“I just wanted to say thank you again for all that you and ACTeen have done for me. I learned so much and met so many great people!”
Max Schneider
Max stars in “Rags’ a Nickelodeon movie also starring Keke Palmer, and played lead “Zander” in Nickelodeon’s TV series “How to Rock.” Max will appear in the upcoming film "The Last Keepers" with Aidan Quinn and Zosia Mamet. Max received his first on camera film/TV training via private coaching at ACTeen. Additional ACTeen courses include film scene study, monologues, casting director audition seminars, Shakespeare etc. Max is an ACTeen Will Sears Scholarship recipient, and a NFAA YoungArts finalist.
“Rita Litton is a fantastic acting teacher who believed in me and helped me believe in myself!”
Jon Seda
Jon Seda is a graduate of ACTeen’s Film, Commercial, Audition, and Theater workshops. Jon got his first representation following our Casting Director Seminar. He will star in the new NBC drama "Chicago PD" as Antonio Dawson, recently seen on NBC's "Chicago Fire." Credits include the HBO Emmy-Winning Best Mini Series “The Pacific” (Marine Sgt. John Basilone), Nelson Gonzalez in HBO's New Orleans series "Treme," NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and many films including “Selena” (as husband Chris Perez), and "Bullet to the Head" with Sylvester Stallone.
“I started classes at ACTeen because I wanted two things: training and audition confidence. ACTeen helped me develop both. The environment at ACTeen is awesome.”
Daniella Alonso
Daniella is a graduate of our Film Scene Study and Film Technique workshops. She stars in as "Nora' explosives expert and rebel in NBC's futurist drama "Revolution." Various credits including 'Daniella' in NBC's "Metro, 'Brenda' in ABC's "My Generation," 'Carlotta' on NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”, 'Anna' on the series “One Tree Hill”, and 'Pilar' on “As the World Turns”.
“My first on-camera acting experience took place during my summer at ACTeen. I still use the techniques I acquired in my Commercial classes!”
Jamie Lynn Sigler
Jamie costars as "Emily" in NBC's new sitcom "Guys with Kids." Additional roles 'Meadow' in HBO’s Emmy winning acclaimed series “The Sopranos, ” “Ugly Betty”, "Entourage," feature films, and Belle in Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
“ACTeen was my first acting school. When I started I took acting as a hobby, but as I continued with my training the dream grew to become a professional. The teachers gave me pride in my work. I’ll always be grateful to them!”
Troy Winbush
Troy played “Denny”, one of Theo’s friends on “The Cosby Show” (the casting directors first saw Troy in his ACTeen Audition course). Credits: “The Principal”, “Bonfire of the Vanities”, “John Q”, "National Treasure II," “The Parkers”, “CSI: Miami”, “Boston Public”, and “Frank” on NBC-TV’s “Medical Investigation.”
“I went from knowing nothing about the business to booking a soap opera thanks to ACTeen. They prepared me totally for auditions. Their great technique will stay with me throughout my career. I got my first break when their Talent Agent Showcase got me my first agent who booked me as a principal on “As the World Turns” (Nikki). ACTeen was a huge advantage!”
Jordana Brewster
Jordana stars as "Elena Ramos" in the smash TNT TV series revival-- "Dallas." Jordana plays "Mia" in the upcoming 'Fast and Furious 6" feature film, her fourth venture into fast cars!. Additional credits: 'Nikki” for three years on CBS-TV’s daytime drama “As the World Turns,” " “Chuck,” “Dark Blue," "The Faculty,” “Another World”.
“Going to ACTeen was definitely the best decision I made that summer! Rita Litton is great at making teenagers feel confident — a gargantuan task. I’d encourage any young actor who feels the call of the spotlight to give ACTeen a call first!”
Jenna Lamia
Jenna, a graduate of ACTeen's Summer Academy, made her NYC theatrical debut on Broadway in “Ah! Wilderness” after participating in our Fall Talent Agent Showcase. Film/TV credits include: “Without a Trace,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “NYPD Blue”, HBO”s “Oz”, feature films (“The Fighter” as daughter to Oscar winner Melissa Leo, and sister to Mark Wahlberg and Christan Bale), voiceovers and commercials. Jenna’s screenplay entitled “All About Me” has been sold to New Line Cinema, and she is currently writing for the CW series "90210."
“The school is a must experience for the committed acting student.”
China Shavers
“As parents we owe it to our children to dream dreams. I am ever so grateful to ACTeen for helping my daughter China reach her goals!”—Angela Shavers!”
China is a graduate of ACTeen’s Film Technique and Film Scene Study workshops. Credits: Olivia on “ER”, Brooke Harper on FOX-TV’s “Boston Public”, Dreama on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, and several feature films, most recently "Beginners" with Christopher Plummer, and Ewan McGregor.
"I have known Rita Litton for many years. She is a pioneer in the area of helping young people get the best kind of acting training to prepare them for a career in film, TV and theatre. I have featured Rita in "Child Performers", a chapter in the book I co-authored "How to Be a Working Actor". If anyone knows how to give young people an overview of what it takes to audition and be prepared for the world of show business, Rita does. Her alums are featured in series, soaps, movies and of course on stage. "
--Mari Lyn Henry career coach, teacher, author "How to Be a Working Actor.”
"My young teen daughter was looking for a way to learn and expand her acting abilities on camera in a professional environment. We looked at many programs but were struck with Rita's utmost professionalism and complete knowledge of the business. Rita provided a nurturing environment while never compromising the professional values she instilled in the young people while teaching them the skill of acting on camera. She also taught the ins and outs of the business part of "showbusiness", teaching the young people that the minute they walk through the door the audition begins. It is not just what you do on camera but how you conduct yourself from the minute you cross the threshold. I would gladly and without reservation recommend Rita and her program "ACTeen" to any parent who is looking for their teen to learn not only the skills of acting on camera but life lessons to know when working and auditioning in the entertainment field."
---Lil Abrogast (mother of alumnus Cara)
"Rita's ACTeen classes are terrific. She has discovered, mentored and taught some of the brightest talents in the industry. I often refer my clients to her commercial and television classes, and after ten years of working together she has proven to be a warm and knowledgeable teacher. Great program!”
----Pam Goldman, Agent Don Buchwald & Associates NY
"Rita, I don't know if parents thank you, but I really wanted to. Our son Max just loved ACTeen. He learned so, so much and every day he came home excited. He loved coming to the classes. He was so fired up and what we loved most of all is how determined, dedicated and ambitious he suddenly became. I cannot thank you enough.You have made a huge difference in our son's life.
---Caroline Leavitt, New York Times best selling author ("Is This Tomorrow")
When I was 14 years old I decided to be an actor. So I got bad pictures taken and ran around to all the agencies telling them to make me a star. One day one said ‘learn to act.’ Soon after I signed up at ACTeen. The most important thing they gave me was confidence. They always told me what I did right (however minor!) before telling me what I did wrong! ACTeen not only teaches its students how to act but it teaches the business too, talking to agents, choosing head-shots, dressing for auditions. They care about your career progress even after graduation! I got my first agent when one saw me in class at ACTeen. Soon after I got my first job. In my opinion ACTeen is the perfect place to start out and grow as an actor.”
— Jason Rath (Jason has appeared Off-Broadway, in regional theater, in TV films, and commercials, in videos, and as a continuing character on “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light”)
“ACTeen’s the BEST! I booked the second commercial I auditioned for (Coke). Two other students in my showcase have also just booked their first commercials. It sure pays to invest in yourself at ACTeen!”
— Brian Grant
Kristina learned more in one semester at ACTeen than she did in three years at her local acting school!”
— Carol Book, mother of an ACTeen graduate
“Thank you for the fine training you gave my client. As a beginner with no previous experience, she came out of your class with the skills of a real professional actress. Her attitude, presence and copy delivery are all markedly improved. We now feel that she is ready to compete against other teens in the field and all the agents we work with agree. Thank you so much for all your fine work.”
— Jeff Mitchell, Owner, J. Mitchell Mgmt.
Thanks so much for having me watch your classes last Saturday. I was most impressed by the quality and professionalism of your program, specifically with your teaching.
P.S. I will be happy to see any students who have been trained at your school.”
— Lisa Sinclair, Owner Sinclair Mgmt.
For updated alumni information and recent successes please see our Alumni Honor Roll page or Who’s Working? or "Letters from Students' (and parents, fans etc).
