Meet Jorge-Luis Pallo | Actor, Director, Acting Coach, and Teaching Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jorge-Luis Pallo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jorge-Luis, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Hello there! Let’s just start by saying, starting my own acting studio was not part of my original plan, Lol. After getting my BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, I moved to Los Angeles as a young, brash Latino theater kid who really didn’t know his ass from his elbow. All I knew was that I wanted to act. And lucky for me, I’ve had a very fruitful 26-year career as a SAG-AFTRA member, with over 80 IMDb credits in film, television, and video games.

But as we all know, the business of show, is a rollercoaster ride with a series of ups, downs, and loopy loops that sometimes shake, rattle, and roll sideways and diagonally.

And 17 years ago, I was experiencing a particularly difficult and dark period in my career. I wasn’t booking, I was doubting myself, and I was pretty depressed. Some factors were beyond my control—like age, ethnicity, and the roles that were available. But if I’m being honest, there were plenty of things that were in my control, like my mindset, my self-care, and questionable choices I made regarding relationships and lifestyle that contributed to my creative funk as well.
It was at this point that a mentor told me that I had something of value to offer a new generation of actors. Even though teaching wasn’t part of the original plan (not to mention the fact that I grew up in a generation that was taught to believe those who can’t do… teach) I began my teaching career at the renowned Scott Sedita Acting Studios.

And the funny thing is…the moment I started teaching, I started to reap the benefits. My ego was put in check, and I discovered there was a reciprocity to mentoring young talent. Teaching had an incredibly positive effect on my own craft and personal mindset. It was as if a fog was lifted, and I could see the horizon again.

I became ravenous to learn and re-learn everything I could about the craft I loved. I started reading my old acting books from college, went over my old script notes, I even took an acting teacher trainer course. All with the intention of bringing all the knowledge I accumulated to my students. Sharing the craft of acting truly reinvigorated my own love for it, bringing purpose and fulfillment, and I’d like to think it made me a better human being.

I prioritized self-development, adopting healthier habits like meditation and yoga. Aspired to embody the example I wished to see in the world, the positive impact resonated not only with my students but also within myself, proving to be exceptionally rewarding.

And guess what? All of a sudden, I started booking again. Booking things that I normally would have thought were far out of reach for me. This has only made me further believe in the tools I share with my students.

Fast forward through 17 years of teaching in private studios, college programs, and nonprofits, and I felt called to create the JLP Acting Company. JLP is for the artists who are in need of not only technical training, but also a space that emphasizes growth, artistic integrity, self-empowerment, collaboration, and professionalism.

The JLP Acting Company is my way of leaving a mark and contributing to the next wave of bold, empowered artists. It’s about mentoring, guiding, and leading by example. I heard this quote once: “In the journey of life, be a student to learn, a peer to share, and a mentor to guide.” I think as a student, you’re shown the path and its rocky road. As a peer, you share the path and help each other up when you stumble. As a mentor, you blaze the path and offer guidance as to where the dangers are. I’m enjoying this phase of my life where I can serve as a guiding light for fellow artists and point out a few pitfalls along the way.

What should our readers know about your business?
Hello there! Let’s just start by saying that starting my own acting coaching business wasn’t part of my original plan, Lol. After earning my BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, I headed to Los Angeles as a young, brash Latino theater kid who really didn’t know his ass from his elbow. All I knew was that I wanted to act. Fortunately, I’ve enjoyed a fruitful 26-year career as a SAG-AFTRA member with over 80 IMDb credits in film, television, and video games.

But as we all know, the business of show is a rollercoaster ride with a series of ups, downs, and loopy loops that sometimes shake, rattle, and roll sideways and diagonally.

About 17 years ago, I felt like my career was plummeting into darkness, mirroring the intense descent of a rollercoaster’s steepest drop. I wasn’t booking, I was doubting myself, and I was pretty depressed. While some factors were beyond my control—like age, ethnicity, and the roles available—others were within my grasp, such as my mindset, self-care, and questionable choices regarding toxic relationships and unhealthy habits.

A mentor then suggested I had something valuable to offer a new generation of actors. Even though teaching wasn’t part of my original plan (and let’s face it, I grew up in a generation that believed those who can’t do… teach), I began my teaching career at the renowned Scott Sedita Acting Studios.

And you know what’s funny? The moment I started teaching, I began to reap the benefits. Teaching had an incredibly positive effect on my own craft and personal mindset. It was like suddenly finding myself on the crest of the rollercoaster, the fog of doubt and uncertainty dissipating, and I could appreciate the exhilarating twists and turns of the journey ahead.

I became passionately committed to unlearning, learning, and relearning the craft I love. Revisiting old acting books, reviewing script notes, and taking an acting teacher trainer course fueled my journey. Sharing this knowledge with my students reignited my passion, bringing fulfillment, and molded me into a better human being.

Prioritizing self-development, I adopted healthier habits like meditation, eating better, going to therapy, and exercise, aspiring to embody the example I wished to see in the world. The positive impact resonated not only with my students but also within myself, proving to be exceptionally rewarding.

And guess what? All of a sudden, I started booking again, solidifying my belief in the tools I shared with my students. Fast forward through 17 years of teaching in private studios, college programs, and nonprofits, and I felt called to create the JLP Acting Company. JLP is for artists in need of not only technical training but also a space that emphasizes growth, artistic integrity, self-empowerment, collaboration, and professionalism.

The JLP Acting Company represents my commitment to nurturing a new generation of confident and empowered artists. Through personalized coaching and holistic training, grounded in over 25 years of industry expertise and experience, I aim to lead by example and guide actors in overcoming creative blocks, self-doubt, and societal pressures. My goal is to help them cultivate emotional availability, foster inner peace, and inspire authenticity in artistic expression, empowering them not only to survive but to truly thrive in their artistic journey
I once heard a quote: “In the journey of life, be a student to learn, a peer to share, and a mentor to guide.” As a student, you’re shown the path and its rocky road. As a peer, you share the path and help each other up when you stumble. As a mentor, you blaze the path and offer guidance as to where the dangers are. I’m enjoying this phase of my life where I can also be a guiding light for fellow artists.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting LA for a week, I’d want to show them the full spectrum of what this city and its surroundings have to offer. Sure, we could hit up some of the classic tourist spots like Hollywood Boulevard, Disneyland, and Universal Studios. We could take a stroll along 3rd Street Promenade, the Santa Monica Pier, and soak in the vibes of Venice Beach.

But what really makes living in California special is the ability to take spontaneous day trips in any direction.

One day, we might feel like immersing ourselves in the tranquil vibes of nature, so we’d head out to Joshua Tree for a rejuvenating sound bath experience at The Integratron. Another day, we might crave some coastal charm, so a scenic drive up to Santa Barbara would be in order, where we’d indulge in some drinks and seafood delights at the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. There’s wine tasting and other adventures to be had in Solvang, Ojai, and Idlewyld.

And since I live in Studio City, we can’t forget about the food scene! There’s no shortage of fantastic eateries to explore. We’d definitely have to hit up Sugarfish for some top-notch sushi and UOVO for fresh pasta. For a blast from the past, a night at PLAYER ONE Arcade bar, with its 80s vibe and retro video games, would be an absolute must.

Of course, no visit to LA would be complete without diving into its vibrant arts and culture scene. We’d check out the Dowtown Los Angeles Art Walk, catch a live performance or a film festival (maybe even something featuring me or a friend), and maybe even take in the breathtaking sights of the Super Bloom if the timing is right. LA has so much to offer; we could take in all sorts of immersive experiences and even have fun with some animals at a Goat or Puppy Yoga Event in Santa Monica. And let’s not forget about catching a concert show at The Hollywood Bowl or the Wiltern, or a play at The Geffen, Ahmanson, or Pasadena Playhouse. With so much to see, do, and taste, I’d make sure my friend gets the full LA experience, leaving them with memories to last a lifetime.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A heartfelt shoutout to Scott Sedita, whose mentorship and belief in my value as a teaching artist marked the beginning of my rewarding journey as an acting coach, reshaping my career and outlook. Special thanks to the Theater of Arts Hollywood Acting School, where I further developed my own brand of holistic acting pedagogy and comprehensive curricula. Gratitude to my representation at AKA Talent and Main Title Entertainment for believing in my acting talent and fostering my career. Thanks to my students, teachers, peers, and colleagues who enriched my journey and instilled in me the values of training, collaboration, and mentorship. A loving thank you to my mom, Patsy Pallo, for igniting my creative spark, and to my wife, Heather Wake, for her unwavering support in all my endeavors. I’m also grateful for the wisdom imparted by books like “The Intent To Live” by Larry Moss and “Bruce Lee Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee’s Wisdom for Daily Living.” Each person and interaction has played a part in shaping my story, and I’m thankful for the collective impact

Website: WWW.JORGELUISPALLO.COM

Instagram: @TheElJorge

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/JorgeLuisPallo

Twitter: @JLPACTINGCORP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLPMEDIAINC

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jorge-luispallo

Other: imdb.me/JorgeLuisPallo https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/jorge-luispallo

Image Credits
Vanie Poyey for the 3 Headshots