Testimonials
Jon Seda
“Rita Litton is a fantastic acting teacher who believed in me and helped me believe in myself!”
Jon Seda stars in NBC’s hit adventure series “LaBrea” as “Dr. Sam Velez.” Prior to that Jon was best known for playing Detective Antonio Dawson in NBC’s “Chicago P.D” which earned him “Best Actor-Television’ in 2019’s Imagen Awards . Jon has played Antonio in both “Chicago Fire” and the brief “Chicago Justice.” Credits include the HBO Emmy-winning miniseries “The Pacific” (Marine Sgt. John Basilone), Nelson Gonzalez in HBO’s New Orleans series “Treme,” NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and many films including “Selena” (as husband Chris Perez), and “Bullet to the Head” with Sylvester Stallone. Rita was also honored to teach Jon’s son Jon Jr. during a summer acting conservatory.
Daniella Alonso
“After starting her classes, I was getting callbacks. Rita slowly helps you develop into the person you’re supposed to be. The learning environment was awesome! In all my classes I felt safe and free to make mistakes. Now the scary audition process is not so scary. Rita prepared me to get into the commercial world, the audition world. It was such a positive experience!”
Daniella played ‘Cristal Jennings’ in season 3, 4 and 5 of the CW’s prime time soap opera “Dynasty.” Daniella has played series regulars on over nine series including “The Resident,” “The Fix,” “Revolution,” “Friday Night Lights,” “One Tree Hill,” and TNT’s series “Animal Kingdom.” Daniella has appeared in a number of horror films, including “The Hills Have Eyes 2,” and “Wrong Turn 2: Dead End.”.
Davi Santos
“After studying at the Professional Performing Arts Middle School and then La Guardia Arts High School, I have been inspired by many teachers who have been integral to my development as an actor, yet without question, Rita Litton was the most prominent force in the consolidation of all those skills and theories into a meaningful application for film and television. I’ve never encountered an on-camera class that came even close to what Rita offered. They are meant for immediate professional utility with creative integrity. She has sincerely invested in me as an actor and as a person, becoming more than a teacher but a mentor that has illuminated me across my career. Rita Litton is the artistic and industrial ideal.”
Davi recently starred as “Dr. Joey Costa” in the CBS medical drama “Good Sam.” Davi appeared as ‘Gabe’ in Kevin Williamson’s dark psychological thriller “Tell Me a Story,” on CBS-All Access. Davi played ‘Sir Ivan the Gold Ranger’ on TV’s “Power Rangers Dino Charge,” recurred on “Law & Order: True Crime,” and guest-starred on “Will & Grace,” “Kirby Buckets,” and “How to Rock.” He was a cast regular in the sitcom “Mr Box Office” for two years. Davi is also an accomplished screenwriter. His film “The Cure,” in which he also stars, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
Elizabeth Masucci
“You can take a million acting classes, but once you’re on camera, it changes everything. I had two scenes in a showcase. After the show, Abrams Artists Agency approached me. A few months later, I signed with them. I felt so lucky. My first audition with Abrams, I booked a commercial with Natalie Portman…. Rita and Abrams opened a lot of doors for me.”
Elizabeth Masucci starred with Ed Burns in TNT’s series “Public Morals,” as his wife ‘Christine,’ and was featured in “Shame” with Michael Fassbender. Upcoming films include “Second Act,” and “All About Nina.” Elizabeth is also an up and coming film writer, producer and director.
Jordana Brewster
“I went from knowing nothing about the business to bookings thanks to Rita. She prepared me totally for auditions. Her great technique will stay with me throughout my career. Training with her was a huge advantage!”
Jordana is internationally recognized as “Mia Toretto” in the ’Fast and Furious” feature films. Jordana played series regular ‘Maureen Cahill’ in the popular Fox-TV action drama “Lethal Weapon,” ‘Denise Brown’ in the FX mini-series “The People v. O.J. Simpson” on American Crime Story, and ‘Kate’ on ABC’s “Secrets and Lies.” Jordana appeared for three seasons as ‘Elena Ramos’ in the smash TNT TV series revival– “Dallas” starring the late Larry Hagman (of original “Dallas” fame.)
Pam Goldman
Rita’s classes are terrific. She has discovered, mentored and taught some of the brightest talents in the industry. I often refer my clients to her commercial and film classes, and after ten years of working together she has proven to be a warm and knowledgeable teacher. Great program!”
Agent A3 Artists Agency
Ariel Reid
“I learned so much about acting, but also about overall presentation of myself.. Rita really is an amazing resource. I don’t think I’d be where I am without her.”
Ariel’ Broadway credits include the long running, Tony Award winning musical “Spamalot,” and the Tony Award Nominated musical “Aladdin.” Ariel was featured in the film “Hairspray” with John Travolta.
Jandiz Estrada Cardoso
“Rita, The class as you promised was extraordinary. I enjoyed their work and material immensely. Thank you so much for inviting me.”
Jandiz is currently the Director of the Episodic Writers Program at the Sundance Institute. She was formerly the Sr. Director of Talent Engagement & Outreach under the Global Talent Development & Inclusion division for film, tv, and streaming at NBCUniversal.
Jenna Lamia
What I liked best about my summer experience studying with Rita? — the amount of knowledge made available to us! Rita Litton is constantly thinking, watching, and creating. She is great at making young actors feel confident, a gargantuan task!”
Jenna served as Executive & Consulting Producer for NBC’s 4-season hit TV series “Good Girls.” Jenna wrote the screenplay for the recent “My Best Friend’s Exorcism,” also serving as Associate Producer. As an actress Jenna played “Sherri Ward”, sister to Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in the critically acclaimed film “The Fighter.” Most recently Jenna played Leslie Miller on “Awkward,” for MTV, and returns as “Judy Cooper’ on SyFy’s “Resident Alien,” for season three. Jenna was Executive Story Editor for the CW TV series “90210.” Jenna’s first big acting break was playing “Mildred” on Broadway at Lincoln Center in ”Ah! Wilderness” with Craig T. Nelson, after appearing in one of Rita’s showcases. She has guest-starred on “Without a Trace”, “NYPD Blue”, “Law & Order: SVU”, and is an active and prosperous commercial & voiceover performer. She is also an award winning audio book narrator, including the national best sellers “The Shape of Water,” “The Help,” and “The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” and the young adult novel “Hey Kiddo,” where she won the Audie award for “Best Young Adult Recording.”
Bryan Burton
“The learning experience was beyond phenomenal. I learned to focus my craft to a closer, more intimate camera medium. The support I received from Rita and her fellow teachers was amazing. She brought a lot out of me.”
Bryan has appeared on HBO’s “Succession,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” “The Good Cop,”, “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.” He appeared in the Emmy nominated TV miniseries ‘The Night Of,” starring John Turturro, the feature “Learning to Drive” with Sir Ben Kingsley, and “Money Monsters,” with George Clooney and Julia Roberts. A busy commercial performer Bryan’s Liberty Mutual, HBO: Go, and Master Card (with Tina Fey) commercials were stand outs.
Ralph Rodriguez
“Rita is a wonderful private coach as well as a group teacher. She’s extremely amazing and nice. She can find your style and help you shape up your act. Her courses are very specific and teach you everything you need to know to be prepared before going into your next audition. Thank you for all your hard work getting me better at my craft!”
Ralph plays “Orly’ in the new film “Vandal.” Ralph had a featured 7 episode guest-starring role on “Chicago Fire’ as Freddie Clemente, guested on “Barry,” and is featured in the infie films “White Girl,” “Compliance,” “Son of No One,” and “Missing Girl.”
Tim Boardman
Rita saw something in me that I never knew about myself when I acted on camera, and for that I am very thankful. I learned so much about the craft of acting on camera (from commercials to scene work) with Rita’s guidance and knowledge. I absorbed something new through each class. I am so grateful for everything Rita Litton has given me and will continue to use the knowledge she has shared when further pursuing my career as an actor. “Studying with Rita was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
Tim won the California Independent Film Festival “Best Actor Award” for playing the title role in the Indie award winning film “Miles,” also starring Molly Shannon and Paul Reiser. Rita coached Tim for his Miles audition. Tim co-starred in “Madam Secretary,” “The Adventures of Kimmy Schmidt,” and is featured in the film “Wilde Wedding” with Glenn Close and John Malkovich.
Debargo Sanyal
“Rita’s classes were my very first exposure to performing in front of the camera. I learned so much about my strengths and from her helpful feedback. From the important information I acquired, to the new skills I learned, to the people that I have met, Rita has been a wonderful resource for me.”
Debargo is a Drama Desk Award nominee, and has appeared on TV in “The Americans”, “Person of Interest,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Madam Secretary,” “Billions,” and several films including “Magic of Belle Isle” with Morgan Freeman.
Samantha Bilinkas
Rita Litton is absolutely one-of-a-kind. She’s one of the most talented, lovable, beautiful people that I’ve ever known, and she’s taught me more than I could have ever imagined. Her teachings have not only helped me grow in my acting ability, but she gets her students to delve deep inside their souls to find the passion of their craft. You always gave me the confidence and courage to pursue acting full time, and I will forever be grateful!”
Samantha recently graduated from NYU Tisch with a BFA in Drama (with Honors.)
Chantee Lans
“Hi Rita, I want to thank you for the acting lessons. I carry all of the techniques I learned with you when I am in front of the camera on the set or out in the field. To be honest, if I lived closer, I would probably enroll in more classes to improve my delivery!”
Chanteé is an award-winning TV news reporter, currently the Long Island Correspondent for WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News. Chanteé is the recipient of a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, the Radio Television Digital News Association’s Michele Clark Fellowship, and has been nominated for two New England Emmy Awards.
Mari Lyn Henry
“I have known Rita Litton for many years. She is a pioneer in the area of helping young people get the best kind of acting training to prepare them for a career in film, TV and theatre. I have featured Rita in “Child Performers”, a chapter in the book I co-authored “How to Be a Working Actor”. If anyone knows how to give young people an overview of what it takes to audition and be prepared for the world of show business, Rita does. Her alums are featured in series, films, and of course on stage.”
The late, great Mari Lyn Henry was a career coach, teacher, the author of multiple editions of “How to Be a Working Actor,” and former Director of Casting for ABC-TV.
Jillian Mueller
“I was a theater kid, so being filmed was a big transition for me. I never would have known how to handle myself on camera without the classes. Rita taught me acting skills for real-world situations, preparing me for any kind of audition.”
“Jillian’s new agency CESD recommended you #1 for acting training so I knew we had it right! And just last week, Jillian booked a principal role in a national Verizon Fios TV commercial. She booked her first ever commercial audition – thanks to training with you!” –B. Mueller
Jillian recently starred in “The Crew”, Kevin James’ Netflix NASCAR TV comedy series, playing company manager “Catherine Spencer.” Jillian’s most recent theater credit was playing the lead role of “Vivian’ on Broadway in “Pretty Woman.” Additional theater credits include Broadway’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and “Bye Bye Birdie”. National Tours: “Pretty Woman,” “American Idiot,” “Dirty Dancing,” (as lead role ‘Baby’) and “Flashdance: The Musical,” as lead ‘Alex.’
“Every acting teacher hopes that the values instilled in their students last a lifetime, and that their young professional careers continue well into adulthood. I am very proud of my working alumni and gratified that so many continue to work and stay in touch. And while I know I can’t protect my graduates from all disappointments, I try to guide them in habits which foster rather than limit their careers.”
“I have known Rita Litton for many years. She is a pioneer in the area of helping young people get the best kind of acting training to prepare them for a career in film, TV and theatre. I have featured Rita in a chapter in the book I co-authored “How to Be a Working Actor.” If anyone knows how to give young people an overview of what it takes to audition and be prepared for the world of show business, Rita does. Her alums are featured in series, films, and of course on stage.”
More? …
Melissa De Sousa, (‘Shelby” in “The Best Man” films)
Sophia Black-D’Elia, (Lead “Samantha”) “Single Drunk Female.” “Your Honor,” with Bryan Cranston, “Gossip Girl.”
Daniel Puig, (“Nathan”) on CW’s “Naomi.” (“Coby”) in “Gran Turismo.”
Imani Lewis –(“Calliope”) in Netflix’s “First Kill.” “Forty Year Old Version,” (“Charmaine”) Starz “Hightown,” “Eighth Grade.”
Jordana Spiro, (“Rachel”) in “Ozark.” (“Sarah”) in “Blind Spot,” “Mob Doctor,” (“P.J. Franklin”) in “My Boys.”
Matthew Barry, Producer Writer Netflix’s “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.”
Julia Goldani Telles, (“Whitney” ) on “The Affair, (“Sasha”) “Bunheads,” Starz’s “The Girlfriend Experience.”
Cara Buono, (“Karen Wheeler”) “Stranger Things.” “Mad Men.”
Lucca De Oliveira, (“Tomas”) in “Clarice” on CBS, “Seal Team,” “Animal Kingdom.”
Odley Jean, (“Dominque”) and Amalia Yoo (“Leila”) on Netflix’s “Grand Army.”
Philip Ettinger , “Bupkis”), “I Know This Much is True,” “One Dollar,” “First Reformed.”
Etc, etc…
For updates on working graduates see my Instagram.