The Beverly Hills Playhouse is one of the longest-running acting schools in Los Angeles, operating out of the historic playhouse on South Robertson Boulevard since Milton Katselas moved his classes there in 1978. The building's acting history goes back further, to the Bliss-Hayden School of the 1920s. Katselas led the school until his death in 2008; it has been owned and run since then by his longtime student Allen Barton.
Training here is ongoing scene study built on Katselas' framework of acting, attitude, and administration, meaning the craft, the mindset, and the career mechanics all get worked. New adult students start with a three-month, twice-weekly Orientation program ($875 published), then continue into Intermediate and Advanced ongoing classes at a published $280 per month, which is on the affordable end for a school of this profile. A once-weekly Youth and Teens track covers ages 7 through 17.
Admission is by interview only, no audition, and interviews run several times a week. The campus is open 8 AM to midnight every day, with a mainstage theatre, a black-box space, and co-working style access for students; enrolled students also get audit privileges at the school's New York campus. Note the published policy that all payments, including startup fees, are non-refundable.
Techniques taught
- Katselas: Milton Katselas' scene-study framework of acting, attitude, and administration.
Class types
Enrollment and schedule
No audition is required. Interview-only admission; interviews several times per week, approx. 45-60 minutes. Schedule: Ongoing (non-term) classes; building open 8am-midnight daily; night classes offer 7+ hours weekly; guest sessions with casting directors, agents, and filmmakers. Duration: Orientation = 3-month startup program (24 classes, twice weekly), then open-ended month-to-month study; many teachers trained 10-30 years at BHP.
Audit, trial, or intro class
Enrolled students receive audit privileges at both Beverly Hills and New York campuses; no published free-audit offer for prospective students (entry is via interview)
Published pricing
| Program | Published price | Source, as of |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation startup (3-month program, 24 classes, 2x/week) | $875 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Orientation renewal (if needed) | $280/month | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Intermediate/Advanced startup (2 months tuition + books + registration) | $700 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Intermediate/Advanced ongoing tuition | $280/month | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Youth & Teens startup (ages 7-17, first 2 months, 1x/week) | $500 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Youth & Teens ongoing tuition | $250/month | source 路 2026-07-16 |
Prices are the school's own published rates on the dates shown. We never estimate prices. Always confirm before enrolling.
Instructors
- Allen Barton, Owner / CEO / Teacher. Longtime Katselas student; runs BHP since 2008
- Art Cohan, Teacher / Director of Student Affairs
- Mia Christou, Teacher
- Rick Podell, Teacher
- Melissa Hayden, Teacher
- Neal Matarazzo, Teacher
Location
Questions actors ask
Where is Beverly Hills Playhouse located?
What acting technique does Beverly Hills Playhouse teach?
Is Beverly Hills Playhouse suitable for beginners?
How much do classes at Beverly Hills Playhouse cost?
Does Beverly Hills Playhouse teach children or teenagers?
Is admission to Beverly Hills Playhouse by audition?
Who teaches at Beverly Hills Playhouse?
When was this information last verified?
Sources and verification
- BHP - Acting Classes (Beverly Hills), accessed 2026-07-16
- BHP - Schedule & Tuition, accessed 2026-07-16
- BHP - Contact Us, accessed 2026-07-16
- Beverly Hills Playhouse - Wikipedia, accessed 2026-07-16
Researched 2026-07-16, last verified 2026-07-16. Facts above come only from these sources. Anything we could not confirm is simply not shown. Report incorrect information or claim this listing if you represent the school.