Penny Templeton and her husband Hank Schob are two industry professionals that have given me major tools in my arsenal for a growing career. Penny's book, "Acting Lions" is still on my shelf and practically falling apart from how many times I have gone back to it. Easily in my top 3 books every actor should have. Some of her own techniques (such as the 10 to 1 to help boil emotion, the I'M SO PISSED) are ones I still practice daily. Penny cares. She's dedicated her life to the passion of acting. She's an acting teacher gem! She's someone who fights to keep artistic integrity alive in our industry, all the while keeping you engaged with your eyes on the prize for self growth. And! She prepares you to be able to work at a rapid pace that is expected of you as you elevate in the industry (and to be able to keep getting work too!). Their master-class is always shifting. You're always learning something new to add to your tool-box from different techniques: Chekhov, Meisner, Stanislavski, Wynn Handman, to name a few. You'll work on plays, films, television, script breakdown and analysis, camera technique, acting techniques (substitutions, endowments, triggers), and Shakespeare! Her training will help you be able to seamlessly apply your craft to any acting medium or platform your next job is (i.e. stage work, television acting vs film acting, etc.). It's the actor's dream learning environment! By investing your time in PTS, you're getting the opportunity to explore and learn what works for you under the helpful eye of Penny and Hank. For the 3-4 years I studied with them continuously, I learned how to memorize rapidly while still injecting life/truth and finding the joy of acting in every audition, scene, shoot, performance, and class I did. She is also very supportive and motivational, but stern and tough when she needs to be. It's all constructive! I still recommend her to any actor or actress I come across. PTS have given me the foundation I need to have the confidence to be the actor I wanna be and tackle almost any obstacle. I speak very fondly of them, and still will pop in from time to time for helpful coaching or a to work on something in a safe space. Their studio really is the "actor's dojo." *I also suggest every actor or actress definitely invest in Penny's PILOT BOOTCAMP program she does November/December. It's definitely worth it* I cannot stress this enough, if you can, STUDY WITH PENNY! read more

Penny Templeton Studio - Headshot - Specialty Schools Near Me

Having extensive training in acting (BFA-Marymount Manhattan, MFA-Columbia, years of training with Kristin Linklater, David Mamet, Anne Bogart, William H. Macy, etc.), I can say with certainty that Penny and Hank are the real deal. Penny has dedicated her life to the craft. She possesses the keen ability to see each actor as an individual, help them overcome their unique hurdles and blocks, and unlock their magic. Her passion and deep understand of acting techniques (those highly regarded as well as those not so well respected) allow her to dive deep into both the theory and technical aspects of the craft from diverse perspectives. She is a remarkable teacher, a brilliant human being, and a fierce champion for actors and the craft. Together, she and Hank are a powerful pair--mentors are very hard to find in this day and age and that's exactly what they are--they will invest in you, guide you, and give you the tools to succeed--the rest is up to you. I have been with Penny and Hank since 2000 (or 2001) and their guidance has changed the trajectory of my life/career for the better. Highly recommend. read more

I have been taking Penny class ever since in my mid twenties in Advanced of Camera Class, Script Analysis, and Master Class. This is the best you'll ever take and why the industry is so fast these days. You learn so fast in different varieties of style of theatre, TV, and Film. When you do you want to do all three. So anyone want to do more than one, highly take this class in a fun, challenge, and welcome environment. In person and Virtual read more

I've studied with Penny for years. Every character I've played has been influenced by what I've learned at the Penny Templeton Studio. Penny's passion for the craft, love of actors, and overwhelming generosity are amazing. She and Hank give so freely and I am incredibly grateful. read more

To attentioned reader, Penny Templeton's Studio is one of the best studios for the craft of acting out there, period. Penny Templeton and Hank Schob are two teachers who not only have decades of experience teaching actors, but decades of experience being actors themselves, which is experience that can prove to be invaluable. One of the biggest benefits of attending Penny Templeton's Studio is that they are not subscribed to any specific method. You will be taught and exposed to each method (Stanislavski, Chekhov, "Meisner"), which will then round out your craft as an actor. In addition to this, Penny and Hank Schob are good-hearted people who will provide you with every arsenal in an actor's craft available, granted that you show the effort to want to get better. You will be welcomed week in and week out through the course of the class knowing that each week you attend, you will be better suited as an actor than the week before. Godspeed fellow artists. read more

Penny is a wonderful teacher, intuitive and passionate. Her instincts and love of teaching are well suited to guide the beginner, intermediate, and seasoned pro. From classics to contemporary, Penny and Hank know their stuff. Plus their studio features a large screen upon which you can watch your work and get the feedback needed to grow as an actor. Learn to be a lion from the "lion" trainer. read more

I found Penny & Hank at PT Studios before a trip out to LA to meet Agents and Casting Directors. I was looking for a class focused on individual attention to scene analysis and how to "bring your truth out" in the words of the character. Fast forward to a year later, I'm still going to PT Studios to continue my development of my craft. PILOT AUDITION CLASS - By far one of the most helpful classes in NYC, each class is geared around a pilot and a series regular / lead role for each person, and you're only given 3 days to work on them before coming to class. For anyone going out for auditions regularly in NYC, this is invaluable as you get to watch yourself in playback and work notes into your audition. It's the closest thing to "mimicking" the audition process ADVANCED ON CAMERA - My first long-term class at the studio, the focus is on-camera technique and working with scripts to find clues and how to prepare behavior for on-camera auditions and tapings. Scenes are used from TV shows as well as Films, flipping between genres designed to illustrate the different kinds of emphasis and preparation required for different mediums of storytelling. It's expensive, but it's good quality and the results speak for themselves. Since working with Penny, I've signed with my first Agent and booked my first Equity play. For those familiar with The DRAMA BOOK STORE, Penny's book can be found there for more information about the technique, character work and scene analysis you explore in classes at the studio. read more

I was recommended to this school by a coworker. I have taken multiple classes here since. Not only have Penny and Hank developed a unique and very effective acting technique, they give you more attention because of the smaller class sizes. They have a great passion for the craft and it clearly shows with their enthusiasm in the studio. I have grown immensely as an actor since beginning studying here. read more

One of the most unprofessional, unmotivated acting coaches I've had. To begin, the guy couldn't remember my name. Corrected for months and still addressed me incorrectly. Next, would discourage us from auditioning or getting started in the industry until he felt we were ready. Meanwhile I was auditioning and booking before and after his course. I don't recommend at all. Happier at my new studio! read more

After deciding to officially start a career in acting back in June of 2011 I jumped online, found Penny Templeton's studio and went to their free class. Immediately I was drawn to their clearly genuine love to help actors perfect their craft. Within only two months of being enrolled in the BEGINNERS CLASS I had booked my first gig in an off broadway play. Not to mention that I also began to feel more confident about my craft. I then moved up to the ADVANCED ON CAMERA CLASS Where my talents continued to grow and strengthen with every lesson. I also found myself booking commercials, plays, and roles in independent movies/shorts. (I had only now been acting for THREE MONTHS!!) Shortly after I was moved up to the MASTER CLASS. I've never felt that Penny or Hank have had ill intentions towards any of their actors. Quite the opposite, they constantly look for better ways to expand your horizons and assist in helping perfect your craft. One thing I will say about Hank and Penny is that they do not put up with Bull***t. They are both very serious about acting and only actors who truly want to work on perfecting their craft can appreciate the vast amount of knowledge between the BOTH of them. They are always there to lend a helping hand and have many times let me make up classes, attend class without having paid in full and even refunded me when I wasn't able to stay in class for a whole month. Ill say this, if you're thinking about taking classes here you better come prepared to put in some work and be dedicated to your career or you won't survive in this studio nor the real acting world. I would definitely advise you to look into coming to Penny Templeton Studio if you are seriously dedicated to having a successful career in this industry!!!! P.S Hope this helps you in finding a great studio!! read more

The best place to learn, grow and prep your skills; taught by two of the greatest teachers I have ever known.

I found out about PT Studio through multiple internet searches on the Internet. I had studied Method, I was interested in Meisner and Michael Checkoff. I bought her book "Creating Acting Lions" and was impressed with how it covered everything you needed to know about the Acting Profession, but amazingly, somehow, she had created this recipe for scene work that was complete. No mystery, it was all there. I began to take classes after a busy audition season. I felt overwhelmed when I had 3 to 5 auditions in a week; I remember watching a video of Penny talking about 'being ready' for the fast paced, modern atmosphere of television and movies where things often changed at the last minute and how a strong technique for breaking down your script can make this an everyday, run of the mill thing. The Introductory Class with Hank is all about script analysis: core, the character's 'great happiness', burning question (what the scene is about?), what is my job in the scene? substitutions, internal actions, external strategies, what is the genre of the scene? Even - how to mark up your script. Not just an intro to acting but a foundation to becoming a working actor. By the 5th evening we were breaking down 1,2 page scenes and performing them verbatim within a half hour with a partner. Since that time, I've loved going to cold reading auditions. I don't bury my face in my sides any longer, I perform to the camera. I'm now always off-book at auditions. The Advanced On Camera class, with Penny, teaches Camera Technique, Continuity, working with Props, Auditions, Green Screen, Blocking with new scenes every week - this class introduces you to camera work - the importance of which, I completely underestimated. Penny is not only an acting teacher but has an amazing eye for camera work - she been using cameras in class for more than 15 years -- a pioneer. Penny is one of those 'once in a lifetime' teachers who is a deep well of wisdom. Try as you might, you never see the bottom of that well. With this class - Penny honed in on my ticks: moving too much, facial relaxation - (for a lot of actors its doing 'more'), for me it was 'less'. With the scene work you have an opportunity to see how your scene preps works on the big screen. Did I mention they have a full digital production studio with Chromakey setup (green screening and digital effects ability), Studio lighting, and enough space to project on 12x 18' backdrop (to my layman's eye, we're always on set) -- the camera training is ongoing and used in all aspects of PTS far beyond the Advanced Camera Class. In Master Class the challenged are bigger: some of the themes "Pilot Season" - crucial (we have three days to prepare these auditions for pilots); we went from 3 pages in the first week to 18 pages in the 6th week. A year ago this would have been unbelievable for me. Classic theatre - a huge confidence builder, Green Screen (a boot camp for sensory work) with action oriented scripts where all your tools will be challenged to the max. Also, the first hour of class is the Acting Barre exercise (Barre as in Dancer's Barre) - which is a lot of fun. And then usually the next hour is a cold scene, an audition on camera, with a 20 minute prep, off book. Penny critiques this and we then tape again at home to send her the scene with the adjustment. Since I started taking classes there ( from 7/17), I've booked three commercials and I'm way more comfortable with my work. I can take my tool box from PTS everywhere and I'm at home with on-set challenges. I would recommend this amazing and unique studio to any actor looking to work steadily in the business. Forget about luck, forget about magic, forget about being 'discovered'. Take control of your career by building the specific skills that will get you working. There is a pragmatic, step-by-step approach at PTS. read more

I've never learned and grown as much as I have at this art school. I've taken acting lessons and workshops at several other establishments; they couldn't compare. I am eternally grateful for Penny and Hank's guidance. I highly recommend this studio for all actors. read more