WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING
I worked with Sebastian for three months to help me prep for my MFA auditions, and the experience and growth I made in this short time have been so rewarding. He is passionately dedicated and will challenge you to bring your best self to work. My sense of character building and awareness had evolved so much, and it was all with his guidance and empathy. I'm not the same actor I was before working with him, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to train with him.
- Javier Alejandro Flores
I loved working with Sebastian, he really helped me find more depth in my self tape. His sharp eye for scene analysis paired with a strong sense of play made for a phenomenal experience working together. He cultivated a space where I felt empowered and supported throughout, while working to find more layers in the work. Sebastian is an excellent coach and collaborator, I highly recommend working with him!
- Elena Flores
Working with Sebastian has freed my instrument from tension and insecurity, which allows my craft to be more truthful and playful. His technique has helped me discover a more vulnerable preparation while his care and support as a mentor provided me the space to absorb and reflect the emotional fullness of the moment. Thanks to him, I progress toward my development as an actor with specfic knowledge and bold confidence.
- Anthony Doan
Sebastian creates a safe space for actors, particularly actors of color, to play full out with themselves. He's an empathetic soul who meets you where you're at in your process and helps you build from there. Not only is he kind and empathetic in his approach, he is also confident in his ability to give you tools you may need to build your skill set.
- Kamau Mitchell
Sebastian definitely opened me up as an actor and as a person. He really grounded me in the work and stripped away any anxiety I had about myself or the characters I was playing. I started to actually enjoy every moment of the process rather than rush it or run away from it. He also rekindled the fun and the joy of acting for me. Sebastian will absolutely meet you no matter where you're at and show you the way to shine as your most authentic self. Coaching with him will leave you enthusiastic to dive deeper into your own work.
- Jonathan Horton
This is the energetic, psychophysical work that I wish I had learned on day 1 of my journey as an artist. Sebastian is an incredibly creative, generative, and perceptive teacher who encourages his students to respect their own artistic impulses and attune to their inner child and clown. He is patient, compassionate, and generous. He checks in with his students each class, because he cares about building a sense of ensemble and open communication.
- Jasmine Wang
Sebastian has a keen eye, and was able to help me connect my own self to the character and the text. His guidance made my audition prep process feel low-pressure and low-anxiety, and changed it into a fun way to explore and play instead. Thank you for your help!
- Jo Yuan
Sebastian has a way of making you think deeper about the material you are working on, which adds layers of nuances that pushes the piece to new heights, truly making the pieces I worked on authentically me.
- Anderson Eraus
"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." Sebastian Arboleda inspires me. He is one of the kindest, most supportive, talented, and creative human beings I have ever met. In his class, Sebastian will make you laugh and feel at home, creating a safe/brave space for you to open yourself and your heart to the work. Finding highly physical and vulnerable ways to explore my characters with Sebastian was a turning point for me; he changed my artistry and self for the better. To find a teacher that impacts your life not only as an artist but also as a person is rare. I am eternally grateful for everything Sebastian has taught me, and I can't wait to take many more classes with him in the future!
- Letícia Monteiro
Sebastian is a teacher who is highly invested in his students' learning and development as an artist. He leads with compassion and is very passionate about expanding the realm of possibility of how to get to truthful behavior, specifically through the Chekhov technique. His love for this technique is contagious and he encourages his students to trust in the process of discovery, a lifelong skill that I continue to keep with me along my artistic journey. Working with Sebastian, I was challenged to go further with my body in order to unlock a more nuanced, embodied and imaginative approach to both character and story.
- Nneka Damali
I was a mere dreamer. Sebastian with his coaching bolstered and turned me into a confident aspirant. At 33, I had decided to give my first and probably only shot at grad school, that too an MFA in Acting. The safe and personal space that Sebastian creates is the agency and permission I needed to continuously improve. Though the coaching happened online, the energy and involvement from Seb are such that I know he is there as a support and guide. He put me at ease. His nudges, feedback were gentle. Seb helped me improve and grow not only in my monologues but also left a lasting impression on how I view acting. The acting method he coaching in just fit in perfectly with my temperament and style. And it was really helpful to me that he is a morning person because that way our schedules fit perfectly instead of the time difference. It was almost like the universe sent across the teacher I needed at that moment to help me through my grad school process.
- Rudra Iyer