Classes
The art and craft of acting is a subject for a lifetime of study and practice. At The Studio Seattle, we have carefully built a sequence of classes to establish a firm foundation upon which that practice can continue to develop.​​
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Based on the traditional and widely respected work of Konstantin Stanislavski and Uta Hagen, our course progression provides you with the necessary process and tools by which your artistry can continue to evolve over a lifetime.
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ACTING FOUNDATIONS: the actor's body, voice and creative imagination.
Tuning and preparing the actor's instrument for performance. Integration of movement, sound, speech, creative impulse; dynamic use of space and time in an ensemble, dramatic invention. Instructor: Iveliz Martel. (This class is typically offered Monday evenings, 6-9PM. Autumn session scheduled to begin Sept. 21, 2026 for 8 weeks.)
STUDIO 1: process and text.
Living truthfully in the moment, working authentically in dramatic scenes alone and with a partner. Embodying text and action with confidence. Instructors: Hailey Henderson or Alana Cheshire. (This class is typically offered Tuesday evenings, 6-9PM. Autumn session scheduled to begin Sept. 22, 2026 for 8 weeks.)
STUDIO 2: scenework and improvisation.
​Creating dimensional worlds though scenes and scenarios, engaging in actions, conflict and relationships. Instructors: Hailey Henderson or Alana Cheshire. (This class is usually offered Wed. evenings, 6-9PM. Not offered autumn session 2026.)
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STUDIO 3: Building a character.
Analyzing dramatic text and fully inhabiting a dimensional character. Imaginative and creative choices. Stagecraft and technique. This is a repeatable class. Returning students will be assigned scene work based on experience and specific advancement needs. Instructors: Hailey Henderson or Alana Cheshire. (This class is scheduled to be offered on Thursday evenings, 6-9PM. Autumn session begins Sept. 24 for 8 weeks.)
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ACTING LAB: Advanced acting workshop.
For actors who have completed the four foundation and studio classes, this lab brings together a company of actors to work on one selected play script in order to examine the challenges of creating a character over the arc of an entire play, close text analysis and professional practices for aspiring and current working actors. (This lab is by invitation only and offered periodically throughout the year. Taught by Andrew Tsao and Hailey Henderson.
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(Scheduled to be offered in with 2027 winter session, beginning Feb. 15th, Thursday evenings for 8 weeks.)
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MASTER CLASSES.
We offer regularly scheduled one day special topic workshops to our students free of charge. Taught by Andrew Tsao or other faculty and guests these events are meant to bring our actors and established artists together to explore, share and build community. (Offered TBA, be sure you are on the email list for notifications)
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The Studio Library: Enrolled students have free access to the studio library, a collection unique original handbooks, plays and other documents that support our coursework.
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Acting Foundations
The actor's ability to control, call upon and be aware of their total instrument is fundamental to all of the craft.
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Our foundations class provides new actors the process and tools to attune you body, voice and creative imagination for performance.
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Dramatic invention and scenarios, inhabiting imaginary circumstances and creative play all lay the necassary groundwork for successful development.
Studio 1,2,3
Our teaching philosophy is inspired by the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavski, whose "system" has been successfully adopted by thousands upon thousands of actors over the past one hundred plus years.
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We also use Uta Hagen's work to help the actor distill their technique down to manageable tasks that lead towards "living" the role rather than "performing" it.​
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The studio series builds one upon the other towards effective performances and professional acting standards​
Master Classes
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Master classes
Andrew Tsao, select faculty and special guest artists teach regularly scheduled master classes that are free to all registered students.
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These master classes consist of one-day and two day sessions at least four times a year and focus on special topics.​​​​
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Essential reading
This Jean Benedetti complete translation is accurate, thorough and presents Stanislavki's technique in clear, concise language.​​ The only authoritative text available.
In addition to this, we recommend Hagen's follow-up: A Challenge for the Actor. The tools presented in these texts are a core part of our curriculum.