Testimonials
She challenges you with kindness, intelligence and unwavering belief in your potential
Working with Leila has been one of the most transformative experiences of my career as an performer and as a theater-maker. Her teaching goes far beyond technique; she has the ability to create an environment where honesty, courage and genuine connection become possible, often within 5 minutes.
Through the Meisner technique, she has an extraordinary ability to see exactly what is standing in the way of truthful work. She doesn’t offer easy answers or shortcuts, but challenges you with kindness, intelligence and unwavering belief in your potential.
Leila also co-directed one of my dance-theater productions, and seeing her work as both an acting teacher and director with my dancers was incredibly inspiring. She has a remarkable instinct and talent for story, momentum, physicality and emotional truth. She asks difficult questions, always in service of the work, and has a rare gift for helping actors/dancers/ performers discover their power and use that into their work so that its feels authentic rather than performed.
What sets Leila apart is that she never teaches a formula. She teaches people.
She meets every actor where they are, while gently but fearlessly encouraging them to move beyond what feels safe. I have grown enormously under her guidance — not only as a performer/actor, but also in personal life.
I wholeheartedly recommend working with Leila to anyone who is serious about developing their craft.
— Susanna Kranenburg, dancer/choreographer and theater-maker.
Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced courses at the Meisner Studio Amsterdam
The safe and transformative space of the Meisner Studio have been truly inspiring
Leila, her way of teaching, and the safe and transformative space of the Meisner Studio have been truly inspiring. Time and again, I am happily invited to not fight, but appreciate our human nature and the beauty that lies in feeling, connecting, and expressing yourself. Fully. Limitations that have been placed on this creative and intuitive flow are noticed, embraced, and through guided practice they are then dissolved. And Leila is there every step of the way. I feel more free to play, to take chances, to be vulnerable and to show myself. These courses have also helped me to be and stay present. In class, during performances and in daily life.
I have fallen more and more in love with this craft, and actually also more in love with myself. But most of all, it’s just a lot of fun! This Meisner group of students has become like family, and is in itself a beautiful creative network of opportunity.
Forever grateful.
— Felicia Fabriek. Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced courses at the Meisner Studio Amsterdam.
Her classes have been life-changing for me
Leila is a wonderful person, actor, and teacher. She has a keen eye to see the real YOU under all the layers that you might have built up in your life experience, and very skillfully guides you to be the most truthful version of yourself and your characters. From my very first class I felt right at home with her and the beautiful community she’s built in Amsterdam. Her classes have been life-changing for me and I have grown so much both as an actor and as a person. I’m looking forward to more opportunities to work with Leila.
— Andrea Bravo, actor. Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced courses at the Meisner Studio Amsterdam.
I learned to trust myself, be present, and connect more deeply with my work
Rather than trying to shape you into someone else, Leia recognizes your strengths, your truth, and the qualities that make you unique. She has a remarkable gift for bringing those qualities to the surface and helping you express them with confidence. Through her guidance, I learned to trust myself, be present, and connect more deeply with my work.
— Paige. Foundation, Intermediate, and Acting for Camera courses at the Meisner Studio Amsterdam
I have grown as an actor
With over 30 years of acting experience and proficiency in various methods and techniques, I noticed during Leila Gray’s Meisner trial class that I was somewhat stuck in some habits. In particular, I noticed my tendency to provide rational solutions in acting situations. Now, that in itself is not a problem, and this ability can always be useful to draw on. However, her lessons, with her unique approach and guidance, have made my acting much more natural again. Leila has helped me step out of my comfort zone. During the concluding session, I noticed myself reacting much more spontaneously to my fellow actors, and that’s really great! I also see this reflected in feedback from directors, for example. Thanks to Leila’s inspiring lessons, I have grown as an actor, and I am immensely grateful for her expert guidance in that process.
— Robert Rosier, actor. Foundation and Intermediate courses at the Meisner Studio Amsterdam
Really helpful
The ten-week course was really helpful for me as an actor to get in touch with my own impulses and build connection with scene partners. It brought a new perspective for me to approach text. These are all amazing tools to have. It was a great introduction to the technique and I will definitely join the next level course.
— Amanda Lee, actress. Foundation course at Meisner Studio Amsterdam
I loved it!
Working with Leila was intense and exciting. She always found a gentle way to guide us. Practising the Meisner technique broadened my understanding of the exercise – I loved it!
— Bianca Radoslav, student, Berlin Cours Florent
It allowed me to rediscover my passion for acting
The intensive workshop led by Leila was a phenomenally positive experience. Leila created a safe, warm, supportive energy full of creative fire. It allowed me to rediscover my passion for acting and know that I can fulfill it.
— Agata Kosti, one-week acting workshop, now student at Studio Tambour, Berlin
Very valuable to me
Discovering the Meisner acting technique with Leila as a teacher was a spiritual journey and proved to be very valuable to me as an actress, and especially as a stage actress, in order to convey authentic emotions and connect with my scene partner.
— Anna Banica, student, Berlin Cours Florent
It taught me how to be alive and present again!
The course taught me how to be alive and present again! Thanks again for providing that space and the endless support for that to be possible.
— Goodarz Filsouf, actor and comedian, one-week acting workshop
Insightful
Your classes have been so insightful, exciting, and interesting and I can’t wait to work with you again!
— Carla Latz, student, Berlin Cours Florent