Studio Team
Experts dedicated to your success
Jim Nieb brings over 25 years of experience and training to the Margie Haber Studio as well as a megaton of fresh energy! To say Jim’s had a varied career so far would be an understatement.
Conceived in Germany, born in Ohio, and raised just outside of Washington, DC Jim’s professional career is based in a solid foundation in comedy beginning his professional acting career in 1991 performing improv and stand up comedy around the Washington, DC area. Since then Jim has done every type of performing and acting from clowning with the Big Apple Cirucus’ Clown Care Unit at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, to Shakespeare in the park to fire-eating and celebrity impersonations to film and television.
In 2004 Jim moved to Los Angeles and since then has had made some fantastic memories including opportunities to work with such directors as J.J. Abrams (Star Trek) and Clint Eastwood (Changeling).
Over the years Jim has worked on dozens of commercials and most recently has made frequent appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC in a variety of sketches.
Though one of Jim’s strengths has always been comedy with training that includes ComedySportzLA and The Groundlings, his dramatic training goes deep and is grounded in truth, being based in the Meisner technique he received from Playhouse West where he trained from 2005 until 2010. Teaching has always been a passion for him and in 2009 he was asked to join the staff where he began teaching the dramatic technique classes as well as founding the successful comedy program there.
Margie’s positivity and the supportive nature of the studio, combined with a program which so positively helps actors get out of their own way and into their bodies allowing for more truthful work is what drew Jim to the Margie Haber Studio. The studios philosophy is a perfect compliment for the Meisner training he’s so well versed in already. He can’t wait to meet you!
Robin Dale Meyers – Instructor
Robin’s early fascination with human behavior and performing sparked a lifelong journey as an actress and teacher. Working with actors – either as colleagues or students – is her greatest joy.
A veteran of the stage and various screens, Robin’s credits include “General Hospital,” “Criminal Minds,” “Without A Trace,” “The Office” and commercials for Home Depot and Buick. As an improviser, Robin co-founded three NY-based groups and performed throughout the NY-CT-MA circuit. She garnered a Best Actress Award for the festival darling, “Duck, Duck, Goose!” and for the critically acclaimed web series, “The Real Girl’s Guide To Everything Else.”
Throughout her career, Robin has taught acting and improvisation to children, teens, and adults throughout the Tri-State area and Los Angeles. In 2011, she co-created and taught an L.A.-based arts program focused on empowering students through drama and improv games.
At the Margie Haber Studio, Robin has taught every level, guiding students with compassion and a keen eye through their personal and creative blocks to a more authentic experience. Her B.A. in Psychology allows her to bring a working knowledge of human behavior into the classroom; a perfect fit for Margie’s philosophy of “I am this person living this life.” She enjoys creating a safe, fun space where students can truly explore and grow.
You’ve seen her students starring, guest-starring and co-starring in recent TV shows and films such as “The Outpost,” “The Affair,” “S.W.A.T.” “Speechless,” “Ray Donovan,” “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,” “T@gged,” “Quantico,” “Stitchers,” “Bones,” “Silicon Valley,” “Zac And Mia,” “2 Broke Girls,” “Fresh Off The Boat,” “The Kicks,” “Z Nation,” “Parks & Rec,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Goat,” “Patriots Day,” “Only The Brave,” “Assassination Nation,” “Shazam,” as well as national commercials and soaps.
Lawrence Dwyer – Instructor
Lawrence Dwyer is an actor/producer/writer who fell in love with the Margie Haber Studio’s philosophy immediately after studying with Margie and her many instructors.
Lawrence earned a BA degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he wrote and produced an AIDS awareness play to raise donations for The Golden Rainbow, a local charity that helps those suffering from AIDS with everyday human needs. The press from the event attracted donations from personalities such as Bill Gates, Matt Damon, Anne Rice, Samuel Jackson, Angelica Huston, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Kimmel, Vanna White, John Travolta, Jackie Chan, and Fabio, to name just a few. He then started a theater group called, “The East Coast Wanna Be’s”. In 2001, Lawrence decided to move to the east coast and continue his studies in acting under the mentoring of Meisner Technique master teacher William Esper and legendary Broadway director Lloyd Richards, while earning his MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Jersey. This is where Lawrence’s teaching career began.
While at Rutgers he headed up the Young Actors Workshop for children. Since his return to California, Lawrence has found his home in the Los Angeles entertainment industry by filling various roles in front of and behind the camera. Some of his notable credits include “Guns, Girls and Gambling”, “ER”, “Passions”, and the Crossroads Theater production of “Fortinbras”.
Lawrence has also served as the head-acting teacher at The Paul Sorvino Meisner Intensive Acting Studio (which he co-created), and at various other institutions throughout LA. Lawrence is currently producer of the feature film “Beneath the Leaves” starring Academy Award winning actress Mira Sorvino, Christopher Masterson, and Doug Jones.
Margie Haber – Founder
Margie teachers at the Master Level at the studio. Each month she works with 8 actors in her Master Weekend and has two ongoing classes each week. She also privately coaches and for more information call the studio.
Diane Charles – Instructor
Diane Charles has a unique skill set that serves her well as a teacher at Margie Haber Studio. As an Executive Producer, she has been nominated for an Emmy Award and Producers Guild Award for the Showtime series,”Web Therapy” starring Lisa Kudrow. In addition to working with Lisa, Diane has worked with and produced series starring Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, will.i.am, Diablo Cody, Mindy Kaling, Jack Black, etc. – over 270 pieces of celebrity-filled content. She also recently had two docu-series optioned by Cineflix Entertainment and is attached to two scripted series.
Prior to her work in development and production, she was a successful television, film and theatre actress in Chicago and LA. After receiving her BA in Telecommunications/Theatre from Indiana University, her work included starring in a play written and directed by Joe Mantegna; a film lead opposite Roger Daltrey; a four-year recurring role on “The Young and The Restless”, and a five-year contract as spokesperson for Advil, along with many other television, commercial and theatrical roles.
Diane then pursued something she loved just as much as acting – becoming a therapist who would empower people to live the lives they deserve. She received her MA in Psychology from Antioch University. While working as an actress, she simultaneously worked as a therapist and led workshops for actors, musicians, models, agents, casting directors, and studio executives, among other clientele.
Diane was drawn to teach with Margie Haber and her team because of the studio’s long-standing reputation and its focus on guiding actors not only toward more successful acting careers, but also toward more authentic, happier lives. She loves how the philosophy teaches actors what she hopes she’s passed on to her daughters and the clients she has coached – to “trust themselves”, “embrace their imperfections” and replace their panic with power and passion. She loves the souls that are similarly drawn to this studio and is so happy for the opportunity to work with Margie and her amazing teachers.
Natalia Castellanos – Instructor
Natalia Castellanos’ love for acting began as a bubbly child entertaining at her family’s large dinner parties. It was evident early on that Natalia would lead a life dedicated to the performing arts. Born in a small country known as Suriname, Natalia called many other countries home as well: Romaine, Jamaica, Poland, and Venezuela. The daughter of a Latin American diplomat, Natalia’s life experience is a global one.
Natalia’s acting career began in Kingston, Jamaica working as Jennifer Grey’s body-double in the feature film, Ritual. The experience on-set convinced Natalia she had found her calling, and upon moving to the U.S., she experienced an abundance of success in commercials. She booked several large spots including Cingular’s World Cup campaign and McDonald’s cross promotion with the film, Pirates of the Caribbean.
Upon concluding her degree in Mass Communication at Florida International University, Natalia remained in South Florida, and her ability to speak Spanish fluently allowed her to book voice-over commercials for international conglomerates such as Gap, Hallmark, McDonalds, and the voice of the bilingual channel MTV Tr3s.
You can see Natalia as the Spanish Newscaster on Battleship starring Liam Neeson. She has appeared as a Guest Star on “The Closer,” as a Recurring character on “The Doctor,” and with Co-Star roles on “The Mentalist,” “Prime Suspect,” “The Forgotten,” and “CSI: NY.” Natalia was a guest host for E! News Now and well as the host of the second season of MTV’s hit series, “The X-Effect.” She was also one of the hosts for “My Games Fever,” an interactive game show on FOX, owned and operated by MyNetworkTV.
Chris Schellenger – Instructor ~ Kids
Chris Schellenger began acting as a child; appearing in plays by the age of 8 and graduated to pursuing his full time acting career in Hollywood by age 14. He has had roles in TV, Film and numerous commercials. Chris is a passionate teacher mentor and actor committed to the growth and development of young talent. Using the Haber Philosophy to guide his students into ‘creating the life’ of each person or character they are ‘living’. Being immersed in the industry from a young age allows Chris to see and know the business from a child’s perspective. After years of studying acting with premier acting teachers and at other various institutions, Chris finally found a fit being taught directly by Margie. “Living the life” resonated so profoundly that he dedicated to educate the youngest in the industry how they too could begin to realize their dreams, while maintaining the joy they have for acting; or as we call it, LIVING!
Hamish Sturgeon – Studio Manager
Originally from the UK, Hamish Sturgeon trained extensively as an actor in theatre, film and TV obtaining a bachelors degree in English and drama. He has appeared in well known British TV dramas including “Moving On,” “The Village,” and “Hank Zipzer” for the BBC, as well as starring in a large number of national TV commercials and short films. In 2009 he won an independent theater Best Supporting Actor award for his role as Robin in “Time and the Conways.” Since arriving in the US he has picked up roles in “Flight World War II” for Asylum Pictures and “My Crazy Ex” for Lifetime.
Throughout his acting career Hamish has also worked as a casting assistant and later associate – working in independent film, major prime time drama and national commercials. Hamish was also an acting coach for children and adults at a number of prestigious British drama institutions. Whilst working in casting and production roles he was asked to workshop the audition process for a number of agents and management companies throughout the UK.
Hamish found an immediate home at the Margie Haber Studio connecting immediately with the transformative philosophy of “living the life” and is excited about working with Margie to support the studio going forward.
Anne Schmidt – Studio Coordinator
Anne was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved with her family at and early age to Wellington, Florida where she spent her childhood. There Anne began attending dance classes and has never quit. She has always had a passion for the the arts and volunteering in her community. At the age of 8 Anne started a children’s choir which performed in local hospitals and nursing homes to lift the spirits of the sick and elderly with music. She continued volunteering and also was an early entrepreneur starting her own jewelry boutique a few years later.
In addition to dancing in a competitive dance troupe Anne began modeling in her teens. This lead her to Pageant competition, winning Miss Florida Teen and 2nd runner up Miss American Teen in 1994. Anne’s passion for dance continued to grow and she was accepted to Palm Beach County School of the arts dance program. After graduation she continued her dance education at Marymount Manhattan College where she graduated with a B.F.A in dance.
Anne continued to work as a dancer and model in NYC as well as competing and being named 1st runner Miss New York in 2001. Anne began her acting training at T Schreiber Studio in Manhattan in 2006. There she founded her love for the craft of acting and soon made the decision to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time. While she has studied at UCB, Second City and many more Anne found her home at Playhouse West in North Hollywood. There she preformed in dozens of plays and shorts … known for starring in such plays as Burn This, Some Girls, North of Providence, and Dinner with Friends. Anne found Margie Haber studio in 2016 and fell in love with Margie’s weekend. She has been a student ever since. Anne is so excited to be part of the team helping and guiding students in their journey. Anne continues her love of the arts and being involved in the community, volunteering for local pet rescues and shelter adoption events. Her favorite words to live by are “adopt don’t shop” and “live the life”. She continues to do so!