Our Approach to Acting

There are as many ways to act as there are actors and moments.

Our approach to acting is intentionally eclectic—informed and inspired by many different teaching systems, styles, techniques, arts, sciences, philosophies, and ways of knowing—and built to evolve. It has no official title, no formulas, no dogmas, no snake oil, no competition, and no ego. It is open to everyone’s discovery, experience, and understanding. It is characterized by our focus on the study of acting as the study of people, and our ongoing search for new and better ways to empower the working actor as a successful professional athlete and as a free, creative artist.

Developed over many years of experience as an actor, director, teacher, and coach by Artistic Director Ken Schatz and animated by his own inventive and energetic coaching style, our approach in practice is unique. Positive, dynamic, and flexible, it readily adapts to each actor in each moment with the right tool or technique principle for the right job at the right time. It is always as simple, direct, clear, and precise as it can be. It is nonsense-free, challenging, yet safe. And because it works, it’s generally a lot of fun.

Our revolutionary approach succeeds because it trusts people and it trusts the nature of the art of acting—we have never encountered a celebrity or technique veteran who couldn’t benefit from attention to fundamentals, and we have never met a hungry beginner who couldn’t grow quickly with exposure to advanced storytelling work. Whatever your previous experience, you will find an artistic home here at The Ken Studio if you are ready and hungry to explore, grow, and create.

Our approach will help you realize your power in the craft of acting and in the industry; it belongs to you. Our role is to help you strengthen and clarify your artistic choices because, in our working process, the teacher isn’t the genius—YOU ARE.

Testimonials

I've been singing the praises of Ken's acting class since the day I joined.

"Ken creates a class atmosphere that feels truly safe, nurturing and constructive. He meets each actor exactly where they are and helps them identify their strengths, connect with their humanity, and learn to trust their instincts, without ever making them feel like they have something to prove. I've worked with Ken (and watched him work with other actors) on everything from Chekhov to commercial sides, and the process is always energizing and mind-expanding. I go into each class excited to discover something new—about being an actor and about being a person."⠀

— Alex Sarrigeorgiou (CHRONICLES OF GNARNIA: THE REX CHADWICK STORY)

I met Ken at a fragile point in both my life and acting studies, and he opened up an entire new world for me—a world in which acting was fun, exciting, and simple.

"He has helped me truly understand my acting instrument (myself) through my work. He creates the safest possible working environment and enables me to feel free to do anything without ever feeling judged. He has absolutely zero ego and is a genius at what he does—he is a real teacher."

— Brian Wolfe (FBI: MOST WANTED, THE OATH)

As Tuesday's most loyal student, I can testify that Ken's class has provided a consistent opportunity to act and learn amidst all the inconsistencies that can emerge in an NYC career.

— Alex Orthwein (THE BLACKLIST, THE GOOD COP)

The first thing I learned in Ken's studio: I don't need permission from anyone to be an exceptional actor.

"That's been huge for me. I really needed Ken's supportive studio environment to experiment with melting instincts into character, rather than self-consciously over-thinking my way through a piece. Ken's working style is fun, challenging, and intelligent, and he is so tuned-in to the practicalities of what an actor needs most going into a self-tape, callback, or a first rehearsal. Whether it's physicality, voice, or text work he's the best!"

— Juliana Valente

Thank you, Ken Schatz!

“I recently had a super intense night on set. It was a long, emotional scene; betrayal, fear, crying, screaming—the whole 9 yards. And it took forever to shoot; maybe 20-30 takes. Deep, intense work. But what’s remarkable is that, between takes, completely unconsciously, my body would automatically start dancing and humming. My system was self-regulating through unconscious cool-downs! After years of training in emotional safety with Ken, my system knew exactly what to do to keep itself safe—and it did it without me even asking! I’m convinced that those mini-cool downs helped me keep my stamina up, so I could still give a full performance in the 30th take at 4 AM. Thank you, Ken Schatz!”

— Kristin Guerin (WORLD PREMIERE OF THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER, THE IMBIBLE: A SPIRITED HISTORY DRINKING)

I have wished so many times I would have met Ken sooner, and you will too.

"At the first Open House, I scoffed at the empathy and kindness that Ken and his team displayed, believing it to be fake due to past experiences from other acting coaches. Now after a year of working with Ken in group classes over Zoom and private Skype sessions, even though we have never met in person because of this pandemic, Ken has never failed to put my emotional safety first, treat me like a professional, and cheer me on in my goals."

— Amber J Breland

The Ken Studio has helped me grow so much as an actor, creative and person.

"Ken helped me realize my desire to have the 'perfect performance' would only get me so far in acting. I cared more about the product instead of the process, and thereby missed the very essence of acting; to truthfully LIVE and BE in imaginary circumstances. I didn't give myself any freedom to feel freely or explore my emotions because I had to get the emotions 'right.' Ken informed me gently that my work ethic had served me well until now, but in order to move forward, I would need to let go of the idea of the 'perfect performance.' After many amazing sessions working with Ken, I have found that my mental, physical and emotional connections to acting have become so much more free, connected, as well as more playful. Ken has given me the encouragement, safe space and tools I need in order to explore the process of acting, and for that I am forever grateful."

— Ashten Falter⠀⠀

OUR Three PILLARS

EFFECTIVENESS

In every moment, we ask, how can our work improve? As acting artists, we strive for professional, mind-boggling, award-winning, rave-review, goosebump standards of excellence. As coaches and teaching artists, we are just as passionate about brilliant teaching, coaching, and learning. Our commitment to innovation in acting technique means, in any situation, if there’s a better way, we’ll find it.

EFFICIENCY

Rather than rely on pat formulas, exercises, and busy work, we recognize the natural speed and agility of the human system, organize around diagnostics, and help each actor to solve technique problems quickly and easily as they naturally arise. This saves everyone time, energy, and resources. What most acting teachers, coaches, directors, and programs do in weeks, months, or years, if at all, we do in minutes.

SAFETY

Though our work is often intense and always challenging, we believe strongly that it is never necessary to compromise anyone’s health, safety, or sanity in order to make great art. No matter what we’re working on, the physical, vocal, and emotional safety, health, and well-being of everyone involved is our primary concern and first priority at all times. Our spaces and our ways of working are ever safer, ever braver.