Who We Are

The Playground is a young actor’s conservatory: a place where actors are immersed in the craft of Television and Film Acting.  Young people of all ages look forward to coming here and taking part in our carefully developed curriculum, a curriculum that has been personally designed by Gary Spatz.

Gary Spatz, the founder of The Playground, is one of the top child acting coaches in the world and has 25 years of experience working with children in the entertainment industry.

Projects include: The Mickey Mouse ClubSuite LifeRoseanneEverybody Loves Raymond and many more.  Gary is sought after to work with young actors for film and television projects. He has worked with many of the most successful young performers in Hollywood from Britney, Christina and Justin to Dylan and Cole!

Comprehensive Curriculum


Drawing on more than 25 years of experience with young actors, Gary has crafted a unique program that is focused on preparing your child for Film and Television acting – and auditioning!  Children who attend The Playground will improve not just in their acting skills but in other areas of life too! Students at The Playground often experience; better speaking ability, better listening skills, improved reading comprehension, improved school performance and increased confidence. Programs are available for children ages 6 to 18 at all experience levels.

Top Facilities


Our facilities are “state-of-the-industry” and provide theater style seating, Sony playback monitors, HD cameras, and studio-lighting.  Gary Spatz and his staff of professional acting teachers nurture each student’s creativity to help them excel at on-camera work.  The staff are dedicated to helping young actors develop a personal technique for television and film. They train the young performer in the craft of acting.

Sign Up Today


Whether you are preparing your child for a career in acting or just for success in life, The Playground is a great place to learn. Sign up for an interview with our admissions counselors today!

Two Convenient Locations

We have two locations – one in Century City area of Los Angeles, near the Westfield Shopping Center; and our Orange County Satellite Studios, located in Costa Mesa, California in the Offices of South Coast Plaza.

The Playground - LA
The Playground - OC