INSTRUCTORS
Thom Scott II
Founder, Head Instructor
Thom is a Meisner Technique trained, award-winning actor/producer/director. His goal is to fulfill God's purpose for his life by using his artistic talents to affect change, stimulate learning, motivate productivity, heal through art, galvanize creativity, and entertain the world.
Thom has learned the craft of acting from the best in LA, NYC, and Atlanta. And, for over 20+ years, he has been successfully acting in all mediums including: national commercials, network television, feature films, and over 400+ performances Off-Broadway. He has been teaching acting to adult and youth
actors for over fifteen years.
"Listen, Be Affected,
and Respond..."
~ Thom Scott II
Lamman Rucker, M.S.Ed.
Associate Instructor
Dr. Lamman Rucker is an award-nominated Actor, Educator, Activist and Entrepreneur who’s career platform has been used to impact, inform and ignite communities through artistic, academic and philanthropic innovation. Currently starring as ‘Jacob Greenleaf’ in OWN Network's award-winning original drama series, Greenleaf, Lamman has
over 25 years of impressive television, film and theatre experience.
A committed activist and highly sought after prolific public speaker,
Lamman co-founded The Black Gents - an African-American male collective of artists driven to educate, entertain and empower communities through the arts, to resurrect, refine and reinforce positive Black male images and to mobilize our youth through outreach and inspiration. He is also a spokesperson for several local, national and global organizations, conferences, corporations and higher education institutions.
Lamman has been a resounding asset to the ACTORS' GYM since 2015. Learn more about Dr. Lamman Rucker and The Black Gents at @LammanRuckerOfficial and @TheBlackGents.
Rhavynn Drummer
Guest Instructor
Rhavynn Drummer is an award-winning producer, director, and casting director who has always had a love for actors and great performances. She began her career in casting at Tyler Perry Studios in 2007 after graduating from the University of Virginia. She’s had the honor of casting over fifteen television series, eighteen feature films, and seven touring plays with the studio. She has also worked on numerous independent projects with Nickelodeon, Staz, Nike, and YouTube Red. Her first web series, Good Girls, which she wrote, directed, and produced, went on to win best web series at the Bronzelens Film Festival and the Black Women Film and TV Festival. In 2017 she had the privilege of co-creating and directing Brooklyn.Blue. Sky, which became the first acquired web series for BET Networks after winning the Xfinity Best Web Series Award at The American Black Film Festival. She recently added professor to her many job titles. She is an adjunct professor in the theatre and communication studies department at Clark Atlanta University.
Javon Johnson
Guest Instructor
Javon Johnson is an award winning actor/writer/director/producer/acting coach, from Broadway to TV and film. Currently staring as Richard Hallsen in Tyler Perry’s hit drama “The Oval” and recurring on BET’s “American Soul”, Johnson was recently seen in Tyler Perry’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween”. Other credits include BET’s “The Quad”, “Black Lightning”, “The Hate You Give” “Barbershop 2”, “The Watsons Go to Birmingham”, “Shots Fired”, “Prison Break”, “Survivor’s Remorse”, “Containment”, “Saints & Sinners”, “The Mob Doctor” and more as well as regional productions throughout the U.S. Johnson is a founding ensemble member of Chicago’s Congo Square Theater Company. Co-writer of the hit musical adaptation of E. Lynn Harris’ “Invisible Life” with original music by Ashford and Simpson recently mounted at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater. Johnson’s short film “Heaven” directed by Chadwick Boseman (star of “42” and “Black Panther”) was nominated for the African Movie Academy Award, featured in HollyShorts Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, Cannes International Pan African Film Festival and Martha Vineyard’s African American Film Festival. His plays “Breathe” and “Cryin’ Shame” were a huge success at the Biannual National Black Theatre Festival. Johnson teaches acting and writing classes across the U.S.
Deanna Yarbough
Guest Instructor
Deanna Yarbough is a Canadian native who has a background in performing arts and has a passion for learning. She studied theatre and film at Georgia State University and had the pleasure to attend The Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Deanna has a strong foundation in the Stanislavski acting method and had the
opportunity to explore the Chekhov acting method. Her commercial credits includes “Head & Shoulders Royal Oils,” “Geico,” Delta Community Credit Union, and At&T Independent film credits include “Justice Matters,” “The List” and “Losing Ground.” When Deanna is not acting, she’s helping other actors live their dream. Her clients
credits include “Netflix All Day & A Night,” “Shaft,” “Will & Grace,” “Hallmark's Unveiled,” “Blackish,” “Bad Dad’s Rehab,” “Raven’s House,” “HBO Lovecraft” and many more.