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For those actors who are serious about taking it to the next level!

LETTERS

Good morning and my warmest greetings!

Truly, if ever I have enjoyed a class more than yours – I can’t remember when.

You’ve a natural capacity for teaching theatre. All of us are so completely in-tune with you. I’ve taken acting classes most of my life and none have been as satisfying as this one. It dawns on me that, oh, several years back I joined an acting class at The American Globe Theatre in NY – which came nowhere near the quality and content of yours.

I’m so glad to be part of the student body and were I wearing a hat – I’d toss it in the air for you!

Love and Rainbows…

Jean

Reno,
Just wanted to thank you again for such a terrific 2007. When I think about how far I have come from the beginning of this year to now, I am really inspired.  But honestly, if you had not believed in me during my "down" period this summer, I think I would have probably given up.  Each week it is a treat to see how effectively you work with each one of us; you have this amazing gift of knowing what motivates each one of us and balancing encouragement and praise with specific constructive advice.  I know how much thought and work that takes!
 
I have always been the type of person that wants to get as close to "perfection" (whatever that means) as possible before I put myself out there, but you have really helped me get past that.  One of the things I have come to love about acting is that there is no "learning curve,"  you just kind of get shot out of a canon and have to go with it and not fight the momentum.  And that is also so valuable for life. 
 
So, thank you so much for everything!  I can't even tell you how much I appreciate everything you do for us. 

Dear Reno,

Your classes have been an inspiration for me to strive to a higher level of acting.  You know that there was little history in my learning even though I had the good fortune of appearing in a large number of varying roles over some 20 + years.  However, only one role, that of the wisecracking dad in your direction of, "Samuel, How You've Changed", did I feel the passion to succeed in this Business.  It was this passion that led me to enroll in your classes, which have taken me from an actor with little learning to one of adopting special skills to my acting technique, which has begun to give me a satisfaction of performing as a trained actor.

Sincerely,

Albert Glassman

Reno,

I have had the pleasure of working with Reno Venturi for two years now. I’d taken acting classes in the past, and it had always been an area of interest, but I’d never allowed myself to consider it to be something I could really do - not only in the professional sense, but simply in the artistic sense of honestly being.'' Within a few months of working with Reno, it seemed like something I had to do.

It would be hard to single out what specifically it is about Reno and his method of teaching that matters most. His knowledge and command of the craft is impressive to say the least. I have lost track of how many times in the middle of class Reno has effortlessly done something so many of us try so very hard to do - to drop into the character of another human being in an instant. That he's never less than modest about such a feat is not only a testament to his own character, but an encouraging reminder that it's possible for all of us if we continue to stick with it.

His sense of humor and his commitment to making the learning process fun come to mind. So many times I've come to class feeling inadequate and less than optimistic about my prospects in the business, only to be reminded within a few minutes of class that at the end of the day, we do this because we love it. Reno encourages you and allows you to love it, a wonderful counterpoint to the rather heavy and miserable air of obligation that characterizes most books about acting I've read.

But if l had to select the one thing about Reno that would make me recommend him to anyone with the slightest interest in acting, it would be his decency. He is never cruel, he is always understanding, and he only looks to build you up. I can't think of a more secure, safe, and nurturing environment than that of a Reno Venturi acting class. I know that for me, part of acting's appeal is that it demands you face your insecurities - a rather terrifying prospect. I don't think I could have been honest with myself about how much I wanted to be an actor if I hadn't had Reno's tutelage. To be honest, I wouldn't have wanted to make the discovery with anyone else.

Jesse Murphy, CT

I’ve had an interest in acting most of my life, but was always too afraid, or felt too inadequate to take that chance. When finally I decided to start living my life I began to search for a place where I could take some classes. It took a while, but one day I called a number I was given and this cheerful, friendly man answered with whom I felt an immediate connection.  We got along so well that we ended up having a long conversation about our Italian heritage, food, love, everything! Including acting, and that was my introduction to Reno Venturi.

Soon I was taking classes. Although I had little self-confidence in this area, Reno was so good to all of us in his manners, his encouraging approach, his simplicity of speech without being condescending, and did it all in a genuine nurturing and caring way. 

It’s been over two years now that on and off, I’ve been taking classes with Reno, and except for a little memorization difficulties at times, I love it!  And it’s all due to Reno Venturi. 

Best regards,

Ada Iaboni Faugno

I would follow Reno anywhere for lessons – and I have!  What’s unique about him is that he knows that each of his actors is unique.  He takes the time and trouble to learn exactly what each of us needs, and how each one of us learns.  Meisner? Stanislovsky?  Sure.  He’s studied them all, having spent his entire life in the theatre.  He believes that each actor invents his own method – and he helps you do just that, in an environment that encourages growth and risk – because, fundamentally, he creates a safe space, while making sure that you have all the tools.  After just two years acting, studying with Reno, I’ve gotten roles with professional groups and have been more than able to hold my own, using everything that he’s taught me (including the ability to shed my New York accent!).  Reno’s keen eye, body of knowledge, and huge heart make him all that an acting coach can be.                                            

Candace Caplin, Florida  

To Whom It May Concern:

As I sit down to write this letter, I’m having a difficult time figuring out just where to begin. Not because I don’t know what to write but because Reno Venturi has given me so many gems to write about. I’ve decided to just let my thoughts pour out in any way in that my mind so desires.

I initially took a beginner acting class with Reno, at the New England Academy of Theatre, as a way of accelerating my progress in one of my major pursuits, which is public speaking. I thought that by learning a little bit about acting technique I would be able to better connect with each member of my audience. I had no absolutely no thoughts about, or intentions of, actually acting. Well, did Reno ever change that! Before the eight-week class was over, I was in rehearsals for my first stage play. Reno had very graciously recommended me to a friend of his who was directing a play and needed an adult male to fill a particular role.

And that was just the beginning. Over the last two and ½ years, I’ve taken several intermediate and advanced acting classes with Reno. I’m continually amazed at the new and uniquely innovative methods he comes up with to challenge me to improve as an actor. Each time I walk into one of Reno’s classes, I do not have any idea what we’re going to be doing that day. I do know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I will have improved as an actor when I walk out the door at the end of class.

Reno has a special way with his students. He truly cares that each and every one of us improves and grows by as much as we’re personally capable of. He pours every last fiber of his being into patiently coaxing each person in his class to open up and just let himself/herself flow. More than once, I’ve seen a particularly shy or unconfident individual nervously caterpillar crawl through Reno’s class on week one and within several weeks he/she has morphed into an exuberant butterfly floating through class with confidence and energy. The man has that magic touch.

How does he do it? Well, first of all, Reno’s a very talented, experienced and skilled actor, acting coach and director. But it goes way beyond that. In my opinion, there are three distinct qualities that set Reno so far apart from the other acting and voiceover coaches I’ve worked with. The first two are related to his command of his visual and auditory senses. Reno is uncannily perceptive in both what he sees and what he hears. I can’t count the number of times a group of us have watched a scene performed and Reno has picked up on the minutest of details that no one else was even aware of. He is a master of nuance. The third quality that sets Reno apart is his exceptionally well-developed ability to understand people and what makes them do the things they do. He’s able to hone in with laser like precision on human motive, intent and the resulting action(s). You’ll have to experience this for yourself to fully understand what I’m saying.

So, what are the results of my having met and worked with Reno these last two and ½ years? I’ve acted in five stage plays and one television show. I’m also now a trained professional voiceover talent, which is a brand new career for me. Reno worked with me privately for several months on my voiceover skills. He brought every bit as much of himself to my voiceover training as he did to my acting training. If I hadn’t met Reno and worked with him none of these things would have occurred. I’ve also gained great insight into the skills of truly listening to and seeing what is going on around me at any given moment. This has been invaluable not only in acting and voiceover but also in more effectively living my life.

Finally, and most importantly of all, I’ve made a good friend whom I intend to remain in contact with for life. Reno is a truly kind, compassionate and caring human being. In my humble opinion, you could not do better than to work with him and get to know him. I promise you, it will be a positive and most worthwhile experience.

Sincerely,

Jim McNerney