GREAT WORK! Ken is a brilliant actor and acting teacher, director, dialect coach, and movement teacher... he’s everything!
— Harvey Keitel
THE PIANO, PULP FICTION
Ken is a fantastic coach. His one-on-one sessions give you the
tools to do your best in every audition. He doesn’t stop until you
are prepared!
— Vanessa Quijas
THE SOPRANOS, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
Ken is a tremendously compassionate teacher who knows just what to
say at just the right time to get the best out of everyone. A
physical, vocal, and mental acrobat of astonishing versatility and
intelligence, he has a deep understanding of the actor’s process.
He is one of the best directors I have ever worked with — his
patience and humor seem inexhaustible! When you call Ken, you know
you’ll get only the best.
— Marcus Weiss
Blue Man Group, ALL MY CHILDREN, Naked Angels Theatre Company
Ken is the reason I'm a working actor in New York City! His
instruction and motivation have landed me jobs time and time again.
If you need an acting coach, look no further.
— Monica Knight
SAVING GRACE, WINDCROFT, BIG FISH
Ken is an inventive, compassionate, versatile, and energetic
teacher and performer. His knowledge is deep, his skills are sharp,
and he is constantly striving to improve his work. He has strength
and power both as an actor and as a teacher. There are few teachers
who have as keen an understanding of the relationship between the
actor’s body, voice, and inner life.
— Moni Yakim
Creator of the Movement Programs at Juilliard & Yale, Author of
CREATING A CHARACTER
Ken's boundless energy and enthusiasm for his work make him a
superior teacher. By showing his students the utmost respect and
encouragement, he inspires the best kind of creativity: focused yet
free, challenging yet fun. There isn't a better person to take
artistic risks with than Ken Schatz.
— Kate Wetherhead
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, Williamstown Theatre
Festival
Working with Ken has reminded me of why I fell in love with acting
in the first place! Ken’s passion and enthusiasm are infectious,
and his direction is astute and to the point. He inspires you to
give your best performance!
— Anna Hayman
Clubbed Thumb Theatre Company, The Bat Theatre Company
Ken is great! Even as he teaches you how to take your physical and
vocal instrument seriously, he makes you laugh, and laughter frees
up the voice!
— Amo Gulinello
Cirque du Soleil, De La Guarda, THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION
Ken has this wonderful enthusiasm for what you, the student, can
achieve next! It is hard to find someone as talented and dedicated
to the art of acting... on the desert island of acting, I’d take
Ken!
— Rhonda Dodd
Circle in the Square, Hamptons Shakespeare Festival
Our students’ positive reaction to Ken’s teaching has been
overwhelming! He is always a pleasure to work with, consistently
displaying a rich talent and wonderful interaction with actors and
directors alike. Ken’s outstanding work as an artist and teacher,
and my experience with him as a professional colleague support my
belief that he truly knows quality theatre education, and has a
tremendous gift for this work.
— E. Colin O’Leary
Executive Director, Circle in the Square Theatre School
Board Member, Commission on Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Theatre
You made me a singer! I can’t thank you enough!
— Greg Shamie
LAW & ORDER, SIX FEET UNDER, SHAKESPEARE’S R&J
Ken doesn't stamp his students with his method, he helps them find
the approaches that work for them, and his joy at discovery is
contagious. A lot of teachers can tell you how to fix a scene. Rare
is the teacher that can teach you to tell yourself how to fix a
scene. Creativity and inspiration are self-replenishing, and
nowhere is this more true than in Ken's classroom. And outside of
it. The learning doesn't start and stop with Ken, he just gives it
a good head start.
His depth of knowledge of acting approaches commands my respect,
his speed and precision in absorbing and transmitting the
information of useful experience invokes my awe, and his passion
and humanity in teaching inspire my loyalty.
— Dan Truman
RESCUE ME, TOM & FRANCIE, CHAPPELLE'S SHOW, NYU Tisch School of
the Arts
This level of excellence and professionalism is incredibly rare!
With support and freedom, Ken encourages each actor to
fly!
— Rebekah Jacobs
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, Theatreworks USA
Dear Ken,
I can honestly say that because of you, I got the part! I am so
grateful to you for all that you taught me about the art of
auditioning when I took an audition workshop with you last June. As
we all know, being a great actress doesn’t mean you know how to
handle yourself at an audition. Thanks to you, I have learned to
handle the audition process with far more self-confidence, grace,
and aplomb than ever before.
Two weeks ago I went to an audition for a children’s play at The
Looking Glass Theatre. I was very nervous due to the fact that I
haven’t done many auditions of late, and it is always hard jumping
back into the fire. But, thanks to all the tips you gave me in the
audition workshop, I was able to overcome my nerves and portray
just the image of myself that I wanted to. When things didn’t go
exactly as planned, I knew just how to handle myself. I felt so
much more self-confidence thanks to you, and it showed.
Well, I got a callback, and then a second callback. All through
this process, I remembered to use all the techniques you had taught
me. What can I say – it worked! I got the part. Not only did I get
the part, I have won back the power that I have always given up
during the audition process. Now I am in charge again. And it’s all
thanks to you.
I will certainly recommend your workshops and classes to others.
You obviously care a great deal about actors, and helping them to
be the best that they can be. So many teachers and schools out
there focus on typing actors and then teaching them to be that
type. You help the actor see what is unique about them. And that,
in my humble opinion, is the beginning of the path to
success.
— Randi Helly
The Looking Glass Theatre
Ken, thanks for all your hard work. What would I have done without
you? Thank you!
— B.H. Barry
Director and Stage Fight Choreographer
Co-founder, Shakespeare & Company
Ken is an amazing teacher. He has an uncommon mixture of child-like
fearlessness and an expertly precise ability to communicate ways of
being. I have never had more fun with a coach. I walked away from
his classes with a deeper understanding of the actor's unlimited
ability to lend bodies and voices to all kinds of
characters.
— Annika Marks
MONA LISA SMILE, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, PERFECT MATCH
PRODUCTIONS
Thank you for your time and expertise with the actors of Merchant!
I am extremely grateful and can see and hear the difference you
made – invaluable!
— Amy Hughes
Director, MERCHANT OF VENICE at The Limelight
An awesome experience and a great class. You kicked my ass really
hard, but I’d like to thank you for it!
— Sarah Caliendo
Circle in the Square, Southern CT State University
How often do you find "genius" or "brilliance" in your life? There
have been only a few teachers whose style and light and radiance
fed me, changed me, gave me respect for them, and showed me it’s
possible for me to have respect for myself. You are one of those
teachers. Thank you for your class and your energy and your
willingness to answer every silly little question I had. I’m always
learning, but more so now than ever, how to let myself just exist
and not allow acting to become therapy – how to lose control while
still knowing safety is first. Thank you so much!
— Griffin Epstein
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Taking your monologue workshop was the best investment of my money
all summer long. I learned so much, and found so many different
approaches to the way I can work and how to explore my
characters.
Your physical acting class freed me up from so many of my "old
habits." I looked at characters from so many new angles and avenues
this summer. I could not have done this without your direction,
patience, and guidance.
You also inspired me as a teacher. I will go back to Los Angeles
with such a new creative approach to teaching. Your demeanor with
your students is quite unique, motivating, and influential.
Please keep in touch. Ken, you’re really wonderful Thank you, and
continue to inspire and nurture the students who cross your
path!
— Rachel Cohen
American Stage Festival, LA Jewish Theatre
Ken has inspired me from the moment I met him. He has opened my
eyes, ears, mind, heart, and soul. He has taught me to be patient
with myself, and how to have fun in the midst of fear.
In Ken’s classes, I have experienced and witnessed people not just
having a “breakthrough,” but also building on it and returning the
next class with the knowledge from that experience. His energy is
invigorating and infectious. You can’t help but be excited about
what you are working on. Ken has repaired my wings, shown me why
they are special, and prepared me to fly!
Ken is a guide. He teaches with silliness and care. He has clear
ideas of exactly what he wants to happen, but how that happens
depends on the student. He does not preach to his students, but
rather inspires self-growth. He is a director of learning, and
treats his students with the highest respect.
— Molly Light
GOLEM STORIES, NY International Fringe Festival
Thank you for your incredible class! You gave us a gift that we
will use forever: ourselves.
— Amanda Archilla
Circle in the Square, Irish Repertory of Chicago
