Testimonials

circa 1988 “In my 25 year association with Richard Lawson, I’ve known him to be not only an excellent teacher technically, but also one whose passion and energy inspire students to their best.” Milton Katselas

Rick Pagano, casting director
One True Thing
Exit Wounds

Glynn Turman
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Men of Honor
Cooley High

"Richard Lawson gives the lie to the saying, “those who can’t do, teach.”  For years this magnificent actor's own work has not only shown me what brilliant acting is all about, but in his teaching how one can achieve his own level of excellence.  He is a multifaceted man, who brings his great humanity and expertise to his acting and teaching."

Larry Pressman
American Wedding
Dr. Dolittle 2
American Pie

"To the Serious Acting Professional or Student:

I am delighted to recommend Richard Lawson as a profession acting teacher. I have known and enjoyed Richard’s work as an actor in theatre, film and television and for years have observed him as a teacher-director. I have seen him perform as an actor in class and many times as a director and teacher in workshop. His work is consistently outstanding.

As you are aware, Richard has been an actor-teacher in the Milton Katselas workshops. He is an accomplished practitioner of Katselas’ teachings and has years of successful communication of this method to students. From excellent actor he has grown into an excellent teacher. I have attended his classes and have been impressed with his ability to analyze the work of students and to help them enormously with constructive criticism. I have submitted scenes I have directed to Richard and benefited from his critiques.

From first hand observation, I can say that Richard Lawson has the talent and the training to be an impressive influence on actors at all levels of accomplishment."

"If I ever win an oscar there are three people I will thank first, my mother, my father, and Richard Lawson."

"I attended one of Richards classes at a film Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica a while back.  His approach to acting demands honesty and respect for the art, and his students scuttle to meet him with that same spirit.  A disciple of Milton Katselas, his mentor endorses him--what an honor.  I respect Richard as an artist and as a friend."

"Richard Lawson is the best in the business."

"Because of Richard Lawson's teaching, I am now an award-winning stand-up comedian! Who knew? He always encourages me to push the envelope, take risks, and scare myself. Richard challenged me to embrace the stereotype of Asian women that I've always hated. He pointed out that I've spent so much energy trying to resist that stereotype, that I'm still at the effect of it. He suggested that I embrace the stereotype as part of my artist palette, and see what happens. It became the gold that I've been taking all the way to the bank! Richard says, "We cannot be all that we can be until we confront what we're pretending to be." That piece of teaching profoundly changed my life, as a person and as an artist.

Through Richard's guidance, since I began studying with him, I have become a phenomenal actor, I have become a published writer, I have booked more theatrical work than ever before in my career, and I have found my ticket to the party with my stand-up comedy act.

One of the best things about Richard is that he doesn't care what other people think of him. He believes that we are only as sick as our secrets. So I have been able to reveal some of my secrets through the art of acting, and it has been nothing short of revolutionary.

Richard Lawson has everything it takes to be a brilliant acting teacher -- passion, insight, humor, talent, wisdom, courage, and magic!"

"Words cannot sufficiently articulate the admiration that I have for Richard Lawson.  He is one of the most giving, loving and talented people that I know.  I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Richard on All My Children from 1992 to 1994.  I played his spoiled daughter and he was my tolerant and forgiving father.  Yes, art certainly imitated life but Richard soon became my mentor and friend.  Years later, I had the privilege of studying acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and having Richard as one of my superlative teachers.  I cannot say enough here.  He encouraged me with every fiber of his being to achieve artistic excellent and realize the potential that he saw in me.  I am forever grateful and inspired by his dedication to and passion for this elusive art form called acting."

"Richard Lawson is a wonderful teacher. He gets to the core of it. He is also very easy on the eyes. Check him out."

"I’ve known Richard Lawson for over twenty-one years. I know that for a fact because one of my earliest memories of him has to do with his interest in my very pregnant belly while we were fellow students in Milton Katselas master class. And my daughter just celebrated her birthday. Over the years I’ve been privileged to act with Richard and to learn from him in his own acting classes at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. He is a deeply committed artist who brings integrity and rigor to all his endeavors. He has digested the Katselas approach and made it his own. I’ve witnessed his miraculous ability to assist students of all levels of experience. He shares his vast experience, his unique insights and his enormous heart with everyone who comes into his creative sphere. I recommend him as a teacher wholeheartedly."

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