Z/A Studio

Z/A Studio Premier Acting Studio led by Rob Zimmerman & Peter Allas in LA, SF, Honolulu, and online. Book your FREE Class Audit: https://zastudio.online/contact-2/

06/13/2026

🌟 Ted Lange - Iconic tv star, Shakespearian scholar, and prolific theater writer/director, visited z/a studio San Francisco, on the opening weekend of his original play, 'Shakespeare Over My Shoulder', that ran at the African-American Shakespeare Company in SF.

With his inimitable humor, vast passion and experience in the art and science of show, he shared gems on acting, showbiz, and even treated us with impromptu Shakespearian soliloquies. A master of his crafts, we were honored to have him come play with us. 🙏🏻

👏🏻 Special thanks to our wonderful z/a teacher, Christine Kludjian, for hosting this interview. And to our incredible z/a SF executives - Karma Noel Nichols, Isabella Davis, Tony Cardoza and Thuan Lieu for all their help in putting this together. Thank you also to the videographer, Brian Jian 📸

Many congratulations to z/a actor - Michelle Mao - who is setting the screen on fire! Michelle kicked off her year in th...
05/18/2026

Many congratulations to z/a actor - Michelle Mao - who is setting the screen on fire! Michelle kicked off her year in the latest season of the very bingeworthy Bridgerton as the wickedly evil sister, Rosamund Li. She then starred in the atmospheric and "unforgettable" movie - zi - that was widely applauded at the Sundance Film Festival. Next, Michelle has wrapped shooting as a series regular in the third season of the HBO post-apocalyptic drama - The Last of Us.

"Since Michelle started studying with us some 8-9 years ago, she has been a consistent powerhouse of talent, discipline and hard work. She takes what we have to offer and really runs with it," says Rob Zimmerman, z/a studio co-founder.

Michelle is proof training, dedication and a leap of faith can really launch your dreams. We are so incredibly proud of her and are all cheering from the house! 🙌🏻🥂👏🏻

04/30/2026

As the medical pathologist studies the diseased cell in order to better understand the workings of the human body, the artist draws our attention to emotional pathology so that we may better understand the mind and spirit of a character.

Listen to Rob Zimmerman, z/a founder and faculty teacher, break down pathology with relatable character examples from Milton Katselas' book - 'Acting Class, Take a Seat'.

"What is it that creates the psychologies of behavior? Psychology and pathology are not the same things. Actors turn psychology into behavior... But beneath that, the root is pathology."

What are some of your favorite character pathologies to play?

01/16/2026

Listen to this ⬆️

Training provides the foundation of knowledge, but practice is what turns that knowledge into instinct. Whether you are mastering a craft, a sport, or a professional skill, the hours spent behind the scenes are what make the performance look effortless.

11/28/2025

Feeling extra grateful today for our incredible students. Your hard work, curiosity, and passion inspire us every day. Thank you for being the heart of what we do.

11/07/2025

Elia Kazan, the famous stage and film director, said to Milton Katselas when he started his directing career, that 80 percent of this business is the ability to get along with people. Not talent, not brilliance, not who you know -- but the ability to get along with people. 

Peter Allas, co-founder and faculty teacher at z/a studio, coaches a student director and actors here. Theater, film and television are communal arts where you work in conjunction with other artists. People interacting and getting along is the engine that empowers all these professions.

Getting along with people means you just need to be honest, direct, willing to confront (with humor!) and fight the battle when necessary. Be yourself and give of yourself fully. That's what people will like about you!

Ready to try your take on it? 

Then come AUDIT a FREE CLASS in any one of our locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hawaii or on Zoom online.
📨 Email [email protected] to schedule one.

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