Weist-Barron-Ryan, Acting Workshops, Casting

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About

Weist-Barron-Ryan Acting Workshops and Casting Directors is a 3rd generation family owned business, specializing in film acting, commercial acting and modeling. We have been located in South Jersey since 1980. With over 40 years of conducting business in the area, and as the NATIONS OLDEST school for on camera acting, we know how to navigate the industry and we can show you how. Our company has been known to hold the highest quality acting workshops this area has to offer. All of our instructors are industry professionals who are also currently working in the business. Our reputation precedes us as being honest, reputable and our success rate with actors speaks for itself. We are also the largest casting agency in the area, working on all types of projects from major motion pictures to television commercials to billboards and more. A few of our past projects can be seen on Netflix, cable television, and even the jumbotron in Times Square. We are members of the BBB, Garden State Film Festival, Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce and more. Our goal is to properly train performers in the business and supply them with all the tools and resources they need to be successful in this industry while simultaneously supplying productions with the talent, resources and information they need to make their project a success.

Stefanie Ryan-Manhim, President

Stefanie Ryan-Manhim is the 2nd generation of WBR and served as VP for 25 years, during which time she developed the casting department of WBR from the ground up. A few of her casting credits include Rocky V, Sex in the City, The Nanny, Warrior, Jersey Girl, Bruised, Clerks III as well as countless other projects that can be seen on Netflix, Lifetime, National Geographic, Comcast NBC Universal, Lionsgate, and more. She has been President of WBR since 2018. As an actress, Stefanie has been in numerous films, commercials and TV shows since early childhood, starting with Wonderama in NYC and continuing with projects including one of her leading roles for Nickelodeon's TV series The Block. Stefanie often serves as a liaison between productions and both state and local governments, due to her wealth of knowledge and experience. She has also helped construct the film tax incentives for the State of NJ and assists in building the infrastructure to support the growing film industry, as tasked by the governor's office. Being constantly at the top of the film industry for many years, she has extensive knowledge for all things acting, casting and film making. Stefanie also teaches workshops and does pageant consulting. Many of her students have gone on to do national commercials, major stage performances, major film roles, television series , and more.


Quinn Showell, Vice President

Growing up at Weist-Barron-Ryan (our 3rd generation), Quinn has been surrounded by all aspects of show business. His own career began at age 5. His accomplishments as an actor include several national & regional commercials, TV shows & major motion films. His commercial acting roles include Philadelphia Phillies, The Scooter Store and One Stop Car Audio. He also appeared on the Network TV Show "Hack" starring David Morris, National Geographic, and made regular principal appearances on national TV shows, radio, theatre and lead roles in over ten films. He has studied the performing arts, as well as public speaking on both East & West coasts. Quinn now heads our casting department and has held the title of WBR's Vice President since 2018. Since Quinn has spearheaded the casting department, he has cast over 100 productions consisting of commercials, films, print work, industrials, reality TV, trade shows/models, spokes models and fashion models. A few notable projects are Bruised starring Halle Berry (Netflix), Death Saved My Life starring Meagan Good (Lifetime), and most recently cast principal roles for Kevin Smith's Clerks III (Lionsgate) and Ocean Casino Resort which showcases our models on television, billboards, online media AND the jumbotron in Time Square! Quinn's favorite aspect of the industry has always been the personalities that make this job so interesting. He looks forward to continuing the growth of our casting department as well as instructing fresh faces and helping them succeed in this wonderful industry.


Lada Doukhnai, Executive Assistant

Lada has had a love for acting since she started at seven years old. Performing with local theater companies over the years, she has grown to realize that acting and sharing art with people is her passion. This is her second year working at Weist-Barron-Ryan. She also has experience as a Production Assistant on several film sets. Lada graduated from Oakcrest High School in June of 2019 and has had leading roles in a number of musicals. She has also had the privilege of traveling around the country with Oakcrest’s Select Choir while competing in various music festivals. She recently graduated from Atlantic Cape Community College as a NJ Stars student, and is now attending Stockton University.


Denise D'Ascenzo - Commercial Acting Teacher

Denise is an actress and associate producer. Denise played a supporting role in the film ‘Voiceless,’ winner of the 2015, Northeastern Film Festival’s Best Film, Best Narrative Film and Audience Choice Awards. As a series regular, Denise plays, Norma, in ‘The Book of Nimrod,’ winner of the 2018, Philadelphia Independent Film Festival for Best Web Series and a supporting role in ‘Offstage Elements’ winner of two awards in the INYFF Film Festival and the 2019 Platinum Award in the Worldfest Houston.


Mike Lemon - Film Acting Coach

Mike has been involved in the industry for 40 years, which includes 30 of those years as an accomplished casting director. He’s worked closely with Weist-Barron-Ryan and it’s founder, Ursula Ryan, from it’s beginning, and continues as an instructor for the film workshops offered at WBR. Famous projects Mike has worked on include, but is not limited to, 12 Monkeys, Fallen, Unbreakable, In Her Shoes, Signs, The 6th Sense, Philadelphia, Oceans Eleven, and has won multiple awards on his own short film, ‘Touched’.


Karen Kuhrt - Improv Teacher

Karen has always had a love for acting. She has appeared in Mysteries At The Museum, Evil Lives Here, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Fosse/Verdon, Succession and many other TV and film productions. Karen often performs as a solo musician and is a joyful member of the Saint Peter’s Praise Band in OC. Karen has studied acting and improv in NYC at Penny Templeton Studio, The Upright Citizens Brigade and The Magnet Theater. She looks forward everyday to continuing her journey as an actress and teacher.


Luis Arroyo Jr. - Talent Career Coordinator

I began my acting career in 2019 while 1st attending Weist-Barron-Ryan of NY. While there, I successfully completed their TV Commercial Acting and Film classes. Within three months after completing my first film class, I booked a role on a commercial, landed a principal role on a TV Pilot and booked a featured role on one Major Hollywood film directed by and starring Hollywood icon, Halle Berry. Having such a deep passion for this industry, I am continuing to pursue more on-screen work. I am also an experienced Job Developer, Employment Specialist and Career Counselor with over 25 years of experience. With my extensive knowledge in career development as well as show business, I strive to help others make their dream a reality.


Barry Godin

Film Acting/Audition Technique Coach
​Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, Barry Godin has proved countless times how his creativity and business savvy have propelled him to the top of the visual entertainment industry, from casting director and talent management to set design and decoration. Godin is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and has studied at the University of Virginia, Pratt, New York University and the School for Visual Arts as well as under NY acting teachers, Bill Esper, Terry Knickerbocker, Uta Hagen and William Hickey. His management company has placed young actors and models with top firms in New York and Los Angeles as well as on the cover of major fitness and exercise magazines.


Ready to Jump Start Your Acting Career?

Weist-Barron-Ryan offers acting workshops to students of all levels and casting opportunities for experienced actors.
To apply, fill out the following registration form. You will be contacted after with more information.
This form also gets you access to our Casting Portal!
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Services

Workshops

INSTRUCTION-PRACTICE-EXPOSURE
These three elements in one environment have made our workshops the most effective in the country and have made the Weist-Barron-Ryan name synonymous from coast to coast with quality instruction in On-Camera acting.

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Casting (For Talent)

Weist-Barron-Ryan is a professional full-service casting company, casting talent as principals & extras, union & non-union, in all types of productions including films, commercials, web/media content, industrials, print work, voice overs, theatre and live events

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Casting (Production)

Weist-Barron-Ryan is a professional full-service casting company, casting talent as principals & extras, union & non-union, in all types of productions including films, commercials, web/media content, industrials, print work, voice overs, theatre and live events.


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Tool Box
Video Services
Video Demo Reels

Photo Services
Headshots, Full Lengths, Character Shots, etc.

Audio Services
Audio Demo Reels

Resume Building
Need help with your professional acting resume?
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Check out this location walkthrough of our studio in Galloway, NJ! In addition to our high quality equipment, we have plenty of space to host workshops, showcases, casting calls, and so much more!

Jameel Saleem

Screen Writer

Seth Green ― Actor

Alumni, Seth Green, talks about how he got his start in the acting industry with Weist-Barron-Ryan

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