Testimonies from Students

Oneof the greatest teachers I have ever had a privilege of studying with! Level of professionalism, advice andhonesty was unreal. Do to unforeseen events my time at Dennis O'Neill School of Acting was cut short, but the impact it had on my life in terms of acting and just being true with myself will remain deep inside for the rest of my life."
~Peter Baydu

Tonight was amazing! I'm so proud to be in your class and have you as my Acting Coach! Thank you for being such an AWESOME teacher! We rocked in class tonight because you believe in us and coach us towards greatness! Thank you for pouring out your knowledge to us so we can each embrace our talent and Live In The Moment! ~Amber Welsh
I am most grateful...out of all the classes of other teachers I have been too...I have never seen such energy and fast growth. There is a very unique way that you teach and the way you really bring out the abilities in all of us...Bravo Denn...BRAVO!!! ~Pablo Contreras
Hi Dennis! Just want to say thank you for not giving up on me! I really love coming to class, and I want to keep coming to class! I learn a lot and have so much fun every week!
~Freddy Garcia


I appreciate your work and your ethics as well as your devotion to our class. And that appreciation for you grows more and more everyday with every email, every lesson and every introduction. You see I'm kind of different than most acting students. I was born and raised in Sudan, Africa. It’s very third world. Acting in Sudan is not widely accepted and looked down upon. It’s generally understood that acting brings dishonor to ones own family and to the person themselves. So acting for me is more than just acting. It’s acting to breath, acting to be free to make my own decisions, and acting to be a living organic human being given the ability of expression. I am a byproduct of what I'm forced to do in secret. I have no family nor cultural support as far as acting is concerned and so this class and you are that for me...A supportive family! So keep doing what you are doing because even though some may see you as an acting coach, I see you as an inspiration beyond what words may be able to convey. Honestly, thank you for everything. Amazing class tonight, what you said really hit home for me. It helped me to remember why I do what I do.~Mohamed Zein
"Dennis is highly creative and passionate about his work. He is an inspiration to his students treating them with respect and looking out for their best interest within the industry. He meets his students where they are, which I believe opens the hearts and minds of the other students to reflect on their own growth and appreciate their dedication to the craft. He helps us understand the benefits that come from humbling experiences. He desires for each of us to have a positive experience with our scene partners, and he encourages us to always help out the other actors by showing compassion and commitment to them as they learn together." ~Kimberly Smay 
 
Dennis' class really is more than a class to me. It helps me become who I want to be. Working each week with him and those in the class builds my confidence on stage and in my life. It's a great environment with actors who become like family. ~Katie Ehalt
I've been taking classes with Dennis for three years and it has been an awesome experience. I have not only been inspired with his positive input and encouragement but I have also been challenged to go to new levels that have put me outside of my comfort zone and caused me to grow immensely in my craft. He's taught me to stick to my convictions and believe in my self. This has helped me relax in my work and trust my instincts, bringing me to higher levels. I am so grateful. ~Amanda Holloway   

I don't want to reach the end of my life and wonder what I could have done, who I could have touched, where I could have gone if I had just been braver...bolder. Dennis has encouraged me to dare to learn to use a gift that I had put on hold while I raised a family. He has helped me conquer my insecurities and dive in...it is an incredible feeling. I am enjoying every day as I look forward to the truths that I have the opportunity to tell, and the people I have the privilege to touch with that truth. Thank you Dennis, for inspiring your students to take a risk...to give it all....to immerse ourselves in the truth of the story and let it be what it is. ~Kim Williams  



Recently working on the set of a documentary film, I noticed all the training and teaching Dennis provided instinctively kick in. The director had to give me little instruction as what to do and when because I was doing it! At one point the director was irritated with the script supervisor because she didn't know what page the scene of dialog was on. I immediately answer with what page and also the dialog. The director answered, “wow you've got it together!” I thought, “cool, this stuff Dennis teaches us really does work!” After the shoot, the director shared with me; “Thanks so much Trent, I will definitely keep you in mind for future projects...you gave a great performance.” I appreciate your hard work and dedication to help us fine tuning our craft and skills. ~Trent Hotman


Where do I start, there is an old saying "THOSE WHO CAN ,DO AND THOSE WHO CAN'T ,TEACH), in Dennis's case he has boththe experience and teaching ability. I am new to the class, but have already startedto learn more each time I attend the class. I would recommend Dennis to anyone wanting to get into the entertainment business. ~Joe Peters


I came to Dennis O'Neill's class for the first time 8 months ago. Having had only stage experience through my job as a ballet dancer, I wanted to broaden my ability for commercial and film. Not only do I love the atmosphere of the class, but I appreciate the effort Dennis puts forth for all of us.  He genuinely cares for the well-being of his students, and the progress they make from class to class. The actors are all very supportive of one another, and it makes the experience comfortable. I feel I have grown tremendously as an actor since joining the school, and encourage actors in the local area to take advantage of what Dennis has to offer at his school! ~Michelle LeBoeuf



Madison is a bright 11 year old girl who has shown great improvement since attending Dennis O'Neill's School of Acting.  He doesn't just teach the audition; he teaches on set techniques.  Students learn camera angles, body language, and even how to eat on camera.  These classes are like no other classes we have taken.  It is the full package deal at a great price.  He is fair and honest with his students and is willing to go that extra mile for them. ~(Kelly Gilbert-Mother of Madison)


Dennis O’Neill’s acting classes have made such a difference in how I am able to act and overall to believably show emotion in the right situation. The support and the encouraging moments push me to become a better actress and communicator. I will never forget the saying, “Actors are braver that astronauts” that Dennis advocates continually, because it is really true! We are, and I am extremely proud! ~Lydia Williams


Dennis, thanks so much for inviting me to stay and observe last night. Michelle told me on the way home that she didn't mind at all my being there, and it was easier for me to stay than to come back again to pick her up.  It was a great excuse for me to get the chance! I was really blown away by Michelle's performance in the abusive boyfriend scene. I thought she was really good. I've only seen her do angry ones, and her raw emotion was great, I thought. Anthony turned to me after the "cut" and said "that was really, really good".. I told Michelle that he said that, and she was so pleased. I should have come away from the class thinking only about my daughter's talent and her ability to make us believe what she is feeling and saying, but something else impressed me even more. I was in awe of you as I  watched you teach this class. The explanation you gave about connecting with past  personal feelings instead of what the subject of the script is, was amazing!. I often wondered how actors "make themselves cry"... and I asked Michelle and she said  "I was thinking about how I would feel if I was abused like that".. dead on, Dennis, just what you said they should do. So again, thank you for the experience. I think your students are SO VERY fortunate to have you instruct them and hear of your experiences in your career. I know Michelle is!  God, I am so glad Terry and I brought you into her life.  What wisdom and guidance you are giving her! We both appreciate it tremendously. It's important to me that you know  that. ~Thanks Maureen

I am 13 years old and live in the Fort Worth area. I am quite new to acting but am excited to experience the world of acting. I also sing and dance. What I am getting out of class : I am new to the class but even on my first day there I felt like I was welcomed and really enjoyed it. Ever since I started I have felt very confident not only in my acting skills, but in my everyday life. Dennis critiques very well and dares you to believe that your wildest dreams can come true. ~Avery Pratho

 Thanks Dennis, for showing me how to move from getting background roles, to being able to get speaking roles! Studying with Dennis for a year has shown me how to advance from getting background roles, to auditioning for, and getting ,speaking roles. Dennis is an excellent teacher with a broad background in theater, film , T.V. , and dance. This provides a well rounded learning experience. ~Nick Pernokas


 Dennis O'Neill's acting class has allowed me to tremendously progress as an actor!!!! It has allowed me to trust my instincts as an actor "be in the moment". His class has taught me that really listening in the scene is critical to being in the scene! The class has opened my mind to other ways of doing comedy, and given me more confidence in my dramatic abilities. I really respect that Dennis doesn't hold back, he will tell you if Ur work is good and give you ways to build on it and make it better. He will also hold u accountable if you have not done your work to better your craft! I'm gonna continue to work on my craft! ~Rion Towery


I have been taking acting class with Dennis O'Neill for three months now. I can't tell you the confidence I now feel with choosing to focus on my career. Before I started studying with Dennis, I had no confidence in my acting abilities. I have learned so much in such a short time that I am actually eager for opportunities to showcase my new skills. Especially cold reads! I know that will really serve me well in auditions. Learning with and from my fellow actors in the class is equally helpful. With a very serious group of actors of different ages, I have been given the chance to see different styles of presentation and preparation. It has been a wonderful experience so far and I look forward to many more chances to study and grow with Dennis and the entire class of great actors! ~Nene Nwoko


Dennis O'Neill is an encouraging mentor that allows you to fine tune your acting skill at a pace you are comfortable with. He teaches you to go with your instincts and allows you to try new avenues of thought. He gives you ideas so that you can make your own decisions and never says that your ideas are wrong. He allows you to grow as a actor. I have learned a lot from the last few months with Dennis and I am excited to see how my skill progress in the coming months and years in his class.
~Melissa Wheeler
I started acting in January 2012.  I began working as an extra on the first season of the “Dallas” remake.  I knew I needed to take acting classes and I found Dennis O’Neill’s information online.  It took me a few months to work it out but I was finally able to attend his class.  From my very first class I knew Dennis was a great teacher and I have learned a lot studying with him. Through Dennis I was given the amazing opportunity to work on his production “Bail Out.” Working on “Bail Out” has given me the opportunity to meet some amazing actors and to learn many facets of the business especially the production side of it. I have worked as background talent and talent wrangler as well as helping out with craft services and contracts. As far as other work goes I have been trying very hard and auditioning as much as I can but I have mainly been doing student films and background work right now. It’s all part of the process; call it paying your dues if you will. Currently acting has had to take a back seat due to my career in the Air Force, I am currently training to become a C-130 Navigator, and this has been very hard for me because acting is a part of my soul. I look forward to getting back to it soon and back to working with Dennis and the great “Bail Out” family. ~Meagan Kemp


Dennis O'Neill School of Acting classes are not like any other acting classes I had taken before and I have attended several. Dennis has the ability to inspire his students to want to do better. I'm not treated like a child in this class I'm treated like an actor that wants to learn more about his craft. He doesn't expect any less of us than he knows we are capable of doing and pushes us to reach those levels we think we can't. I've had tremendous growth as an actor since I started taking his class five months ago. Of all the classes I have taken in the past his is the one I have never wanted to miss. Dennis O'Neill you are the best at what you do. Thank you for helping me grow. ~Caden Large