KEN SCHATZ

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

After several frustrating years of stagnation as an actor, Ken helped me break through impasses and begin to do work with depth and truth.  For the first time, I find am able to bring my successes in the classroom out into the "real world" of auditions and performance.  Ken's insight into the creative process, his patience, and the high standards he sets for both himself and his students make him the best acting coach and teacher in New York.

— Jack Haley  

NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Gorilla Rep

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, 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