Archives: Student Testimonials

Thank you to Acting Out Studio for the coaching and of course the amazing Talent Inc. Griffin has been working on The Week Of Adam Sandler’s new Netflix feature.  He was cast as Jeddy and has had the good fortune to work alongside Adam, Chris Rock and Steve Buscemi — and too many other amazing cast members to even mention!! Recently just got to work with Ralph Macchio as his on-screen son in eight episodes of Cobra Kai with talks of expanding his role in upcoming seasons.  If it weren’t for ACTING OUT and Talent Inc., Griffin may not have had this chance to live out his dream this summer. We have moved out of Charlotte and are back up in CT – right outside of NYC. I just wanted to thank you for encouraging Max and Griffin to do the Talent Inc. program and being a part of Acting Out Studio. As a parent, I am incredible grateful for his preparation by Kamber and his experience at Talent Inc.
–Kathy Santopietro (Max and Griffin’s Mom), AOS Parent

Series Lead on Cobra Kai (Netflix), one of Netflix’s biggest global hits. Also appeared in The Week Of (Netflix, opposite Adam Sandler and Chris Rock) and I’m Not Here (Film, with J.K. Simmons).

EDUCATION: Yale University 2024-present, Suffield Academy 2020-2024

PROFESSIONAL:
Managers: Authentic Talent and Literary Management — Bonnie Liedtke, Bryan
Leder Agents: Osbrink Agency — Emily Urbani, Tiffany Treibel
SAG member

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Television:

• Cobra Kai, Netflix (2017 – 2025)– recurring guest star, Anthony LaRusso
  
• Shifting Gears (screen test), ABC (2024) — Screen tested, Carter
  
• New Amsterdam, NBC (2021) — guest star, Linus Wilding
  
• Untitled Film Reenactment Pilot, FOX (2020) — Screen tested, Collin
  
• BULL, CBS (2019) — guest star, James Donovan
  
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Netflix (2019) — co-star, Young Fran
  
• Homicide Hunter, Discovery ID Network (2016) — guest star, Scott Branter

Film:

• A Paracosm, Marco Baratta (2022) — Tom
  
• Terrifer 2, Damien Leone (2022) — Eric
  
• I’m Not Gay, Scott L. Semer (2021)– Carey
  
• Soft, Sundance Ignite (2020) — Maz
  
• The Week Of, Netflix/Happy Madison (2018) — Jeddy 
  

Theater:

• Stupid Fucking Bird, Yale Univserity (2024) — Con
  
• Red Hot Poker, Yale University (2024) — Sketch Group
  
• Clybourne Park, Suffield Academy (2020) — Kenneth
  
• School of Rock, Teen City Stage (2016) — James
  

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If not for Acting Out Studio, my experience at Talent Inc. would not have been as successful or enjoyable! They are so helpful in preparation, expectation, and ability to put on a show. I am so excited to attend Acting Out class because I am fully able to be myself as well as pursue my passion. The staff is so friendly and supportive. They help you learn and improve your weaknesses all while validating your strengths. Acting Out is like a second home to me, and I wouldn’t think of the staff as anyone but family! I am extremely thankful for Kamber and the rest of the staff for helping me win Overall Female Actor at Talent Inc. as well as pursue my love for acting!
– Maura Streppa, AOS Student

Maura Streppa is a singer-songwriter that lives locally in Charlotte, NC. The 18-year-old has an incredible sound that falls between pop and country.  Streppa sings a combination of covers and originals during her shows. Having performed at several venues and for crowds of all sizes, a couple recent highlights include Carolina Country Music Festival 2019 in Myrtle Beach, SC, and Whisky River in Charlotte, NC, where she opened for country music superstar Jimmie Allen. While growing up in Chicago, IL, Streppa fell in love with music at a young age. She focused primarily on musical theater at first, but began concentrating on her skills as a singer, songwriter and musician when she moved to North Carolina. Her talent is quickly gaining recognition and she will be performing at venues all across the Charlotte area this summer.

Country-pop singer-songwriter. Signed with Park Ave West Songs (2024), winner of Tennessee Songwriters Week (2022), and performer at Carolina Country Music Festival and Nashville’s Bluebird Café.
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Brogan attended Talent Inc. with Acting Out Studio when he was just 5 years old and won Overall Child Actor.  We had no experience in the entertainment business and had no idea what to expect. We were thrilled to see the guidance & education, the positive energy & encouragement through the entire program. The journey to prepare for Talent, Inc. included hands on training for stage presence, acting for the camera, character development, script analysis and so much more.  At the event itself, we had the opportunity to attend parent education sessions to learn more about the business and can remember the anticipation of watching the kids perform monologues, commercials and showcase their talents as if was yesterday. Brogan had the time of his life but little did we know what lied ahead. Because of Talent, Inc., he has representation in North Carolina, Georgia & California and has starred in seven movies (two set to release in 2019), two TV shows and a dozen commercials. He has worked on films with Michael C Hall, Don Johnson, the late Sam Shepard, Ansel Elgort, Jamie Foxx, John Hamm, John McGinley and Garret Dillahunt. He has sung our National Anthem at most every amateur and pro sporting event in Charlotte including the Panthers!  He has appeared on Fox News several times. Brogan takes voice, acting and dance lessons to stay focused on his craft and absolutely LOVES the opportunities he’s been afforded following his experience at Talent Inc.!! Thank you Talent Inc. for preparing us so well and for opening the door!
–Bryan and Brenda Hall (Brogan’s Parents), AOS Parents

Untitled (USC Short), Virgin Wars (USC Short), New Me (USC Short), Killroy Was Here, Baby Driver, Ernie & Cerbie, Terror in the Woods, Benched, Cold in July, The Hideout, Hysteria!, The Goldbergs, Diary of a Future President, Sydney to the Max, Pretty Little Face is Going to Hell, Sid Roth – It’s Supernatural

Brogan landed a lead role in the film “Cold in July” starring opposite Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard and Vinessa Shaw when he was 6 years old. His short stature has enabled him to be cast to play much younger roles in his career. The short film, The Hideout, which he played a lead role, swept the SonScreen Film Festival, taking home Best Dramatic Short, Best Cinematography, Audience Choice Award and Best in Fest. His other theatrical work includes a lead role in “Rounding Third”, a lead role in “Ernie and Cerbie” and a supporting role in the hit “Baby Driver” starring opposite Ansel Elgort and Kevin Spacey.

In addition to acting, Brogan is an avid singer and dancer. He has performed the National Anthem at the UNC Charlotte 49ers, the Charlotte Hornets, the Charlotte Knights and in the fall the Carolina Panthers. He has taken tap dancing lessons since he was 4 years old and hip hop since he was 8.

Click here to see more performances and special skills on Brogan’s resume.

Hey everyone, my name is Broken Hall, and I’m a proud former student of Acting Out Studios. I joined Acting Out Studios when I was 5 years old, and the reason was because it didn’t just help me become a better actor, it helped me become a better version of myself. My favorite class at Acting Out Studios was definitely improv. I loved being able to just play around and have fun and be imaginative with other fellow artists.

— Brogan Hall, August 2025
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Brianna fell in love with the art of performing at the age of 9 after attending summer camp at Acting Out Studio. After three years of acting and improv classes, she attended Talent Inc in March 2016. She signed with AEFH in Los Angeles a short time after the event. In Aug 2016 Brianna and her family moved to Los Angeles, 5 days before she she landed her first role on Hulu’s, The Mindy Project where she played Mindy’s stepdaughter. She then went on to book Disney’s Ravens Home and Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn. Most recently Brianna appeared in Netflix’s Best, Worst Weekend Ever and the hit show This is Us. Brianna has been cast in commercial spots for Orbeez, Nintendo, Walmart, Comcast, and Boost Mobile. Brianna was the VIP Guest at Talent Inc March 2019 where she shared her journey and how it all began at Acting Out Studio. We still can’t believe this is our life!
–Vanessa Reed (Brianna’s Mom), AOS Parent

Guest Star on This Is Us (NBC, opposite Sterling K. Brown), NCIS (CBS), Station 19 (ABC), and 9-1-1(FOX). Also appeared in Grey’s Anatomy (ABC).
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Brooke’s credits include Disney’s Austin and Ally as Maddie Ziegler’s sister, a recurring role on Mighty Med on Disney XD, Kickin’ It on Disney XD, a recurring role on Nickelodeon’s, The Thundermans, and recurring on ABC’s Modern Family. Her first job in Los Angeles that she booked was a Fox pilot called “The Gabriels” with Angela Kinsey and Rob Riggle.  Brooke’s new music video “3 days” was released by Radio Disney. Brooke started with Evolution at the age of 6. She took acting classes with Kamber at Acting Out Studio before winning overall child actor at her first Talent Inc. showcase. With the help of Evolution Brooke spent two summers in New York City auditioning, taking acting classes, dance and voice lessons.  At 12, she made the big move to Hollywood where she lives now.
–Stephanie Sorenson (Brooke’s Mom), AOS Parent

Series Regular on Mr. Iglesias (Netflix, with Gabriel Iglesias). Guest Star on 9-1-1: Lone Star (FOX), FBI: International (CBS), Criminal Minds (CBS), and Austin & Ally (Disney Channel).
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In August 2015 Max and Griffin participated in Talent Inc.  We enrolled the boys in the Talent Inc. program though Kamber Hejlik’s Acting Out Studio in Charlotte, NC. Griffin, who won Overall Child Actor at Talent Inc., was signed by Osbrink Agency in Los Angeles and is now also represented by Carson Adler in NYC and managed by RSA Talent in LA. Talent Inc. literally changed Griffin’s life. The experience gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams.  In addition to several roles in the southeast, Griffin has worked with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and an amazing ensemble comedic cast in the upcoming Netflix movie The Week Of and recently just got to work with Ralph Macchio as his on-screen son in eight episodes of Cobra Kai with talks of expanding his role in upcoming seasons. Griffin is growing as an actor and continues to get positive feedback from casting and producers. In fact, Griffin has three auditions tomorrow.  As a parent, I am incredible grateful for his preparation by Kamber and his experience at Talent Inc.
–Kathy Santopietro (Max and Griffin’s Mom), AOS Parent

Max Santopietro is known for his Guest Star roles on Dexter: Original Sin (Showtime) and FBI: Most Wanted (CBS), his recurring role as Michael Murphy on FBI (CBS), and his theatrical work in the national tour of the Tony Award–winning musical Kimberly Akimbo

Talent Inc. March 2015
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Matthew went out to LA to meet with agents and managers. He had 9 meetings and all 9 offered him representation on the spot. He signed with Milton Perea, AEFH Talent and Danielle Lenniger, Luber-Roklin Management. That summer Matthew booked a student film, a regional commercial and a National Commercial for “GameFly” – a video game service like Netflix.  After the summer of 2016, Matthew went back to NC to start high school, but the second semester we moved to LA for him to continue auditioning. He booked 2 more student films, a Disney Summer of Service Commercial, a Children’s Hospital Commercial and was a featured extra on Modern Family. He has auditioned for a lot of great roles, received call-backs and made it to producer sessions. He’s told us he’s never leaving LA. He’s found his place.
–Marion White (Matthew’s Mom), AOS Parent

Guest Star on NCIS: Origins (CBS), Criminal Minds (CBS), Modern Family (ABC), and The Young & The Restless (CBS).
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Acting Out Studio has allowed me to gain valuable experiences at a young age. Through my years at Acting Out, I have been exposed to all of the aspects of film including acting, directing, scriptwriting, and cinematography. Kamber and the instructors at Acting Out have been a huge inspiration to me and have helped me make my decision to pursue filmmaking as a career and I cannot thank them enough.
–Holden Scott, AOS Student

Founder, songwriter, and frontman of Modern Alibi (Charlotte alternative rock), rhythm guitarist and vocalist known for high-energy live performances and a growing regional following.
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Ivan and I continue to be awed by the support and education we have both received from Acting Out Studio.  Despite Ivan’s passion and aptitude for acting, we both agree that he would not be in LA right now without everything Acting Out Studio has gifted him with.  The classes, workshops, coaching and “extras” like The Actees have been incredible. But even more important has been the emotional support and encouragement that everyone at AOS has generously provided.  I’ll second Ivan’s statement that you genuinely care for your students beyond any mere business relationship.

You’ve supported us through our beginnings in the acting industry and we will truly NEVER forget the role that everyone at AOS has played in helping Ivan pursue his acting career.  Ivan often gets compliments about his preparedness and the tools he uses at auditions. Not only have you taught and prepared Ivan well but you have been an incredible source of support for me.  You have prepped us both so well for the next stages of his adventures in acting and we’ve made some life-long friends with AOS and a few of the families we have met there. This is a crazy business but the education and support has helped us maintain our sanity and patience. Kamber, you are amazing and you have built an acting studio that reflects that.  Simply expressing “thank you” does not come close to conveying our gratitude for the connections you made for Ivan and his LA meetings. Getting interest from all of the agents and managers we met with was almost overwhelming but gave us the confidence that we would be well-represented with any choice we made. The excellent respect you have earned with your contacts in LA were essential to us getting these meetings.  No one else can take any credit for opening those doors to us. Ivan now has what we believe to be the best team of representation here in LA.
–Lynn Kera (Ivan’s Mom), AOS Parent

Series Regular on PEN15 (Hulu Emmy-nominated series) and School of Rock (Nickelodeon). Also appeared in Law & Order: SVU (NBC).
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Jared has been at Acting Out Studio for 4 years. The training he receives there has helped him grow as an actor and as a person. He began in the acting program but transitioned to Improv with EB after the first year. He loves doing Improv with AOS and Teenage Handbook! Improv has helped with his performance freedom, character development, and ultimately his auditions. AOS is not only his acting school, they are his family.
– Jeff Staley (Jarod’s Dad), AOS Parent

Appeared in Overcomer (Feature Film), Homicide Hunter (Investigation Discovery), and Halt and Catch Fire (AMC).
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