This studio exists—and continues to thrive—because my mom made every mistake in the book when she thought I was cute enough to model and do commercials.

When I was five, she decided to get me an agent and launch me into “the biz.” I was adorable, full of energy, but painfully shy around strangers. Everyone said I looked like a young Brooke Shields, so my mom thought, Why not give it a shot? She didn’t even consider what college might cost down the road—she just figured a couple of commercials might help.

She researched agencies and schools, ultimately spending thousands on a portfolio I didn’t need and signing with a “manager” who never landed me an agent. Instead, they sold us overpriced photos and lackluster classes at a “scholarship rate” of $900, offered only when we were ready to walk out the door.

By the time any “reps” paid attention to me, I’d lost my baby teeth and no longer looked like the expensive photos we’d just taken. I was still cute, but I was shy. I’ll never forget the agent at Ford telling my mom, “She’s cute now; she’ll be cute in six months. Get her some training.” I was hiding behind her leg the whole time.

Ultimately, my mom realized she didn’t care whether I became a model or actress. What she really wanted was to raise a confident young woman—someone who could speak clearly, stand tall, and express herself, no matter what path she chose.

Growing up in New Jersey, my mom had attended a family-owned dance school that felt like a second home. She danced six days a week and loved every minute of it. When she moved to Orange County, she searched for something similar for me—somewhere safe, nurturing, and inspiring. And when she couldn’t find it, she built it. That’s how The Performer’s Academy was born: a place that reflects the joy and support she experienced as a child.

Today, not every student who walks through our doors dreams of stardom—and that’s okay. Nearly half of our students are here simply to experience the art of performing. Parents often tell us how their children have grown more confident, more outgoing, and more at ease in their own skin.

Because acting is more than just performing—it’s a life skill. A monologue can become an oral book report, a sales pitch, or a closing argument. We regularly see adults—attorneys, sales professionals, entrepreneurs—taking our classes to sharpen their public speaking and communication skills.

These tools work on stage, in the classroom, in the boardroom, and beyond.

For over 20 years, we’ve proudly offered acting and performance workshops for kids, teens, and adults. There’s something here for everyone, and we’d love for you to experience it for yourself.

— Brianne Costa
Owner & CEO, The Performer’s Academy