Actors must practice their craft. So, here’s a list of local acting classes and acting coaches to get you started.
- The Actor’s Arena
Most remember veteran actor Terry Kiser from his hilarious portrayal of a dead man in Weekend at Bernie’s, but in Austin, Mr. Kiser has a reputation for being an outstanding acting coach. Fairly new to the Austin acting scene, he offers weekly performance classes for both children and adults at various locations around Austin. His students rave about him.
- Austin Actors Studio & David A. Cox
Wanna learn Meisner Technique? David A. Cox of the Austin Actors Studio studied with Sanford Meisner for four year in New York. He has taught in Hollywood for 21 years and in Austin for 9 years. He comes highly recommended by multiple students.
- Amber Dupuy
Drawing from the acting techniques of beloved teachers Uta Hagen, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner and a few contemporaries, professional actress Amber Dupuy teaches skills that will apply to all acting mediums including film, stage, commercial, and auditions.
- Austin Children’s Theater Classes
ACT offers classes and summer camps for kids interested in acting and performance. The Conservatory Training courses include acting for musical theatre, dance, voice workshops, as well as musical theatre history and literature classes.
- CK McFarland & Alleywood Studios
1902 South Congress, Austin, TX 78704
Professional actor and acting coach CK McFarland comes recommended by numerous Austin actors. A classically trained actor with roots in the English Theatre, CK McFarland blends her own training and acting experiences with spiritual principles. As she says, “after all this profession reflects the human condition and our search for understanding and upliftment.” Certainly makes sense to me.
- Carol Hickey Productions
Offering classes both in Los Angeles and Austin, Carol Hickey employes the Alexander Technique of acting. Notable actors of the Alexander Acting Process include Robin Williams, Judi Dench, Kevin Kline, Hilary Swank, and Ben Kingsley. Carol Hickey’s acting workshops are offered through the Austin’s State Theatre on Congress Ave in Downtown.
- The Hideout Theatre
617 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Located in the heart of Austin’s Downtown district, the Hideout offers an awesome, cozy comedy experience with shows and classes every week. Their facilities include a two separate small theater spaces. Classes are mostly geared towards improv acting and sketch comedy.
- In the Moment Acting Studio
902 East 5th Street, Suite 112, Austin, TX
Taught by professional actor Laurel Smith Vouvray, these acting classes focus on the acclaimed Meisner acting technique. Laurel studied with Meisner himself in New York. She believes “in order to learn, one must take risks,” so Laurel creates a safe environment where her students feel free to take risks. Private coaching is also available. Laurel also has several credits as a casting director and comes highly recommended by her Austin acting students.
- The Institution Theater Improv Classes
Located in South Austin near Penn Field, the Institution Theater is an absolute gem hiding in a busy industrial neighborhood. The theatre offers a full line-up of classes from improvisation, sketch writing, comedic acting, commercial auditioning and even stand-up comedy. Classes are taught by multiple instructors including Tom Booker, Asaf Ronen, Ted Meredith, Sarah Marie Curry, and Brent Heilbron. Highly recommended by many.
- Marco & Diane Perella, Actor Workshop
@ Alleywood Studios, 1902 South Congress at Mary Street, Austin, TX
This acting power couple offers on-camera acting classes and audition workshops. They boast simple, direct technique that provide results. Workshops are typically held at Alleywood Studios in South Austin.
- Milne Studio
Austin & San Antonio
Brad Milne has a long history of success in the entertainment business and offers classes, workshops, seminars and private coaching sessions in both California and Central Texas.
- Mona Lee & BriteLites Studio
Perhaps Austin’s most influential Austin acting coach ever, Mona Lee offers a range of classes for teens and adults in her North Austin BriteLites Studio. She studied acting at the prestigious Julliard and helps actors prepare themselves for career in professional film acting. She can be tough on her students, but her heart is as big as Texas. Everyone loves Mona and many former students recommend her showcase classes.
- Paula Russell
With more than 25 years of professional teaching experience, Paula Russell can help you improve your acting skills. Her performance classes range from ongoing night and daytime workshops, Shakespeare, Chekhov, vocal coaching and even public speaking. Plus, what’s cooler than getting to see your acting coach perform in a live music band at the Broken Spoke?!
- The State School of Acting
The State Theatre School of Acting professional training facility thrives under the leadership of Babs George. The school aims to provide students with a well-rounded education to those seeking a career in acting, and also provides a safe place for those looking to explore acting and just have fun. The school is affiliated with Austin Community College and the Paramount Theatre, which is just next door on Congress Avenue. Instructor include Paula Russell, Jon Bolden, Pierce Purselley, Carol Hickey, MJ Vandivier, Adam Roberts, Tony Sears and Babs George. Private acting coaching is also available.
- Step Rowe & Keene Studios
501 IH35 North, Ste 207, Austin, TX 78702
Austin & Garden Ridge
With locations in both Austin and San Antonio, experienced actress, producer, director, and writer Step Rowe offers acting classes and private coaching in South Central Texas. Step Rowe has helped numerous Austin actors improve their skills and land gigs. In 2002, a former student even thanks Step during his acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards.
- Renee Beale
With more than 20 years in the entertainment industry, actress Renee Beale offers private and group classes covering on-camera commercial work, acting and audition techniques, as well as private voice over coaching. Renee Beale has worked with numerous top names and even provided voice directing for Rooster Teeth in Austin.
Scene Studio is an advanced film acting studio designed for teenagers who are looking to make their mark in the film industry. This is an ideal opportunity for students of acting who have yet to create their own demo reel, and to show their acting chops on film. We write fresh scripts for each, invite guest artists and casting directors for every class, and each student gets to showcase their work online while receiving and IMDB credit for their work. Classes run in the fall, summer and spring and typically last 12 weeks long. Contact Jessica Looney, jessica@scenestudioatx.com or 512-983-0417.
- Studio E
Owner and instructor Liz Neubauer has a long history in professional entertainment. Her acting students have been featuring in projects like Friday Night Lights, Revolution and Breaking Bad. Studio E offers a large list of acting and vocal classes and workshops for kids and adults. Amber Dupuy also teaches classes at Studio E.
- Will Wallace Acting Company
WWAC Austin is taught primarily by Casting Director Jaime Gallagher, who studied with the Will Wallace Acting Company Master Class in Los Angeles and taught at WWAC and the SAG Conservatory in Hollywood. For all levels of actors, this class covers auditioning, cold-readings, character development, improv and scene study. Classes meet at Picturebox Studios.
- Zach Scott Theatre
Austin’s most established theater organization offers classes primarily for children, even as young as 3 and half years old. Classes include creative drama, theatre skills, pre-professional programs, auditioning and musical theatre performance.
- 4Reelz School of Film
With two locations in Round Rock and on North Lamar in Austin, this new training center offers classes for both child actors and adult actors. Instructors include Oryan Landa. This school also runs the From Drama to Disney programs for kids.
- Stephen W. Bridgewater
Stephen leads workshops in Austin & Los Angeles.
email: swbh2o@sbcglobal.net | phone: (310) 650-0363
Did we forget something? We do our best to maintain a comprehensive list, but we need your help. Please tell us what we missed in the Comments section below.
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