Next Level Acting Studios: A veritable ‘Hollywood at Home in The Woodlands’

THE WOODLANDS, TX – When working actor Deke Anderson, a 40-year-plus Hollywood veteran, and his actor/attorney wife, Elsa Ward, moved to The Woodlands in 2006, they brought their Hollywood business, Next Level Acting Studios, with them. Since then, Next Level has taught acting to hundreds of students in The Woodlands area.

Happily residing in the Alden Bridge village of The Woodlands, owners Deke and Elsa feel fortunate to be long-time members of our lovely community. “Nurturing a creative, fun and educational home for other people interested in studying acting has always been important to us,” said Deke. Elsa added, “The Woodlands offered a special opportunity to substantially build our youth and teen program, and so many wonderful families have shared their precious children with us over the years. It’s surreal that we now have taught the children of former teen students – ‘grand-students’ essentially. We couldn’t be more blessed.”

The cornerstone of Next Level Acting’s solid business foundation is definitely Deke, who was one of Hollywood’s most respected acting teachers. A high-level Los Angeles talent agent once referred to Deke as her “secret weapon” for clients who were landing roles.

Deke himself has been privileged to be on screen for many iconic TV/film moments – with portrayals ranging from a tiny Ash tormenting good friend Bruce Campbell in Sam Raimi’s cult classic “Army of Darkness;” to Lilith’s beefcake bachelor-party dancer Randy on “Cheers;” to the spoiled, arrogant suitor who pursues Madonna in her “Material Girl” music video. Deke’s recent roles (check them out on dekeanderson.com) include the pivotal forensic expert trial witness, Dr. Vincent DeMaio, in Elizabeth Olsen’s “Love and Death” on Max. On CW, he played the cowboy/billionaire businessman, Ed Manchester, with Jared Padalecki in “Walker.”

Deke has worked in so many roles on so many sets for so many years that few acting studios can match the wealth of real-screen experience that is the core of Next Level Acting Studios. Deke’s extensive film background and avid professionalism guide the focus of every acting class. Whenever asked what advice he would give to aspiring actors in a very difficult business, Deke’s response is succinct: “Failure can’t cope with persistence.”

Persistence also prevails on the youth/teen side of the studio, where Elsa says she finds her greatest joy when their acting classes inspire young students in truly important ways that transcend any stage. “Many times, parents express that other activities don’t interest their child, or their teen is unusually shy and they want some help drawing them out,” she explained. “Or their child wants greater success in school theater.”

Parents also seek out Next Level because their children want to pursue acting professionally — a venture that can seem especially daunting to those with no show business experience. “Partnering with parents in their children’s growth and development is an honor and a privilege for us,” said Elsa. “Plus, we have an absolute ball at work!”

For more information about Next Level Acting Studios’ acting classes in The Woodlands or Houston, call or text their Executive Assistant at 832-548-0499, email her at nextlevelactingstudios@gmail.com, or visit https://www.nextlevelacting.com.