Upstage Entertainment assists entertainment professionals in gaining the skills and connections they need to succeed in Hollywood. All our classes and services offer our clients:
Our Industry Experience
Our team works with the world's best
A Global Perspective
Many of our coaches are multicultural and have lived and worked abroad
Innovative Services
We combine English proficiency alongside our entertainment training and coaching
Building a Community
We help our clients create a lasting impact on their careers
Upstage Entertainment is dedicated to training, nurturing, and connecting aspiring and established actors and screenwriters, paving the way for their success in the competitive realm of Hollywood. Our mission is rooted in fostering cultural diversity and inclusivity within the entertainment industry. We aim to make a lasting impact on the industry by empowering underrepresented voices and fostering authentic, culturally rich narratives.
To give you the best experience, we have teamed up with Banter, an English fluency company that, through personalised training, helps bridge the communication gap between entertainment professionals and their global audience.
Upstage Entertainment also offers Talent and Literary Management Services. To learn more click here:
As a manager at Marilyn Atlas Management, Alison represents clients who regularly work with Sony, Netflix, Amazon, and HBO, appearing in high-profile films, TV series and commercials.
Living and working in Beverly Hills, she attends actor showcases, meets emerging talent, and networks with agents, producers and casting directors. She is a co-producer for film and TV projects in development.
With an international background spanning the US, England, Ukraine, and India, she is committed to elevating diverse voices in Hollywood through Upstage Entertainment. As a writer, she pitched her book to an Indian production company as a potential TV series.
By attending events like Sundance, Busan International Film Festival, the Asian World Film Festival, and the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, she aims to scout new talent while bridging cultures. With a passion for fresh voices and stories, she feels privileged to represent and foster creative talent.
Geum-Kang Kim is a director and screenwriter based in Los Angeles and Seoul. His early documentary work was featured on the National Geographic Channel Korea and EBS Docuprime, South Korea's most iconic documentary program. His debut feature film, "New World Order" (2017), and his second film, "Putin and SNS" (2022), part of a trilogy on Russia, were produced by Dong-Joo Kim, known for producing the acclaimed Korean movie "Oldboy." His documentary "Putin and SNS" utilized the method of "Torrents of Truth," spreading the reality of the Ukraine war to Russian citizens as if it were a torrent file of a new blockbuster movie.
Recently, he joined the Dark Hero movie project Tattoo Man as a co-creator with Andrew Cosby, renowned for his work on the Hellboy series. He is currently the Planning Director at Starzione US, founded by producer Dong-Joo Kim.
Devin is the founder of Banter English, offering customized eLearning content for intermediate and advanced English language learners in the entertainment industry.
Her unique approach focuses on project-based learning that keeps learners engaged, with short lessons on individual skills that combine to teach a more comprehensive skill. Banter's programs are designed to help global entertainment companies reach a wider audience overseas by improving the communication skills of their employees.
At Banter English, we believe that language learning goes beyond just memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules. That's why we offer a comprehensive learning experience that combines language training with related career skills so you can apply what you learn to real-life situations.
Devin works with global creatives and creative thinkers to improve their English communication skills. She specializes in conversational fluency as well as public speaking skills for artists, leadership, marketers, and more.
Whether you work in the entertainment industry or have a job that requires creativity, Devin would love to help you reach your English goals!
Language Specialist | Global Content and Localisation
Sam has extensive experience in localization and globalization of content for international audiences. He studied in the US for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees and has since worked with several global companies. Currently, Sam is a Localization Project Manager at RIDI Play in Seoul, South Korea, where he focuses on promoting content for a global audience. Prior to this, he spent over three years at CLASS101, holding various roles, including Manager of the Globalization Team and Lead of the US Content Team.
Sam is an accomplished and passionate educator with a focus in English language and acting in English language for Korean actors. He has a wide range of experience in education, management, marketing, English language translation, art, and media that spans over a decade. In most recent years, he has had the privilege of teaching a diverse range of talented Korean actors, some of whom have graced popular streaming platforms including Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+.
Beyond the classroom, Sam serves as an invaluable connection to directors, producers, and media companies seeking Korean actors. His adeptness at facilitating interviews and helping actors perform naturally in English for specific media projects has been instrumental in the successful integration of Korean actors into international productions. Through this bridge-building role, Sam contributes to the global representation of Korean talent in the entertainment industry.
Sam's expertise extends beyond acting and language instruction and translation. He is also skilled in translating art criticism texts, lending his knowledge of art and translation of critical assessments to numerous galleries. In fact, in 2022, Sam assumed the responsibility of overseeing all English language translations and reviews for the prestigious Korea International Art Fair, showcasing his proficiency and insight in the art world.
Prior to his current endeavors, Sam has achieved success in managing an English language academy in Korea and also held a prominent position as Vice President at Coffee MBA, the multiple award-winning and oldest coffee academy in the country, which trains coffee-making experts to compete and win in international coffee-making competitions. Through his involvement in the coffee academy, Sam has had the honor of teaching the art of coffee making to numerous celebrities.
Sam's expertise in teaching English and acting in the English language to Korean actors, his ability to forge connections with industry professionals, his talent for translating art criticism, and his experience in managing educational institutions and coffee academies make him a well-rounded and invaluable asset. He has a lifelong dedication to continuous learning and growth and has an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results in all his endeavors.
An entertainment marketing professional who has worked with Comcast, E! Network, and Fox, among many media companies, with experience in executing campaigns and building promotional programs that build buzz and drive tune-in for series launches and sustained viewership.
Expertise includes:
Integrated Marketing: Television/Digital/Social Media/Print/Experiential Activation
Sponsorships/Brand Integration/Branded Entertainment
Promotions/Consumer Sweepstakes Ideation/Execution/Project Management
Client/Vendor/Team/Budget Management
Building effective & collaborative relationships with partners and internal teams
With a career spanning over four decades, Chil Kong uses his diverse background to inform his storytelling. His different points of view work together to tell an even greater story. From performer, director, and producer to educator, Chil has devoted his life to making and teaching art to others. Chil has a passion for social change, a drive to tell stories and a devotion to creating art that brings joy. He hopes his work inspires others and encourages viewers to become better storytellers themselves.
An award-winning producer and personal manager of actors and writers, Marilyn R. Atlas is equally at home in the worlds of film, television, and live theatre.
Marilyn has long been committed to issues surrounding diversity in Hollywood. As a National Association of Latino Independent Producers member, she spoke at many of their writers’ and producers’ retreats. Atlas is a mentor in the DIVERSE WOMEN IN MEDIA INITIATIVE. She has lectured at the DGA-sponsored LA Asian Film Festival and various other symposia. She is a founding member of Women in Film’s Luminas Committee, which supports the portrayal of women in non-stereotypical roles in film and television.
She has spoken at hundreds of events and is a frequent guest speaker at colleges all over the country. Additionally, she was a guest lecturer in the Writing Program at USC, where she previously taught a class every year on creating three-dimensional, non-stereotypical characters. Her actor clients have appeared in shows such as Star Trek, Fringe, Pretty Little Liars, How to Get Away with Murder, 90210, Revenge, Hart of Dixie, NCIS: LA, True Blood, Dexter, Chuck, Castle, and Criminal Minds among many others.
In addition to Marilyn’s film and TV credits, she has sold (first-time) novels for her clients to Harper Collins, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Publishing, and Source Books. Marilyn is currently developing several TV pilots and film projects.
Marilyn is featured in the book “Write Now!” from Penguin and is co-author of a relationship-based screenwriting guide called “Dating Your Character,” about an organic approach to character creation for Stairway Press’s 2016 catalogue.
Born in Australia, but living in New York Christopher has worked for numerous theatre companies including ESPA @ Primary Stages, 59 E59 Street, NYC Fringe, and The Workshop Theatre. Some Favorite Off Broadway Credits include Four Dogs & A Bone, Titus Andronicus, & Tartuffe. When he is not acting or coaching he can be seen hosting & performing at comedy clubs such as Carolines (RIP), Gotham, Greenwich Village, & Broadway Comedy.
Film/TV credits include Men in Black III, Vish Merrick on Amazon Prime, and Rare Birds of Fashion. Commercially he has shot print work for Zara, Ugg Boots, Target, and BMW/Mini Cooper and his voice can also be heard on Diet Coke, Colgate Education, and numerous US Mall commercials.
In 2017 Christopher was nominated at the Indie Series Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work in the series Rare Birds of Fashion.
As an acting coach his students can be seen on Broadway, National Tours as well as the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Law & Order, Will & Grace, Marvel, HBO, CBS, ABC, Hulu and Netflix.
Stephen Snyder is an Award Winning Casting Director and Acting Coach of over 30 Years. He has a passion for helping to turn his Students into Working Actors while working closely with Actor/Writer/Producer Leo Rossi at the Rossi/Snyder Actor's Lab where they received the "Best Class in LA Award."
As a Casting Director Stephen has cast over 1700 Music Videos for Recording Artists such as Michael Jackson, Toby Keith, Bon Jovi, Metallica, among many others. He has also worked closely with Award Winning Directors James Cameron, Robert Zemickis, Cameron Crowe, David Kellog, Tobe Hooper, Scott Clavert, Wayne Isham, and Karl Kosak.