The Andrew Wood Acting Studio teaches one thing with unusual clarity of purpose: a need-based technique derived from Yale School of Drama training, in which the actor mines the script's imaginary circumstances for a visceral need to pursue in the scene. Wood holds an MFA in Directing from Yale and a PhD in literature from Stanford, founded the studio in San Francisco in 2004, and expanded to Los Angeles in 2008.
The core offering is the 10-week Essentials workshop in technique and scene study, held at the studio on Gower Street near Paramount. The summer 2026 special priced it at a published $680, with payment plans available, which lands it among the more affordable structured foundations in this directory. An advanced workshop and private coaching continue from there.
Classes are small and in-person. Backstage has repeatedly included the studio in its top LA acting school lists, and Wood writes craft essays prolifically, so you can read a great deal of his actual thinking before spending a dollar, a transparency this directory wishes were universal.
Techniques taught
- Stanislavski: The root system of modern actor training: objectives, actions, and given circumstances.
Class types
Enrollment and schedule
Schedule: Essentials workshop runs in 10-week cycles; next start listed as July 15 (year not printed on page; consistent with summer 2026 special). Calendar on site.. Duration: 10-week workshop cycles.
Published pricing
| Program | Published price | Source, as of |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials In-Person Workshop (10 weeks), Summer Special | $680 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
Prices are the school's own published rates on the dates shown. We never estimate prices. Always confirm before enrolling.
Instructors
- Andrew Wood, Founder/Master Teacher. Yale School of Drama MFA (directing); Stanford PhD; teaching ~19+ years
Location
Questions actors ask
Where is Andrew Wood Acting Studio located?
What acting technique does Andrew Wood Acting Studio teach?
Is Andrew Wood Acting Studio suitable for beginners?
How much do classes at Andrew Wood Acting Studio cost?
Does Andrew Wood Acting Studio teach children or teenagers?
Who teaches at Andrew Wood Acting Studio?
When was this information last verified?
Sources and verification
- Official site homepage (address, phone, email, summer special), accessed 2026-07-16
- Official site: Essentials Workshop (tuition, start date, duration), accessed 2026-07-16
- Official site: Meet Andrew (bio, founding 2004/2008), accessed 2026-07-16
- Yelp listing (updated May 2026 per title), accessed 2026-07-16
- Voyage LA interview (corroborates founding story), accessed 2026-07-16
Researched 2026-07-16, last verified 2026-07-16. Facts above come only from these sources. Anything we could not confirm is simply not shown. Report incorrect information or claim this listing if you represent the school.
Nearby schools
Hollywood9th Level Acting Studios
Small Hollywood on-camera studio run by working actor Alex Boling, built deliberately for new and nervous actors, with Thursday classes, a free audit, and published $200 monthly tuition.
Online-only since ~2020s; former studio at 7461 Beverly BlvdActors Comedy Studio
Online sitcom and comedy acting school founded 2011 by Warner Bros. comedy-writing alum Gunnar Todd Rohrbacher, with a three-level ladder, teen programs, and published pricing, all on Zoom.
HollywoodAMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles
WASC-accredited performing arts college at Hollywood's Yucca and Vine, offering BFA and AOS acting degrees with audition-based admission, published tuition of $49,500 per year, and scholarships reaching 95 percent of students.
Related by technique
Actors Workout Studio
NoHo Arts District institution of 30-plus years run by Emmy-winning coach Fran Montano, teaching Meisner-based ongoing classes with two in-house theaters and a genuinely free participating audit.
Atwater VillageBerg Studios
Atwater Village studio founded in 1998 by Yale School of Drama graduate Gregory Berger-Sobeck, teaching a Yale and Stanislavski-derived system through a gateway technique intensive and three levels of scene study, with free audits.
North HollywoodInnovative Actor's Studio
NoHo Arts District studio where 40-year working actor Bob Caso teaches eclectic technique with on-camera work in month-to-month classes, administered by his actor son Vince, with a free first class.