If you want to take a course from someone who takes the profession of acting seriously and will give you the foundation you need to build your career, you’ve found the right the place. This studio is the best in LA. Andrew brings a high level of skill, professionalism, and expertise to his courses unlike no other. I’ve taken 2 cycles of his Essentials course and have learned so much!My acting has improved significantly and I can’t wait to apply everything he’s graciously taught. His insight and advice are so specific to every detail of your acting that it is impossible to leave his course without improving. Watching and listening to Andrew each week, is like attending a masterclass. So grateful to have learned from someone so uniquely skilled. Looking forward to my next course.

Andrews great - very experienced and easy to learn from!

I highly recommend Andrew Woods acting class. For anyone serious about the study of acting, for either personal or professional reasons, Andrews class is both intellectually challenging and emotionally rewarding. Having taken a few cycles of Andrews class I can tell you that from Andrew you will get the tools to discover, within the text, the most compelling desires (the necessities) of your character. He helps actors create a two-way dynamic with each other. He asks you to play action, not emotion. But by playing the action of eliciting an emotion, you will then create a scene with both emotional vibrancy and truth.Working on the same scene over a ten-week cycle allows students to better develop the skills that unfold over the course of the cycle. Believe me, you wont tire of your scene over that period because youll get new tools each week to dig more deeply into the scene. To be able to embrace a scene and develop it with a partner over ten weeks is a true luxury that should not be missed by any experienced actor who is really interested in developing a deeper, richer process nor should it be missed by a beginner who wants a better grasp of new skills . Another luxury is the in-depth, guided exploration that youll get during class time. Over the ten weeks youll see real growth in yourself and your classmates in a way that you would never realize in a less invested format.Andrew Wood provides a strong dependable technique for actors of any level, beginner or professional.

Ive audited two other acting studios/playhouses before settling on Andrew Wood Acting Studio, and Im glad I chose this place. As a beginner, and as a person who likes to see all options before choosing a specificity, Andrews teaching method for essential cycle worked really well for me. Other studios have a set discipline and the problem with that is you wont get to see if other studios techniques might suit you. Andrew tells you about the evolution of Stanislavskys method and how its translated to various teachings, and his readings come from various sources- not just his own writing. This opens up the world of acting rather than shoving you in a corner that may not even work for you. The class is completely taught by him, with guest speakers on occasion, but the entire course is assuredly taught by the person on the studio title. Not like other studios where you start off with a graduate or master student and eventually get to the main guy- Andrew sees your growth all the way. Taking the essential cycle twice now, because there is so much to absorb from your previous cycle, it feels different the second time around. You see things more clearly. The two partners Ive had for two cycles have been very passionate about acting and, more to my benefit, very insightful with their experiences they shared with me. I cant wait to see how the advanced cycle looks like. But I can definitely say my desire to act has only gotten stronger and finally tangible with Andrews guidance.

I knew I wanted to find a great acting studio in Los Angeles to work on my craft of acting to pursue a professional career, but I didnt know where to begin to look. Of course, there are lots to choose from around the Los Angeles area but what piqued my interest about Andrew was that he wanted to meet in person for coffee before the class to go over what his Essentials class cycle would be about. From that brief meeting, I could see all of his passion and energy towards the craft of Acting being laid out before me. Not only that, but he showed a general interest in me as a person. I wasnt just another student to him. As you begin to understand the intricacies of the craft of acting in his Essentials cycle, you quickly learn building a relationship becomes a crucial element for what brings about the need of your character. Andrew knows this, thus meeting in person becomes an important first lesson. Andrew makes it easy to come to care about the work you are doing through his teachings and it absolutely baffled me to see that there were so many different levels to acting and that there was a much larger learning curve than I thought. I have been acting my entire life, but in Andrews class my ego was checked and I was humbled almost immediately. However, Andrews years of experience in teaching acting are there to guide you through this and build you up to become a better actor.I have been taking his classes for a year now, from his Essentials to now his Advanced Cycles, and let me tell you: you will learn so much not only about acting but what it means to be human. This is what keeps me coming back; you will find yourself in your day to day life actually applying what Andrew teaches or seeing it be applied. Its quite incredible to say the least.I have seen people from first time actors to those that have done it for years come into the class, and I have witnessed so much growth for each person under Andrews tutelage. He really cares about you and your growth, and it shows in the time he spends on each scene in the class developing it into something you will only understand if you experience it. You will walk away from the class asking yourself how you had developed your character and relationship within the scene so extensively in only ten weeks. Going into the Advanced cycle, you will develop what Andrew teaches you even further and he will push you to find fresh, invigorating discoveries. Because the Advanced class size is smaller, you are able to do much more scene work and work in a more intensive environment which really pushes you to new heights.What I love about Andrew is that hell tell you like it is, but he will ALWAYS do it in a way that will build you up. I have heard so many stories of other acting schools where the student just hears they are doing a great job and never fail. Well, you will probably fail at something in Andrews class. But its within that failure that you will become something greater, and Andrew will be there to guide you like the Acting Jedi Master he is. Just take one Essentials Cycle of Andrews, and if you are sincerely ready to put in the work to become a working actor you will be hooked. I guarantee it.

I highly recommend attending Andrew Woods acting classes.This is the first acting class that I have taken where I can actually see the growth in my work. Andrew will help you look at acting in a whole new light. Hes one of the only teachers in LA who really cares about helping you grow as an actor. What you learn in a ten weeks course with Andrew you couldnt learn in 10 months with someone else. You will not regret taking his classes.

Ive taken two cycles and am about to take a third, and I can highly recommend Andrews class. As a teacher, hes insightful, deeply invested in each students performance, and extremely well informed. This class taught me a systematic approach that has had a noticeable positive impact on my acting.If youre considering working with Andrew, just know that you will have to put in a considerable amount of work, so make sure that youre ready to make that commitment. Obviously, this work makes the improvement possible. This class can be fun, but its not just for fun.

As a writer who didnt have much experience with acting, I learned a tremendous amount from this class. It informed my scripts and how I thought about scene construction and conflict and made me more comfortable with pitching and speaking in front of an audience. The class is also very useful for anyone who directs or aspires to. Not only did I learn about the acting process in my own scene work, but by watching Andrew work on the other scenes with my classmates. Furthermore, having the chance to spend 10 weeks on a single scene allows for focused, detailed work during which you truly feel that you grow every week. Id recommend it to anyone interested in working in film, TV or theatre!

If you need an acting foundation, Andrew Wood is the best place to study at. Its a comfortable environment for people at all levels and out of all the acting schools in Los Angeles, its the only one where every part of the technique truly resonated with me.I took the foundation level twice (although both sessions were a couple years apart) and there was a marked difference in my performance after them.Hes also a really good person and very supportive. I cant imagine him not ever being there for his students.The books he requires and recommends are great and I always like the scenes he assigns.He was a graduate directing student at Yale University so his approach is different than former actors, which is a good thing.I seriously cant recommend his class enough, it was my absolute favorite!

I highly recommend working with Andrew Wood. He gives you the fundamentals and you then are allowed to explore whatever truth will not only connect you with your scene partner but the material itself. His background within the craft of acting warrants the full commitment he expects from his students. I have taken 2 essentials classes, 2 of his advanced classes and have had the pleasure of working with him as a director. Definitely the man you want to work with if you want to become a better actor.Thank you Andrew for setting the bar high!

I can’t say enough about what I’ve learned about the craft of acting and my specific abilities in this class. After meeting Andrew I could not wait for class to start; after the first class I knew this approach was perfect for me. Andrew has a true appreciation of what is needed to give a compelling performance and is very skilled at allowing students to discover those components within themselves. There is nothing pretentious or intimidating about the way Andrew teaches the class. His unique approach allows the student to learn by doing but also by studying other students as they work on their scenes. He always encourages the student to dive deeper into the character and more specifically, the visceral need that drives the performance. Andrew is very approachable as well. Whether you have a question regarding the materials presented in class or want to know if you are on the right track when developing your character, Andrew is never more than a quick email away. He will always give you his honest advice or opinion while still allowing the student to discover the “answer” on their own. I highly recommend anyone who is serious about developing their skills as an actor and is willing to dedicate the time and attention needed, to take this class.

I LOVE Andrew Wood Acting Studio. Andrew truly provides his students with the opportunity to acquire the tools that will change the way you read a scene, play a scene, and understand a scene. Andrews classes will step up your game and allow you to stand out above all others, BUT you have to be willing to do the work. The growth is in the work, and it is SO rewarding!!

If you are interested in learning the craft of acting, I can think of no better teacher than Andrew Wood. I have worked with Andrew in both a class setting and privately. The one thing that stands out about Andrew is his genuine desire to teach: its not about him, its about you. In a position that often affords one the opportunity to exercise self-interest, Andrew unselfishly works with each student to help them address their acting problems both collectively and individually. We are all different and Andrew has a talent for uncovering that which plagues us uniquely and providing an appropriate solution. In addition, Andrew teaches a comprehensive approach to acting that encompasses all of the various concepts in his own style. I found this to be very comforting in that no one approach can possibly address each and every acting problem. I highly recommend Andrew Wood - LAs next Master Teacher.

I highly recommend the Andrew Wood Acting Studio. If you want to learn a real, doable approach to acting (instead of just winging it and hoping it works), theres no better class in LA. Andrew pushes you to work hard and do your best work every week, so while it may be challenging, its also rewarding. Ive taken two cycles of the Essentials class and feel like Ive learned a huge amount every time. If youre serious about studying acting, Id recommend you give Andrews class a shot.

I have taken two cycles with Andrew and Id gladly recommend the course to other actors. The course begins with readings, discussions, and exercises developed to illustrate acting concepts. Then it moves on to scene studies where students have the opportunity to act! Working with Andrew will definitely challenge you as a performer and you will be pushed outside your comfort zone. His constructive criticisms have made me aware of my own bad habits as an actor which, ironically, gave me more confidence as I learned to deal with them. Working with Andrew has enabled me to reach a much deeper level of performance. Id highly recommend.

I learned a lot about myself as a new actor. Andrew is a very thorough coach, the classes are very informative so make sure you take notes because its a lot of information to remember. I took two cycles with Andrew, he can be tough but thats what we need as beginners. If you listen and pay attention the subtle adjustments they really show and can create an entirely different mood in your scenes. It was a great first time experience.

5.0 star rating 8/17/2017A Gifted Teacher Who Inspires, Motivates, and ChallengesI knew Andrew Wood was a class act even before I met him. I sent an email inquiring about his program and shared my concerns that perhaps I wasnt an ideal candidate. Im a former journalist writing a television pilot and thought perhaps Id benefit from taking an acting course. Im also considering returning to stand-up comedy, which I pursued when I lived in New York City. Andrew promptly sent me a thoughtful reply and told me that he insists on meeting all potential enrollees before accepting them into his program. It was abundantly clear that Andrews primary goal was assessing suitability, not taking someones money.Andrew has some strict rules which further underscores his commitment. He lets you know up front that he doesnt tolerate lateness - yes, there is lots of traffic in LA but you need to plan for that. If you show up 20 minutes late, you are considered absent. Two absences, you need to retake the course. The policy isnt because he is an unreasonable hard ass but if someone is away, it isnt fair to their assigned scene partner. If your attendance is perfect, he gives you a discount on another class.Andrews classes always started promptly on time but they often ran long. This is another sign that he isnt just going through the motions, but has a teaching agenda he wants to execute. Yet another sign of his dedication are the thoughtful and timely emails he sends in response to volunteer assignments or inquiries. He once sent me an email following up on a question I asked in class. Ive never before encountered an instructor who put so much heart and soul into their work.I cant do justice describing Andrews class or even articulating all the benefits from taking it. Andrews course is based on a program taught at the very prestigious Yale School of Drama, where he earned is masters degree. The course is intended for highly motivated and dedicated actors interested in honing their craft. Andrew is creatively intense and he has a strong point of view - if you dont want to be challenged intellectually or artistically you wont enjoy the class. In addition to meeting with your assigned acting partner every week there are required readings for every class. If you dont do the requisite work it will show - Andrew isnt looking to embarrass you but the class attracts serious and passionate students who do the assignments because they want to benefit from his extraordinary talents. My assigned scene partner was taking the course for a second time.Among the myriad things I enjoyed about Andrews class is his ability to communicate without jargon. Andrew uses some specialized terms, but they are easy to understand and remember. He always is quite animated; never once in class was I bored or did my mind drift off.Taking Andrews class gave me an appreciation and respect for acting I didnt have previously. Much to my surprise, I actually enjoyed acting and might consider pursuing it some more. While I dont see an Oscar or Emmy in my future, any success I might possibly achieve would be the result of Andrews teaching and influence.A five-star review doesnt do Andrew justice. He is an extraordinary talent with considerable intellect (he has a PhD in German literature from Stanford) and he is an all-round great guy. If you are an actor, Im highly doubtful you can find a better teacher to take your talent to the next level. Id recommend Andrews course for anyone who enjoys theater and movies and wants to gain an insiders look at the time and effort that it takes to become a truly great actor.Given Andrews talent and experience, his course fee is decidedly one of the best bargains in LA.

The best and remembable classes I had ever taken.