Harvard business school uses real case histories to teach law, and Kinsella Theater Group Artistic Director Steve Kinsella believes that to become skilled at theater, you do theater. Kinsella accordingly uses Broadway shows to teach Broadway skills.

Beginning the eighth season of bringing his educational program to Brentwood, Kinsella continues to challenge young performers in the professional-level classes he teaches. “I believe there is too rampant an attitude among younger actors that they’ll get discovered some day by someone and become a star.” In Kinsella’s experience, success is a result of being prepared when opportunities present themselves.

It used to be that agencies and production companies would sign young actors and school them in how to perform for the camera or stage. That has all changed. Aspiring actors must now show up with the skill-sets already in hand.

Kinsella has helped numerous actors of all ages secure representation by true talent agencies, get college scholarships, national tours, industrial movies, voiceover work, TV shows and more.

Represented by the STARS agency for more than 15 years, Kinsella demands much from his private and group-session students, but all confirm that first, he shows them how to do it.

Brentwood Teen Theater Saturday sessions have much to offer the potential young performer: intense training for singing, acting, acting for the camera, voiceover, college auditions and, of course, musical theater.

The next training session, beginning Saturday, Nov. 19, features the show “Bye Bye Birdie.” Performances are scheduled for Jan. 28 through Feb 5, 2012. For more information, visit www.brentwoodteentheater.com or call 925-516-9009.