We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Montes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
My favorite quote is “If you ask me what I came to do in this world, ‘I am an Artist,’ will answer you. I am here to live out loud,” by Emile Zola. I too am here to live out loud. When I couldn’t find the artistic community I was looking for, I started one and called it, The Artist Theatre Group. There I began teaching and doing the kind of work in class that I was looking to do. That wasn’t loud enough so with my group I start producing and directing plays so that I could create opportunities for me to act. That wasn’t loud enough. I felt I had things I wanted to say with my art so I began writing and producing plays so that I could act. I have written over 40 plays. Still, it wasn’t loud enough, so I published 22 books. Still not loud enough so, I began writing screenplays. I have written 11 and I have gotten 2 of them produced, so far, which gave me the opportunity to star in 2 feature films, The Last Train and The Last Night Inn. Still not loud enough. So I wrote a One-Man Show that I travel with called, Outta The Darkness Into The Light.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I mentioned that I had started my own group, The Artist Theatre Group to create a space where I could be seen as an Actor. Along the way I have learned a lot and I found that I am really good at teaching, which I love, and helping Actors along their path. I am also very good at seeing things in my students that they hadn’t seen in themselves and I teach them to create their own opportunities. I have never received the opportunities I thought I deserved so I practice what I teach, making me a good example. I have formed my own approach to acting which combines what I learned from studying the Meisner Technique, the Strasberg Method, the teachings of Stella Adler, Charlie Laughton, and a whole lot of me. The way I teach Acting is that we are not putting a mask on, we are taking the mask off. As Meisner said, we are, “Living Truthfully Under Imaginary Circumstances.” I have been teaching for over 35 years and I am able to translate my method clearly and honestly. Students will feel a difference in their actions within the 1st month. I introduce emotional preparation, much earlier than any of the schools that I studied at. Also, what separates me from most teachers, is I don’t ask any of my students to do anything that I am not willing to do. So, I also demonstrate the exercises. I am probably most proud of the many students I have worked with that are practicing what I teach and creating their own opportunities, Writing, Directing, and Producing their own projects in order to give themselves opportunities to Act.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
California is so diverse so there is a lot to show off here. I love theatre, so I would see what is playing at the Ahmanson Theatre or the Mark Taper Forum. There are good restaurants around the Music Center that we could check out. I also would like them to experience, The Pantry, if I was headed downtown. I would also spend a day checking out The Broad Museum. The Kirk Douglas Theatre also has a wonderful theatre and Culver City offers many great restaurants. Fridays, I’m not sure if they still do it, but I would go to LACMA during the day, they have a nice restaurant and bar and if they still do it, they have Jazz at night. If the timing is right, Treehouse offers pop-up concerts in people’s backyards showcasing local talent. A couple of my favorite restaurants are Olivia Trattoria in Sherman Oaks and The Inn Of The Seventh Ray, in Topanga. I love going whale watching in Ventura, and all around the harbor, you can’t go wrong with the eating choices. A little past Ventura is a wonderful little town called Ojai, which is a great place to relax, have a good meal, see some chamber music in Libby Park or some Shakespeare, go to Barts Books, and to Meditation mountain. and have dinner at the Ranch House.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My greatest support, love, and encouragement have come from my son, Matthew. Whether it was applying for a new teaching position, (“You can do it Dad.”) or doing something I’d never done before like teaching overseas or producing my 1st feature film (“I think you should do it Dad. I think it would be good for you.”) I have also had amazing mentors and people who have inspired me which include Bruce Kirby, Charlie Laughton, Lou Diamond Phillips, Danny Aiello, Al Pacino, Sandy Meisner & my Mother Audrey Montes.

Website: www.themontesmethod.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattiedaisy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-montes-73955617/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.montes.actor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MontesMethod

Other: IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0599114/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_2_nm_6_q_anthony%2520montes www.themontesmethod.com www.outtathedarknessintothelight.com

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