DAVID DALTON, Lead Coach
David has 30 years of Improv, acting and coaching experience. He has worked in the Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles markets, landing roles in over 70 plays, 50 commercials and several TV episodes, such as Friends, Diagnosis Murder, The Journey of Allen Strange, and Easy Money. He has worked with Dennis Hopper and Nathan Lane as “Larry” in the feature film Swing Vote and just finished his recent supporting role as Howard in the The Inner Room (2011) David’s also a graduate of HMI Behavioral Science Center in southern California and has been in private practice for ten years as a Certified Behavioral Coach specializing in relationship dynamics. As an acting coach, David helps the actor to understand their own creative process and shows them how to stay clear and focused on the path toward achievement. In auditions, his combined expertise gives him an “eye” for individual and ensemble casting.




CHAD SCHNACKEL, Camera Coach
Chad has worked in the entertainment industry for over 10 years as an actor, director, producer, and writer. He received his BFA in Film Production with an emphasis writing and directing from the University of Colorado at Denver and continues to work around the Denver area. He executive produced a feature film in 1998 and has since produced and directed more than 12 short films as well as several featurettes. He co-directed “The Interrogation”, which won best creative short at the New York Film and Video Festival. Chad continues to write, produce, and direct films as well as commercial spots. He also helps cast local and national spots. As an acting coach, Chad brings a unique filmmaking perspective into the actors craft.
You will find the best on-camera TV/Film acting classes in Colorado right here at DS StudioWorks. Actor's scene work is video taped then uploaded to our password protected web page for playback and review. All scripts are custom-written for each individual student. The DS Studioworks instructors are not just acting coaches, they're experienced actors, writers, and filmmakers. DS StudioWorks also houses DaltonSchnackel Casting. They have earned a reputation as the best acting and audition coaches in the state of Colorado.Their students have always considered them as "the coaches that really care about actors and their careers". Combined, the instructors bring a wide range of valuable  experience and insight to their programs.
WELCOME
THE COACHES
CALENDAR
"I completely and highly recommend David and Chad to any storyteller out there  ...I have learned more from these workshop classes than I have all four years of college, which my major was film, television and theatre performance."
~ Grant Langdon, Actor

"David's and Chad's training gives actors the confidence, outlook, and tools to consistently bring out their best, even in pressure packed situations."
~ Matthew Kyle, Actor
WE BELIEVE...
... you need a positive and productive support system. No matter where you live and work as an actor, there will always be "pockets" of artists who settle for mediocrity in their work and have come to believe "this is as good as it gets". You should seek to surround yourself with those who are a few steps ahead, who are driven by their passion, who aspire to greatness and inspire others to do the same. DSSW is not the "end-all, be-all" of your actors training; we're just here to help you prepare for the next level.

... you must be willing to play without a safety net. Learn to step out of your comfort zone. Learn how to fall down, laugh and pick yourself up. Be willing to fail. Sometimes, going back a few steps means you get another chance, but with a running start. Sometimes in class, our students really suck ...and that's a good thing.

... In the business of Acting, you are your own product, your own service. Like any other product or service, you have to keep up with the development of YOU; always improving your skills and adapting to new strategies.

... that as acting coaches, we need to work harder than our students, harder than other coaches, and strive to be the best at what we do. We cannot expect our students to be at their best if we are not at ours. Set your bar high and that is where we will start.

-David Dalton & Chad Schnackel

Visit our WORKSHOP PAGE for workshop descriptions and rates.

For Workshop Audits and Enrollment enrollment@ds-studioworks.com