knowing what to expect. I was and enthusiastically remain the latter. I never know what to expect at ICT, but I always know I’ll learn. Jeffery Brooks, the artistic director of ICT, is infamous for creating innovative class assignments. I’ve only been with ICT for a year and a half, but here are some of the more intimidating, yet exhilarating exercises we’ve done: produce our own short films based on childhood experiences, work on defining and showcasing our brand, receive one on one career coaching, participate in a series of classes dedicated to writers and how we can serve them as actors, improve our audition approach, use the 5 senses to add dimension to a scene, build upon our arsenal of material, address our deepest fears as actors in a round table setting, and so much more yet to come.
Jeffery has built a community of creatives who do what they love and love what they do. Jeffery is the mentor you always dream of having as a young actor, but the lifeblood of Inner Circle Theatre is undoubtedly the students. The students of ICT support, inspire, create opportunities for others, share their experiences, milestones and most importantly, add joy to each other’s lives. And every class is a reminder that we are the luckiest people in the world who get to do this career and who get to go to class and play pretend on a Wednesday night. Jeffery has assembled a passionate and generous community of artists who fully support that line of thought and are committed to pushing boundaries as artists, as students and as human beings.
Inner Circle Theatre is an ever evolving place for actors, writers, directors and producers. The curriculum is influenced by the students, which truly makes ICT a collaborative effort. It is also an interactive group with exciting in-​class and out of class opportunities dedicated to the arts and service. If you come to ICT, prepare to have an independently unique experience, prepare to throw down some art, prepare to be challenged as an actor and as a human being. And, if you are person #1, looking for a great class that comes with a built in community of actors, yet you are slightly intimidated, just remember: although classes may be conducted in a highly original format, they are always, always, always fulfilling to the bottom of your very soul.