Sandy Hackett teaches Michael Shurtleff Technique, Camera Technique, Stage Technique, Commercial Technique, Audition Preparation and Technique, Cold Reading, Public Speaking, Improvisation, Career Coaching / Marketing for actors in the Los Angeles / San Fernando Valley areas and online. He works to help his students create or improve a skillset and build their confidence. This in turn helps them overcome being nervous. Sandy Hackett has taught acting in Las Vegas for several years at the Desert Theater Arts Academy. He also taught many private students in Las Vegas and in Los Angeles. Sandy taught Public Speaking at UNLV for 3 semesters. He taught at the Elite Dance and Performing Arts Academy to young dancers ages 8-18 who wanted to add acting to their dance skills.
At a young age Sandy Hackett was inspired by his father, legendary comedian, Buddy Hackett, to enter the world of comedy. Buddy gave his son the foundation from which he began his development, growth and versatility as a performer, producer, writer and entertainer. Sandy graduated with a degree in Hotel Administration from UNLV for which he also served as UNLV’s Director of Entertainment. He produced “The Sahara Showcase of Talent” at the Las Vegas based Sahara Hotel & Casino for four years before it was renamed “Sandy Hackett’s Talent Showcase” and ran for another decade. Additionally, Hackett hosted and produced the show at Sahara Reno, Sahara Tahoe and the old Mint and Dunes Hotel & Casinos. During this time Sandy introduced over ten thousand acts, including many first -time appearances by Andrew “Dice” Clay, Howie Mandel, Gary Muledeer, The Unknown Comic, Tony D’Andrea, Kenny Kerr, George Wallace and many others. In the 1990’s, Hackett successfully ran his own comedy club in Laughlin, Nevada. He became the Entertainment Director for Sun City Summerlin, booking talent for over 400 shows in two years at the Starbright Theater. Sandy penned his own show, recreating the Rat Pack, Joey Bishop, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. as the “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show.” He has cast and directed over 100 actors in his touring Rat Pack Shows since 2001.
