Our Actors work in Major Film + Television Projects in LA

DanielLaiDaniel Lai

Acting Teacher

Daniel K. Lai is a native San Franciscan with 15 years of acting experience throughout the Bay Area on stage and screen. An educator and visual/performing artist, he got his first start doing musicals with Young People’s Teen Musical Theater Company shortly after doing a high school production of “Evita.” He then went on to get his B.A. in Drama from San Francisco State University.

In addition to having studied the First Take method under Nancy Berwid for the last nine years, he has trained in a variety of disciplines, including On-Camera acting, Shakespeare, Alexander Technique, Dance, Suzuki movement, Voice Building for Musical Theater, Voiceover, Accessing Emotions, Improv, Sitcom, Monologues, at several schools including A.C.T., The Voice Factory, Full Circle Productions, & City College.

Theatrical accolades include winner of “Best of Fringe” for Boathouse & Co.’s “Lost & Found in the Mission,” “Best Show” for West Valley Light Opera’s “Flower Drum Song” & ERMA nominations for “Best Actor” of the same name, in the role of Wang Ta. The films “Kilo” and “Caos & Consequences” were officially selected for national film festivals. He also co-starred in the TV show “L.A.F.U.” with Danny Bonaduce.

Being a SAG-AFTRA member, having directed for stage (“Beirut,” “The Grind, The Mud, The Submission, & The Blessing”) and screen (“Grand Canyon,” “Symmetry”), as well as having a Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language with which he teaches performing arts in academic settings, Daniel has a passion to pass on what he knows to all of his students, including his heart as a performer, and his respect for & love of the craft of acting.