ONLINE INSTRUCTION NOW AVAILABLE. IN-PERSON CLASSES WILL RESUME WHEN WE CAN SAFELY MEET AGAIN.
During her career, Carolyne worked in over 400 commercials and was a commercial casting director for decades in Los Angeles. The techniques taught in these commercial classes were created by her from her years of experience, with updates that reflect the ever-changing commercial industry. We continue her legacy of helping actors thrive by sharing her approach to commercial success.
Commercials are the launching pad for many acting careers. Not only are they typically the first agent and audition most actors have, but they are also an excellence source of income. Therefore, our Commercial Auditioning 1 class is our recommendation for beginning actors as well as working actors who need to develop the unique skills required for commercial auditions.
WORK STUDY OPPORTUNITIES – Once in-person classes resume, email Kimberly at kimberly@carolynebarry.com for more details about being a class assistant in exchange for a credit toward your tuition. Class assistants must be organized, have good communication skills, be familiar with QuickTime and have no known conflicts during their class’ scheduled dates.
FREE LIVE WEBINAR
Tue, Mar 9, 7.00-8.30 pm PT – Live via Zoom
Discover innovative commercial audition techniques as well as gain a deeper understanding of the commercial industry and how you fit into it. Learn tips to help you succeed with your commercial auditions self-tapes, live virtual and live in-person.
We’ll cover topics such as:
- What’s important in a headshot.
- What experience is necessary.
- How to find auditions without an agent.
- What commercial agents want to see on your resume.
- What commercial casting directors and their clients are looking for.
- Why you might not book a job even when your audition was strong.
A few volunteers will receive on-the-spot coaching. Seminar will be led by CBAA owner and teacher, Kimberly Jürgen.
THE ULTIMATE ACTOR’S BRANDING WORKSHOP
Fri-Sun, Mar 26-28, 10.00 am PT – via Zoom
This 2-day workshop (plus 1 Bonus Day) is designed to help you define your brand so that you can show casting directors and agents exactly who you are and what roles you were born to play. Add-on a private coaching session for personal feedback and career counseling by Kimberly.
** New Class **
COMMERCIAL IMPROV
Wednesdays, Mar 10, 7.00 pm PT
This specialized and one-of-a-kind bootcamp is essential for the actor looking to be competitive in Commercial Improv auditions. Kimberly teaches innovative improvisational techniques that are empowering for the actor to be instantly creative in the Audition, the Callback and ultimately ON THE SET. This class develops the ability to respond, react and make creative job-booking choices. During the four weeks, you will build confidence in your instincts and strengthen your presence in the room, in front of the camera and in your life. This empowering program features self-taping and cold reading with improv scripts.
- 4 classes via Zoom meet once each week for approx 2 hrs
- limited to 6 students
- Teacher: Kimberly Jürgen
- $ 225 (Early Bird Discount and payment plans available)
COMMERCIAL AUDITIONING 1
Saturdays, Feb 13, 10.00 am PT – via Zoom (late registration available)
Sundays, Feb 28, 5.00 pm PT – via Zoom
Wednesdays, Mar 3, 1.00 pm PT – via Zoom
Fridays, Mar 12, 7.00 pm PT – via Zoom

- Teacher: Kimberly Jürgen
- Classes via Zoom limited to 4 students
- 6 classes meet once each week for approximately 2 hours
- $325 (early bird discounts and payment plans available)
- Improve self-taping skills
COMMERCIAL AUDITIONING 2
Thursdays, March 4, 7.00 pm PT – via Zoom
This workshop was designed by Carolyne Barry for the experienced actor. We focus on developing the actor’s commercial skills as well as introducing them to strong techniques that improve auditions and make them competitive. Students work with Kimberly on one- and two-person scenes, handling products and props, improv, interviews and mastering self-tapes.
- Prerequisite: Commercial 1
- 4 students
- Teacher: Kimberly Jürgen
- Classes meet once a week for approximately 2 hours
- Includes: Self-taping skills, live virtual auditioning and commercial type
- $ 325 for this 5 week workshop (early bird discount available)
COMMERCIAL ABC’s WEBINAR
TBA – Live via Zoom
From her work in 400+ commercials and decades as a much-sought-after commercial casting director, Carolyne Barry knew what it took to book commercials. And she compiled her tips and techniques in the ‘Blue Sheet’ which has been shared with all her commercial auditioning students.
Through this live webinar you will learn the Commercial ABC’s as we discuss all aspects of your audition (the Before, During and After) :
- how to interpret the commercial script,
- how to prepare for your audition,
- self-taping essentials,
- what to expect in a live virtual audition and
- what happens after your audition.
Auditioning for commercials is not like auditioning for film/tv. This webinar will give you the tools to create commercial success.
- Teacher: Kimberly Jürgen
- Live webinar via Zoom
- $ 19
- Includes Q&A
** New Class **
BUSINESS OF COMMERCIALS
TBA (one night)
This class will help you understand your commercial type and the tools you’ll need for landing commercial auditions. You will create a personalized commercial pitch and receive professional guidance on headshots, resume, finding a commercial agent and contracts.
- One session
- Teacher: Kimberly Jürgen
- $ 100 for students who have not previously studied with CBAA
- $ 50 for returning students
COMMERCIAL AUDITIONING 3
TBA
In this transformational workshop for the advanced/ professional, Kimberly Jürgen specializes in defining each actor’s unique commercial personality and teaches a strong technique that is instantly performable, based on techniques developed by Carolyne Barry. Kimberly was trained by Carolyne Barry, who was known to be the toughest and most thorough teacher working.
Only the serious actor need apply. Extensive homework each week.
- Eight students
- Work On-camera 2-3 times a night
COMMERCIAL WORKOUT
TBA
Our ongoing commercial workouts are designed for actors who have completed a Commercial class at CBAA and need a challenging workout to keep their skills fine-tuned. Applying the techniques developed by Carolyne Barry, we work with students on-camera, practicing various types of commercial auditions. Each student’s work is also recorded on personal flash drives.
Students can sign up for all 6 weeks or get a FlexPass for any 4 weeks during the 6 week cycle. (No makeup classes.)
- Twelve students
- Pre-requisite: Commercial 1 or 2 with CBAA
- Work On-camera 2-3 times a night
- 7.00-10.00 pm
- $ 300 for this six week workshop (or $ 250 FlexPass for flexible 4 of 6 weeks)
FREE SEMINAR
TBA
You’ll discover innovative commercial audition techniques as well as gain a deeper understanding of the commercial industry and how you fit into it. We will share tips to help you succeed with your commercial auditions. Several volunteers will receive on-the-spot coaching. Seminar will be led by CBAA owner and teacher, Kimberly Jürgen.
- CBAA Studio in Sherman Oaks
- Seating is on a first-come basis. Free parking.
- Personal recording of the seminar is not permitted