Meet Our
Faculty.
Every instructor at Alza is a working film and television professional. We hire artists who are still in the craft — and who bring that real-world experience into every class.
We only teach
what we live.
The masters — Meisner, Stanislavsky, Strasberg, Adler — were all directors and actors before they became teachers. Walter Alza built this studio on that same principle.
Every member of our faculty has real screen time, real credits, and real industry relationships. When they teach you how to book a role, they know what they're talking about — because they've done it themselves.
Walter
Alza
Actor · Writer · Director · Producer · Acting Coach
Walter Alza is an award-winning actor, writer, director, producer and acting coach whose professional screen career began in 1991. His work spans Canadian, U.S. and international film and television, with more than 120 screen appearances.
In Metropia, Walter became the first Latin American-born immigrant male actor to star in an ongoing lead role in an English-language Canadian TV drama, appearing in almost 90 episodes.
His credits include Get Rich or Die Tryin', Special Correspondents, Flashpoint, At The Hotel and Due South, alongside performers and filmmakers including 50 Cent, Ricky Gervais, Eric Bana, Terrence Howard and Jim Sheridan.
Walter teaches from lived industry experience. He has worked across performance, directing and production, while bringing professional set expectations directly into his training.
Walter Alza also conducted agent showcases for Casting Workbook for many years, giving actors the opportunity to perform for industry representatives and better understand how professional representation and the submission process work.
“Canada's very own bad boy.”CTV eTalk Daily · Get Rich or Die Tryin'
“Acting is a craft Alza has perfected. He truly becomes the character he is playing.”Bina Pandya · Rogers TV · ONE on ONE
“Walter Alza is delicious as the testosterone-driven, boorish waiter Slavic.”John Doyle · The Globe & Mail
“Act with a winner.”Liz Brown · The Toronto Sun
“An impressive performance as the hot-blooded Yugoslavian Igor and the quiet Italian workman.”Liz Brown · The Toronto Sun
“This talented actor's extensive and diverse body of work has made him the most recognizable Latino actor in Canada.”El Mundo Latino News · Ana Romero-Ramos
“Alza is the changing face of television. He represents an emerging trend in Canadian programming.”The Mississauga News
“Walter Alza as the Best Actor of the Year.”The Albanian Times
“Metropia receives four stars.”The Globe & Mail · Metropia
“When Walter acts, you see the intensity of a beast in him. He is a force of nature.”Jim Sheridan · Academy Award-nominated director
Dean
Bajramovic
Award-Winning Director · Writer
Dean holds an MA from the London Film School. His feature Gangster Exchange won six Best Film awards across North America.
Tim
Kacurov
Award-Winning Director · Actor
Tim's stage credits span Canadian Stage and the Ford Centre, including Hamlet directed by a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Jude
Farjami
Actor · Alza Method Specialist
Trained directly under Walter for 5+ years. Jude has starred in multiple Canadian features and major brand commercials.
Mike
Plyley
Industry Pro · TIFF Representative
An official representative at TIFF and Hot Docs. Mike brings over a decade of production and on-camera experience to the studio.
David
Smith
Commercials · Selftape Specialist
David is a seasoned professional specializing in the high-stakes world of commercial acting and the modern essential: the selftape.
Industry insiders
in the room.
Throughout the year, Alza brings in top casting directors, directors, producers, and agents to work directly with students—giving you real access to the people who decide who gets cast.
Ready to work with
people who've done it?
Our faculty doesn't just teach acting. They live it. Join the studio where industry professionals share the real secrets to booking work.
Register Now →Alumni: Canadian Screen Award Winner, Emmy nominees, BRAVO Award winners & Actra Award Winners & More
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![Alicia Dea, Lead Actor - Degrassi (over 100 episodes)]()
Alicia Dea, Lead Actor
Degrassi (over 100 episodes)
"I'm so grateful to have Walter Alza as my acting coach, if you need to step it up, he is the man. I wouldn't be where I am today without his work”.
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![Amanada Joy (Show Creator & Star of Second Jen)]()
Amanada Joy
(Show Creator & Star of Second Jen)
"I Would Highly Recommend This Class To Any Actor Looking To Reconnect With Their Instrument Outside Of Set/The Audition Room."
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![Alex Ozerov Winner of the highest Canadian Award.]()
Alex Ozerov
(Canadian Screen Award Winner)
I highly recommend this studio! I owe my current success to them. Alza prepares you for auditions and work on a real set. The class culture is positive and high energy. A real family-like vibe. An environment where true improvement is harnessed.
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![Jadiel Dowlin - WINNER 2019 Rising Star Award - Emmy (Daytime) Nominee]()
Jadiel Dowlin
- Winner 2019 Rising Star Award - Emmy (Daytime) Nominee
"Within only a few months of training with the experienced and talented Alza team through their classes and privates, I managed to land many parts including a lead role in a television series! The Alza method works, trust it!”
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![Emeka Menakaya, Alza Acting Studio student]()
Emeka Menakaya
Emeka Menakaya, After Taking The Blueprint Private I Was Able To Land A Several Parts In Films And I Signed With One Of The Top Agencies In Canada ETM
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![Craig Porriet, Alza Acting Studio student who booked 5 auditions after training with Walter Alza]()
Craig Porriet
After booking 5 auditions on a roll including Rocky Blues, I can tell you Walter's method works!" (Known For The Strain & Standoff)
