CoLAB Method Disrupts Acting Industry with Digital Training Platform for Underrepresented Talent
The CoLAB Method's online acting training platform, built on a proprietary 3Ms framework, is democratizing access to screen acting careers by empowering talent from non-traditional backgrounds and small towns to succeed in the transformed post-pandemic entertainment industry.
The CoLAB Method, founded by Thomas and Daniella Adisi, is challenging traditional acting industry hierarchies with its online training platform that specifically targets underrepresented talent from non-coastal regions. The platform officially launches in 2025, bringing a system developed through the founders' own experiences as industry outsiders who built their careers from unlikely beginnings in Milwaukee rather than traditional entertainment hubs.
Thomas Adisi began as a photojournalist while Daniella started as a social worker, both facing significant barriers when attempting to enter the acting world without industry connections or privileged backgrounds. Their persistence led Thomas to train under Broadway legend and prolific film/TV actor Raphael Sbarge through the selective Hudson Theater apprentice group in Los Angeles, while Daniella developed her skills through intensive study and coaching. These experiences directly informed the development of their proprietary 3Ms framework that forms the core of CoLAB's methodology.
The 3Ms framework consists of Mindset development for building resilience against rejection, Mastery of on-camera technique for auditions and scene work, and Marketplace navigation covering branding, self-tapes, and business strategies. The Adisis describe this integrated approach as a "time and opportunity multiplier" that accelerates students' progress compared to traditional training methods. The system was refined through years of in-person workshops conducted alongside Thomas's work with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater between 2016-2018 before evolving into the current digital platform.
The timing of CoLAB's expansion aligns with significant industry shifts following the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw auditions move predominantly digital and self-tapes become standard practice. This transformation has created new opportunities for actors outside traditional entertainment centers, a demographic that constitutes most of CoLAB's student base. "Hollywood doesn't just live on the coasts anymore," says Daniella Adisi. "It lives wherever you have a camera, a story, and the courage to show up."
CoLAB's flagship program, 10XACTIVATE, delivers the complete system through 50 video lessons complemented by live coaching sessions and community masterminds. Students receive lifetime community access and a year of guided content through https://www.thecolabmethod.com, providing comprehensive training at a fraction of the cost and time commitment of traditional acting programs. While primarily designed for actors, the Adisis note that their approach resonates with various creative professionals and entrepreneurs seeking enhanced self-expression and creative freedom.
The platform's significance lies in its potential to democratize access to acting careers by providing structured, accessible training to talent historically excluded from industry opportunities due to geographical or socioeconomic barriers. As the entertainment industry continues its digital transformation, CoLAB represents a growing movement toward inclusive talent development that prioritizes skill and persistence over traditional gatekeeping and privilege.