MY ACTING CLASS

"David Dean Bottrell is an actor of enormous depth, intelligence, and originality. Anyone would benefit from studying with him."
-- Nikki Valko, Casting Director




ACTING CLASSES
Taught by David Dean Bottrell
  
Taught by David Dean Bottrell ("Justified," "True Blood," “Criminal Minds,” "Boston Legal")  Fast-moving and very practical class taught by a working actor, focusing on the 4 major skill sets every actor must master in order to audition well and then perform confidently on set.
Contact: DavidDeanBottrell@Gmail.com


SUNDAY AFTERNOON CLASS:
The Sunday class is on hiatus until the fall.


TUESDAY EVENING CLASS:
7:15 -- 10:15 PM
 May 7, 14, 31, 28
New Students: $225.00.
Returning Students: $200.00

WEDNESDAY EVENING CLASS:
 7:15 – 10:15 PM
 May 15, 22, 28
This is a shortened three-week session -- Reduced price:
New Students: $175.00
Returning Students: $150.00

All Students work in every class.
Any returning student who refers a new student to me gets a one-time only $25.00 reduction of their monthly fee.
Hollywood location near LaBrea & Beverly.


Contact DavidDeanBottrell@gmail.com for phone interview.
My demo reel: http://vimeo.com/39840866
"Justified" clip: http://vimeo.com/59212226
Thanks! I look forward to working with you!

COMMENTS FROM CURRENT & FORMER STUDENTS:

“David takes that ethereal HOW of acting and replaces it with a tangible solid base to work from.... I find his classes to be an unpretentious, honest place to do good work!” --Garland Whitt (“CSI: Los Angeles,” “Justified”)

“David's class utilizes real-world skills that are practical for the television and film business. His approach has greatly helped me with my work as an actor.” -- Paul Clausen (“Castle,” “ Private Practice,” “The Mentalist”)

“I HIGHLY recommend David’s class.He’s the best in town. I use his techniques for every audition and job I book! Thank you, DDB!”
--Carlease Burke (“Shameless,” “Hot in Cleveland”)
 
"David encourages us to step out of ourselves and become our characters, enjoy being someone else for a little while and really listen to our scene partner. david's enthusiasm and passion is contagious and renews your own dedication to the wonderful world of acting.. he is humble, unassuming and non judgemental. there are no "wrongs" in David's class." -- Tina D’Marco ("Red Tails," "Modern Family")

"David's great instincts as an actor himself only makes him a better, more compassionate teacher. His approach to teaching and his direction is clear, specific and actually useful - all the way from the audition onto the set. Now i'm having fun and working again and again!!! Thanks so much DDB". -- Nelson Ascencio ("Mad TV", "Hunger Games", "Hunger Games:Catching Fire")

"David's a great teacher because he treats his students as professionals from day one." -- Robert Kugler

"David is a breath of fresh air. A working actor with no ego or bitterness, he is encouraging and passes on his confidence and insight from the frontlines in front of the camera and behind. Anyone who chooses to study with him will benefit from his experience and enthusiasm." -- John Patterson

"David does a great job of giving an actor a concise usable "system" that can be applied to any audition or role...He focuses on what's "playable" by an actor, and eliminates a lot of the confusion when first approaching a scene...." -- Eddie Alfano ("Vegas," "Bones")

"David teaches with specificity, honesty, and great insight, particularly because of his knowledge as a working actor and a creative behind-the-scenes. He knows what works. He is also compassionate, respectful, and great fun to work with. This is a wonderful opportunity to hone your skills with someone who knows what he's talking about." -- Jonathan Gibson

"David's class was just the pick-me-up I needed to jumpstart my acting career. His direction is insightful and studying the craft of acting with him is a joy. David is a breath of fresh air in a city that often stinks!" -- Jamie Liles

Excerpt from a recent interview:

“There are four major skills that every professional actor must master in order to shine in an audition and then perform well on a set. They are surprisingly simple, but do require some practice… ‘Technique’ should never feel like a straitjacket; it should free you up and reconnect you to your talent... Bottom line: there are only two things that will ultimately sell you as an artist: The quality of your imagination and your ability to access it… No matter where you are on your path, you can always increase your skill. You can always get better. -- DDB”


DAVID'S 2012 DEMO REEL: http://vimeo.com/39840866
"Justified" clip: http://vimeo.com/59212226

Acting Reel

 Click on Link below to
WATCH ACTING REEL
(4 Mins.):
BIO:
Bottrell generated considerable buzz when he "came out of retirement" in the fall of 2006 to portray the hilarious and homicidal "Lincoln Meyer" on eight memorable episodes of ABC's "Boston Legal." Fans of the show took notice and so did the press including KABC entertainment reporter, George Pennacchio who did a two-part TV interview with Bottrell after an episode entitled "Lincoln" became one of "Boston Legal's" highest rated episodes of the season. Primarily known as a Hollywood screenwriter, Bottrell is a former student of New York acting guru, William Esper and started out as a theatre actor and playwright, working both off-Broadway (Second Stage, Manhattan Punchline, etc.) and at many prestigious regional theatres such as the Long Wharf and the Actor's Theatre of Louisville (Humana Festival). Stage highlights include "Fun" alongside Lili Taylor and "Antigone" with Angela Bassett and Richard Schiff. Since "Boston Legal," he has become a popular guest on radio and morning talk shows. Recent acting gigs include roles on "Save Me," "Justified," "NCIS," "True Blood," "Harry's Law," "Castle," "iCarly," "Criminal Minds" and a recurring role on "Days of Our Lives." 

DDB on stage in "Better Angels" at the Colony Theatre in Los Angeles in October, 2009.

HOME



For information about my
ACTING CLASS
click on the tab to the right


Actor-Writer DAVID DEAN BOTTRELL is probably best known for his reoccurring role as the creepy, homocidal "Lincoln Meyer" on season three of ABC's BOSTON LEGAL.  His first on-camea role was in HBO's historic TV Movie, AND THE BAND PLAYED ON.  His more recent acting gigs include guest star roles on SAVE ME, JUSTIFIED, TRUE BLOOD, HARRY'S LAW, NCIS, CASTLE, CRIMINAL MINDS, iCARLY and UGLY BETTY, plus a reoccurring role last year on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.  David co-wrote the screenplay for the popular 2001 Fox Searchlight release KINGDOM COME starring Whoopi Goldberg, L.L. Cool J. and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Other studio work includes scripts for Fox Searchlight, MTV Films, Paramount and Disney. He has sold pitches and original specs, adapted novels, rewritten scripts by other writers, worked in feature animation and movie musicals.  A former off-Broadway actor & playwright (DEARLY DEPARTED) and active WGA member, he mentors young writers each summer in a writing lab he helped found. His first short film, AVAILABLE MEN (which he also directed) had its world premiere at the 2007 HBO Comedy Arts Festival and went on to win 17 "Best Short Film" awards on the festival circuit including the World Comedy Festival in Toronto.  A funny and facile public speaker, he is frequently asked to appear on industry panels around town and regularly appears at Comedy Central's "Sit 'N Spin" show and other spoken word shows around L.A. His comedic POV column appears regularly in Metrosource Magazine and his essays have appeared on the Huffington Post and Salon.com. He was one of the original cast members of "Streep Tease," a comedy show that achieved cult status in Los Angeles, running for over a year at the Bang Comedy Theatre before playing a special engagement at New York's Public Theatre in June, 2011. His solo storytelling show, "David Dean Bottrell Makes Love: A One-Man Show," got rave reviews from the Los Angeles Times and SoCal Public Radio and played to sell out crowds last year at the Rogue Machine Theatre.  For his work in that show, David was nominated for two BroadwayWord Awards and won two "Best of 2011" Awards from Stage Scene L.A.  He also received an Stage Scene L.A. award for "Best Director of a Comedy 2011" for his innovative production of "Travels With My Aunt" at the Colony Theatre.  He is currently on the faculty of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and also teaches privately.  His second one-man show, "David Dean Bottrell is Working" played a five-week sold out engagment at the ACME Comedy Theatre in 2013.  The son of a minister, he is originally from Louisa, Kentucky and currently splits his time between New York and Los Angeles.

NEW SHOW!


WE'RE BACK!   

My show has been invited to the OUTLAUGH / HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL on June 23rd.

See ticket link below! 






$10.00 Tickets at:
http://www.laughstub.com/buyTicket.cfm?showTimingID=151348&buy

"Hilarious, profane, touching... one of the funniest performances I've seen in a long time, a tour de force by Bottrell... Cathartic and uplifting"
-- John Rabe, SoCal Public Radio

Writer-Actor David Dean Bottrell ("Boston Legal") shares an oddball collection of HILARIOUS, SAD, BIZARRE (and yes) COMPLETELY TRUE STORIES -- all of which have something to do with "LOVE.” Directed by Jim Fall.

GALLERY



Performing on stage (after a 15-year hiatus) with the amazing James Read in "Better Angels"




On "Castle." Very fun show.






Meeting the incredible Betty White at the TV Academy event.










Me performing in a spoken word show here in L.A.







Hosting the "Ivy" Awards honoring diversity in the entertainment industry.





Male Call: A Fundraiser for the Downtown Women's Shelter.







Me and my buddy, Pauley Perrette goofing around at the fundraiser for the Children's Equestrian Therapy Center.





Shooting a PSA with Clay Westervelt for the SAG Foundation.






The unexpected standing ovation we got for the first-ever "Streep Tease" show back in the fall of '09. We had no idea the show would wind up running for a year!





At the Los Angeles Film Festival with my gals Adrienne Wilkinson, Katherine Fugate and Frances Fisher. Katherine is a good friend and the writer of the mega-hit "Valentine's Day."




On the red carpet at a charity event with friends Christian Clemensen, Pauley Perrette and Meredith Eaton. Pauley was being honored for all the incredible fundraising work she does.








Teaching my acting class. This shot looks very dramatic, but we actually do a lot of laughing in class.





Performing in "Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues Performed by an All-Male Cast." One of the funniest shows I've ever had the priveledge to be a part of.








Ancient history: Performing off-Broadway in "The Job Search" with the brilliant Mitch McGuire (circa 1986).




In the make-up trailer during the shooting of "For Christ's Sake."







Hanging out with a very talented crew: Mary Gross, Carol Ann Susi, Carlease Burke and Christian Clemenson.


CALENDAR

UNDER CONSTRUCTION -- check back soon. 

STREEP TEASE RETURNS!

In order to quell the rioting in the streets, "STREEP TEASE" has extended it's record-breaking, sold out run for the 4th time! We will be returning to the Bang Comedy Theater on Fairfax until September 12th!

Since there is zero money for advertising, we'd be very grateful if you'd spread the word! We have a lot of seats to fill.
See info and link for tickets below:

Thanks! And may the Streep be with you!

Info &Tickets: www.bangstudio.com/streep-tease/

11 SMASH MONTHS (and counting!)
----------------------------------------------------------------
STREEP TEASE:
An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues
Performed by an All-Male Company

August & September Schedule:
Sunday evenings at 7:30 PM

The Bang Comedy Theater
457 N. Fairfax Ave. (South of Melrose)
Los Angeles, CA, 90036
323-653-6886
Tickets : http://www.bangstudio.com/streep-tease/

Current Cast:
David Dean Bottrell, Roy Cruz, Drew Droege, Steve Hasley,
Ron Morehouse, Mike Rose, & Trent Walker

Directed by Ezra Weisz

CRITICAL PRAISE FOR "STREEP TEASE"

“STREEP TEASE, now playing to TURN-AWAY CROWDS at the Bang Comedy Theater, has obviously struck a chord in the universal camp consciousness….Hilarious!" – L.A. Times

"Side-Splitting!" -- The Daily Beast

"Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?" -- LA Weekly

“What a glorious little show!.. Hilarious and Moving... A loving and fun homage to a living legend... A Gem!" -- BroadwayWorld.Com

"You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You’ll want to run home to watch your favorite Meryl Streep film!" -- LA. Examiner.com

“A hilarious, outlandish, kooky and sometimes campy romp through Streep’s film repertoire!” – GTN.com

"Hilarious!... A fast-paced evening of clever interpretations... played with enough over-the-top-zeal to make us double over in laughter... it's a riot!... A comedic gem!" -- Frontiers

"'Streep Tease' is the kind of crazy idea that is just crazy enough to work. A delightful combination of camp, celebration and underneath it all, a deep respect for the quintessential talent of Meryl." -- KNBC TV News

"A comedy-tribute phenomenon... Much like Meryl Streep's career, I suspect the end of 'Streep Tease' is far from being in sight." --Stage Scene LA

"Inspired Theatrical Nonsense!" - Variety