The Acting Gym prepares artists to work in theatre, film and television. Whether you are an adult or young artist auditioning now as a young, professional actor or a youth or teen planning a career in theatre, television or film after you finish school, at The Acting Gym you will receive the rigorous, real-life training and experiences you need to build a lasting career in a challenging and competitive field. Training at The Acting Gym includes acting classes, private lessons and audition coaching/taping for all ages and for young artists training includes dialects and writing classes; special skills workshops and professional film production experiences. We also regularly host business workshops and provide preparation for college and academic auditions.
All of The Acting Gym’s instructors and guest artists are currently working professionals committed to building the next generation of artists that will lead the entertainment industry.
Our acting philosophy is centered in the modern school of acting; on the use of oneself to build a character; and that truth and authenticity is fundamental to each and every moment of acting. However core to our values is the belief that all actors need a deep understanding of how the Industry works and how the business of acting is evolving. To be an empowered actor, you need to be a smart actor.
In our scene study classes for all ages, actors focus on both stage and on-camera acting skills with four essential goals for each scene assigned: to break down a scene; to seamlessly and organically move beat to beat through the given circumstances; to understand what it means to be in the scene authentically; and to put a unique take on a role that only they can bring to it.
Private one-on-one lessons are used to explore a deeper skill set or challenges for actors whether it be expanding the actor’s emotional life; moving beyond type; or specific styles of text and acting.
For our younger actors (those who are already working or preparing to work professionally), in addition to developing their acting skills, students are also taught the fundamental responsibilities and best work practices of being a working actor from auditions to the professional theatre’s rehearsal to what it’s like to be on the set of a TV show of film.
Through our skills training courses and workshops, we explore advanced and complimentary skills including dialects, audition techniques, design, basic cinematography, stage combat and film editing.
In our writing workshops, students are challenged to create work in the medium of their choice. Skills learned and practiced will make all artists better prepared for professional work where being able to talk about the work and to create one’s own work have become a fundamental cornerstone for all artists in the industry.
The Acting Gym business workshops offer in-depth dives into important Industry topics. Past topics have included the economics of being a working actor, representation, the evolution of television’s pilot season, and even the effects of COVID-19 on the industry.
Our centerpiece youth and teen film programs focus on producing an independent feature film and a series of short films each summer. Participants are given the opportunity to learn every aspect of filmmaking while working side-by-side with professionals throughout the process. Although most participants also act in the films, every participant takes on production responsibilities. Each participant will experience the tremendous amount of work over a very short period of time that it takes to produce a film. This one-of-a-kind program demands 100% commitment with the reward of having the experience of creating a professional-level film project and sometimes even finding a new passion that changes the course or expands the goals of their future career in the business.
