Executive Team
Our Coaches
Originally from the Scottish Highlands, Mark Coulter is a dynamic and talented actor, podcast host and industry professional with a wealth of film, theatre and entrepreneurship experience in the US and International arenas. He has landed key roles in a vast array of film and theatre productions in England, Scotland and the US. Mark has trained extensively in the Meisner Technique both at the Actors Studio in New York and New York’s world-famous Neighborhood Playhouse during a 15-year period there, training with prominent US industry mentors. He holds a BA in English & Drama from Leeds University and is Founder & CEO of his own events company now based here in San Diego. Mark’s worldly expertise, inspiring energy and wonderful heart make him a welcome addition to the AWS family.
Rob Dey’s strongest passion in life has always been acting. He graduated from O’Farrell School of the Creative and Performing Arts and has starred in many films and pilots such as: What’s the Vig, Sons of God, The Associates, Guardian’s Whisper, Trinity, Social Suburbia, and The Replacement, among others. Rob worked with Dianna Agron in the film Skid Marks, and was also in the investigative Discovery Channel TV movie, Lore: Deadly Obsession. Rob starred in the short film Back To You, which was in the top ten Best of San Diego 48 hour film festival out of 75 short films. He has also hosted and interviewed some of the top writers, celebrates, and producers for an online entertainment show. Rob has been playing guitar since the age of 14 and is also accomplished in martial arts, boxing and Muay Thai.
Kierron Molet is a dynamic working actor and industry professional with a track record of success. In 2022, Kierron last year WON the 48 Hour Film Festival Award for Best Actor. Kierron and fellow AWS Actress Julia Rogozhkina both starred in the Short Film “There Will Be Soup,” which was selected and screened at the 2023 CANN Film Festival in France. Kierron’s expertise, energy & caring heart are a great addition to the AWS Family.
Holly Hood is a dedicated and passionate advocate of acting and performing arts. Holly has been immersed in the world of acting since the young age of five, igniting a lifelong love affair with the stage and screen. She has stared in many musical theater productions here in San Diego. Embracing acting as her full time career, she has seamlessly transitioned from the stage to the world of screen acting, landing her several roles in film. She is also actively engaging in improv classes and lending her skills to live improv performances. Holly’s genuine care for her students and colleagues is undeniable, and her nurturing approach creates an environment where growth is not only encouraged but celebrated. Her passion and commitment to her craft and her genuine dedication to the growth of her students and peers make her a great addition to the AWS Family.
Matt Weiss is a dynamic actor (AEA/SAG-AFTRA) and industry professional with a track record of success in all arenas of Film, TV & Theater Acting. His Film & TV credits include the TV Shows: Jessica Jones (Marvel/Netflix), Blacklist (NBC), Manifest (NBC), Shades of Blue (NBC), Elementary (CBS), the feature film Goodland, among others. He has also worked on projects for ABC and HBO. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting and has major New York and regional stage credits. His wealth of experience also includes TV Production, Music, Entertainment Management & Technologies (Technical Lead for Digital Screenings at the Sundance Film Festival).
Stephen studied acting in both Texas and California, receiving his BA in drama from Point Loma Nazarene University. He is a long time member of SAG. He has worked as a producer, director, and actor for over twenty years. His TV credits include roles in Veronica Mars, Desire: Table of Three, Tremors, The Invisible Man, 18 Wheels of Justice, and a national Levis Straus commercial. A few of his recent movie credits include Two Foreign Guys and How I Met the Lady from the Lake. His many credits on stage include Doody in Grease, Tony in West Side Story, Curly in Oklahoma, Peter in The Diary of Anne Frank, and Thoreau in The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail.
Yolanda Franklin is a working actress with broad experience in Film, TV and Stage, including off-Broadway in New York City. She is a nine-time Craig Noel Critic’s Circle award winner for both acting and directing. She is also a recipient of the ACT award for best actress, San Diego BRAVO award and a union member of the Actors Equity Association. When she is not acting or directing, Yolanda enjoys coaching both Junior and adult actors, and helping them move forward in their careers.
Fascinated by story-telling in all it’s forms since he was a wee lad, David Wagner has been writing, drawing, acting, directing and creating his way through life for several decades now. David has extensive experience in both Film and Theater, including acting in lead roles for many Movies and Plays, and Directing for both Film and Stage. Mixing intense study with 20 years of practical experience, David brings tremendous preparation and creativity to his coaching, and finds numerous ways for his eager students to be challenged and grow!
David has been a professional actor for over thirty years, and received his MFA from the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. He has over performed in over 60 plays and has several voice-over and film credits. David has been a bi-coastal actor, living in both LA and NYC, and has worked at regional theatres across the country. David currently coaches acting, voice, speech and dialects. David just completed work at the Globe on the world premiere musical “RAIN,” and will be working on ten productions this year at the Globe.
Guest Instructors
Dean Fronk is the head casting director of Pemrick/Fronk Casting. Over the past 15 years, Dean has cast over 320 projects ranging from feature films, MOW’s, and television series. Specializing in family entertainment, PFC has done many films for the Lifetime Movie Network and the Hallmark Channel. Dean has worked with young talent the likes of Shia LaBeouf, Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johanssen, Haley Joel Osment and Josh Hutcherson. Dean Fronk also has a prolific teaching and speaking career. He focuses on audition technique and helps build confidence and success for actors everywhere.
Ricki Maslar is a successful casting director and producer with over thirty years of experience in the entertainment industry. As a casting director, Ricki has worked on both Studio and independent films. She has over a dozen feature films, short films and TV series she is working on in 2015. Her actor-friendly philosophy has earned her high praise from actors and colleagues alike, yet Ricki says she is simply living and working by the ‘golden rule.’
Lisa Zambetti cast for the long running CBS hit show “Criminal Minds” and casts for various film projects as well. Lisa is also known for her casting work on such TV projects as The New Normal, Prime Suspect, and Private Practice. In film she has worked on a wide spectrum of features, from Rise of the Planet of the Apes to various Indie films.
Mark Sikes began his casting career in 1992 for Academy Award-winning filmmaker Roger Corman. In the past 20 years he has cast over 100 films and several television series, commercials and web series. He has cast projects for top directors such as Tobe Hooper, Mark Jones and Luke Greenfield, as well as many others. Over the years he has worked with talent such as Dennis Hopper, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Michael Madsen, Ron Perlman and Roy Scheider. Mark has an extensive background in family films, horror, action, science-fiction, comedy and drama.
Paul Weber is one of Hollywood’s most respected Casting Directors. His keen eye for talent and ability to cultivate and sustain lasting relationships within the entertainment community has made him one of the most sought-after experts in his field. Paul has over 20 years of experience within the casting profession, and has worked with major studios and networks on numerous television series and features. Most recently he worked with MGM as an in-house casting director. Paul’s experiences and unique knowledge of the acting and casting professions help actors in their journey to fully realize the great potential that is within the grasp of any true aspiring artist.
Terry Berland comes from a strong New York advertising agency background, including casting for J. Walter Thompson, Young and Rubicam and served as Head of Casting at BBDO/NY Worldwide. Terry headed the commercial division of Liberman Hirschfeld Casting in Los Angeles (Seinfeld, Larry Sanders Show, Grace Under Fire) which lends to her strong comedy background. Terry has been instrumental in the process of launching many talent careers. She has been an adjunct faculty member of the Lee Strasberg Institute and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy of New York.
Mark Paladini has been casting in New York and Los Angeles since 1987. His casting credits include the feature films Closing the Ring, The Mask, Mortal Kombat, Mr. Nanny, and Disney’s Spy Hard. Television credits include Beverly Hills, 90210 and Babylon 5. Mark studied with Uta Hagen in New York for three years after receiving his BA in Drama from the University of Washington in Seattle. Mark performed professionally in film, television, Equity summer stock, dinner theatre and Shakespeare in the Park prior to his casting career. Before leaving New York, Mark directed commercial auditions for two years at Three of Us Studios where he studied commercial acting with Joan See.
Iris Hampton is most well known for her many years casting the number one rated TV series, Power Rangers. She loves to scout new talent and is especially on the lookout for her new Nickelodeon series, Deadtime Stories, based on the books by Annette Cascone. She continues to embark on new projects for all ages and recently completed casting two big feature films. Iris has solid relationships with the agencies in the business and has earned a great reputation throughout this industry with her honesty, good spirit, hard work and integrity.
Richard De Lancy & Associates is a talent management company, which represents professional Actors and Models with individual attention, integrity, and professionalism. They provide the industry with quality talent and give full priority to successfully meeting the needs of the various aspects of the entertainment industry. Based in Studio City, Richard De Lancy and Associates has prolonged success for more than 30 years. Their clients are constantly reading for top tier casting directors and booking Film, Television, Commercial, and Print.