Backstage Readers' Choice Award
KIDS CLASSEs
"Donna knows everything there is to know about teaching! It's a given that her students will come out of class having learned something new while having a blast. Her students always love her. She's got that special touch." - Katy B.
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"My Daughter had a wonderful experience in your camp and we look forward to many years of fun and educational activities with Keep It Real." -Leigh H., Mom of Child Actor
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“I definitely noticed an enormous improvement in my child’s ability to perform on camera. She seems a lot more prepared for the tough commercial world and it’s competition!” - Yuliya R., Mom of Child Actor
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"Thank you so much for creating this class and for the knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers you have. Donna was great!" - Tatiana L.
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“Great experience for Kiana, learned a lot. Love it. Very helpful in everything.” - Rosemary J., Mom of Child Actor
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"We are novices to the industry, having started just over a month ago, but since taking Keeping it Real's Next Step class, have booked out on 2 jobs, one in live theater and the other a series for the Biography Channel! Thank you Keeping it Real, you are a true asset to the acting community!" -Bailey B.
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"You are our first choice for acting class! You are the one who teaches by example. That is more powerful to me than anything. Tommy knew NOTHING about acting. I sent him to you for your class for kids and he booked his first audition. No callback, nothing. It was the Superbowl commercial for NBC. Thank you. I am not sure what your magic is, but it is helping my son and his acting career!" - Carla S., Mother and Talent Agent
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"I just wanted to thank you for your commercial workshop today. You were great with the children and we walked out of the class feeling much more informed. Tanya and Malia talked to us on the why home about the different things they learned and said they had so much fun!" - Supportive, Child Actor Momma
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"Not only was your workshop beneficial for the kids, but also very interesting and educational for the parents. This was also a great forum to ask you all our questions and concerns. There have been so many questions I've wanted to ask their agency, but never did... as I didn't want to bug them over my "silly" questions. It was a fantastic class and I would highly recommend this class as a must for all parents and children starting out in the industry." - Mrs. "All My Questions Answered"
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"Since taking your class Josiah Darden (9 yrs old) has booked a Johnson & Johnson commercial and has a co-starring role on the upcoming Disney Channel movie, The Wizards Return, "Alex vs. Alex." Noah Darden (6 yrs old), guest starred on Criminal Minds. Thank you for giving practical skills they can use for auditioning." - Momma Darden
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"Thank you for such a great commercial class. Jordan really enjoyed it and learned a ton!" - Rita V.
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"The Keep It Real class for kids made a good impression on my 4-year old daughter. She learned how to do the basics: profiles, slating, introducing herself in an audition, and basic improv. I was very impressed by how much Donna was able to teach in 4 weeks. I liked that Donna sent home video takes of my daughter...I was even able to use some of them on her casting sites. And I liked that Donna reached out to my daughter's agent and manager to provide feedback." -Karen B.
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"While taking the class, my daughter, Taylor, booked three jobs. I couldn’t be more pleased with ...how prepared my daughter was during auditions after taking this class. Thank you so much!! We look forward to seeing you in class again soon!" -Jamie W.
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"What Miss Storm had not done yet was book a commercial and NO callbacks. That changed IMMEDIATELY once we were referred to Judy Kain's KEEP IT REAL ACTING. She literally started getting callbacks after her third class and now her commercial agent over at Savage calls her a little commercial booking queen. In the last two months she has booked 3 national commercials, (GM OnStar, Audi and Target). We are giving Keep It Real Acting ALL the credit!" -Robyn Simpson, Storm Ent.
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"I'm following up my original post to give Keep It Real Acting (KIR) another thank you. My 4 y.o. daughter booked a voiceover for the Cartoon Network. She taped in the studio yesterday. The whole time she taped, she never once touched the microphone - which is a big deal since my daughter touches everything! She didn't touch the microphone because KIR and Donna taught her in the Next Step Kids class to never touch the microphone. My daughter boldly stepped right up to the mic and said her lines like a pro. She took direction well and was happy the whole time. KIR and Donna taught her that professionalism in the Next Step class! What a great thing to learn at just 4 years old. Interestingly, not only did my daughter not touch the microphone, when the studio engineer came in to adjust the mic for her, she told HIM not to touch the microphone! Too funny! :-) My daughter prospered in her first big booking yesterday because of what she learned at KIR. I feel grateful to KIR and Donna for helping to make my baby's first big booking a success! We'll be back this summer. :-)" -Karen B.
“My son loves coming to class and is always looking forward to next week. We would absolutely recommend this class to our friends and we are already considering taking another workshop here.” - Jessica B., Mom of Child Actor
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"Miss Donna was amazing! Such a sweet and gentle demeanor with the young class. We just finished her "Next Step Commercial Class". And my 6 year old son has learned so much! We're new at this, but fortunately, he's been getting so many auditions (and today, a callback) .. And I can't thank Keep It Real Acting and the yelp reviews for me to find it, enough. Excited to try more classes with them! Thanks, KIRA!" :) -Judith M.
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“I love her giving us feedback after each class. Makayla gained confidence after the first class. Makayla loves the class, her teacher, and the overall atmosphere inside with the kids.“ - Maggie G., Mom of Child Actor
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"Ethan booked his first commercial job after taking classes with you, and he has been doing great since then. He booked a few TV shows such as Nickelodeon, Go On and recently The Mindy Project. Francene even booked him for a commercial job about two weeks ago." - Henry H.
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"Kylie got a call back on her first post-class audition. Thank you for offering such effective kids classes!" - A. Shapiro, Proud Mother
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"I loved my commercial class... I've been pinned for several commercials this year and have booked two national commercials! Thank you so much for helping me learn how to stand out at an audition!" - Hazel S., age 9 (2012 Bookings include United Healthcare, Coca Cola, two TV Shows and a Disney Cruise Lines VO)
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"After only 2 weeks in the kids commercial class Rowan got a callback for a national spot for Capital One and booked a Kohl's commercial. He definitely has more confidence at auditions and it is working for him. He is really enjoying the class." - Lena S., Mom of Kid Actor
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"My son, C.J., participated in the On-Camera Acting class. He loved it so much he signed up for additional sessions! ...He learned some hard lessons in there too, due to her personal invested interest in my boy's career and well-being, and for that, Mom's grateful too!" - Rosanna I., Proud Mom
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"This class was helpful, thank you. Caron was able to verbalize the correct way to enter a room, go to mark, look at camera, answer with first and last name, and expand on questions asked. So great! ...to know what to do and how to do it, even just the basics!" - Caron's Momma
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"I just wanted to say Thanks for the great class last weekend. Ryan had a great time! I have tried the new games you suggested and I can honestly see an improvement already!! Ryan loves to watch himself back and then says "I can do better than that!" - Child Actor Mom
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"During the time he was taking your class, he had 2 callbacks and booked a Nickelodeon show as a guest star. Your class is the ONLY class that teaches "the button" which I think is the key to every audition's success." - Kaedon K's Mom
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"We would like to thank you for working with McKenzie last week. She had an amazing time and enjoyed your training. We felt like she learned a lot from your classes. Again, thank you for everything and we hope to see you both again!" -Christine M. (Mother of McKenzie Burke)
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"Camille who took your ʺNext Stepʺ class- just booked TWO spots for Disney Interactive! Thank you and keep up the great teaching!" -Michelle S.
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“Because of this class, my twin brother and I have booked a T-Mobile and Target commercial; as well as several short films (that are going to major film festivals), and a Five Finger Death Punch music video.” - Dakota Bales, Actor
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"I wanted to thank you for preparing my daughter for auditions. It seems that almost immediately after completing The Next Step acting class in January she began to get many more requests for auditions! Even more exciting, she recently booked a branding print job for the Esquire Network / NBC Universal!!I am so glad I was referred to your company by her agent and now pay it forward. I frequently mention your classes in conversations with other parents. We look forward to continue to build her skills and develop her love of acting." -Angela C.
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"Kai loved the class and had a great time in both the classes and "audition." Kai is already asking when we can go back to Miss Donna's audition" -Lena I.
Acting Camp
"Improv was my favorite part of camp. I also love the new friends I made!" -Scout H.
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"My favorite part of camp was the Freeze improv game. I learned what a slate is, what a profile is and how to button." -David S.
"My favorite part of kids camp was doing the improv and the theatre scenes. 3 things I learned are what the 4th wall is, how to look on camera, and freeze improv. It was funny when we were all in a circle and everyone made a gesture and sound, then we would continue repeating it and remembering everyone's." -Katarina S.
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"Improv scenes were my favorite part of kids camp. 3 things I learned are buttons, how to be more real in a drama and be creative." - Gabby R