“I have worked with Angela for the past 3 years and I can't stress how much I have grown in the industry with her help. I understand the art more, as well as the business side due to her teaching. Angela has an eye for scripts in a way I have never come across before. She is so playful, intuitive, full of ideas, and able to bring the nuances we all experience in life into my tapes. Angela is my go-to person for any audition now. To bring to light how amazing she is, the first time I ever did a self tape with her I got pinned for the role and was very close to getting it. That was the first time I heard back from casting in a year. Currently I'm getting brought in for larger roles, hearing back more often, and I have even booked thanks to her help! Angela has been with me through many steps in my career and without a doubt she engages in auditions like no one I have ever seen before. I have never once left a taping session and not been proud of what we were able to create together. I can't recommend this brilliant woman enough! ”
— Daniel Paul Sampson
“I had not heard back from an audition in a year, and once I started working with Angela, I heard back from 2 right away! The environment in her self tape studio is so peaceful and comfortable, and I always feel at ease when working there. Angela is amazing at asking the right questions to help you unlock your best performance, encouraging listening and the practice of taking your attention off yourself. I love how she helps me to utilize the whole frame during self tapes, supporting a dynamic performance. I look forward to self taping now as Angela has helped me shape and shift my mindset on auditions. I’m excited to continue growing as I work with her, and I sincerely recommend Angela to anyone looking to bring their self tapes skills to the next level.”
— Meredith Rose
“I have worked with Angela for the past 3 years and I can't stress how much I have grown in the industry with her help. I understand the art more, as well as the business side due to her teaching. Angela has an eye for scripts in a way I have never come across before. She is so playful, intuitive, full of ideas, and able to bring the nuances we all experience in life into my tapes. Angela is my go-to person for any audition now. To bring to light how amazing she is, the first time I ever did a self tape with her I got pinned for the role and was very close to getting it. That was the first time I heard back from casting in a year. Currently I'm getting brought in for larger roles, hearing back more often, and I have even booked thanks to her help! Angela has been with me through many steps in my career and without a doubt she engages in auditions like no one I have ever seen before. I have never once left a taping session and not been proud of what we were able to create together. I can't recommend this brilliant woman enough! ”
— Jazlyn Wong-Lee
“A couple years ago, I was looking to get back into an acting class, and after the recommendation of a couple friends, I audited a class at The Lighthouse. I immediately understood the “language” Angela coaches with and signed up for scene study classes! Since then, I’ve taken a variety of Scene Study and Auditioning classes, as well as private audition coaching. When I was looking at classes, I didn’t want to do a “conservatory style” class setup where I moved through levels, as I plan for this to be a long-term path of training and I want to develop a consistent practice. Angela’s class style focuses more on the individual actor and what each person wants to work on, and explores that through different scripts, genres, and scene partners. The Lighthouse is unmatched when it comes to creating a safe space for artists to explore vulnerability, but still be pushed and challenged to grow. Angela has helped me to navigate the industry, sign with an amazing agent, and has given me many tools to confidently move forward in my career. I just recently booked my first Union job, largely with the skills I worked on in her auditioning class! I am immensely grateful I decided to audit that first class, and cannot wait to keep training at The Lighthouse!”
— Doug Sroka
“I came across The Lighthouse and Angela around 2 years ago. I hadn’t done any other training besides Acting School and whatever on set experience I had gained at the time; AND THANK GOD I FOUND THE LIGHTHOUSE! It’s very rare to find a coach that truly believes that your success is their success. She’s so invested in everyone’s growth and not just in your career but also personal. Training with her has made me a more confident, playful and ambitious actor. I will forever be thankful to Angela for opening my eyes to Theatre and showing me things about myself that I didn’t think I possessed before. And for creating such a positive and nurturing environment, I have met some of my closest friends at The Lighthouse. She has managed to create a community of actors that celebrate and cherish everyone’s success. If you’re looking for someone to challenge you, to believe in you and to motivate you then Angela is really the one - with that said, I hope to see you in class!.”
— Pamela Estrada
“Before training at Lighthouse, I approached my work as if there was one right answer, intellectualizing every choice rather than feeling, than exploring. It was exhausting; it was a crippling amount of control and perfectionism. When I started working with Angela, I had to let go of that - the work we were doing required me to open myself up and allow discomfort. It was scary. It still feels scary, but it’s taught me what it means to exist within a given moment, moving through instinct and breath, and enjoying the game between my scene partner and I. This is a teaching that I now carry with me into every audition and rehearsal room, along with a growing capacity to embrace the energy that is uniquely mine. Beyond the work, The Lighthouse has introduced me to a beautiful community of artists with whom to continue trekking through this incredibly vulnerable industry.”
— Sof Álvarez Contal
“Coming to Lighthouse a bit over 2 years ago with little to no experience in film, I can confidently say I wouldn’t be where I am without Angela and the rest of this amazing team. I have learned to be confident in what I can bring to the table without feeling silly or embarrassed with the mistakes I make along the way. Not only that but they have created a community of many beautiful and diverse artists who are all equally passionate about their crafts. Thank you Angela and the Lighthouse family for creating a beautiful space for creativity.”
— Jasmine Ward
“ In the never ending search for meaning and truth in acting, Angela is one of the few teacher/coach/director/actor/mentor/humans I’ve worked with who delicately and impulsively exposes raw impulses. I always learn in class whether I’m in front of the camera or just observing. Predominantly a theatre actor, I had little experience in the onscreen side of the craft and business. Angela has been an integral part of my growth and development in this area and the technical elements involved. I started taking on camera audition classes before I’d found the right agent for myself. This allowed me to practice and ride out the experience of being uncomfortable working from a new angle where I felt incredibly out of my depth. Angela’s thoughtful guidance supported my growth through the work in the soft way growth can and should be in these training environments. It is because of Angela I approached the agent I am with today and working in the industry. I highly recommend taking classes at the lighthouse acting studio.”
— Ziska Louis
“Since taking classes at the lighthouse, I’ve learned so much about my process, my fears and my strengths. Angela has incredible insights when working on scenes and specially when choosing a material for you! It’s a superpower! Haha I am very hard on myself and working with Angela makes me feel comfortable to make mistakes, explore and have fun. I got reminded of what it is to “play” and feel more confident with my art! Not to mention I have booked my first two roles on film/tv since starting classes with her!! Thank you Angela, I’m so grateful for you and the lighthouse!”
— Raíssa Souto
“I have had the pleasure of training with The Lighthouse team since 2021, and it has been a truly joyful and career-changing experience.
Angela is an outstanding mentor to all of her students, and she has fostered a safe and accepting environment where actors are free to explore and claim their space.
She sees everyone for their boundless potential and will know exactly how to take you to the next level. Her emphasis on preparation, play, and technique makes for a wonderfully balanced and transformative class. Whether it’s Audition Prep, Theatre, or On-Camera Scene Study - you will leave each session with a new understanding of yourself as an artist, and of the industry as a whole.
I am so grateful for these classes and the wonderful group of humans that are part of this ever-supportive community. I cannot speak highly enough of this fantastic team of coaches ””
— Arija Martindale
“Word on the street buzzed about one Angela Besharah. In a very uncertain April 2020, an audition landed in my inbox and I found myself reaching for a process that I was struggling to claim as my own. That mixed with a lot of self-doubt and fear. One zoom coaching later and I woke up to the work and knew from then on I'd work with Angela. I had blood flow and a mind full of ideas; Angela gave me ocean air and an anchor. She gave me the best view from the sea: a bright light as far as one could see and yet as close as the sparkle in an eye. And she showed me every possibility existed in between.
It’s no secret that I’ve made The Lighthouse my training ground. Whether it’s an on-camera or scene study session, Angela assigns strong material that’s timely, intuitive and transformative. When you work with Angela, you continue to meet yourself in a new time and space. So long as the training continues, there are new things to be found. And you will find them with Angela. I’ve watched in awe as her actors unblock, breakthrough and claim their power. She has shaped the safest space for us all to be brave. To be bold. And to be prepared. The number of times an audition has come through that mirrors the work in class is uncanny. If you’re thinking about taking a class, stop thinking and join the party! It’s one hell of a party. And shhh, don’t tell anyone, but the magic found in her care tends to stick around ;). Of the many things I am grateful to her for, I’ll name just one here. Because of Angela, I go to bed each night and wake up each morning not just thinking, but believing that I’m an Artist. ”
— Naomi Melvin
“Training with Angela has made me so much more comfortable in my own skin. It has changed the way I approach my work and allowed me to take my time and explore the world I'm trying to show. Working together with Angela has such a huge impact on my tapes and it just makes me feel safe and encouraged to take risks and even go for really bold choices I would never go for before! When we first started together I was lost and didn't know how to even approach getting an agent and getting seen, but once we had our career consulting meeting she helped me reforge my approach and helped me land my agent and set my career off.”
— Amit Divekar
“Where do I even begin!!!! Angela has tremendously helped me as a human and artist and has been a dream coach and mentor. She’s so intuitive that she can see your gifts, your talent, and who you are and invites you to expand on it by the characters she assigns you to play. Personally, they’re traits and capabilities I never saw in myself and every character she invites me to play and go wild in class - she taught me that it is inside me and that I am capable. One of the best lessons as an artist and human to learn. The thing is - she invites you to learn by getting you to play!!! And the lessons are in your body!!! They will literally be stored in your body and you can easily now access them for work and for auditions. She taught me how to access parts of myself I didn’t even imagine I even had and then use it. My strengths, my “ugly” parts - all of it - to use it. She works differently with everyone (in exactly the way you need at the time) in her magical way - I literally have no other word to describe it but magic - and truly if you are open and trust her so fully she will take you to where you wanna be and more. She will carry you, encourage you, and push you and build on every class/character you've explored - again as a team. Layer by layer. AND ALSO SHE’S ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HUMANS I’VE EVER MET. And the community she’s built under The Lighthouse Acting Studio - are made of many beautiful people. Angela will encourage you to shine in the way that only you can - and magically, universally - you'll start attracting opportunities effortlessly - by being who you are. I’m so grateful to have met her, to know her, and to continue the pleasure and freaking joy of working with her - she reminded me how wonderful it is to be an artist and to love doing what we do. So much love”
— Erika Nonato
“A close friend recommended Angela and The Lighthouse five years ago, and from the very first class it felt like home. Angela’s On-Camera classes were some of my earliest experiences in actor training, and she met me exactly where I was, without ego or judgment. She has a rare sixth sense for honing in on each actor’s specific needs, challenging us with a firm yet gentle hand while guiding us to electric, magical, and unexpected places.
She’s created a community where I’ve always felt safe, seen, and respected. Since meeting Angela, I’ve gotten my first agent, begun auditioning, and grown into a far more consistent and confident actor. Angela has been there every step of the way, from Zoom coaching to self-tapes to cheering on my wins.
Her more recent coaching helped me secure my dream agent, and her deep understanding of tone, nuance, and storytelling is why I call her for every difficult or high-stakes audition. I always know she will help me bring my best work forward while keeping me grounded, supported, and truly held.”
— Blythe Cronyn
“I first met Angela when she directed me in a play. We had some talented actors, but Angela’s direction and coaching always takes performances to the next level. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I started more consistently booking once I began working and studying with her. She brings out the best in every actor!”
— Leigh Bush
“Working with Angela and all the wonderful people at The Lighthouse has been one of the best things I could have done for my acting career. I found Angela when I needed a change from other acting studios I’d been with. I was low in confidence and had been taught that there was a “right” answer based on some academic metric, so I always felt my work was never good enough. Angela changed that for me and empowered me with the confidence to make my own choices and believe that bringing my unique perspective to roles was what would set me apart, not just having all the “right answers.”
I’m sure you’ve heard this from other testimonials, but it’s true when they say that The Lighthouse is such a welcoming space that makes everyone feel comfortable being vulnerable with each other and exploring their own truths within the roles they will be auditioning for. Angela is committed to her actors and to assigning thoughtful and relevant material for you to work on, which add valuable tools to your bag so that when you receive that audition and find yourself on set you will feel confident in your ability to navigate the process.
What I appreciate most about Angela is that she encourages you to take an active role in life, which, in turn, ultimately makes you a better artist. You will never be alone at The Lighthouse. Even outside of class this is a truly a community that cares about everyone’s’ growth. In an industry that is often full of those that believe it needs to be competitive, The Lighthouse reframes it as supportive, and you will find yourself rooting for all of your classmates success. Whether you are looking at acting as a new hobby or aiming to take the next step in pursuing it as a career, investing time with The Lighthouse will benefit you and yield rewards from all the hard work.”
— Daniel Griffin
“"From a recommendation to Lighthouse studios 3 years ago to first meeting Angela in one of her on-camera classes I knew instantly this would be my second home. I felt like I belonged. I felt like my craft deserved to be seen and guided with precision, love and care. I’ve found myself and embarked on new discoveries over and over again in these classes. But most importantly, I found trust in myself because of Angela's ability to create a safe space of wonder and exploration. She saw a young woman pushing to find her place in the industry, pushing to find meaning through art and was quick to guide me through it all. First class in, she offered to help find me an agent. She saw something in me, understood where I wanted the trajectory of my career to go, and encouraged me to continue my journey. Her check-ins, her genuine concern and her excitement when I reached a goal, whether it was finding an agent I was happy with, booking a role, or overcoming an emotional block in class; There was never a moment I felt judged or less than. From day one I’ve shouted from the rooftops begging actors to experience the magic that is Lighthouse Studios. I needed others to feel what I felt, to understand that magnetic and bewitching force that is Angela Besharah, a professional who cares deeply about her work, her students and her impact. I always felt safe, protected and challenged in classes which ultimately pushed me to be the actor I am today. I’m so incredibly grateful and honoured to have worked with Angela. With all the last-minute zoom one-on-one coaching sessions, advice, and encouragement, I have learned what it feels like to be appreciated, to feel proud of my work and to feel supported. Thank you for all you have done for me and thank you for helping me jumpstart my career in a way I never thought was possible."
— Malaika Hennie-Hamadi
“Someone told me once that if I was going to be an actor I needed a team of people around me that believed in me. From the moment I started training with Angela, I have felt like she’s been in my corner. I had avoided taking on-camera classes for fear of being told I wouldn’t ever be good enough or my look wasn’t right or that I needed to be someone other than myself to succeed. Walking away from each session with Angela I have felt so capable, so respected like everything I want for my life is entirely possible. Angela works with every single person from where they are on that day. She understands that it isn’t just about training actors, but about teaching people how to care for themselves. I feel like I’m in the driver's seat like I have a plan and a person that is really rooting for me. There is such a sense of safety that Angela brings to the room that has allowed me to bring more and more of myself to my work. To watch a person lead a space with compassion, abundance, and understanding at the forefront rather than scarcity, and fear of failure has been incredibly affirming. Here’s to leaning into our vulnerability, here’s to being ourselves.”
— Sierra Holder
“Working with Angela Besharah completely altered my approach to working in film. Coming from a background in musical theatre I truly appreciated Angela’s classes and private coachings. Not only was I being provided with active direction to elevate my work, but I was also being taught to understand the ins and outs of my industry as well as the importance of self-care as an artist. In my first class with Angela, I was asked what my goals were. As a trans non-binary actor, I’d always found it difficult to take class since for so many years the majority of them were gendered, but in this room the work was being tailored not only to the gender expressions I perform in my work, but to provide me with a skillset to make my goals realities. As someone who’s dedicated their career to their community and to pushing for more nuanced and intersectional queer representation, this was invaluable to me. Additionally, Angela has helped introduce me to and better understand so many of the different facets that make up our industry. From breaking down the function of a casting room, to the importance of observing the various roles on set, and even developing communication skills with agents – it’s opened opportunity not only because it’s helped me develop technical skills, but because it’s gotten me excited about the people that make up our industry and the possibilities we can create through collaboration. Finally, I absolutely have to mention the way Angela’s incorporation of self-care into artistic practice has shifted my abilities within my work. As a dancer and singer, I’m used to caring for my body as an instrument, but Angela helped me rediscover center as an actor because of the importance our classes placed on us as people. At the end of the day, we’re an industry that tells stories about people, but we as people are not industries and we cannot do our work to its fullest potential if we aren’t cared for. Angela has helped me instil compassion, patience, and love into my work in a way that I never expected and in a way that I know will stay with me for my entire career.”
— Heath V. Salazar
“When I first started acting I was looking for a judo space in the city. Angela has been that and more. The Lighthouse is a safe space for all actors no matter where you are in your career. Angela has a great way of making her students feel comfortable while also challenging them in unique ways. It’s always a delicate balance between pushing too hard and not pushing enough and I think Angela does a tremendous job in balancing both. I’ve grown so much since I started training at The Lighthouse Studio. I’m confident in my abilities and in what I have to say with my artistry. Angela’s way of teaching is very detailed and specific to You and what You need. Whether it was a scene study or an on-camera class, Angela was always detailed in what I needed in my work. She’s helped me jumpstart my career and has always been there when I needed her the most, whether it was going over class work, audition callbacks or helping me get an agent. I don’t know where I would be without her guidance, patience and encouragement. I’m constantly recommending The Lighthouse Studio to everyone I know because I can speak from experience on what it’s done for me and my career. Angela is the ONE and that’s on everything I love .”
— Emidio Lopes
“Coming from a theatre background I found it difficult to find my place in Film & TV. Anytime I was in front of a camera, my anxieties and fears took over and I either went so big that it was unwatchable or so small that I completely lost my personality. Angela was an integral part of my transition from the stage to the screen. She helped me understand how to translate my theatrical instincts for the camera and find the same ease and confidence that I feel on the stage.
The Lighthouse was the safe space I needed to work on my craft and step into my own. If you are struggling to feel comfortable in front of the camera, Lighthouse is the studio for you, because every minute you spend there is about you and the work. There’s no bullshit with Angela. No e-books to download. No mandatory workshops to pay for. No boxes she’ll shove you in. No fairy tales about guaranteed success if you follow her simple 8 steps to acting. She is simply there to help you connect to yourself through the material. You won’t find another class with as much value as this one. Aside from being a great instructor and coach, Angela is charismatic as hell and you’ll never be bored. I am so grateful for the time I’ve spent at The Lighthouse and the lifelong friends that I’ve met along the way.”
— Izad Etemadi
“Fresh out of Theatre School, I started training with Angela & The Lighthouse Team. I was terrified of the film/tv industry, to say the least. Everything felt so secretive, and trying to find a way "in", especially with a theatre background, felt absolutely impossible. The Lighthouse was literally my guiding light. My newfound community soon became my second family. I now had a resource for industry info & inner workings, learned how to shift my theatre training for the camera, honed my audition technique, made friends, got career advice & to top it all off, some personal support & guidance on overall performer health.
Flash forward - it's been 3 years and a half, and in that time I've landed an agent, built up my resume with film/tv credits & became a full member of ACTRA. Highlights from this year include The Umbrella Academy, the new CBC show Sort Of, and a leading role in the CBC Gem series, True Dating Stories.
Beyond the practical film/tv training, what I will be forever grateful for is the sheer encouragement from the team. The freedom & safety to fail and enjoying it! Support with re-framing negative self-talk. Celebrating the wins, no matter the size. A community that can relate and lifts me back up through the tough times. Thank you Lighthouse!
— Kayla Jo Farris
“We all know it takes hard work and a little luck to thrive in our industry - but it’s also crucially important to have mentors you can trust. Angela and the Lighthouse Studio have provided that support and guidance for me for the past several years now. Always from a place of love and respect, Angela was able help me get rid of bad acting habits, emote in healthier ways, and get a better sense of the industry from a business perspective. Her classes and taping sessions are also a guaranteed good time! With the help of the studio, I’ve managed to book a number of roles, including my first starring role in CBC’s new series, Moonshine. Her self-scripted classes also helped me gain confidence as a writer! I’m proud to say I’ve landed my first professional writing credits in the past year, and TLH played no small part in that.”
— Alex Nũnez
“Meeting Angela has been the catalyst I needed. Seriously I was stuck. Two years of the occasional audition and the constant struggle of what do I do next? How do I do it? I finally broke down and phoned a friend and basically outright said “honestly I don’t know what to do at this point, what should I be doing?!” To which she said “take a class” and she passed Angela’s name on to me. I started class the next Thursday.
It was the pivot I needed. Four months into working with Angela, I landed an agent. I stayed in class, kept working on figuring out how to stretch and be more and more me. It started to show in my auditions… and fast forward a few more months I finally booked a role in a short through the CFC, and then a commercial, and then another short. I got enough credits and literally as of last week joined ACTRA. The snowball effect is in full force. Working with The Lighthouse has been the key I needed to finally get the engine started. Remember no one does this alone, reach out, find that place where you know you can make mistakes and learn from them. For me it’s TLH. ”
— Devin Ross
“Training at The Lighthouse has shifted my relationship with the craft entirely. I've done A LOT of training throughout my career. From theatre school to master classes but something about Angela's space just clicked. I think what's so unique about her process is that she goes into the work with absolutely no ego, despite her impressive resume. She’s patient, kind and mentors with a mindful eye. She takes particular care in who we put forth within our work and constantly reminds us to be kinder to ourselves. Put it into the work, let all the insecurities, doubts, experience at THIS moment connect you into the world. It helped ground me and it gave me permission to honour how human my experiences are. The Lighthouse was everything I was missing spiritually in my process and connecting with it has been an absolute game changer. It became a safe space for me to restart from ground zero and honestly, I've never felt freer. For the first time in a long time, my curiosity has peaked and acting has become fun again. It’s funny how everything else just happens to fall into place.”
— Christine Nguyen
“I started working with Angela and then The Lighthouse about five years ago and am endlessly thankful I ended up in that space. I’ve taken both Angela’s on-camera and scene study classes while also coaching and taping with her consistently over these years. She is highly intuitive, honest, and driven to help her students achieve success. I’ve watched her work with so many of us, honing in on our individual needs, providing us with the tools we need to be thriving as actors. In my experience, when you meet Ange in the middle with your work and commitment, magic happens.
I’ll be a lifelong student of hers as, truthfully, she’s always felt like a secret weapon in this industry. She knows how to bring you out in your work while getting rid of any superfluous tics that prevent you from truly being seen. I appreciate that she brings us there with kindness, generosity of spirit, and her unwavering love for story.
I’ve recently booked two exciting gigs: an on-camera series lead and the other being a voice series regular role. Over the years, Angela has taught me how to shift my work depending on the tone, genre, and medium. I hear her voice when I’m prepping and am so thankful that I do. She’s shared her aptitude for limitless creativity while keeping it simple, grounded, and activated. Angela and the Lighthouse have given me the tools to feel confident and explore when auditioning, when on set, and in life. I’m excited to share this work as it comes out in 2022.”
— Tamara Almeida