"…because of the Centre for the Arts…because I helped give rise to it, initiate it…I painted it’s walls, took classes there, met friends there…it would ensue that while auditioning for a CFA Young Company play project, I was invited by the director to audition for a film he was casting next door…and I booked my first major lead in a feature film! I am forever grateful to the Centre for the Arts and what it stands for."

- Laura Jordan

"It’s so important to make Canadian films because the Americans will leave anytime they want and then what we will have to show for ourselves. I totally support what you’re doing. It’s completely needed. When you start from the ground up, there’s only one way to go. It’s important to bang the first nail in."

- William F. White

"You were very welcoming and honest with your comments. Thinking about all that you said, you make me want to be better and inspire me to work on my accents and confidence to push myself to set my goals at a better level in terms of tv & film work when I get here."

- Diana Chrisman

"It’s more than friends John, it’s family. That is what we’ve become. We share a sibling-ship that has been enriched over time…"

- Roy Lewis

"But I was thinking some acting teachers had a really negative impact on my very early days, being interested in a creative life, and you had a very positive one, I felt accepted and then fostered, and you’ve had a tremendous influence on and involvement in my life, creative… I remember when I started acting and took your class I did a scene from Swingers and I came into the scene from outside and my friend was on the floor under a couch and I pushed it off and lied under it and you told me i had great instincts, and now i’m trained and all my actors on the film will be highly skilled and i wonder how i can get these bastards to stop acting."

- Joey Klein

"John was sensitive to each actor, could give very specific suggestions—and was superb in teaching camera technique—something no other teacher I’ve had has even approached."

- Gina Stockdale

"Just a few words of appreciation from me to you. Thank you."

- Kat Hostick

"I really respect the kindness you’ve shown me and appreciate your patience. I hope we can work together soon."

- Alex Lee

"I was just reading over some of my past acting notes from your classes and laughed to myself because the last thing that I wrote was to stop writing anything down… which I have been doing for sometime, just living and experiencing. But having read it made me think of you and your classes and how much I enjoy them. I love how you give us actors confidence and freedom."

- Nikki Grant

"I feel like the Iconic Moment exercises are becoming rooted in people. Cores are becoming stronger and more versatile and flexible. Good to experience and to witness. It is good Kung Fu. (which literally translates to something along the lines of ‘achievement of a human being which takes time and dedication.’) The Intensive video: i think it represents the work well. its simple and unadorned but professional and attractive."

- Justin Tensen

"Thanks for all your energy, coaching, and spirit during our circa 100 hours together. I actually just came back from an audition this morning, and I can’t tell you how nice it was to feel more gathered… Nice to be reminded of the parts of the work. You could really see it resonating with people, and I felt it resonate too. Keep coaching, coach. We need to hear this stuff. You’re a big help to me — in clarifying more and more parts of this world, if we want to call it that. Just wanted to thank you for offering such helpful language and guidance."

- Vanessa Smythe

"And thanks John that means a lot coming from you. I am serious when I say this – your class really taught me a lot and I’m so happy I got to have more time with you in the summer class because the more I do it the more I am learning."

- Hannah Whitmore

"I just wanted to say thank you for your coaching the last 4 sessions. I learned a lot, and looking over my journal entries I did on the class, I’m proud of some of my growth.I am looking forward to learning more from you. Thank you for your insight and wisdom."

- Casey Assante

"John! pardon my French but….effin great class today! like Ive been so discouraged to continue acting for like four years and this is the first time I’ve felt alive. Your class is simple but I got so much out of it. Watching you work with other people is also fantastic! Thank you I got so much out of this and you may not know how this has motivated me."

- Tsholo Khalema

"Thank you for the feedback. Really wish I could have made it to the last class. You are a great coach and I look forward to working with you again."

- Duhin Nanda

"Thanks for your email John. I’ve been feeling my way through the work the last few weeks so it’s good to get some feedback. What you say about the sharp comments is so true–a young actor is so fragile, but it’s important to learn to separate your work from yourself. Hard to do when you’re told “use your self”, but I think it’s an important step to being able to survive in this business. The comment I made about not tying self-worth to the work or the outcome is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Exciting and tricky work indeed!"

- Lara Mrkoci

"I am working on a scene for a theatre audition, and I used the structural analysis that you described in class. It has really helped and I want to thank you. Also I appreciated the personal feedback you have me and I am trying to go in to everything clear and clean with no baggage and negativity. Now that I know how I sabotage myself I am aware of it for sure. Just a few words of appreciation from me to you. Thank you."

- Karen Skidmore

"Thanks so much for this morning. You were very welcoming and honest with your comments. I am looking forward to taking some classes with you when I get back and am settled. Thinking about all that you said, you make me want to be better and inspire me to work on my accents and confidence to push myself to set my goals at a better level in terms of tv & film work when I get here."

- Diana Chrisman