Actor's Testimonials

David Lambert: The Fosters,  Aaron Stone,  Psych

"I will always give the credit to the people who surrounded me at the beginning of my career and Mary McCusker was definitely one of them. I went to her for guidance in approaching material. She helped me book some of my very first jobs in LA, and my first TV series Aaron Stone. I sometimes wonder where I'd be if I hadn't met her."

Jonathan Taylor Thomas: Home Improvement, The Lion King, The Last Man Standing

"I've known and worked with Mary for over fifteen years. She's a wonderful, dedicated coach. Her passion, creativity and wit are nothing short of inspiring. My life is richer both personally and professionally as a result."

Jasmine Alveran: The Fosters, Parenthood, Michael Jackson's "This is It"

"Thank you Mary for helping me get the part on The Fosters! You are such a wonderful coach and always know how help me bring a character to life."

Mackenzie Parker: Sons of Anarchy, Agent X

"Working with Mary has been one of the most fun, most personally insightful, most fulfilling experiences I’ve had with a teacher of any kind. Along with her wisdom from experience spanning work on dozens of TV shows, movies and classical theatrical training, she brings a unique personal touch that is both understanding and challenging."

Venus Thomas: Family Matters , Sister, Sister , Salute Your Shorts & Bold and the Beautiful

"Mary has a brilliant way of helping you develop your character. With her I can explore my character thoroughly so that in an audition or on set I can be free to play. She helps me bring myself to every project allowing me to always give my best unique performance. Working with her gives me confidence when I need to make changes on the fly and allows me to bring my best performance every time."

Eric Schwan: Actor

"Mary is one of the most astoundingly gifted teachers in Hollywood. She will make you a better actor. Truly an invaluable resource to anyone pursuing acting."

Lauren Buckley: Actress

"Mary knows exactly how to talk to actors to break down their barriers and help them open up emotionally in a truthful and inspiring way. She has an incredible way of guiding actors to their strongest choices without having to force anything that can't come up naturally. I have never felt more comfortable and confident going into an audition than when I work with Mary."

Sloane Avery: Teen Wolf, MOM, Don Jon, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Fallen Angel.

"Mary is truly an amazing coach. Since I started working with Mary I have grown so much as an actor and as a person. She has taught me to be strong, vulnerable, funny, brave and to "own my power" in every scene. I learn something new and valuable every time we work together. When I have an audition and I want to make it the best it can be, I know all it needs is a little Mary Magic! She has taught me to believe in myself and to believe in each character that I play. I love working with her and I can't wait to learn more from her for years to come!"

Director's Testimonials

Ken Kwapis: Director and Producer: Big Miracle,  Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, A Walk in the Woods

"Mary McCusker has an amazing ability to help actors really own their roles.  She gives people who have never attended an acting class in their lives -- the tools that enable them to perform in reality.  Mary urges actors to bring their own life experience to the part.  Working with Mary is like having an auxiliary brain.  Plus, when shooting on a tight schedule or in extreme conditions, Mary has simply been a lifesaver."

Todd Holland: Executive Producer & Director

"Mary is devoted to constantly confirming (and reconfirming) my goals scene by scene, take by take.  She focused the actors, helped us make our days and carried a load that allowed me to focus on the big production picture each day.  Mary became a trusted creative partner -- I can't imagine working without Mary's support.  I hire her every chance I get."

Howard Michael Gould: Writer, Director, Executive Producer, Currently: Instant Mom

"Mary McCusker is absolutely brilliant at what she does. Her toolbox is bottomless, her understanding of material is profound, and her sensitivity to the young people in her charge - their natural abilities, all aspects of their development, even the nuances of their emotional and family lives - enables her not only in the short term to elicit the performances you need, but in the long term to grow them from child actors into "actor" actors. Late in our first season, a visitor to our set commented that the only show he'd ever seen with three young actors so strong was Malcolm In The Middle. Of course, that show was Mary's, too."

Linwood Boomer: Executive Producer, Creator of Malcolm In The Middle

"Malcolm in the Middle depended entirely on the engaging and believable performances of our child actors. for that, we depended entirely on Mary McCusker. Mary provides an oasis of calm, good-natured professionalism on an often chaotic film set. Her young actors are always thoroughly prepared, attentive and ready to deliver their best work. Her talent is obvious when you see the kids on screen, but what you don't see - and what I'm most grateful for - is the dedication, patience, and insight that nourished those kids."