Jesse Allis
Jesse Allis is an actor and writer who also worked as a private acting coach for a decade before teaching for The Aquila Studio. Born and raised in Santa Monica, CA, where he attended Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, Allis pursued a BFA in Drama at NYU Tisch School of the Arts with training at the Atlantic Theater Company.
Selected TV credits include The Other Two, The Crowded Room, Law & Order, Will & Grace and Veronica Mars, among others. Selected stage credits include Over the Tavern at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY, and Lyle Kessler’s Orphans at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles, which he also co-produced. Additional theatrical credits include staged readings for plays developed by The Public Theater, Primary Stages, and Cherry Lane Theatre.
Allis previously worked as a Development Associate for Cherry Lane Theatre, the longest-running off-Broadway theater in New York, and as a writer’s assistant for David Milch, creator of acclaimed TV series Deadwood and NYPD Blue.
Allis wrote, produced, and starred in the short film 5 Stages, directed by Alden Ehrenreich. He received the Best Actor award at Venice Shorts Film Festival and the Seoul International Short Film Festival for his performance.
Coaching/Teaching Testimonials -
ALDEN EHRENREICH
No one I know has a greater love and passion for the craft of acting than Jesse. It has been my true pleasure to work with him for many, many years. He has an uncanny savvy for the craft of acting and how to help actors grow. He demands excellence in himself and his clients. Working with him is inspiring, fun, challenging, and has made an enormous impact on making me the actor I am today.
KAYLEE BRYANT
When I first started working with Jesse Allis I was new to the Aquila Studio and Adler work. I wanted to change bad habits and create a new foundation to cultivate a long-lasting career. Jesse listened to what I had learned in the past and cultivated a language that was specific to me and what I needed for every session to break bad habits and grow. He not only helped me undo these habits but helped me grow into the knowledgeable actor I have always wanted to be. He is well-versed in almost all techniques but shared my love and appreciation for Adler and Stanislavski, therefore always making educated choices based off the text given. Since working with Jesse I have been able to walk onto set always feeling prepared and excited to work, and I have also never felt more proud of my audition tapes. I highly recommend Jesse to any actor who wants to cultivate a long-lasting, purpose-filled career.
BEAU MIRCHOFF
I’d wager Jesse’s knowledge surpasses the collective whole of most towns. I’ve worked with Jesse for a number of years and am continually impressed with the brilliant insights he offers me each and every session. Jesse gives his actors the tools to craft deeply emotional and unique performances. Any actor at any level is in great hands with Mr. Allis.
ALICE KREMELBERG
Jesse has incredible presence and honesty as an actor and seamlessly brings that into his work with other actors. His passion and knowledge of the work runs incredibly deep and it informs him as a coach and person. He has a remarkable attention to detail and ability to collaborate in the moment while using the text always as a guide. I’ve felt inspired and in a safe creative space when working together. I couldn’t recommend him more!
CRONIN CULLEN
Working with Jesse is a collaborative process in creation. Whether I’m working on challenging audition material or preparing for a job, Jesse ensures I am doing my most authentic work in service of best telling the story. He is highly skilled at familiarizing himself with where my instrument is at on any given day and asking the right questions in order to get me where I need to go. His investment in my success is always balanced with an air of buoyancy and freedom. I can’t say enough about the joy and growth I feel working with him. Not to mention the callbacks and bookings to support our collaboration.