launching international stars since 1997
Our adult classes start at the Introduction to On-Camera level for beginners and build up to our Master Class with Artistic Director Salvatore Antonio and Studio Director and Founder Dean Armstrong. We're very specific when placing actors in a class to ensure that they are growing and challenging themselves alongside their peers. Our goal is not only to get your work up to industry standard, but to ensure that it is competitive as quickly as possible. We want to see our actors work and getting paid for it.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
I found myself at AAS five years ago as an aspiring actor unsure of where or how to begin in the industry. Since then, AAS has become a critical part of my training as I continue to build a strong foundation in craft while simultaneously honouring my instincts as an artist on set. Dean and his amazing coaches have taught me almost everything I know from the fundamentals of script analysis to the nuances of a strong on-camera presence. For any actors who are passionate about this profession but unsure of where or how to begin, it's never too late to take those first steps and AAS is the place for anyone ready to learn and prepared to work!
CORE CLASSES
(IOC - CORE IV)
INTRO TO ON-CAMERA
This class is simply about doing it! For aspiring actors who always wondered, but never did or for those needing a jolt out of their comfort zone. If you were ever curious about film + television performance or were once told that you should be "an actor", then this is the class for you! Experience first hand what today's actors are doing. Don't just imagine how it might have been, or how it might be, know for yourself how it is and how the camera sees you.
3 AUDITION SCENES + IMPROV UNIT
REQUIREMENTS: There are no requirements for this class, anyone can join!
18hrs in studio | $497+hst (-10% ACTRA)
UPCOMING SESSIONS
DAY
NIGHT
2:00PM - 5:00PM
7:00PM - 10:00PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays
1st Session
May 26 - June 11
2nd Session
June 23 - July 9
3rd Session
July 21 - Aug 6
Mondays & Wednesdays
1st Session
May 25 - June 10
2nd Session
June 22 - July 8
3rd Session
July 20 - Aug 5
CORE ACTING I
This is a LEVEL ONE on-camera training class. Ideal for actors who have had theater training or for those actors with a foundation in film + television study.
4 AUDITION SCENES + 2 PARTNERED SCENES
REQUIREMENTS:
Previous on-camera specific training, or successful advancement from Introduction To On Camera Performance, within the last year.
36hrs in studio | $897+hst (-10% ACTRA)
UPCOMING SESSIONS
DAY
2:00PM - 5:00PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays
May 26 - July 2
Mondays & Wednesdays
June 29 - Aug 5
NIGHT
7:00PM - 10:00PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays
May 26 - July 2
Mondays & Wednesdays
June 29 - Aug 5
CORE ACTING II
This is an INTERMEDIATE on camera training class. Ideal for actors with significant experience in film + television. Actors who have secured professional work on screen including leading roles in independent productions, small + large principal roles in recognized episodic and feature films will be considered for enrollment.
2 AUDITION SCENES + 5 PARTNERED SCENES
REQUIREMENTS:
Agent representation, professional headshot and resume, previous theoretical and practical experience specific to film & television, and/or successful completion of Core Acting I. Admission at the discretion of the School Director.
36hrs in studio | $977+hst (-10% ACTRA)
UPCOMING SESSIONS
NIGHT
DAY
2:00PM - 5:00PM
7:00PM - 10:00PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays
May 26 - July 2
Mondays & Wednesdays
May 25 - July 1
Tuesdays & Thursdays
June 30 - Aug 6
Mondays & Wednesdays
June 29 - Aug 5
CORE COMPREHENSIVE: BRIDGE
This is an Advanced on-camera training class. Ideal for actors with significant experience in film + television. Actors who have secured professional work on screen including large principal, guest starring, recurring and leading roles in recognized episodic and feature films will be considered for enrollment.
ALL PARTNERED SCENE WORK AT AN ADVANCED LEVEL (WITH AN AUDITION COMPONENT).
REQUIREMENTS:
Agent representation, headshot and resume, previous theoretical and practical experience and/or successful completion of Core Acting II. Admission is strictly at the discretion of both the school’s Director and Artistic Director.
36hrs in studio | $997+hst (-10% ACTRA)
UPCOMING SESSIONS
TBA
CORE ACTING III
This is an ADVANCED on-camera training class. Ideal for actors with significant experience in film + television. Actors who have secured professional work on screen including large principle, guest starring, recurring and leading roles in recognized episodic and feature films will be considered for enrollment.
ALL PARTNERED SCENE WORK AT AN ADVANCED LEVEL (WITH AN AUDITION COMPONENT).
Requirements:
Agent representation, headshot and resume, previous theoretical and practical experience and/or successful completion of Bridge. Admission at the discretion of both the School's Director and Artistic Director.
36hrs in studio | $997+hst (-10% ACTRA)
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Tuesdays & Thursdays
6:00PM - 9:00PM
June 30 - Aug 6
SPECIALTY CLASSES
Advanced Audition Intensive w/Salvatore Antonio
A three day deep-dive into a more dynamic audition practice. Actors will develop a checklist that will allow you to fairly represent your artistry in the room.
Over three days we will work at developing a strong opinion, fine-tuning your instincts, and sharing your work with confidence and generosity and help you book the job.
REQUIREMENTS:
Agent representation, headshot and resume, previous theoretical and practical experience and/or successful completion of Core Acting II. Admission at the discretion of both the School's Director and Artistic Director.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
TBA
12hr in studio | $299+HST
CORE ACTION CONDITIONING
Get out of your head. Get into your body. Unlock your instincts.
Core Action Conditioning is a new course at AAS specifically designed to help actors access their instinctual responsiveness and a focused sense of play using a variety of techniques including actioning (via Stanislavsky), character analysis (via Uta Hagen), and structured improvisation.
CAC is designed to stimulate and sharpen an actor’s impulses to help them bring spontaneity and emotional immediacy to their work in front of the camera. Actors are led through a series of exercises that will deepen their textual investigation of complex characters which, in turn, will allow them to access their deepest instincts while playing high-stakes scenes. These exercises are designed to encourage the actor’s ability to locate, and then harness their own instincts to allow for a richer, more personal responses within their work.
Units of study will include:
Intensive character analysis
Sense & Emotional Memory training (Hagen)
Actioning and Risk (specificity and clarity training)
Accessing the Instinct (creative response to the story and the script)
Improvisation (reality of character, circumstances, time and place, emotions, and varied action)
24hrs in studio | $697+hst (-10% ACTRA)
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Tuesdays & Thursdays
7:00PM - 10:00PM
July 14 - Aug 6
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"The first time I worked with Salvatore was for my audition for Bad Blood which I booked from that tape, and there were things we tried out in that audition session that stuck with me, that I used until my last day on set. The atmosphere Salvatore creates in the room is of passion and excitement for the role and project you're going in for. Because of his approach, when I leave the room I often not only feel confident in the work, but observe I experienced joy doing it, and that for me is what this is all about."
— Anna Hopkins
(Bad Blood, Shadowhunters)