Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop

Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop (AMAW) is one of the most popular and widely recognized acting studios in Los Angeles, founded by Anthony Meindl on the principle that authentic, compelling performance requires the removal of the psychological, emotional, and intellectual blocks that prevent actors from being fully present and truthful in their work. Since its founding, AMAW has grown from a single LA studio into a global brand with locations in New York, London, Atlanta, Sydney, and other cities, reflecting the broad appeal of Meindl's philosophy across different acting markets and cultures. Meindl is also a prolific author, having written several books on acting and creativity — including 'At Left Brain, Turn Right' and 'Alphabet Soup for Grown-Ups' — that articulate his belief that acting is fundamentally about getting out of your own way and allowing authentic human experience to flow through you without interference from self-consciousness, judgment, or habitual defense mechanisms. The studio has developed a devoted following among actors who describe the training as transformational, addressing not just their performance skills but their relationship to creativity, vulnerability, and self-expression in all areas of life. AMAW's growth into a multi-city operation has made it one of the most recognized acting studio brands in the world.

The AMAW approach is rooted in the belief that every actor already has everything they need to deliver powerful, authentic performances — the work of training is not about adding techniques or tricks but about identifying and removing the barriers that prevent natural expressiveness from emerging. Meindl draws on elements from various acting traditions while integrating insights from psychology, mindfulness, and personal development to create a holistic approach that addresses the actor as a complete human being rather than as a technical instrument to be tuned. The philosophy challenges the notion that actors need to suffer, struggle, or manufacture emotions in order to create truthful work, instead arguing that genuine presence and willingness to be vulnerable are the foundations of all great performance. Classes integrate scene study, on-camera technique, and audition preparation within this philosophical framework, with every exercise designed to help actors identify their specific blocks and develop the courage to work without them. The approach is particularly influenced by the idea that left-brain analytical thinking is the primary enemy of authentic creative expression, and much of the training involves helping actors quiet their inner critic and trust their instincts.

Enrollment at AMAW is open to actors at all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals, reflecting Meindl's belief that the work of removing creative blocks is relevant regardless of experience or career stage. New students can join ongoing classes, with multiple class times available throughout the week to accommodate actors' often unpredictable schedules. The studio offers different class levels that allow students to progress as they deepen their understanding of the AMAW approach, though the fundamental philosophy remains consistent across all levels. The enrollment process is straightforward — actors can sign up through the website and begin attending classes without a formal audition or interview requirement, which aligns with the studio's inclusive philosophy. The accessibility of enrollment, combined with the multiple schedule options, makes AMAW one of the easier premium LA studios to begin training at, lowering the barriers for actors who might be intimidated by more selective enrollment processes.

The training experience at AMAW is characterized by a warm, supportive, and emotionally open atmosphere that many students describe as unlike any other acting class they have attended. Classes typically involve scene work performed by student pairs, followed by Meindl or one of the studio's trained instructors providing feedback that focuses less on technical adjustments and more on identifying the moments where the actor was genuinely present and truthful versus the moments where habitual patterns, self-consciousness, or intellectual control took over. The feedback process is gentle but perceptive, helping actors develop awareness of their specific defense mechanisms without creating the kind of shame or anxiety that reinforces those very defenses. The studio community is known for its warmth and mutual support, with students encouraging each other's vulnerability and celebrating breakthroughs in presence and authenticity. Many actors report that AMAW classes feel more like a creative and personal development community than a traditional acting class, which is both the studio's greatest appeal and a point of distinction from more technique-focused training environments.

AMAW attracts a diverse community of actors who share a common desire to break through the creative blocks that limit their performance authenticity and professional effectiveness. The student body includes beginning actors who want to develop their craft in a supportive environment, experienced performers who feel stuck or burned out and want to reconnect with the joy and spontaneity that drew them to acting, career professionals looking to develop communication and presence skills, and established actors who value the studio's emphasis on ongoing personal and artistic growth. The studio is particularly popular among actors who have trained extensively in technique-heavy programs and feel that their technical knowledge has become a barrier to spontaneous, authentic performance. The global reach of AMAW means that actors who relocate between cities can continue their training seamlessly, and the international community creates connections across acting markets that can be valuable for career development.

Class fees at AMAW are moderate by LA standards, with monthly class fees typically ranging from approximately $300 to $1,000 depending on the class format, frequency, and location. The pricing structure is designed to be accessible to working actors, with monthly enrollment options that allow students to maintain ongoing training without large upfront financial commitments. The studio offers various class packages and formats, including regular weekly scene study classes, intensive workshops, and specialized courses that address specific aspects of the AMAW philosophy. The global expansion means pricing may vary by location, with LA and New York classes typically at the higher end and other markets at slightly lower price points. Compared to other premium LA studios, AMAW's pricing is competitive and reflects the studio's commitment to making transformational training accessible to actors at various budget levels rather than positioning itself exclusively as an elite, premium-priced option.

AMAW is an excellent choice for actors who feel creatively blocked, stuck in their heads, or disconnected from the authentic impulse that makes performance compelling and who want training that addresses these barriers directly rather than layering more technique on top of them. The studio is particularly effective for actors who tend to overthink, self-censor, or perform from a place of anxiety and approval-seeking rather than genuine presence and self-expression. If you are looking for rigorous technique training in a specific methodology — Meisner repetition, Strasberg sense memory, classical text work — a studio that specializes in that discipline will provide more focused skill development. If you thrive in high-pressure, critically demanding training environments, AMAW's supportive approach may feel too gentle for your needs. The studio works best for actors who are open to exploring the personal and psychological dimensions of their creative blocks and who see artistic growth and personal growth as interconnected.

Approach AMAW training with genuine openness to self-examination and a willingness to let go of the habitual patterns and defense mechanisms that the work is designed to reveal — resistance to the process is natural but ultimately limits what you can gain from the experience. Practice the principles of presence and authenticity outside of class by bringing mindful awareness to your everyday interactions and noticing when you default to performing or people-pleasing rather than being genuinely present. Supplement your AMAW training with focused technique work in specific skills — voice, movement, text analysis — to ensure that your increased authenticity and presence are supported by the technical capabilities needed for diverse professional challenges. Take advantage of the global AMAW community by connecting with students in other cities and exploring how the same principles apply across different acting markets and performance contexts. Use the self-awareness you develop through the AMAW approach to become more honest in your self-assessment as an actor, identifying both the areas where you are growing and the skills that need additional training from complementary sources.