John D'Aquino

Audition Prep Workshop in January
2026-01-17 09:00 - 2026-01-19 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
AUDITION PREP WORKSHOPSave your spot for this workshop over MLK weekend in the new year!All sessions are online via Zoom. Dates: January 17th-19th 2026Time: 9am – 2pm PSTThree-day online training, personal coaching, and showcase for ages 9-20!REGISTER HERETRAIN WITH THE BEST Audition Prep was designed to help young actors make significant leaps in their audition technique and get invaluable feedback on the last day of the workshop from industry guests!TOPICS INCLUDE: Camera Technique as it applies to the online (Zoom) format John’s Magic Rectangle Technique John’s Active Interrogation Technique | A deep dive into what’s not being spoken Mastering Dialogue – Painting the White of the Page What does it mean to bring yourself to the role? Entering the Room with Presence and ConfidenceAND MORE!Our Audition Prep workshops always sell out so check your calendar and make your plans NOW!

John in Arizona
2026-01-24 08:00 - 2026-01-25 17:00
HERE WE COME ARIZONA !LA based acting coach John D’Aquino is bringing his classes to the Southwest! DATES January 24th & 25thAGES 8+LOCATIONThe International School of Arizona9522 E San Salvador DrScottsdale, AZ 85258REGISTER HERE!SCHEDULE FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD Scottsdale Launch Party& Fundraiser for Parsons Drama ClubALL AGES | 5:00-8:00 PM | FREE EVENT Kick off the weekend with us for the Scottsdale Launch Party & Fundraiser for Parsons Drama Club, hosted at a beautiful Scottsdale home. This fun, family-focused evening brings together young actors and parents for inspiration and real steps for easing into the LA market. Enjoy a welcoming community, helpful insights for kid and teen performers, and a chance to connect with families who share the same big dreams. Meet John and mingle for a great cause!To RSVP, please email emily@johndaquino.netSATURDAY, JANUARY 24TH HOW TO MAKE FUNNY (BEGINNER)YOUTH| Ages 8-12 | 9:00-10:30 AMTEEN| Ages 13-17 | 12:45-2:15 PMThis is John’s signature comedy course that he’s taught for Disney Channel, which creates a math, to make people laugh! Students learn how to build three step climbs, how to escalate the stakes and how to set-up, reinforce and deliver the 180 reversals ,the “word game”, and improv. Plus, learn how substituting simple punctuations can change everything in comedies. Get ready to have your funny bone tickled while learning the essential components of great comedic performances.HOW TO MAKE FUNNY (ADVANCED)YOUTH| Ages 8-12 | 10:45 AM-12:15 PMTEEN| Ages 13-17 | 2:30-4:30 PM*Beginner version of this class is prerequisite.John combines all the How to Make Funny fundamentals (punctuating the joke, three step climbs, escalating the stakes and 180 reversals) and challenges actors to execute them in a single scene. Using scenes from popular comedies, actors are challenged to “find the funny”, while building a comedic dynamic throughout. If you can master this class, you’re that much closer to being able to deliver the “funny” on camera!THE BA-DUM-BUMADULT| Ages 18+ | 4:30-6:00 PMGet ready to laugh, learn, and level up your comedy skills! In this signature class, John brings the same techniques he’s taught at Disney Channel. Learn how to build 3-step climbs, nail fast-paced banter, raise the stakes in a scene, and deliver the 180 reversals with crisp precision. Come ready to play, experiment, and find your funny! SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH MAGIC RECTANGLE (BEGINNER)YOUTH| Ages 8-12 | 9:00-10:30 AMTEEN| Ages 13-17 | 12:45-2:15 PMADULT| Ages 18+ | 4:30-6:00 PM This class helped launch so many careers. Take all the confusion out of auditions and learn how to perform for the camera. The Magic Rectangle is John’s technique for delivering dynamic and indelible on-camera performances. John’s simple emotional template will immediately improve student’s taped auditions by imposing structure on the imaginary fourth wall canvas that exists around the camera. If you’ve never trained with John, this is a great place to start. Taught it to thousands of actors across the country and in Hollywood, this class will dramatically improve your taped auditions!MAGIC RECTANGLE (ADVANCED): SCENE WORKYOUTH| Ages 8-12 | 10:45 AM-12:15 PMTEEN| Ages 13-17 | 2:30-4:00 PM*Beginner version of this class is prerequisite.Actors learn to apply John’s Magic Rectangle Technique in a scene that they will perform with several off-camera partners while learning to direct that performance into the “money” zone that exists around the camera. John’s camera games & exercises teach students the meaning of “eye-lines” and to which off-camera character they must focus their primary dramatic emphasis. This class will change how you audition as well as help you deliver captivating performances for TV and film. Veteran actor and master teacher John D’Aquino (S.W.A.T, Leanne, Seinfeld, 3rd Rock from the Sun, NCIS,CSI, Cory in the House, Shake it Up, Hannah Montana) starred in six TV series and recurred and guest starred on dozens of other popular shows. His love for performing is surpassed only by his love for teaching, a love inspired by his mentor, teacher and friend, Charles Nelson Riley, who instilled in his students a passion for helping actors create dynamic performances by reaching deep into the human spirit.PRICINGSINGLE CLASS: $125 THREE CLASS PACK: $300Choose any three classes for you/your child’s age $75 discountFOUR (ALL) CLASS PACK: $325ALL classes for you/your child’s age $100 discountAll classes have a 16 Student Limit.If purchasing a class pack, please visit HERE. Then, proceed to the BOOK A WORKSHOP tab (or by pressing the “Register Here” Button) and register for the classes with the code you received when purchasing the discounted packages in the “Redeem Code” section.If you have any questions, please reach out to emily@johndaquino.netREGISTER HERE

John in Coronado, California
2026-02-07 08:00 - 2026-02-08 17:00
February 7th & 8th – AGES 8+

John brings his classes back to sunny Coronado!Coronado Community CenterAbalone Room1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118REGISTER HERE!

SCHEDULE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7THBOOKING THE DISNEY/NICK MULTICAMYOUTH| Ages 8-13 | 10:00-11:30 AM

Disney and Nickelodeon are firing up their multi-cam comedies once again! These shows require a special energy that is not only dynamic and lively, but for some of the characters, grounded in reality. Often, actors think this means that they need to “overact” and create a “cartoon version” of their character. Disney and Nick want real kids who have a strong sense of self and can “find the funny” in almost every line. John teaches students where to look for the comedic reversals, the triplet jokes, and the different character archetypes and how they are defined by their objectives and behavior. Learn how to build believable characters in the genre, identify specific characteristics of notable tropes, and how to bring your authentic self to the role!FROM THE SLATE TO THE BUTTONYOUTH| Ages 8-13 | 11:45 AM-1:15 PM

The first thing most casting directors see is your slate. What is a slate and why is it important? Do you know what it means to “stay warm” to the character? Are there other things you can do to make your auditions more dynamic? Do you understand the power of a “discovery”? Do you know how to reveal it for the camera? What is a button and how do you use it? When is a button excessive? Learn what it means to “risk or add something” in a scene and still play within the boundaries of a professional audition.

STRANGER KIDS: MYSTERY AND ‘WHO DONE IT’S’YOUTH| Ages 9-13 | 1:45-3:15 PM

Who stole the school mascot? Are there really ghosts in the Amityville Hotel? Where did the dead bank robbers bury all the gold? TV mysteries come in all shapes and sizes with many of them written especially for kids! This class focuses on preparing young actors for auditioning for television and film mysteries. Students will learn the archetypal characters in most mysteries while working on scenes from within the genre. Are you Colonel Mustard with a dagger in the Living Room or Nancy Drew looking at the murderers through a spy cam she set up on a dog collar? Come join the fun and learn how to make strong and specific choices for your colorful, mystery character while building suspense and becoming unforgettable!Students who attend three courses will receive a complimentary lunch after the From the Slate to the Button Class/before the Stranger Kids Class.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH BOOKING THE DISNEY/NICK MULTICAMTEEN/ADULT| Ages 14+ | 10:00-11:30 AM

Disney and Nickelodeon are firing up their multi-cam comedies once again! These shows require a special energy that is not only dynamic and lively, but for some of the characters, grounded in reality. Often, actors think this means that they need to “overact” and create a “cartoon version” of their character. Disney and Nick want real kids who have a strong sense of self and can “find the funny” in almost every line. John teaches students where to look for the comedic reversals, the triplet jokes, and the different character archetypes and how they are defined by their objectives and behavior. Learn how to build believable characters in the genre, identify specific characteristics of notable tropes, and how to bring your authentic self to the role!FROM THE SLATE TO THE BUTTONTEEN/ADULT | Ages 14+ | 11:45 AM-1:15 PM

The first thing most casting directors see is your slate. What is a slate and why is it important? Do you know what it means to “stay warm” to the character? Are there other things you can do to make your auditions more dynamic? Do you understand the power of a “discovery”? Do you know how to reveal it for the camera? What is a button and how do you use it? When is a button excessive? Learn what it means to “risk or add something” in a scene and still play within the boundaries of a professional audition. BOOKING THE TEEN DRAMA(Gossip Girl, Outer Banks, Vampire Diaries)TEEN/ADULT | Ages 14+ | 1:45-3:15 PM

The acting on most teen dramas tends to be a little over-the-top. In order for the material to not sound silly, actors must truly commit to their character’s objectives while living in a heightened reality. TV writers only write characters that move the story forward in hopes of grabbing an audience. On these stylized shows, you must have a look, a signature, and a purpose. In this class, you will learn to create indelible characters that make the story stronger while working with carefully selected scenes from the genre.Students who attend at least two courses will receive a complimentary lunch after the From the Slate to the Button Class/before the Teen Drama Class.

PRICING – $135/Class*All classes have a 14 Student Limit. If a class reaches it’s limit, the class will be extended an extra 15-30 minutes.Registration is through the Coronado Recreation website. You will need to create a profile with them in order to register.REGISTER HERE

Camp Demo Reel (Feb 7, 14-16)
2026-02-07 08:00 - 2026-02-09 17:00
Get a comedic and dramatic scene for your demo reel! DATES February 7th: Virtual Classes/RehearsalsFebruary 14th-16th: In-Person Classes/Rehearsals/Filming Sessions are partially online via Zoom and in-person in LAREGISTER HERECamp Demo Reel is a half virtual, half live in person 4-day intensive that teaches script and scene preparation, on camera acting technique, how to adjust your performance to the frame, and culminates in filming two scenes – one comedic and one dramatic – for your demo reel. We will provide customized scenes and shoot them with a professional crew and broadcast quality HD.SCHEDULEDAY ONE (VITRUAL):The first day of camp will be from 9 AM-2 PM (PST) jam-packed with acting technique lessons and demo reel scene rehearsals. DAY TWO (IN-PERSON): The second day of camp will happen one week later where we will have final acting classes and scene rehearsals before filming the following days. This day will be from 9AM-2 PM as well.DAYS THREE & FOUR (IN-PERSON): The final days will be dedicated to filming your personal demo reel scenes which will premiere on our Vimeo Showcase once our editors have finished post-production. We will also provide you with a copy of your completed reel and if you have other existing footage that you would like to add to make a more comprehensive demo reel, our editors can do that for you for an additional fee of $75/hr. Since these are production days, hours will varying depending on call times.LOCATION:The first day of camp will be virtual so you can work from home. The remaining days of camp, filming will take place in Los Angeles. Location TBD. Price: $1,900Cancellation Policy: JDAW has a 10-day cancellation policy for Workshops. If you cancel your registration within 10-days of the beginning of the Workshop, no refund will be given, however, the funds can be used towards class credits or a future workshop and Camps. If you cancel within 5-days of the beginning of the Workshop, no refund or credit will be given and you will be marked as a “no show.”. If you are registering within 10-days of the event starting, the client will already be within the cancellation window.REGISTER HERE

Camp Hollywood 2026
2026-06-19 08:00 - 2026-07-04 17:00
Join us in late June and early July 2026 for our signature event! Sessions are partially online via Zoom and in-person in LADATES June 19th, 20th, 22nd Virtual Classes/RehearsalsJune 26th-July 4th: In-Person CampNOTE: Additional rehearsals and table read will be scheduled prior to camp classes & filming REGISTER HERECamp Hollywood is our students’ most important learning opportunity of the year, designed to provide a realistic, professional filming experience which gets them ready for life on a real set when they book their first or next job! Camp Hollywood incorporates specialty classes, table reads, one-on-one coaching, rehearsals, and, most importantly, experience filming on a full, professionally staffed set, where they can learn how to interact with the director and different departments to maximize their on camera performance. They also learn set etiquette, allowing them to maintain professionalism, engender trust from directors and producers and set themselves up for future jobs and repeat bookings. In fact, several successful young actors have had Camp Hollywood as their first on-set experience, preparingthem for future film and TV roles you’ve probably seen yourself!SCHEDULE PART 1 – (Pre-Production Classes & Rehearsals)Part One will be online via zoom, and consist of acting classes led by John and the rest of our staff. Students will also have rehearsal periods with their directors as well as meetings to discuss wardrobe, make-up and possible special effects. Before Camp begins, there will be virtual online table reads and rehearsals that will be coordinated between the actors and their director.BREAK – There will be a two day designated travel break for campers todrive or fly out to LA before PART 2* Airfare/Lodging not included in tuition.PART 2 – (Filming)Part Two will be in-person rehearsals and the production phase of our films. Production will be two to four days, however, actors might not be needed for all filming days or times depending on the schedule. Basecamp for main camp classes will be held at/near Burbank. Production though may take place at another area depending on what film you are part of.On the final day of Camp, we will have a July 4th outing to celebrate the holiday and wrapping up another awesome Summer!PART 3 – (Post-Production & Screening)To give our staff time to edit, complete visual effects and other post-production work on our films, Part Three will happen towards the beginning/mid of Fall. We will host a virtual screening party to premier the films & we invite you to dress up! Date and time TBD. Students will receive an IMDB credit and a personalized demo reel of their performance.PRICING$6,400: Full Price$5,760: Returning Camper PriceCancellation PolicyCancellations before March 1st are eligible for a full refund.Cancellations before May 1st are eligible for 50% refund and the ability to apply the remaining funds towards classes, private coachings, workshops, or next year’s Camp Hollywood**.Cancellations after May 1st are not eligible for a refunds nor will credit will be given.**If the client is applying funds towards next year’s Camp Hollywood and there is a price increase, client will be responsible for paying the difference. Our Camp Hollywood always sell out so please check your calendar and make your plans NOW!REGISTER HERE
