YPS INSTRUCTORS include:

Donnajeanne Goheen~ The director of YPS, Donnajeanne has an extensive background in the entertainment industry as an actor's parent, a casting director and producer, and as a manager of some very successful young actors.  Skilled at teaching almost any areas of training at YPS, she most often teaches on-camera and commercial skills as well as "the business of the business",  making sure that young actors understand what they need to do to compete in a very competitive industry and how to navigate through the challenging maze of show business.

Mary Lou Belli, D.G.A.  ~   A busy director of sit-coms, Mary Lou is a dynamic instructor whose many years of directing actors for comedy has provided her with a wealth of knowledge and tips to share that show actors what  really needs to be done to get the laughs. Her comedy classes always get much applause!

Tom Logan, D.G.A.~  Tom Logan was a child actor who transitioned into directing and he stays very busy directing both commercials and films with some occasional televison as well. He has been teaching for YPS since 1995, both in Seattle and in Los Angeles. His on-camera intensives are packed with information, secrets to success and lots of humor!

Philip Brown ~ When he is not busy on a Disney show set as the dialogue coach, Philip teaches at YPS. His knowledge of the DISNEY expectations for young actors is invaluable in guiding actors to make the choices Disney execs are looking for and to understand the "Disney Energy". His classes include a mix of actor vocal and physical exercises, improvisation and scripted material.

Deborah Dion ~  Deborah divides her time between casting feature films, teaching and private coaching for actors of all ages. She is the L.A. casting associate for New York casting offices and has been instrumental in casting many young actors in films such as  "Peter Pan",  "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"  and most recently, the film, "Avatar". Deborah's focus is on acting for feature films.

Richard Liedle ~  Considered by many to be one of the top master instructors in the country, Richard is also a triple threat actor who has performed as a singer, dancer, actor  throughout the U.S. and Europe. A former university professor and Artistic Director, Richard now works primarily as a private coach  and has developed group programs for YPS since 1995. His specialty is to enable actors, even those who are very young, to bring truth and believabilty to their performances. He is also especially gifted at enabling young actors to cry on cue and to portray very REAL emotion.

Rachel Glenn ~  A successful young actor as a child and teen, Rachel has been featured in over 70 commercials, numerous radio and voiceovers, Disney and Nickelodeon shows, feature films and educational videos. She graduated from college with a degree in Communications and then pursued a pre-school teaching certificate. She teaches our youngest actors as well as the pre-teens and teens. She most frequently teaches on-camera and commercial skills but often teaches C.R.O.W., an approach to preparing for TV and film auditions.

Ingrid Shaw ~ Ingrid Shaw was a casting associate in Seattle when she began teaching at YPS in 1995, moving then to L.A., and teaching at Young Actors Space. When YPS opened in L.A. in 2000, Ingrid began teaching at YPS. Many of our scene study and character dynamics classes are taught by Ingrid who sees her program as  "Improv from the heart, Scenes from the soul". Many of her class exercises are designed to teach young actors how to find emotional truth in their acting.

Samantha Klein~ A working actor seen in numerous TV shows and even more on stage, Sami Klein packs a lot of power into her small frame! As a member of the Improv Olympics ensemble and the sketch comedy group, "Local Heroes" , Sami teaches primarily improvisation at YPS but is equally skilled at coaching for both comedy and drama. She occasionally will work specifically on monologues.

Khalil Munir~ A  fine arts graduate of Adelphi University, Khalil specializes in Diction and Movement with some improv to spice up his program. Actors will develop better speech and articulation as well as become more comfortable and relaxed physically when performing. When possible, Khalil will also include a session or two of stage combat.

Bryan Chesters ~ A triple threat actor himself, Bryan has performed around the world on cruise ships and on stage as well on screen. A performing arts instructor for the L.A. Unified School District, he has been teaching at YPS for the past 5 years, concentrating on teaching audition dynamics and cold reading skills.

Jessica St. Johns ~  An associate manager with Young Performers Management, Jessica has enjoyed performing, mostly on stage during her youth and college days,but has also acquired considerable knowledge about auditioning for the camera as well. When she has time to teach,Jessica is most likely teaching our youngest actors. Jessica is also extremely knowledge about the "business side" of the industry.

Mark Arthur~ A working actor (seen most recently on "General Hospital"), Mark has been teaching at YPS for the past 5 years. His program includes a mix of improvisation, cold reading, character dynamics, and audition skills.