" If you want a teacher with genuine passion for your growth as an actor and a truly honest approach, Chris Bondy is your man. He brings life experience from years of work in front of and behind the camera. We are fortunate to have him here in our market."
Carrie Ray, Casting Director
“I have had the great good fortune of working with a very talented director on an award winning film. I have attended several other “acting for film” classes. I would strongly urge anyone who’s goal it is to be a film actor, to enroll at the DAS. No where else will you find a more positive and knowledgeable teacher. Chris works with each student on an individual basis, within the context of the class, to develop their own unique persona. Because of his multi-faceted experience, stage actors will benefit from his approach as well. This school offers such a value because Chris also mentors all students from new to seasoned. From headshots, agents, and auditioning; to all areas of the business. And as an added bonus he makes learning FUN! Put you foot in the right direction. I have just completed Level One, have signed up for Level Two, and am looking forward to Level Three.”
Lou DeCillis, Actor
"Chris Bondy is a gifted acting coach, truly. He teaches from his heart and has years of experience to back these teachings. What impresses me is his ability to convey The Method to even the less experienced actors. He teaches it with style, up front candor, and intuition. Then he makes you get up and do the work. This is not a class for lazy actors. This is a class for energetic and motivated actors that want to get better. And they will. When I joined this class, I was in a funk. Now I feel more confident, focused, and excited to share my talent with others. And I can't wait. Thanks Chris!
Aphrodite NickolovskiActress
CHRISTOPHER BONDY. FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
One of the Mid-West's premier teachers and lecturers on the Television and Film Industries, Christopher brings thrity five years of experience on both sides of the camera to the DAS.
Christopher has worked in substantial capacities with every major studio and network in the United states, Canada and Great Britain. As an actor he studied at NYU with the great Stella Adler. Chris has subsequently performed in lead and supporting roles in virtually hundreds of television and film projects clear across the globe. The past six years Bondy has been focusing on the development and production of fast-growth television content for CBS,VIACOM and several other Speciality Networks. Christopher is the recipient of the prestigious "New York Times Critics Choice Award for his work with HBO and the proud recipient of the NAACP award for positive role modeling for his work with BET.
RACHEL NEVADA. THE PROFESSIONAL VOICE OVER COURSE.
Rachel has over 14 years of major market experience as a radio personality and radio producer.
Having produced the Mitch Albom Show as well as many others for WJR, Rachel has won numerous awards for her reporting, writing and producing, and was subsequently named one of the top ten "Women in Radio" by Regis Philbin.
Rachel brings to this course virtually hundreds of hours of professional Voice-Over experience and a knowledge of the industry from her studies at Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Oakland University ( Liberal Arts) and most importantly her hands on experience both inside and outside of the studio. Currently she can be heard narrating the planetarium film, Bad Astronomy: Myth and Misconceptions which is currently showing nationwide and as far as New Zealand, South Africa and India.
TESTIMONIALS
MILA GOVICH / ACTING
Mila brings a well trained and well honed craft to the DAS. As well as teaching at Oakland University she has performed on most of the main stages in the Mid-West and is now busy acting in television and film. Mila has been co-teaching and working with Christopher Bondy at the DAS for the past year and with her Miesner technique brings a strong "internal " perspective to her students.
PAT CAPORUSCIO. VIDEO PRODUCTION COURSE / ACCELERATED IMPROV.
NEW MEDIA PRODUCTION COURSE. Pat started his digital production and media buying business company nine years ago. While producing television commercials and web videos he has utilized the latest web-video production techniques as well as Internet video marketing to create other media production jobs. Pats customers request video and audio projects from all over the world, he is considered an expert in the Internet video production field and basically owns and operates a successful production company very similar to the one he will be teaching.
IMPROV. Having studied at the Second City, Pat went on to join the Improv Group "Void Where Prohibited". VWP have performed in over 2000 shows throught the United States and Canada. Pat has taught several improv workshops for students of all acting and improvisational levels. Pat appreciates that as an improv. artist you learn qucker by actually doing , his focus when teaching is on building trust with ensemble members as well as with the audience. Pat is also a trained Actor.
MICHAEL LOMAS / ACCELERATED IMPROV.
After graduating high-school Michael began taking classes at the Second City in Detroit.While studying he became part of different troupes such as Void Where Prohibited, The Third Level and Motor City Improv. In 1998 Michael was promoted to director of Second City's Improv Camp for Kids, he also became an instructor for their conservatory program. Michael currently teaches kids and adults ikmprov through his Improv troupe: Improvishness and also performs in the family friendly comedy duo "H.O.G. Wild
Elisa Noeske is a local singer and actress whose work has been seen on various Metro-Detroit stages, as well as in New York. She studied acting at NYU’s CAP 21 musical theatre program, HB studios, and at Dramatic Arts Studio. She has received vocal and operatic training from Juilliard and Mannes conservatories and Wayne State University. Elisa also has a Master’s in education from New York University with a strong concentration in educational drama. She currently teaches high school English, Film Studies, and Humanities at Our Lady of the Lakes and runs their drama program. Elisa has been working directly with Christopher Bondy for the past year and is well versed in both the practice and the education of acting for film and television.
ELISA NOESKE. ACTING FOR TEENS. & GLEE Camp for Teens.
RESIDENT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE DAS. JERRY RICHART
RJerry has been a photographer for more than forty years and an executive in the automotive industry. He started working in his fathers dark room at age 7 and is familiar with large, medium and small filmformat cameras as well as digital formats. He established "Distinctive Image Photography" in 2008 and focuses on actor head shots, model portfolios, promotional and event photography and you will likely see Jerry on a Movie set as he is the states premier set photographer. You can view some of Jerrys work at www.distinctiveimage.net. Jerry operates out of a studio at the DAS in Ferndale as well as his own in Troy.
PAT POTOCHECK ( Photo coming soon) THE ACTORS ACTION COURSES.
Pat comes to the DAS with many years in "specialized" Law Enforcement and "SWAT TRAINING" Pats expertise runs the course from Weaponry, Fighiting, Stunts and Martial Arts, and all designed for Film Actors. Pat is currently Michigans number one stunt and weaponr co-ordinator with several national credits to his name. If you want to increase your value as an actor these are the courses for you. All in a safe and cool environment, learn what it takes to become an "action" actor.
