Testimonials
"Isaac Byrne's deep devotion and tireless commitment to discovering the truths in storytelling are matched by his keen insights into the human condition and a compassion for the drive of the spirit. As a theater director, teacher, actor, and artistic director, Isaac Byrne inspires a safe atmosphere for bold investigation, supportive teamwork, emotional courage, and light-hearted play. Having worked with Isaac Byrne in various capacities and on a wide array of projects for over 10 years, I can think of few-to-none I envy more for their genuinely electric passion, powerful intuition, and contagious joy for the craft."
Cole Wimpee—actor, director, Artistic director of Ad Hoc Economy
“Isaac Byrne enters the fire with his students and fights for them. He knows how to push you to be better than you imagined you could be, to perform in a way that opens your soul. He has the kind of insight that comes from a perfect combination of life experience and excellent training that sometimes feels like witchcraft when your heart opens up despite your petty insecurities and daily nonsense. Isaac was the first person to ever tell me I wouldn’t break if I pushed myself, and for the first time I believe it."
Sara Florence Fellini (In Vestments, The Brutes, The Execution of Ms. Cotton)
"In Isaac's class at MCS, we get to forget about being good, so we can push ourselves beyond our boundaries, knowing that we have the the class, and Isaac, to guide and support us on the way. I learned to dare to go deep into my emotional prep, and to trust my imagination. This has made me very comfortable on set when I have to perform on my highest level, take after take."
Linnea Larsdotter (TILL WE MEET AGAIN, OVUM)
“I love working with Isaac. I always feel confident going to Isaac with my materials knowing that my work will be better after our sessions. He is a passionate and gifted director and teacher. I absolutely recommend him to anyone who is looking to further their craft as an actor.”
Teddy Canez (THE DETOUR, THE WIRE, LAW AND ORDER—on Broadway: Streetcar Named Desire)
"Isaac cast and directed me in "FRESH KILLS" a new play at 59East 59. Isaac understands the process an actor goes through to plumb a role. He got me there and for his belief in me I am forever grateful."
Robert Funaro (THE SOPRANOS, AMERICAN GANSTER)
"Isaac has the unique quality of being able to guide you to your best performance. I never felt like I had to justify a choice I didn't understand with Isaac-instead, he helped me understand the characters to the fullest and understood the importance of a journey from beginning to end."
Annie Chang (SHADES OF BLUE, MASTER OF NONE, HOUSE OF CARDS, WHITE COLLAR, ONE LIFE TO LIVE)
"There are some teachers, few and far between that can see into your soul, and as an actor you have to present your soul in auditions everyday. Isaac taught me to believe in myself, trust myself, and helped me discover who I was as a person and an actor. Now everyday, I choose to live life to the fullest and not lay back and wait to die. A great friend, an incredible teacher, one who creates a bond through his methods that will shape your life not only as an actor but as a person. Isaac's words and methods exist in my head everyday, he reminds me to believe in myself and never give up, helping generate performances I never even knew existed inside of me."
Ethan Grant (LOSING GROUND)
"Isaac's love for acting and teaching is positively infectious. It's rare to find a teacher with such compassionate and skillful means."
Charles Upton (HACKSAW RIDGE, and in Sydney Australia: Dry Land, Little Dog Laughed, and Winter’s Tale)
"Always honest and insightful, he never misses an opportunity to help the student grow as an artist and as a human being. He is a master at creating a safe, trusting and creative environment where hard work and lots of fun go hand in hand. An awesome experience!"
Robin Virginie-New York Neo Futurist, Voice Over Artist (US national tour of Alexander and the...Very Bad Day)
“Isaac is one of the most wholehearted people I have had the pleasure of working with. I found his support and encouragement so incredibly genuine and spirited, we grew so much - such a passionate teacher, he has so much heart. I still hear the words, "Do the work" and apply it to everything - it has made me a better artist.”
Tamara Hansson—Actor, Singer Songwriter
“Isaac Byrne is without a doubt the best teacher/director I've ever had. He is personal, forceful, intelligent, caring and hard working. When directing he gives all actors the chance to truly let go and be fully present in the moment. The Isaac Byrne experience is not easily forgotten and it's amazing how he communicates to bring out the best in actors.”
Ronja Koepke
“Isaac introduced me to Meisner and I have not looked back since. He is equally as passionate for acting as he is teaching and that is a perfect equation for a solid foundation. I took his class a few years ago, but approaching text I still find his voice in my head asking the tough questions (like "who f$%#ing cares?"). Isaac gets my highest recommendation.”
Lacey Jeka (RULES OF COOL, WILDCATS)
"Isaac Byrne has to be one of the most passionate and devoted teachers that I've been privileged to work with. The care he shows for his students and their growth is both inspiring and motivating, taking you to a level as an Actor that you didn't think you could break."
Tim Garnham
“Isaac is a no-excuses, no-nonsense kind of teacher—exactly what you need in an art form that earns its merit through the unapologetic representation of the truth.”
Maxi Gumprecht
"Isaac Byrne has a fine-tuned ability to zero in on an actor’s strengths and weaknesses and the uncanny, sometimes frightening, ability to force actors out of their comfort zones and face themselves in a way that can only result in better more truthful acting"
Marcello Padilla
“The perfect mix of teacher, mentor, friend and challenger. Never satisfied with just doing well Isaac always pushed to me to find that next level, but his incredible way of doing so was to confront you when you needed it, and when you needed kid gloves he would take you aside and coach the best out of you.”
Dan Stagliano’
"Isaac is a teacher dedicated to making his students truthful actors. He motivates you in a way that you learn to let everything go and become involved in a character that in returns brings you to your full potential as a performing artist."
Terrease Aiken
Cole Wimpee—actor, director, Artistic director of Ad Hoc Economy
“Isaac Byrne enters the fire with his students and fights for them. He knows how to push you to be better than you imagined you could be, to perform in a way that opens your soul. He has the kind of insight that comes from a perfect combination of life experience and excellent training that sometimes feels like witchcraft when your heart opens up despite your petty insecurities and daily nonsense. Isaac was the first person to ever tell me I wouldn’t break if I pushed myself, and for the first time I believe it."
Sara Florence Fellini (In Vestments, The Brutes, The Execution of Ms. Cotton)
"In Isaac's class at MCS, we get to forget about being good, so we can push ourselves beyond our boundaries, knowing that we have the the class, and Isaac, to guide and support us on the way. I learned to dare to go deep into my emotional prep, and to trust my imagination. This has made me very comfortable on set when I have to perform on my highest level, take after take."
Linnea Larsdotter (TILL WE MEET AGAIN, OVUM)
“I love working with Isaac. I always feel confident going to Isaac with my materials knowing that my work will be better after our sessions. He is a passionate and gifted director and teacher. I absolutely recommend him to anyone who is looking to further their craft as an actor.”
Teddy Canez (THE DETOUR, THE WIRE, LAW AND ORDER—on Broadway: Streetcar Named Desire)
"Isaac cast and directed me in "FRESH KILLS" a new play at 59East 59. Isaac understands the process an actor goes through to plumb a role. He got me there and for his belief in me I am forever grateful."
Robert Funaro (THE SOPRANOS, AMERICAN GANSTER)
"Isaac has the unique quality of being able to guide you to your best performance. I never felt like I had to justify a choice I didn't understand with Isaac-instead, he helped me understand the characters to the fullest and understood the importance of a journey from beginning to end."
Annie Chang (SHADES OF BLUE, MASTER OF NONE, HOUSE OF CARDS, WHITE COLLAR, ONE LIFE TO LIVE)
"There are some teachers, few and far between that can see into your soul, and as an actor you have to present your soul in auditions everyday. Isaac taught me to believe in myself, trust myself, and helped me discover who I was as a person and an actor. Now everyday, I choose to live life to the fullest and not lay back and wait to die. A great friend, an incredible teacher, one who creates a bond through his methods that will shape your life not only as an actor but as a person. Isaac's words and methods exist in my head everyday, he reminds me to believe in myself and never give up, helping generate performances I never even knew existed inside of me."
Ethan Grant (LOSING GROUND)
"Isaac's love for acting and teaching is positively infectious. It's rare to find a teacher with such compassionate and skillful means."
Charles Upton (HACKSAW RIDGE, and in Sydney Australia: Dry Land, Little Dog Laughed, and Winter’s Tale)
"Always honest and insightful, he never misses an opportunity to help the student grow as an artist and as a human being. He is a master at creating a safe, trusting and creative environment where hard work and lots of fun go hand in hand. An awesome experience!"
Robin Virginie-New York Neo Futurist, Voice Over Artist (US national tour of Alexander and the...Very Bad Day)
“Isaac is one of the most wholehearted people I have had the pleasure of working with. I found his support and encouragement so incredibly genuine and spirited, we grew so much - such a passionate teacher, he has so much heart. I still hear the words, "Do the work" and apply it to everything - it has made me a better artist.”
Tamara Hansson—Actor, Singer Songwriter
“Isaac Byrne is without a doubt the best teacher/director I've ever had. He is personal, forceful, intelligent, caring and hard working. When directing he gives all actors the chance to truly let go and be fully present in the moment. The Isaac Byrne experience is not easily forgotten and it's amazing how he communicates to bring out the best in actors.”
Ronja Koepke
“Isaac introduced me to Meisner and I have not looked back since. He is equally as passionate for acting as he is teaching and that is a perfect equation for a solid foundation. I took his class a few years ago, but approaching text I still find his voice in my head asking the tough questions (like "who f$%#ing cares?"). Isaac gets my highest recommendation.”
Lacey Jeka (RULES OF COOL, WILDCATS)
"Isaac Byrne has to be one of the most passionate and devoted teachers that I've been privileged to work with. The care he shows for his students and their growth is both inspiring and motivating, taking you to a level as an Actor that you didn't think you could break."
Tim Garnham
“Isaac is a no-excuses, no-nonsense kind of teacher—exactly what you need in an art form that earns its merit through the unapologetic representation of the truth.”
Maxi Gumprecht
"Isaac Byrne has a fine-tuned ability to zero in on an actor’s strengths and weaknesses and the uncanny, sometimes frightening, ability to force actors out of their comfort zones and face themselves in a way that can only result in better more truthful acting"
Marcello Padilla
“The perfect mix of teacher, mentor, friend and challenger. Never satisfied with just doing well Isaac always pushed to me to find that next level, but his incredible way of doing so was to confront you when you needed it, and when you needed kid gloves he would take you aside and coach the best out of you.”
Dan Stagliano’
"Isaac is a teacher dedicated to making his students truthful actors. He motivates you in a way that you learn to let everything go and become involved in a character that in returns brings you to your full potential as a performing artist."
Terrease Aiken