Bios

Born & raised in Brooklyn, NY, AUSTIN BASIS is an actor, writer, producer, and celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Shortly after graduating The Actors Studio Drama School with an MFA in Acting, he became a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. There, he’s had the privilege of working with Al Pacino, Faye Dunaway & Estelle Parsons; and under the tutelage of Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel, Martin Landau, Arthur Penn, Mark Rydell, Barbara Bain, and Lou Antonio.

Austin played head writer Alvin Blank in the 5th & final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, currently on Prime Video. He is most known for his role as J.T. Forbes on the 4-time People’s Choice Award-winning series Beauty And The Beast. He was also a series regular on The CW drama Life Unexpected and was a lead in the Warner Bros. web series GHOSTFACERS. Austin’s vast television & film experience has allowed him to share the screen with Viola Davis, Larry David, Claire Danes, Harvey Keitel, Sandra Oh, Vincent D’Onofrio, Christine Baranski, Rachel Brosnahan, Hank Azaria, Michael Lerner, Barry Bostwick, and Austin Butler. He has appeared on numerous TV shows including Curb Your Enthusiasm, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, Homeland, How To Get Away With Murder, Lucifer, Little Fires Everywhere, Supernatural, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Casual, and LAW & ORDER: Criminal Intent. He can also be seen in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty on HBO and in Reasonable Doubt on Hulu.

His film credits include J. Edgar (directed by Clint Eastwood), The Other End of the Line, My Sassy Girl, American Zombie, Boxboarders!, Re-Cut, Dead End Drive, Dorian Blues, and First Oscar, in which Austin plays famed Hollywood producer David O. Selznick. His most recent film projects include Kanashimi, Daruma, and The Last Take – which are all making the rounds in this year’s festival circuit.

Austin also co-created and performed in an improv & sketch comedy show in New York City called Mmm… Comedy. He has continued to write & develop ideas with his production company “Behind the Bag!” Productions, through which he executive-produced the short film The Fear We Share (Prime Video) – a film he also wrote & starred in.

In addition to his acting work, Austin released his first podcast in 2021 called ActorSpeak, available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. He also wrote & published a superhero comic book series in 2018 with his writing partners Dave Maulbeck & Josh Taub. It’s an epic tale called The KINETIX, about kids with disabilities & chronic illnesses who turn their perceived weaknesses into their greatest strengths. The story has been adapted into a full-length graphic novel & will be coming soon to a bookstore near you. An avid poet, Austin also published a book of poetry in 2011 called An Actor Without An Audience: Poetry for Artists, Lovers & Everymen. His first children’s book, Zoo’s On First, co-written with his brother Jeremy Basis & illustrated by Dave Maulbeck, is his latest release & is available online at Amazon, BookBaby, and Barnes & Noble.

As a teacher, Austin was on faculty at the New York Film Academy – LA Campus this past summer and will be teaching an on-camera masterclass with his wife, Colleen Basis, at the Raue Center School for the Arts in Crystal Lake, IL this December. He has also guest lectured at Mizzou, Arizona Actors Academy, and with Coaching By Camille in Hollywood, CA. Finally, Austin was honored as a distinguished alumnus of Mark Twain Intermediate School For The Gifted And Talented in Brooklyn, NY, and inducted into their Hall of Fame in March. He now calls Los Angeles home.

COLLEEN BASIS is a Los Angeles-based Acting Coach, and the creator of the popular social media graphic “The Actor’s Iceberg”.​
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Colleen has been an actor since the age of 8, and began teaching acting as a high school student. She began her career as a professional actor after graduating from George Washington University with a BA in Political Science and Theater. Performing for The Olney Theatre’s National Players, she traveled to over 25 states performing classical works and conducting acting workshops for high school and college students.

After moving to New York she continued to act, study and teach. At the Michael Howard Studios she took the opportunity to create her own conservatory program working with influential teachers Larry Singer (founder of Larry Singer Studios), Michael Howard, Patsy Rodenburg, Olympia Dukakis, and Ali Farahnakian. Her acting career then took her to Los Angeles, and there she shifted her focus to private coaching and casting.​
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Her casting experience includes feature films and pilots, working with and learning from veteran Casting Directors Paul Weber (Spartacus and Stargate Series), Jeff Meshel (former NBC VP of Casting), and Tracy Lilienfield (Grace and Frankie).
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Her wide variety of industry experience helps guide actors as they navigate the complexities of being a Professional Actor throughout their careers. An actor’s creative process and career trajectory aren’t “One Size Fit’s All.” Colleen provides a personalized & functional approach that helps actors bridge their training, creativity, and real-world demands so they can capitalize on the opportunities of being a working actor.

Her long list of clients includes Emmy Award Winner Kerry Washington, People’s Choice Winner Austin Basis (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Reggie Austin (On My Block), Aria Song (Yellowstone), Rebekka Johnson (GLOW), Rachel Drummond (911) and many more recognizable Film & TV actors.

“She is a phenomenal acting coach…working with her could change your life!”
– Kerry Washington