Michael Howard Studios

Michael Howard Studios is one of New York City's longest-running and most venerable acting studios, having operated for decades as a cornerstone of the city's actor training landscape. The studio was founded by Michael Howard, a deeply respected teacher whose approach drew on multiple acting traditions — Stanislavski, Meisner, Hagen, and others — to create an eclectic methodology that serves the individual needs of each student rather than forcing everyone through a single technique. This multi-technique philosophy reflects Michael Howard's belief that different actors respond to different approaches and that great training should be adaptable rather than dogmatic. The studio has maintained its warm, professional atmosphere throughout its history, creating a learning environment where actors feel both supported and challenged. Michael Howard Studios has trained many successful working actors and remains a trusted name in the NYC acting community.

Today the studio offers a wide range of classes covering scene study at multiple levels, audition technique, on-camera work, voice and speech, movement, Shakespeare, monologue preparation, and specialized workshops addressing specific performance challenges. The multi-technique philosophy allows students to explore different approaches to acting and discover what resonates most strongly with their individual artistic temperament, rather than being locked into a single methodology from the start. This exploratory approach is particularly valuable for actors who are early in their training journey and have not yet identified which technique best suits their creative process. The studio's diverse faculty brings expertise across multiple disciplines and traditions, ensuring that students are exposed to a range of perspectives and tools. Michael Howard Studios operates on a class-by-class enrollment model that gives actors maximum flexibility in designing their training experience.

Enrollment at Michael Howard Studios is accessible, with most classes available through straightforward registration without formal audition requirements for introductory and intermediate levels. Advanced-level classes may require instructor approval or completion of prerequisite coursework to ensure appropriate placement. The studio welcomes actors at all experience levels, from absolute beginners taking their first acting class to seasoned professionals looking to sharpen specific skills, explore unfamiliar techniques, or maintain their craft between professional engagements. New students are encouraged to speak with the studio's administrative staff about their goals and experience level to identify the most appropriate starting classes. The registration process is simple and student-friendly, reflecting the studio's overall commitment to accessibility.

The daily training experience at Michael Howard Studios is characterized by its warm, professional atmosphere and the genuine care that instructors bring to developing each student's individual potential. Classes typically involve a combination of exercises, scene or monologue work, and detailed instructor feedback delivered with constructive specificity and personal warmth. The multi-technique environment means that different classes may employ different methodological approaches — a Meisner-influenced scene study class will feel different from a text-analysis class or an on-camera workshop — giving students a broad toolkit of skills and perspectives. The student community is supportive and collegial, with actors frequently forming rehearsal partnerships and creative collaborations that extend beyond the classroom. The studio maintains a professional standard of behavior and work ethic while remaining genuinely welcoming to students who are new to the craft.

Michael Howard Studios attracts a genuinely diverse student body that spans the full range of ages, experience levels, ethnic backgrounds, and career stages found in New York City's acting community. Students include young aspiring actors beginning their formal training, working professionals maintaining and developing their skills, career changers exploring acting, and experienced performers seeking to expand their range or address specific technical challenges. The studio's reputation for warmth and accessibility makes it particularly popular among actors who have found other training environments too intense, competitive, or dogmatic. Casting directors familiar with the studio recognize it as a longstanding institution that produces well-rounded, professionally prepared actors. The multi-generational community creates valuable opportunities for actors to work with partners from different backgrounds and life experiences.

Class prices at Michael Howard Studios are reasonable by NYC standards, with individual class series typically ranging from approximately $300 to $1,000 depending on duration, level, and subject matter. Multi-class packages and ongoing enrollment options often provide additional savings for students who want to train consistently over time. The studio's affordable pricing makes high-quality, multi-technique training accessible to actors who may be priced out of more expensive conservatory programs. There are no registration fees or mandatory audition costs that add hidden expenses to the training investment. The variety of class offerings allows students to invest strategically in specific areas of development rather than paying for comprehensive programs that include training they do not need.

Michael Howard Studios is a solid choice for NYC actors who want flexible, multi-technique training from an established, trustworthy institution. The studio is particularly well-suited for actors who are exploring different approaches to find what works best for them, working professionals who need flexible scheduling and a la carte class options, and performers at any career stage who want to address specific skill areas without committing to a full conservatory. If you know you want deep immersion in a specific technique — Meisner at Esper, Method at Strasberg, Practical Aesthetics at Atlantic — a specialized studio will provide more focused training. Michael Howard Studios works best for actors who value breadth, flexibility, and a supportive learning environment.

Start by taking classes in two or three different disciplines — scene study, on-camera work, and voice, for example — to get a feel for the studio's range and identify where you need the most development. Speak with instructors and fellow students about which teachers and classes have been most impactful for them, as the quality and style can vary across the faculty. Use the flexible class structure to build a personalized curriculum over time rather than trying to do everything at once. If you discover through your classes at Michael Howard Studios that you are particularly drawn to a specific technique, consider supplementing with intensive study at a technique-specific studio while maintaining your Michael Howard classes for breadth. Build relationships within the studio community, as the diverse mix of students creates opportunities for creative collaboration and professional networking that can enhance your career development.