Sheila Gray

Since 1990 Sheila Gray has run an independent acting studio based in New York and Los Angeles. In NY she teaches weekly group classes and intensive workshops. In LA she teaches Intensive Acting workshops 4-5 times a year. Sheila also teaches in Berlin twice a year. She also teaches in London, Madrid, Mexico and South America as well. 

Sheila coaches clients privately for theatre, film, television and a wide range of special projects. Her clients range from actors, singers, dancers, models and comedians to rappers, public figures and on-air personalities.  Though she works with many well-established actors, for example: Hannah Einbinder, Kali Reis, Rachel McAdams, Kyra Sedgwick, Alicia Silverstone, Lupita Nyong’o, Riz Ahmed, Taylor Kitsch, Mariska Hargitay, Jason O’Mara, Julianne Nicholson, John Slattery, William Mosely, Max Beesley, Lily-Rose Depp, Gina Gershon, Michael Gandolfini, Lilli Simmons and Gabriele Scharnitzky to name a few.  Sheila is renowned for her ability to develop less experienced performers by giving them a strong and enduring foundation and technique.  She has also helped established personalities with little or no experience as actors to make a successful career transition into acting.  

Sheila worked as an actress for 15 years in NY, LA and abroad. She began teaching for Sandra Seacat in 1992, and by 1993 had found her true calling.  Developing her own hybrid approach fusing method techniques, improvisation and dream work with original exercises and material, she turned to teaching full time.  

That same year acclaimed casting director Ellen Chenowith hired Sheila to be the pre-production and on-set coach for Robert De Niro’s directorial debut “A Bronx Tale” Sheila has had the good fortune to work on many sets for various theatre, film and television productions, including: “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (Dir.Zach Snyder) “Spiderman” (Dir.Julie Taymor) “Michael Clayton” (Tony Gilroy)“20th Century Women” (Dir.Mike Mills) “Narnia: Prince Caspian” (Dir. Andrew Andersen, Disney Productions) “The Naked Brother’s Band”(Dir./producer Polly Draper, a Nickelodeon series) “The Transporter” (a Luc Besson Production) to name a few. 

Sheila’s clients have starred in a number of major television shows as well including: “The Deuce” “The Boys” “Thirteen Reasons Why” “Americans” “The Affair” “The Walking Dead” The Leftovers” “Nashville” “Divorce” “CSI” “ER” “The Sopranos” “SVU” “Mad Men” “The Closer” “The Royals” “Gray’s Anatomy” “Ozark” “The OA” “True Detective” 

Sheila’s clients also include individuals seeking to explore their own creative instruments and deepen and refine their capacity to express themselves imaginatively and emotionally.  She uses various forms of relaxation, dream work, imaginative, interactive and written exercises, and improvisation. This work can take place in creative group workshops and/or in private sessions as need and preference dictate.  

Please visit Sheila’s website for further details: www.sheilagraynyc.com 

“Sheila is a wonderful acting coach. She worked with all the actors on “A Bronx Tale. ” Sheila is able to prepare and rehearse the actors while keeping the scenes fresh and spontaneous. She was great to have on set. I am always happy to recommend her.” 

Robert De Niro-Actor/Director ‘Raging Bull’ ‘Taxi Driver’ ‘King of Comedy’ ‘Joy’ ‘The Intern’ ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ ’A Bronx Tale’ and many more 

“Sheila Gray is one of the best acting teachers and coaches working today. I always know when I send someone to her that not only will they have a great time, they will come out a better actor” Ellen Chenoweth-Casting Director ‘No Country for Old Men’ ‘Gran Turino’ ‘True Grit’ ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’ ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ ‘The Bay’ ‘Michael Clayton’