Q. I just got my 4 year degree in acting and I still feel very superficial and surface when I'm on stage or in front of a camera. I want to do meaningful independent films, mainstream films, comedy and serious dramatic plays but my acting doesn't even come close to what I admire when I watch my favorite films. Can you help me find that kind of realism in myself?
A. Yes, that is EXACTLY what we strive to do. Most of our students have bachelor and graduate degrees, so we have a highly educated pool of people to work with. We believe that self-knowledge is the key to deep acting, however it is not an academic enterprise, and that's why it is often skipped over in university based programs. Many professional actors in NYC and LA still attend acting class or have private coaches to keep them sane and keep their instruments functioning at a high emotional level.

Q. I'm a complete beginner and I've never been in a play but I've always wanted to act. Do you take people like me?
A. Yes, our classes are perfect for serious beginners who are looking for training and self expression.

Q. What should I expect to get out of an 8 week course?
A. If you are a complete beginner you will acquire a working vocabulary and understanding of what the art of acting is about. If you are already an experienced actor, especially if you're visiting SF from NYC or LA, you'll find this class to be a place where you can challenge yourself and continue pushing your edge. We help actors use their impulses so that their work is believable and dynamic.

Q. I want a career in show business. How do I get started?
A. Please go to the following web site for help with that question: www.theatrgroup.com

Q. Are these classes for film or theater.
A. These classes are for both.

Q. I'm not an actor but my therapist suggested I take an acting class. What should I expect if I enroll in this class?
A. Acting will bring a lot of attention to your inner life, strengthen your emotional expression and increase your self-awareness. It will teach you about poetry, philosophy, psychology and the humanities in general.

Q. Do you have visas for international students?
A. No, this is a very small school and we don't have visas at this time.

Q. How do I know that 'Method' acting is the right technique for me?
A. There is no one method that anyone can pin their talent on; talent does not like to be put in a box! We teach students to be Great Actors which is timeless and universal. The term 'Method Acting' began to be known in the USA in the 1950s because of the startling new energy found in the performances of Marlon Brando, James Dean, Shelley Winters, Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman and Geraldine Page (all Oscar winners except James Dean who died at the age of 24). Elia Kazan (founder of the Actors Studio in 1948), Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Harold Clurman, Bobby Lewis and Sanford Meisner (none of whom were ever members of the Actors Studio) were all members of the Group Theater, which thrived in New York during the 1930s. The Group Theater ended with the beginning of WWII. By the late 1940s all of the above named Group members opened schools based on their own understanding of Stanislavsky and how his ideas helped them as creative artists. Other important teachers we incorporate into our classes are: Ute Hagen and Peter Brook.

Q. I don't feel ready to go to New York, London or Los Angeles yet, but I really want a career in acting. Is ACSF a good place to get started.
A. Yes, we have a growing circle of students who've gone to NYC and LA. In the last two years 95% of our students have gotten into the graduate or conservatory of their choice, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, the Actors Studio Master's program, UCLA, NYU, Circle in the Square and the Neighborhood Playhouse. An equal percentage of students who are first time actors have been cast in local independent films after working at ACSF. Others have gone to Europe with a focus in both theater and film.

More Questions about ACSF? Give us a call (415) 861-4965