Instructor Bios
Deke Anderson
Adult Director & Owner
See IMDb profile...Deke Anderson has been a working actor for 33 years and has Directed and Assistant Directed both Theatrically and Commercially.
Acting
Just a few of his many TV and movie credits include “Green Lantern,” “Friday Night Lights,” (this performance quoted in "Sports Illustrated"), series regulars on “Days of Our Lives,” and guest star and recurring performances on “Cheers,” “Webster,” “Brisco County,” “The Show,” “Deep End,” “The Lying Game,” and the Dick-Wolf produced “Nasty Boys.” He has acted in more than 30 features, including “Army of Darkness,” “The Hidden” and “The General's Daughter.” He has performed in dozens of operas, musicals, and stage dramas.
Directing
Deke also directed more than 50 episodes of "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol," and worked as a director/producer and 1st AD for Atlas Pictures/Commercials in Los Angeles, so he has a keen sense of what it takes to be successful both in front of and behind the camera. Deke is a highly respected actor's director as well. During his twenty plus years of teaching actors, he has coached thousands of actors, including Bruce Campbell, Masi Oka, Shannon Elizabeth, Christopher Judge, Chandler Canterbury, Sarah Foret, and Amber Stevens.
Prominent Colleagues
Deke has also had the privilege of acting with Tim Robbins, Karen Black, Kevin Costner, Lance Henricksen, Dee Wallace Stone, Dick Van Dyke, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Franz, Seann William Scott, BeBe Neuwirth, Michael Nouri, Eddie Albert, Parker Stevens, Pamela Sue Martin, Ed O'Ross, Ted Danson, Charles Napier, Woody Harrelson, Finola Hughes, Charlotte Ross, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, to name a few. Deke has been directed by Spider-Man's Sam Raimi, Casino Royale's and Green Lantern's Martin Campbell, James Burrows, Michael Grossman, Simon West, Dick Wolf, Larry Shaw, Joe Napolitano, Chris Nyby, Peter Hunt, Seith Mann and many more.
Elsa Ward
Youth/Teen Director & Co-Owner
Elsa Ward is a Co-Owner of Next Level Acting Studios and the Director of its Youth and Teen Program. She teaches in The Woodlands location and has studied acting for almost twenty years. Under her direction, Next Level’s Youth and Teen program has quickly become one of the region’s leading film and television studios for working and aspiring young professional actors. Next Level’s classes are also home for many young actors who study acting simply for the joy and significant life skills benefits it provides.
Experience
Elsa honed her craft in Hollywood and earned the right to her Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card in less than a year’s time – an accomplishment that eludes many aspiring Hollywood actors for years. While pursuing her Hollywood acting career, Elsa recurred on "Days of Our Lives," appeared at HBO’s Workspace in the Carsey Werner hosted stage production "D.B.’s Here," was a member of Hollywood’s noted Hudson Theatre Guild, and appeared in several plays, short films and industrials.
Training
She studied with some of the best acting teachers in Hollywood, including Emmy-nominated actor/former SAG President Alan Rosenberg, well known character actor Walter Olkewicz and, of course, Next Level’s own Deke Anderson. She fine tuned her improvisation skills at the renowned improv haven, Improv Olympic. She also studied on-camera commercial technique at Weist-Barron-Hill L.A. and trained with multiple soap opera casting directors at TVI Studios.
Education & Background
Elsa has long loved teaching, having completed her B.A. cum laude with a minor in secondary education. After completing her undergraduate degree, Elsa taught underclassmen law students at Loyola University School of Law, where she obtained her law degree and graduated at the top of her class. It was her former career as an attorney, both in private practice and as in-house counsel for Princess Cruises, while attending acting classes to advance her courtroom and presentation skills, that led to her life passion —acting and teaching acting.
Volunteering & Service
Elsa enjoys volunteering her drama talents in the Kid Zone Live programming at Woods Edge Community Church in The Woodlands, where she also teaches children’s Sunday School classes. She is thrilled to lead the team for young actors at Next Level, where her love of children, acting, and teaching create the perfect balance of focus and fun.
Shelley Calene-Black
Senior Instructor
Shelley Calene-Black has been a working actress for the past 15+ years with substantial credits in theatre, film, commercial and voice-over work, including a recent co-starring appearance on TNT's "Memphis Beat.” She began her training at the University of Houston School of Theatre, studying most notably under Jose Quintero, and the School for Film and Television, NYC, as well as with numerous recognized film and commercial coaches.
Stage Credits & Awards
As a stage actress, Shelley has performed in dozens of theatrical productions for some of the most nationally recognized theatres in Houston, including the Tony Award winning Alley Theatre, Stages Repertory Theatre, and Infernal Bridegroom Productions (of which she was a founding company member in addition to serving on the Artistic Staff). For her stage work, Shelley has been noted as "one of the best actresses in Houston" by the Houston Chronicle, and by the Houston Press Awards in the Best Actresses category.
Commercial & Anime
In addition to her theatrical work, Shelley has appeared in numerous commercials, industrial films, and voice-overs for television and radio. Her voice-over work includes approximately 100+ titles for Japanese anime features and series. She has been highlighted in Anime Insider Magazine and IGN.com as one of the "Babes of Anime" featuring "America's Hottest Voice Actresses." As one of the "Babes", Shelley recently hosted the first American Anime Awards in New York City which aired nationally on Anime Network. Some of her series have been seen on Cartoon Network, and many of them are currently airing on Anime Network.
Acting Coach
Shelley has taught acting for Actors Theatre of Houston, as well as privately coached a number of young actors and fellow colleagues. Most recently, she was hired as an on-set acting coach for an upcoming children's television series pilot, "The Boo-Boo Bandits" featuring Peabo Bryson. Currently, Shelley continues her own on-camera studies with Deke Anderson of Next Level Acting.
Rick Olvera
Youth/Teen Instructor
Rick loves working with young people and nurturing their talent. He recently appeared as a Guest Star on NBC's "Chase." He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BFA in Theatre. While at Sam Houston, Rick appeared in many plays, including “Dracula,” “Halcyon Days,” “Tartuffe” and “The Sound of Music.” Rick continues to refine his on-camera acting with Next Level’s Deke Anderson.
Other Stage Experience
For several years, he has been acting professionally in Houston. Recent credits include the Houston Shakespeare Festival's productions of “Julius Caesar” and “Romeo and Juliet.” Rick has also worked regularly in children's theatre. Most recently, he appeared in the Alley Theatre's children's production “Something Rare and Wonderful.” Rick has also volunteered his time and abilities with the Alley as a script reader and judge for Houston Young Playwright's Exchange (HYPE). He has also acted in “The Taming of the Shrew” and “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” with Main Street Youth Theatre. Other stage credits include The Ruby Sunrise, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Pillowman, and Sly Fox.
Commercial & Film Credits
Commercial credits include Space Center Houston and a principal role for University Federal Credit Union. Rick also had the recent privilege of working with Deke in the comedic film short “Jon Wuz Here.” He also recently worked in an industrial mockumentary created and produced by 808 Inc. for the American Advertising Association.
Brittany Djie
Tot Instructor
Brittany Djie, a native Houstonian, has been involved in theatre and film since the age of 12. Brittany graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a BFA in Theatre. While attending SFA, Brittany studied European Theatre abroad at Rose Bruford College, a Southeast London Conservatory, and at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn, Estonia.
Directing & Stage Performance
She appeared in many plays throughout her college career, including "Bonjour", "La," "Caucasian Chalk Circle," "Women in Wallace," The Member of the Wedding," "Baby Talk," and "China Dolls" (written and directed by Jack Heifner). She also directed "Purgatorio," "Naomi in the Living Room," and scenes from "Peer Gynt."
Film & Commercial Credits
Since graduating in 2009, Brittany has appeared in several commercials, features, and short films. Recent film credits include "Atrocity," "Ghosts" and "First Date," a comedic short film that premiered on Fox's TV competition, "The Lot." Brittany continues to hone her craft with Deke Anderson at Next Level Acting.