Spotlight Acting Academy

Spotlight Acting Academy offers on-camera acting classes, filmmaking classes, and industry training, along with youth, teen, and adult acting classes. The program also provides a Performance Lab class, private coaching, and headshot sessions, with a focus on work using real scripts from film and TV. Most classes focus on on-camera training, and small group classes are used to allow for personalized feedback.

• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Hours by appointment only; families are asked to call or email before visiting

Spotlight Acting Academy offers classes for ages 8 through adult, with rolling enrollment so students can join a class at any time. Youth classes have 2 instructors for every 12 students, and small class sizes are used across the program. The studios are designed for both film and TV acting, with space for hands-on workshops, on-camera practice, and small group instruction. Students are asked to bring a notebook, a printed copy of their assigned script, a pencil and ballpoint pen, water, and any props needed for their scene, and to wear comfortable clothing for movement and on-camera exercises.

The program is led by Katie Martin (Owner, Instructor & Chubbuck Certified Coach), Sommer Bruens (Studio Manager & Instructor), and Alisa Martin (Youth Instructor). Katie Martin is a certified Chubbuck Technique instructor, has over 30 years of acting experience, has directed more than 50 plays and musicals, and has created award-winning short films. Spotlight Acting Academy is a Chubbuck Certified Acting Studio, and Katie’s certification means she trained directly with Ivana Chubbuck and is officially recognized to teach this technique. The mission of Spotlight Acting is to offer professional Houston acting classes rooted in a technique-driven, on-camera approach, with classes that are designed to challenge students while building confidence, discipline, and truthful performance. The studio also shares audition leads and opportunities with enrolled students, provides referrals to casting directors when possible, and guides families on how to get started in the industry.

Parent and student feedback includes comments that the in-person acting classes for kids are “excellent,” that a 12-year-old student “blossomed in confidence and skill,” and that instructors “really bring out the best in each child,” as described by Rafael Ramirez. A former student named Ayra shared that classes “got in depth,” helped with understanding characters and finding a personal process, and that social skills and understanding of emotions increased. Another parent, Chad Gundry, described “the movie our son produced with Spotlight Acting Academy,” noted “such quality acting lessons with Katie,” and stated that their family plans to return for future productions and recommend Spotlight to friends.

Last updated January 31, 2026.