Acting Schools Go Head to Head in LA

"Stella Adler, the high priestess of the American theater, was known for her boundless generosity toward young actors. At the same time, she was a notoriously competitive, even combative, personality -- a clawed dowager who wasn't afraid of making enemies or cutting down those who disagreed with her pedagogical techniques.

The schools she founded during her lifetime -- one in New York and another in Los Angeles -- carry on her tradition of acting as a quasi-religious calling. But as recent developments have shown, the schools also have inherited her prickly side -- especially when it comes to dealing with each other.

While they both bear her name, the institutions have operated separately with different boards of directors since Adler's death in 1992. Their relationship over the years has been distant and sometimes cool, according to people affiliated with the schools. Now, the organizations are going head to head for the first time as competitors.

Earlier this month, New York's Stella Adler Studio of Acting opened its first West Coast branch at the Pico Playhouse near West L.A. The new program, which offers classes in stage and on-camera acting, is being run completely independent of the existing Stella Adler Los Angeles: A Conservatory for Actors, which has operated in Hollywood since 1985.

The awkward arrangement begs the question: Why are two schools that were founded by the same person -- and that teach the same acting technique -- competing with each other?

Leaders at both said that simple economics plays an important role. In a city bursting with aspiring actors, there's money to be made for a school with an aggressive agenda.

But mostly, the friction stems from the simple fact that geographically, the schools have never had any reason to collaborate until now. John Jack Rodgers, executive director of Stella Adler Los Angeles, said he initially approached the New York school about working together.

"We reached out strongly to them," he said, adding that he received only a noncommittal response after a number of overtures. "I can only assume that they want to call the shots. Obviously, we would prefer to do this with them, but they are going ahead without us."

Tom Oppenheim, who runs the New York school (and is Adler's grandson), declined to comment on his relationship with Stella Adler Los Angeles but said "we have nothing but respect for what they are doing."

A spokesman for the New York school later added that there is "no structural way for the two schools to join together without each giving up its own identity."

The territorial standoff -- with rumors of ego clashes and a communication breakdown -- comes at a time of robust growth for each institution. The Los Angeles school, which Adler founded in the final years of her life with the help of Irene Gilbert and Joanne Linville, had long been plagued by mismanagement and debt. In 2007, a new group of directors -- led by Rodgers and actor Mark Ruffalo -- took control and since then, the school has been working to regain its organizational footing.

"Our first priority has always been carrying on Stella's legacy and maintaining the level of excellence," said Ruffalo.

The chilly relations between the Adler schools is something that both sides like to downplay. They point out that the schools have shared teachers and have even co-hosted public events.

Still, those who work inside say the relationship is less than congenial. "When Stella was alive, we were more of a family business," said one person who works at the New York school.

Though they are now competing for students on the same turf, neither school has ruled out partnerships. The L.A. institution, under Rodgers' leadership, continues to express hope of a détente between the schools."