First Take Acting Program
First Take Acting Program, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., #109-58, Los Gatos, CA 95032
About
First Take Acting Program offers acting classes that follow an on-going eight week session of classes. Students are given the overall structure at the beginning of each on-going eight week session of classes. The program uses The First Take Method, a holistic approach to acting that focuses on personal growth and truth in process through specific tools and training.
• Ages: 13–18 years old
• Schedule: On-going eight week session of classes
The program teaches a technique that provides students a set of unique tools to dissect the few pages of material given in an audition and make it come to life realistically and believably. It includes business training such as how to pick a headshot, format resumes, get seen by casting directors, and tools for marketing an acting career. It also includes networking skills training, including DO’s and DON’Ts of correspondence and marketing skills, as well as psychology and support for coping with rejection and uncertainty in the acting business. The program maintains an environment of equality, humility and respect with no hierarchies or rankings.
First Take Acting Program offers a free 3-part video training series titled: “Could I be a Working Actor?”, “How to Enter and Exit an Audition”, and “How to Dress for an Audition.” There is also an option to sit in on one of their classes for free. The acting school offers classes in San Francisco, South Bay, East Bay and Sonoma County, and also offers online classes with students attending from all over the world.
Leadership for the program includes Nancy Berwid, Founder and Acting teacher of First Take, and Office Manager Deborah Feisa. The mission statement for the program is that Nancy Berwid’s First Take Acting Program provides a holistic approach to acting. The school is described as THE BAY AREA’S #1 ACTING SCHOOL. Students from the program have booked Co-Star, Guest Star, Supporting, and Lead Roles in many shows and movies, and actors from the program work in major film and television projects in LA.
Testimonials from participants and actors include: “You learn to not only grow as an actor but also as a person” (Tamera Mowry-Housley), “First Take is a gracious gym for your acting and creative muscles” (Siua Ikaleo), and “First Take is a safe place to do dangerous things” (Cameron Britton). Additional comments include “Her industry connections in LA are invaluable” (Robert Wu), “Without the things I’ve learned from class and from other actors’ stories, I wouldn’t have gotten that letter!” (Rex Wheeler AKA Lady Camden), “Nancy insists that we always exercise our courtesy, poise and integrity at every moment.” (Carolyn Power), “First take has played a huge part in my development as an actor.” (Shonte Akognon), and “The classes are so much fun and I am able to meet new friends, and do what I love, which is acting.” (Riley Smith).
Last updated July 29, 2026.
• Ages: 13–18 years old
• Schedule: On-going eight week session of classes
The program teaches a technique that provides students a set of unique tools to dissect the few pages of material given in an audition and make it come to life realistically and believably. It includes business training such as how to pick a headshot, format resumes, get seen by casting directors, and tools for marketing an acting career. It also includes networking skills training, including DO’s and DON’Ts of correspondence and marketing skills, as well as psychology and support for coping with rejection and uncertainty in the acting business. The program maintains an environment of equality, humility and respect with no hierarchies or rankings.
First Take Acting Program offers a free 3-part video training series titled: “Could I be a Working Actor?”, “How to Enter and Exit an Audition”, and “How to Dress for an Audition.” There is also an option to sit in on one of their classes for free. The acting school offers classes in San Francisco, South Bay, East Bay and Sonoma County, and also offers online classes with students attending from all over the world.
Leadership for the program includes Nancy Berwid, Founder and Acting teacher of First Take, and Office Manager Deborah Feisa. The mission statement for the program is that Nancy Berwid’s First Take Acting Program provides a holistic approach to acting. The school is described as THE BAY AREA’S #1 ACTING SCHOOL. Students from the program have booked Co-Star, Guest Star, Supporting, and Lead Roles in many shows and movies, and actors from the program work in major film and television projects in LA.
Testimonials from participants and actors include: “You learn to not only grow as an actor but also as a person” (Tamera Mowry-Housley), “First Take is a gracious gym for your acting and creative muscles” (Siua Ikaleo), and “First Take is a safe place to do dangerous things” (Cameron Britton). Additional comments include “Her industry connections in LA are invaluable” (Robert Wu), “Without the things I’ve learned from class and from other actors’ stories, I wouldn’t have gotten that letter!” (Rex Wheeler AKA Lady Camden), “Nancy insists that we always exercise our courtesy, poise and integrity at every moment.” (Carolyn Power), “First take has played a huge part in my development as an actor.” (Shonte Akognon), and “The classes are so much fun and I am able to meet new friends, and do what I love, which is acting.” (Riley Smith).
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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