The CoLAB Method, founded by Thomas and Daniella Adisi, is launching its online acting training system in 2025, offering a pathway into the entertainment industry for students outside traditional coastal power centers. The program represents a significant shift in acting education accessibility, particularly for those from underrepresented regions and backgrounds. Neither founder came from Hollywood connections or industry privilege, with Thomas Adisi beginning his career as a photojournalist while Daniella Adisi worked as a social worker, experiencing what they describe as plenty of failures and learning the hard way what many dreamers face in an industry not built for people like them.
The CoLAB story originated in Milwaukee between 2016-2018, where Thomas ran acting classes alongside three seasons with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. By 2018, they launched CoLAB Studio on Milwaukee's Upper East Side, attracting theater students and working adults seeking practical screen acting training. The program has now evolved into a comprehensive online system accessible through https://www.thecolabmethod.com, representing a major expansion in reach and accessibility for aspiring actors nationwide.
At the core of CoLAB's approach is the proprietary 3Ms framework: Mindset for developing confidence and resilience against rejection, Mastery for sharpening on-camera technique, and Marketplace for navigating branding and the business aspects of acting. The Adisis describe this framework as a time and opportunity multiplier that helps students progress with clarity and speed, addressing both the artistic and practical challenges facing modern actors. This comprehensive approach fills critical gaps in traditional acting education that often overlook the business and psychological aspects of building a sustainable career.
The timing coincides with significant industry shifts following COVID-19, where digital auditions and self-tapes have become standard practice. Hollywood doesn't just live on the coasts anymore, says Daniella Adisi. It lives wherever you have a camera, a story, and the courage to show up. This transformation has created new opportunities for actors from small towns and rural areas who can now pursue careers without relocating to traditional entertainment hubs, fundamentally changing the geographic distribution of talent in the industry.
While designed primarily for actors, CoLAB's impact extends to other creative professionals and entrepreneurs seeking enhanced self-expression. The founders are developing their first book, blending their personal resilience story with the CoLAB framework to offer what they describe as a roadmap from being locked up to living in creative freedom. The flagship program, 10XACTIVATE, includes 50 video lessons with live coaching and community masterminds, providing comprehensive training at a fraction of traditional program costs while offering lifetime community access and a year of guided content.
The approach has proven effective for diverse students ranging from college actors to corporate professionals seeking creative development, demonstrating the program's versatility in serving multiple demographics. This expansion of acting education beyond traditional boundaries represents a democratization of opportunity in an industry historically dominated by coastal elites and those with established connections, potentially leading to more diverse storytelling and representation in media as new voices gain access to professional training and industry pathways.
