As a Theater Arts Major at the University of Miami, Bobbie Shaw Chance won the Miss Miami Beauty Pageant. One of the prizes was a Hollywood screen test, which resulted in an American International signing her to a seven year contract. She never went back to the University of Miami. Known for her beautiful face and voluptuous figure, who would believe that Miss Bobbie Beautiful would someday be the reigning guru of so many Hollywood hopefuls and name players.
Bobbie's studio of actors appropriately named 'Expressions Unlimited', located in Sherman Oaks, CA, is where the pursuit continues with eight intense sessions per week for those who dare to take the challenge. Her manifesto for novice and celebrities alike is:
- Dedication to the work.
- Commitment to the role.
- Total and complete elimination of the need for personal gain.
Richie Chance, Thursday Night Industry Showcase
During her twenty years as a director/acting coach, some of the names that have come to experience her innovative style of working with actors are:
Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, John Landis (Director of "Twilight Zone"), John Daley (Producer "Platoon"), Tom Shadyac (Director "Ace Ventura"), Jane Barthonnamy (Co-Producer "Legends of the Fall"), Steve Wasserman (Producer "Beverly Hills, 90210"), Herb Stein (Director "Days of Our Lives"), Theatrical agents from William Morris, CAA, ICM, and Writers and Artists, Casting Directors Mary Jo Slater, Ferne Cassel, Barbara Claman, Mark Tillman, Kristian Kasinzky (Paramount Pictures, Head Talent Scout), Lynn Milano (Producer and Manager), Gavin Grazer (Director/Producer Imagine Entertainment), John Singleton (Director), Michael Limbeck (Emmy Award winning Director "Friends").
The list of actors Bobbie has coached into stardom include:
Drew Barrymore, Steven Dorf, Breckin Meyer, Giovanni Ribisi, as well as celebrity devotees Academy Award Winner Anthony Hopkins, Academy Award Winner Martin Landau, Academy Award Winner Richard Dreyfuss, Kurt Russell, Rob Reiner, Andy Garcia, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, all of whom have worked out at her studio.
Richard Dreyfuss, Rob Reiner and Bobbie Shaw Chance headed up "The Session", New York and Los Angeles' first improvisational comedy group that ultimately paved the way and created the format for "Saturday Night Live", and "In Living Color". "The Session" played the Playboy Club in New York, had it's own club on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles and appeared regularly on Steve Allen comedy specials for CBS.
When "The Session" split up, Bobbie married writer Larry Chance, had two children Allison and Richie, starred in five independent feature films and began her crusade with The Abused Children's Foundation. She invented a process known as The Healing Arts by incorporating Theater games and on-stage improvisation as a means to treat emotional wounds. As a result Bobbie has been successful in getting many children to open up and learn to trust others.
Bobbie Shaw Chance starred as Hollywood's guru acting coach on WB's hit show "The Starlet" with Faye Dunaway and Vivica Fox -- as well as "Faking It" for TLC. She completed several episodes as the acting coach to the stars on the hit reality show "Fight for Fame" on "E" Entertainment.
Bobbie is represented by Jack Gilardi (Executive Vice President of ICM).