BriteLites Acting Studio

Mona is not a good teacher, at least for beginner actors. You will not learn techniques if that is what you are looking for. Very little is offered in terms of learning the craft as a newcomer. The beginner class consists of being given a script every week and memorizing and performing it the next week, where you are told if you are doing it right or not, according to how Mona sees the character. That is all. During class, Mona can be quite impatient and disrespectful, failing to understand she is dealing with inexperienced actors who are trying to listen and do what she is saying. Acting is hard, which everyone should understand, but Mona makes it truly unenjoyable, since no real preparation strategies or lessons are given to tackle the exercise. The course is not something worth paying for, at all. It was a challenge just dealing with Mona, and a waste of time, since I unfortunately didn’t learn anything substantial about acting. I got along OK in this class, and learned more from the acting books I checked out at the library, but would not recommend this course to anybody. There are better ways to challenge yourself. At one point Mona encouraged hypnosis tapes and positive thoughts to the class, which is fine (hey whatever works), but sad in the realization that what would actually help the group (teaching acting) would never be offered, not even eventually.

Mona is an intuitive and nuturing teacher. She generously shares her whopping amount of wisdom and insight, and pushes you in the right ways you need for your acting to blossom. I resonated with Mona’s teaching style and coaching in many ways: she recognizes that acting is a great craft that is essential to humanity’s ability to tell and share stories (the reason I’m drawn to it), and she gently challenges you to tap into that connection. Even in the first class Mona was able to transform my performance with little tips (as specific as eye movement) and her suggestions were always revelatory and on-​point. I took the Explorer Class, and highly recommend it to anyone needing a tune-​up on their acting skills. After 7 weeks I sorely miss being in Mona’s studio on Monday nights. I will definitely sign up for many more classes with Mona, and I can’t recommend her highly enough.

I have not reviewed Unilocal’s terms of service, so I’m not sure which words are forbidden. In an effort to keep it family friendly I’ll just say:
Don’t do it… Seriously, just don’t
She’s mean
Bad with kids
Condescending
Impossible to talk to
Learn from my mistake
Take your money, flush it down the toilet. You will get no benefit, but your kid won’t be in tears, and no one will be insulting you– you’ll just be without the money. It’s a better option than sending your child into this toxic environment.

This is the worst acting studio EVER! I signed my 16 year old daughter up for this class and the first day she walked out almost in tears. Mona Lee talks down to the kids, very condescending, she called my daughter stupid. Who talks to kids this way — especially in a learning environment. Stay away!

Wow. I just left this this teacher’s class and I am blown away. Since 2010, I have taken numerous workshops and classes with some of Austin’s supposed finest coaches but she takes the cake. She got us! Funny, quick witted, tough, a brilliant knack for aiding us to uncover authentic responses in our characters, Mona just stays at it till the breakthroughs happen. Mona is the real deal. Plus she has worked, coached, and trained with top of the line talent. Worth every bit of my time and money.

Mona is such a old hag. Don’t even bother with these classes. She’s just an out of work actor, which is why she tries to scam actors out money for these ”classes” in the first place. She’s very difficult just to talk to, very abrasive and bossy.

Mona, what can I say? I think I owe my resurgence into acting mostly to you! When I was considering getting back into it, your class was the first one I took. I didn’t know I would get an agent out of it, or meet someone like you. Your class was inspiring, and I love how you were supportive of all your students. You are truly amazing, and I wish you all the best!

Mona’s invaluable advice and insights have given me the patience and fortitude to know something will come of my work in her class if I continue. Classes are small enough that everyone gets lots of personal attention. The actors in Mona’s classes are very talented and often work in commercials, TV and movies. Her classes helped break down my inhibitions and build the confidence needed to prepare me for a role later this year working with a European director.

I’ve studied with Mona Lee Fultz for almost 4 years now and have seen a tremendous shift in the way I approach a script, the camera and even making that first impression. You have to have a gift to be a great teacher and Mona Lee has definitely been gifted. I’ve never had an acting coach be so consistent and honest with you. There’s no playing nice or being too critical, it’s just firm teaching that makes you better. From being in the business awhile now, she knows what they like and what it takes to be good/​successful.
I trust her opinion more than anything on a head-​shot, reel, monologue, etc. I’ve never seen somebody so in tune with herself and her craft, it’s absolutely wonderful to be taught by that type of person. She knows exactly what she is doing and if you’re stuck, she knows how to approach it. It’s her practice and years of running lines and going on auditions, which she still does to this day, that constantly makes her better therefore her classes great.
Mona is must have on your resume, so many people I know through my classes have gone off to do great things and still mention Mona has one of the absolute best teachers in Austin. And I can’t help but hands down, agree. If you want to learn the craft and be well-​trained, Mona Lee is the teacher for you. Stop hesitating, sign up already!
Love you Mona!
Christina Parrish

I have studied with Mona for a while now and no one has helped me more with my acting career than her. There are many things I value in an acting coach and Mona Lee encompasses all of them. She has not only helped me to hone my craft, specifically in the area of TV and Film, but she has given the confidence I need to succeed as an actor. It’s like this — I am a firm believer that if you want to get healthy and fit, then you need to be talking to someone who knows what they’re doing, someone who IS healthy and fit. Why would you take nutritional advice from someone who’s out of shape? Mona is a working actor who’s been in countless films and television shows like Hope Floats, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Legend of Billie Jean, Dazed and Confused, Miss Congeniality, Friday Night Lights, Drop Dead Diva, and many others. She studied at Julliard under John Houseman and with such talent as Robin Williams, Kevin Kline, and Christine Baranski. Obviously she has the background and knows what she’s doing, as well as what it takes to succeed as a professional actor. My advice is to take your cues from someone who’s doing it, someone, who when it comes to professional acting, is «healthy and fit.» I trust her implicitly and credit her for enabling me to become a more successful actor. Bottom line: If you’re serious about working in this business, then you’d better study with Mona.

If you want to get into the business, take anything of Mona’s. All the really good working actors in town study with her. Her students, like Ryan Lee (Super 8) and Nick Krause (The Descendants) book. I now have a top agent, and enjoy audtitioning for really good films and commercials. She’s a working actress with great credits, not just a teacher. I’m working on an acting degree because Mona totally inspired me and literally thousands of other actors in Austin. She will inspire you, too.

Mona’s classes are a must for the inspired! She is the real dea! She has encouraged me to take it to the next level in acting and in life. I will continue to take classes and privates with Mona.