Welcome to JBA
Founded by Jeb Beach in 2012, JBA is a go to spot for actor support in the Film and Television Industry. We are known for expertise, positivity, integrity, and innovation. We are proud of our rep for always being Ahead of the Curve, supporting actors in the constantly changing game.
Jeb Beach - Founder
Jeb has coached and supported actors to bookings Series Regular, Major Film roles, or simply to their first one-line role. He is known for being a highly positive, nurturing coach, and for being deeply aware of the myriad of styles and how to adjust to them. Jeb has worked on all of the major networks and genres that shoot in Vancouver and continues to be one of Vancouver’s most sought-after acting coaches.
Our Team
Matthew Kevin Anderson - Teacher, Coach
Matthew is a Vancouver and LA actor and coach who knows the industry from all angles. You’ve probably seen him as a reader in some of your Film & TV Auditions. In addition to a complete understanding of the industry, and how to manage its ins and outs, he’s got a knack for comedy, both as an actor and as a coach. As such, in addition to being a go-to audition coach for all genres, Matthew is also the Comedic Leading man for JBA.
Jessie Fraser - Teacher, Coach
Before pursuing acting professionally, Jessie took an academic path, earning a master’s degree in Archival Science. She then came to her senses and pivoted to the arts. Ever since, she’s been working steadily as an actor on high-profile projects including Supernatural, Firefly Lane, Ridley Scott’s critically acclaimed “The Man in the High Castle,” and “The Dating Game,” directed by Anna Kendrick.
Between film and tv gigs, Jessie has appeared in dozens of national and international commercials. She has also gained a unique perspective on the audition process from the other side of the camera working for busy Vancouver casting directors.
As a long-time coach at JBA, Jessie combines her academic background and on-set experience to help actors create nuanced, well-rounded characters.
Karen Holness - Teacher, Coach
Karen is the series lead of Cashing In and with over 60 other film and television credits to her name including FOX’s Almost Human, CW’s Arrow, ABC’s Once Upon a Time, and a recurring role on FOX’s Fringe. Karen played wife to Danny Glover in Donovan’s Echo, wife to Laurence Fishburne in Tortured. Karen also appeared in the Oscar-winning movie production of Chicago. Her stage credits are extensive and include Rent, Dreamgirls, Crazy for You. Karen was also the co-founding member of Toronto’s Beacon Theatre Company for 4 years.
Karen attended Performing Arts High School in Toronto and then transferred to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan, New York. Since then Karen has studied at the top schools out of Los Angeles namely Edgemar Studios with Larry Moss, Cameron Thor Studios, and the Ivana Chubbuck Studios. Karen has privately coached many bringing them successful results. Karen taught the Arts Program for the City of Toronto and at the Kate Booth center, Vancouver.
As big sister of four, Karen says, “Teaching is as natural to me as breathing. It’s exciting to witness the growth, progress and success of a fellow artist”.
Tammy Gillis - Teacher, Coach
Tammy Gillis is an award-winning Canadian actress, director and producer - IMDb - whose dynamic and captivating performances have won her widespread recognition and critical acclaim. With an impressive range of work in both television and film, Tammy is a true powerhouse in the entertainment industry. Tammy has appeared on all three season of Freeform Siren, starred alongside James Tupper in the true crime series The Detectives and earned four Best Actress awards for her stunning lead performance in the internationally acclaimed feature film Menorca.
Tammy's talent and versatility have made her a sought-after presence in the television industry. She starred in and executive produced the TV movie Riverfront Romance earning her third Leo Award nomination and becoming the #1 movie on SuperChannel and #1 trending across the network and the Roku Channel. Tammy has also appeared in a variety of guest starring and recurring roles on hit shows such as Kung Fu, Van Helsing, Chesapeake Shores, Motive, Supernatural, Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, and many more.
Tammy teaches workshops and coaches people across North America, in-person and via Zoom. She coaches actors new to the industry as well as seasoned professionals. Her clients have worked on such shows as SO HELP ME TODD, THE IRRATIONAL, SUPERMAN & LOIS, RIVERDALE, THE HURT UNIT, ANIMAL CONTROL and many more, plus MOW's, features, pilots, and commercials.
Having spent time on both sides of the camera, Tammy has directed, produced, assisted casting as a reader in casting sessions, as well as network table reads, most recently on all three seasons of KUNG FU and season one of SO HELP ME TODD. She has auditioned for thousands of projects in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Los Angeles and New York and continues to audition regularly. Tammy has studied acting all across Canada and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology.
Stephanie Izsak - Teacher, Coach
Stephanie is an actor, writer, and director based in Vancouver. After years of performing on stages across Canada, Stephanie transitioned to film and television, where she's made her mark in a few short years, recurring on the CW's 'The 100', Netflix's 'Firefly Lane', appearing in MANY television movies, and is currently holding down the law in her fourth season as Central City's sweetest cop Officer Daisy Korber on CW's 'The Flash’. Most recently, she can be found as Lena in Netflix’s newest comedy, ‘Blockbuster’.
Stephanie’s voice can be heard internationally for clients such as Telus, Tropicana, 7-Eleven, Party City, McDonald's, in dozens of video games such as Nintendo’s ‘Gluon’ and Summoners War, and in animated shows, most recently in Netflix’s ‘The Dragon Prince’.
As a writer and director, Stephanie is passionate about telling stories that explore the complex and often contradictory nature of our modern world and how violence and technology play a part in our evolving perspective.
Her latest film 'Consumer' (12 min, coming-of-age horror) was a Top 6 Winning film to be green-lit by the Crazy 8s Filmmaking Society, is a Winner of Stage 32’s International Short Film Contest and continues to screen internationally at festivals such as Hollyshorts (Los Angeles) Nightmares Film Festival (Ohio) Oregon Screams Film Festival (Bend, Oregon - WINNER, Best Director), Raindance Film Festival (London, UK), Blood In The Snow (Toronto), and the Vancouver Horror Show (WINNER- Best Director, Best Music, Best Editing).
Wesley Salter - Teacher, Audition & Career Coach
Wesley is a Vancouver industry vet. He has worked as an Actor, Producer, Host, Associate Casting Director (with Clark & Page), Publicist, and Press Manager.
With his years of experience on both sides of the negotiation table, he’s uniquely positioned to support actors in making the right choices – both in auditions and careers.
Jax Smith - Creative Support Services, Coach
Experienced on both sides of the lens, Jax is enthusiastic about the craft of storytelling in all its forms and supports students in getting their self-driven projects to the next stage of development. Jax is the co-creator of the branded-content series, ‘Turning the Tables’ for Shaftesbury Films Inc.
Her series DEFECT was shortlisted for the CFC’s Netflix Project Development Accelerator. Jax has optioned three TV pilots and her scripts have placed well in several notable screenplay competitions, including The Emerging Screenwriters Shoot Your Sizzle Screenplay Competition, Table Read My Screenplay Austin, the ScreencraftCraft Film Fund, and the ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship.
Jax directed and co-wrote the short film MENTAL. A BravoFACT recipient, it thrived in an extensive festival run, won several awards, and received five Leo nominations, including Best short drama and Best screenwriting. It garnered Jax the 2019 WIFTV Spotlight Image Award for, ‘an outstanding short work that shows production excellence or a unique, visionary approach.’
Jax directed THE STAKEOUT, nominated for an EDA award for ‘Best Female-Directed Short’ at the Whistler Film Festival 2017 and for a Leo award for Best Actress.
She’s directed projects for First Star and the World Wildlife Fund, which screened on CBS, The Knowledge Network, Urban Rush TV, and were featured in The Vancouver Sun and The Province.
In 2019, Jax workshopped a playlet trilogy titled, A TRIPTYCH OF IMPARITIES. The workshop raised funds for the Movember Canada Foundation and was the first playlet to be workshopped in JBA’s black box theatre.
She is thrilled to support and nurture the creative endeavors of JBA students.