Atlantic Acting School

About

OUR MISSION

THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ATLANTIC ACTING SCHOOL HAS HELPED ASPIRING ACTORS FULFILL THEIR DREAMS FOR 20 YEARS. Founded by David Mamet and William H. Macy, the Atlantic has the only conservatory program in the world that offers in-depth training in Mamet and Macy's unique and influential approach to the acting profession: Practical Aesthetics. The school's mission is to ensure that each graduate masters the essential analytical and physical disciplines of acting, as well as to empower every student with skills necessary for success in the profession.

OUR LEGACY

INSPIRED BY THE GROUP THEATER, STANISLAVSKY, AND A PASSION FOR ENSEMBLE ACTING, DAVID MAMET AND WILLIAM H. MACY FORMED THE ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY IN 1983 WITH A SELECT GROUP OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE DRAMA STUDENTS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, ATLANTIC HAS PRODUCED MORE THAN 100 PLAYS AND WON NUMEROUS AWARDS.

The Atlantic Theater Company's mission is to produce great plays simply and truthfully utilizing an artistic ensemble. Atlantic believes that the story of the play and the intent of its playwright are at the core of a successful theatrical production.

The Atlantic Acting School fosters new generations of actors by passing on the tools learned from Mamet and Macy and by preparing students for all aspects of a career in film, television and theater.

OUR COMMUNITY

ENSEMBLE MEMBERS, MANY OF WHOM SERVE ON THE FACULTY, WORK REGULARLY ON THE ATLANTIC MAINSTAGE AS ACTORS, DESIGNERS, DIRECTORS AND WRITERS. Members have gone on to exciting careers in film and television, but still return to their first love - the New York Theater. The ensemble interacts with the students as teachers, mentors, collaborators and colleagues. Atlantic graduates have appeared in mainstage productions and many have been invited to join the ensemble.

Ensemble Members: Chris Bauer, Laura Bauer, Robert Bella, Kate Blumberg, Larry Bryggman, Ronnie Butler, Kathryn Erbe, Giancarlo Esposito, Siobhan Fallon, Steven Goldstein, Clark Gregg, Steven Hawley, Hilary Hinckle, Felicity Huffman, Kristen Johnston, Maggie Kiley, Karen Kohlhaas, Jordan Lage, William H. Macy, David Mamet, Camryn Manheim, Mary McCann, Matt McGrath, Rod McLachlan, Mary Beth Peil, Neil Pepe, Rebecca Pidgeon, David Pittu, Matthew Silver, Robin Spielberg, Mary Steenburgen, Ray Anthony Thomas, Todd Weeks, Howard Werner, Alysa Wishingrad, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Patricia Wolff, Bill Wrubel, Scott Zigler.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

“All an actor needs is: will, bravery and common sense.”
– David Mamet

SIMPLE, HONEST AND STRAIGHTFORWARD, PRACTICAL AESTHETICS IS BOTH AN ACTING TECHNIQUE AND A PHILOSOPHY. THE TECHNIQUE GIVES ACTORS AN EMPOWERING SET OF ANALYTICAL AND PHYSICAL TOOLS. THE ACTOR LEARNS TO ANALYZE SCENES FOR TANGIBLE, PHYSICALLY-PLAYABLE OBJECTIVES, AND USES HIS OR HER IMAGINATION, VOICE, BODY, AND SENSE OF PLAY TO BRING THE CHARACTER AND THE STORY TO LIFE. THE PRACTICAL AESTHETICS PHILOSOPHY TEACHES SELF-RELIANCE, PROFESSIONAL WORK HABITS, AS WELL AS MUTUAL SUPPORT AND RESPECT BETWEEN ARTISTS.

The Atlantic offers one of the most rigorous courses of training for actors in New York City. Incoming students receive comprehensive instruction in the Practical Aesthetics technique, and the fundamental physical skills required by the craft: voice, speech and movement. Advanced courses include Film Acting, Comedy, Chekhov, Shakespeare and other classical styles, Monologues, Audition Technique, the Business of Acting, Playwrighting, and advanced physical training in Suzuki, Viewpoints and Committed Impulse. Students learn how to integrate Practical Aesthetics and the advanced-level skills into their scene work and into the rehearsal process for auditions and productions.

In addition, the school is set in the heart of the world’s largest theater community: New York City. This exciting world is accessible to the students through frequent visits by guest artists, tickets to Atlantic Theater’s own yearly Off-Broadway season and regular opportunities for discounted tickets to major theatrical productions.

OUR TECHNIQUE

Think before you act. Act before you think.

Mamet said, “Acting is a craft.”: Practical Aesthetics treats Acting as a learnable skill. As in any other craft, acting has guidelines which are consistent and repeatable. When students apply themselves to those guidelines, they will learn to act.

Practical: capable of being put to use.
Aesthetics: a particular theory of beauty or art.

The basic skills of acting are:

ANALYZING a script for a simple action
PLAYING that action boldly and spontaneously
COMMUNICATING truthfully with other actors and the audience
SPEAKING clearly and expressively
MOVING powerfully and gracefully