BIO

“Love The art in your self, not yourself in the art.” ~ Constantine Stanislavsky

My name is Jemal McNeil and my vision is an artistic church for actors called THE SANCTUARY. THE SANCTUARY is a non-judgmental space for actors to learn the history of acting, apply and understand technique, explore their craft, and take pride in calling themselves an artist. My mantra is.. 

“Create a life for the words to live.” ~Jemal McNeil

I have been an acting coach/teacher for film, TV and theater for over 25 years. Every time I am asked where I grew up, I always take a long pause, because I grew up everywhere. I started in upstate New York, then Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, then Virginia, then Washington DC. Because I grew up in all of these diverse places, it really gave me a sense of people and behavior. And what better playground for an actor than to be surrounded by all different types of people as well as behavior. I like coaching and teaching because I have always been more curious than judgmental, afraid, offended, or turned off. I always have the question of - the why? For instance, if someone is cruel and mean, I want to know why. If someone is very happy and jovial or in love, I want to know why. If someone doesn’t seem to care about anything, I want to know why. If someone is very emphatic in their beliefs or ideologies, I want to know why. I have to know - the why!?  For me, people do really make life much more interesting. Especially if you ask the right questions. I learned very young to understand the difference between a feeling and a fact. And this idea definitely serves me as an acting coach, teacher, artist and a person. I knew I wanted to be an entertainer by age 3, and I started performing professionally at 6. Throughout my childhood, I did a lot of theater and some television and film. By the time I reached my early 20’s, I began to move more into the television and film world. So, not only have I been coaching, but I also did some acting for television and film as well as theater and theater directing. I have been a part of this business my whole life and I proudly call myself an artist and dedicate my life to it. 

Breathe in the artist, and breathe out the civilian.~Jemal McNeil  

The teaching and coaching bug bit me during college. I was introduced to the beautiful world of teaching, coaching, and directing actors by the renowned Professor Vera J. Katz. And I have been teaching and coaching tv/film and theater ever since. 

“In this space there is no judgement, only freedom.” ~Jemal McNeil 

I actually love what I do and more than anything, I love bringing out… what I call ‘the fire’ inside of all of us. It’s important for me to give every actor a 5 to 10 minute free consultation, so I can truly assess what they need and make sure that I give it to them. Every actor needs something distinct, and I like to meet them exactly where they are. My private sessions or classes are specifically designed to give the actor what they need. Anything from an introduction or continuation of acting - in regards to your instrument, daily practice, memorization, approach to the work, technique application, character development, emotional prep techniques, styles, genre, etc… 

"Civilian nightmare or artists buffet?" 

Jemal McNeil

All classes will provide some or all of Stanislavsky’s six basic exercises, background history and references on the craft of acting, and my technique - artist/civilian. There are many ways/techniques to approach the craft of acting and I am all about giving that to each individual actor. Because we all need different things in different ways to tell our character’s stories.

Having been in Los Angeles for over 20 years, I have achieved success as an acting coach, actor and director from NAACP nominations, Ovation nomination, LA Weekly, Backstage, LA Times and others. I have coached a wide variety of artists and many to much acclaim.

Click HERE for video of Octavia Spencer discussing coaching with Jemal.

Taraji P Henson (Benjamin Buttons, Hustle and Flow, Hidden Figures and  Empire-Oscar nom-Golden Globe win) 

Octavia Spencer (The Help, Snowpiercer, and Hidden Figures-Oscar win and 2 noms),
 

ASAP Rocky (Dope & Monster)

Kendrick Lamar (Power)

Hidden Figures(on set coach for all three lead women - Octavia Spencer, Taraji P Henson and Janelle Monáe) 

Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson, Byron Davis(My Other Home)

Tiffany Haddish (Night School)

Tika Sumter (Bessie)

Christian Isaiah (Shameless)

Presiliana Esparolini (Sanctuary)

Margaret Avery (Proud Mary)

Chanel Iman (Dope)

Marcus Scribner (from Blacklish)

Mychal-Bella Bowman (Underground Railroad)

May May Ali (Steel Magnolias-theater-NAACP lead actress nom)

Rasheda Ali (John Wynn’s One Hour)

Jahi Winston (Proud Mary & Charm City Kings)

Jelani Winston (American Soul)

Kristopher Charles (A Welcome Home Christmas)

Eric Benet (Sanctuary and Snapped)

Priah Ferguson (Stranger Things)

Yara Shahidi (Blackish, The Sun Is Also A Star)

Demetrius Flenory, Da Vinchi, Ajiona Alexis, Kash Doll and more (BMF series - STARZ/on set coach) 

and more…

“In your choices lies your talent.” ~Stella Adler