What People Say
"A psychology-oriented approach to acting. Lewis has extraordinary insight into the shift in modern acting techniques, and teaches practical methods of performing that are looked for by directors and casting directors of today. Furthermore, his teachings will have you analyzing your daily interactions in an entirely different way."
- Shane Kippel (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Life With Derek, DogPound)
My agent emailed me that my audition looks great and what an amazing job I did! I can not thank you enough. You helped me stop freaking out and brought me back to basics...KISS....this is a new way of working for me. Results vs. process, but, that's clearly where its at!
Thanks again for your commitment, kindness and patience.
Leanne Bishop
"I have taken Lewis' classes and worked with him one on one. He encourages and shows his students how to shed the 'acting techniques', formulas and bad habits they may have acquired and gives his students the freedom to just be. A fresh start, free of judgement and open for opportunity. I have learned and become so much more comfortable and confident in my work, because Lewis has encouraged me to search for the truth in each character. To think, breathe, and create the reality of a human being that is not yourself, through yourself. Lewis is an incredible coach and extraordinary person, my experience working with him has been wonderful. Thank You Lewis!"
- Nina Dobrev (Chloe, Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Vampire Diaries)
"Lewis inspires more that just the actor in me. Through his coaching I have found a personal connection to every role I've approached. By stripping away all the unnecessary bravado that some classes focus on, my performances have become more truthful, authentic and castable. It's not acting; it's letting it be true."
- Miriam Mcdonald (Degrassi: The Next Generation)
"Actors enjoy rigorous workouts: stretching and reaching new heights with Lewis. Function, form, and facts are more than baseline with him. They are the foundation he lays for actors to succeed. Lewis Baumander's diagnostic and practical approach to training actors is pivotal to the performers' growth. Actors who are committed, achieve results. Those who are committed in partnership with Lewis achieve greater results."
- Norbert Abrams (Noble Caplan Abrams Agency)
"You saved my ass."
- Micheal Rappaport (The Rescuers)
"You have extraordinary insight."
- Malcolm McDowell (Deadly Wake)
"You're an actor's director."
- Stacey Keach (Future Fear)
"I'm constantly impressed by Lewis' integrity. He drives himself hard to be the best teacher and expects no less from all his students."
- David Tompa (Due Process)
"I've studied with many teachers/coaches over the years and Lewis is the only one I go back to regularly. He understands the actor's craft and the ability of each person that he works with. His feedback and directions are always insightful, specific and helpful. He talks simply with no pretentious language and attitudes. I'm so glad my friend referred me to Lewis and since I've referred many friends to Lewis!"
- Siu Ta (Nancy - This is Wonderland)
"Everyone has their own learning style, Lewis finds that, and exploits it, helping you find an inner self you never knew existed."
- Kyle Schmid (History of Violence, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Beautiful People, 1-800-Missing)
"As an audition coach, Lewis always pushes me to find the truth within. He'll polish whatever I've worked on by either strengthening my actions or clarifying my wants. Depending on what the scene requires, he either pushes me further or takes me in a different direction altogether. Sometimes I'll have problems relating to the character or the situation. By the end of the session, Lewis makes me realize just how close I am to that role, how I can identify with it and how to make it personal."
- Jo Chim (ReGenesis, Take the Lead, This Is Wonderland, Blue Murder, Wild Card, Mean Girls)
"His classes feel like being in a batting cage. It's not just one chance to run the scene. You're up there working and he's having you change things up which allows you to know what works as well what doesn't work."
- Shawn Reynolds (Radio Free Roscoe)
"Lewis is incredibly skilled at tailoring his coaching to the individual. He takes the time to learn how each actor’s mind works and helps them find their own way into the scene. In the end, Lewis makes acting easy - because he teaches us to bring ourselves and our own experience to the work. After a session with Lewis I always walk into the audition room feeling confident and well prepared. A gifted professional and an invaluable support, I feel fortunate to be coached by him."
- Rebecca Davis (Where The Truth Lies)
"Lewis' class has completely changed my outlook and approach to acting. As an actor coming from a theatre school background, Lewis has brought me back down to earth and helped me to really focus my energy for film. He has given me the confidence to know that allowing the character to grow from myself and my own experiences will make my acting truthful, rather than allowing a character, separate from myself, to inhabit my world. He is a gifted coach with a wonderful way of articulating his direction, empowering the actor to take responsibility for his or her actions. His insight has been invaluable."
- Andrea Pressburger (Recent theatre school grad)
"I have studied with Lewis Baumander for a number of years now and in that time I have landed a number of film and television roles. I am currently working on two films, Lookalike and Wish Upon A Star, and have just finished my third episode of Masterminds. Lewis's insight into the dynamics of any scene has always been very helpful. He is very instrumental in finding the truth within one's self. Lewis is always raising the bar of his student and of himself to keep up with the ever changing demands of today's film and television industry."
- Brad Sicilanio (Wish Upon A Star)
"Lewis is the BEST film acting teacher in Toronto. Hands down. Lewis will give you 3 times the working time, passion and commitment of anybody else in town. His breadth of theatrical experience informs his teaching, and his meticulous approach to the 'way of thinking' for the actor is what film acting should be. I cannot be more enthusiastic about any other film acting teacher in this city. If Lewis was a book, he'd be required reading."
- Bobby Del Rio (Blue Murder and The Mary Kay Letourneau Story)
"Thanks for your professional insight on breaking down scripts and your amazing one on one coaching on set. You have given me and every project we've worked together on another level. I'm better at my craft because of your knowledge. You're the 'go to guy'."
- K.C. Collins (Blue Murder, Doomstown, Kojak)
"Lewis Baumander is inspiring and provocative yet allows you the freedom to grow, feel it and get lost in the magic. He is professional and warm and knows how to draw out the best performance in me. To me, Lewis Baumander is the Yoda of acting."
- Ashley Newbrough (Missing, Kaw, The Coven, Radio Free Roscoe)
"Lewis helps you find truth. Truth beyond the text, truth behind every character, and the truth in your craft. His intellect and insight is only exceeded by his professionalism and his determination to help you succeed. Thank you Lewis."
- Deanna Hepzibah (Degrassi High)
"I went to an audition last week for an RBC website thing and it turns out I got the part! I just wanted to tell you that as I did the audition I noticed a marked difference in my reading (from auditions I'd been to prior to this year) and that you had a lot to do with that. So, thank you Lewis."
- Karen Mitton
"Lewis brings to the table many years of valuable experience and personal success. His classes offer students the fundamentals to draw from experience and events to enhance their performance. The knowledge and devotion he extends inspires the student to embark on the journey to become the best actor they can be."
- Kate Todd (Radio Free Roscoe, Grizzly, More Sex and the Single Mom, Life With Derek, Naturally,Sadie)
"Lewis Baumander is an amazing talented acting teacher and person. He has worked wonders for me and my talent. I have worked with him for almost 2 years now and I would recommend him to any actor out there that is looking for a teacher to help them out with their acting career."
- Sarah-Jean Villa (Awakening, Snapped)
"You are a great teacher Lewis, I don't know how you do it, but you have a 'presence' that seems to be the key to unlocking the potential in people. Thanks again."
- John Sherritt (Blueprint For Disaster, In Search of Johnny Serial)
"He is a man with plenty of intuition. With no effort at all he is able to see that, if at any given moment, you aren't acting or 'making it real' when performing for him in a scene or show - he will call you on it, and he knows as well as you do that you can do better. He has a great sense of what needs to be done for a show or production to work and go well. I have worked with him on stage shows and I have been his student. When I first started as his student I knew little about being an actor, I just knew I wanted to act. By the time I was done classes I found myself having more confidence as an actor. I also now look at performing in a different way, and catch myself analyzing actors as I never did before and paying attention to the skills it takes to be a successful actor."
- Michael Anthony Zahab
"Lewis has the ability to allow you to find places within you, therapists can't help you reach. Once you feel them there isn't any acting left to do, you just have to be and carry on through the script. I have never been more prepared for a script or audition then when I have studied with Lewis. He is by far the best acting (or life coach) I have experienced."
- Melanie Marden (Mutant X, PIGS)
"I'm doing a play ... yeah! I'll be doing the Judith Thompson play "Perfect Pie" at Alumnae in November. I do believe our work really helped me to stay calm and focused in the audition, and I am so excited to be putting it all to use in some stage work."
- Alison Porter
"Encouraging and enlightening, Lewis Baumander has opened my eyes and continues to aid me in understanding the art of acting."
- Amanda Persi
"You make absolute breakthroughs in Lewis' class! He brings out the gritty, raw emotion out of you as an individual - tapping into the "animal" in all of us. As you raise the bar on yourself class-to class he's raising the bar on himself not only as a coach but as a person, so that there's always growth. His integrity and love for actors is why I keep coming back."
- Drew Nelson (Mind Over Murder, The Matthew Sheppard Story, Girlstuff/Boystuff)
"The foundation of Lewis' approach is based on the science of the brain and creates nothing less than organically charged truth."
- John Bregar (De Grassi Next Generation)
"I audited your class a few weeks ago with shawn. I really, really loved how you worked - made me remember how much I love rehearsing and being pushed and how being scared or nervous is the sometimes the best, most fulfilling feeling. There are so many classes where you get to do a piece once or twice and it almost feels like a performance, instead of working and growing. Thanks so much for letting me audit that time - I felt (and continue to feel) very inspired."
- Jessica Liadsky
"Lewis gets you to realize where you're at, where you want to go, and then helps you get there with advice, encouragement, honesty, and hard work. He doesn't sugarcoat anything in the business or to the individual, which is a blessing to actors so they can grow and learn."
- Steven Yaffee (Land of the Dead, Renegade Press, Runaways)
"I showed up in Lewis's classes after staying away from classes for awhile. I was disheartened by classes and the industry in general. However, as of the first class, I felt like I had found something special. Here was a teacher with with a big heart and a super sharp eye.
In the position of privileged observer, I saw my fellow class mates grow tremendously from week to week. And, in terms of my own journey, Lewis's passion has rubbed off on me. I find myself hopeful and excited about acting once again. Tics that I have just accepted as part of my identity as a performer have slowly been chipped away by his perseverance. That's one of the great things about him, he is so patient he will tell you the same thing over and over (in slightly different ways) until you get it. Being kind unless he sees you need to be challenged head on. I have had Lewis challenge me, call me lazy, and have always kept on working, because I knew what he was saying was true. When Lewis takes you to task like that, you know that he is just holding you up to the same high standards that he sets for himself.
Another amazing thing is that Lewis talks to people where they are at. If someone is a beginner, he is so gentle with them, encouraging the first baby steps. If someone has got the basics down, he's after them for something more. So, you wind up with a class where everyone is getting completely individual attention; there is not some 6 step process he is teaching to everyone who walks through his door. This is the first time in a long time where I have seen such a democratic approach to teaching. Everyone is considered unique, and encouraged to learn from each other.
Lewis encourages a no excuses attitude towards acting. Challenging us to carve out the time to work on our craft, empowering us to take responsibilty for our careers. I would recommend Lewis's class to all level of performers: those taking their first acting class as well as those with professional experinece under their belt. "
- Annabelle Torsein (Grey Owl)
"Lewis regenerated me, giving me the confidence to go after what I wanted. He is patient with actors and gives one hundred percent of himself to everyone. He changed my whole perspective about acting and brought back the joy. For that I am forever grateful to him."
- Lauren Lipson (Beautiful People, Twice In A Lifetime)
"Lewis is the only acting coach I will ever go to. No words can sum up the value of his expertise. His knowledge and personal devotion to each actor is remarkable. His motivation and encouragement brought me to where I needed to be. Thank you so very much Lewis. Because of you I can now say 'I am a working actor.'"
- Ashley Morris (The Beautiful Years)
"Lewis cut through years of accumulated damage caused by everything from vague teaching methods to my own confused theories. He taught me to stop caring so much about getting it right and helped me find the freedom to simply let myself be real and true. His classes have given me confidence in auditions, on set and in everyday life. I don't know what I would have done without him."
- Amy Kleynhans (recent film school graduate)
"Lewis' class is inspiring. He is extremely intelligent and aware of the way the business works, and provides very specific and valuable insights I have not heard from anyone else. It is obvious from his way of teaching that he cares about actors and loves the craft of acting, and his unpretentious manner and lack of ego makes everyone in his class comfortable regardless of their experience. He works amazingly well with all different levels in the same class and is an excellent private coach. Having just moved back from New York, I am thrilled to have found a guy who is as good or better than anyone I have worked with there!! Thank you Lewis."
- Nahanni Johnstone (Third Watch, Law and Order, Spin City, Liberty Street)
"When you're in the company of Lewis, you know that he is doing what he was born to do. He has such great insight into scenes and characters and makes you discover it for yourself as opposed to giving you an answer. Being able to watch the scenes that you have done in class is also an invaluable tool. You can see for yourself what he is seeing..and you can begin to pick out the moments in a scene where actual truth existed and where the BS lies! Lewis' work ethic, patience and integrity is second to none. Thank you for everything you have taught me, Lewis!"
- Steve Boyer (Dystopia)
"Thank you very much for allowing me to observe your class and my client Steve Boyer. You have a great manner with your clients and I admire your approach to praise as well as telling it like it is."
- Rod Maxwell (Agent, Premier Artists)
"I have always believed that a talent for acting was something you are born with... watching Lewis perform his magic, from a novice to a highly trained actor, has challenged this belief. There is no formula just an uncanny perception of what to bring out of every student on an individual basis."
- Dylan Juckes (theatre actor)
"Lewis' class gave me a venue to find what works best for me. His patience, openness and non-judgmental approach while guiding me through scenes helped immensely. I will forever be indebted. Thanks Lewis"
- Landy Cannon (L Word, The Jane Show, Dark Rising)
