Classes
Acting is a lifelong practice.
At The Studio Seattle, we've carefully designed a progression of classes that gives actors a strong foundation and a process they can continue to deepen throughout their careers. Rooted in the work of Konstantin Stanislavski and Uta Hagen, our training develops the actor's instrument, craft, and artistic voice one step at a time.
New students begin with Acting Foundations before progressing through the Studio sequence. Each class builds on the work of the previous course, creating a shared vocabulary, process, and ensemble of actors committed to doing their best work.
Acting Foundations: The Actor's Instrument
Develop the essential tools of the actor by strengthening the body, voice, imagination, and creative impulse. Through movement, speech, ensemble work, and dramatic exploration, you'll build the foundation for truthful, expressive performance.
Instructor: Iveliz Martel
Autumn 2026: Mondays, September 21–November 9 • 6:00–9:00 PM (8 weeks)
Studio 1: Process and Text
Learn to live truthfully in the moment while working on contemporary dramatic scenes. Develop a reliable acting process, deepen your connection to text, and build confidence working independently and with a scene partner.
Instructor: Hailey Henderson
Autumn 2026: Tuesdays, September 22–November 10 • 6:00–9:00 PM (8 weeks)
Studio 2: Scene Work and Improvisation
Create dynamic relationships and fully imagined circumstances through scene study and improvisation. Expand your ability to pursue clear objectives, respond authentically, and make specific, compelling choices in the moment.
Instructor: Hailey Henderson or Alana Cheshire
Autumn 2026: Not offered this quarter
Studio 3: Building A Character
Build fully realized, dimensional characters through close text analysis, imaginative exploration, and disciplined technique. This repeatable class allows returning actors to continue advancing through increasingly challenging scene work tailored to their individual growth.
Instructor: Alana Cheshire
Autumn 2026: Thursdays, September 24–November 12 • 6:00–9:00 PM (8 weeks)
Master Classes
Explore specialized topics through complimentary workshops led by Andrew Tsao, Studio faculty, and guest artists. These events provide opportunities to deepen your craft, engage with established professionals, and strengthen our artistic community.
Schedule: Announced throughout the year. (Make sure you're on our e-mail list!)
The Studio Seattle Library
Enrolled students receive complimentary access to our library of plays, original handbooks, scripts, and other resources that support continued study both inside and outside the classroom.
Acting Foundations
The actor's ability to control, call upon and be aware of their total instrument is fundamental to all of the craft.
Our foundations class provides new actors the process and tools to attune you body, voice and creative imagination for performance.
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.
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.
The studio series builds one upon the other towards effective performances and professional acting standards
Master Classes
Master classes
Andrew Tsao, select faculty and special guest artists teach regularly scheduled master classes that are free to all registered students.
These master classes consist of one-day and two day sessions at least four times a year and focus on special topics.
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.