This is the studio long known as the Aaron Speiser Acting Studio, and that history matters: Speiser, who built his name coaching Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez, handed the teaching to his chosen successor Shannon Sturges when the studio became Speiser/Sturges in 2015. Speiser is now professor emeritus and does not teach here; he teaches separately at The Screen Acting Studio on Melrose, a different business. If you come looking for Speiser himself, know the difference.
The La Cienega studio runs a full weekly slate: a nine-week technique course (published at $900), Sunday technique classes, two scene study levels on weeknights and Saturdays, a Monday master class, and rotating specialty workshops covering improv, voice, stage combat, audition technique, and commercials. Scene study is sold in blocks, with three months at $900, six at $1,600, and a year at $2,800; a twelve-week online technique and scene study bundle runs $600. Private sessions and self-tape support are available.
Prospective students can audit for a published fee, $35 for the first audit and $50 for a second, limited to one technique and one scene study visit. All regular classes are adults 18 and up. The published pricing and audit path make this one of the easier premium studios to evaluate concretely.
Techniques taught
- Eclectic / multi-technique: Schools that draw on several lineages and fit the tools to the actor, not the reverse.
Class types
- movement
Enrollment and schedule
Prospective students are encouraged to audit before enrolling; no published audition requirement. Schedule: Sun Technique 12-3pm; Mon Master Class 7-11pm; Tue Scene Study 1 7-10:30pm; Wed specialty classes + 9-Week Technique 7:30-10:30pm; Sat Scene Study 2 7-10:30pm; audit page also references Scene Study Mon/Thu 6:45pm (pages slightly inconsistent). Duration: Technique runs as a 9-week course (in person) or 12-week online bundle; scene study sold monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year blocks.
Audit, trial, or intro class
Yes. Paid audits: $35 first audit, $50 additional; limited to one Technique and one Scene Study audit per person; book and pay online (speisersturges.com/audit)
Published pricing
| Program | Published price | Source, as of |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing Sunday Technique | $900 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| 9-week in-person Technique | $900 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| 3 months of Scene Study | $900 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| 12-week online Technique + Scene Study bundle | $600 (or 3 payments of $220) | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Six consecutive months of Scene Study | $1,600 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| One year of Scene Study | $2,800 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Current students monthly Scene Study (recurring) | $300/month (sale, reg. $325) | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Studio member private session | $150 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| One-month visiting student | $600 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Class audit | $35 first / $50 additional | 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
- Shannon Sturges, Owner / Lead Instructor. Trained by Aaron Speiser in all aspects of his teaching; leads the studio since the 2015 partnership
- Aaron Speiser, Founder / Professor Emeritus. Not currently teaching at this studio; on-set coach for Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez; now teaches at his separate venture, The Screen Acting Studio on Melrose
Location
Questions actors ask
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What acting technique does Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio teach?
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Does Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio offer on-camera training?
Can I audit or try a class at Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio?
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Does Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio offer online classes?
Does Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio teach children or teenagers?
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When was this information last verified?
Sources and verification
- Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio - Home, accessed 2026-07-16
- About Us - Speiser/Sturges, accessed 2026-07-16
- Contact - Speiser/Sturges, accessed 2026-07-16
- Class Schedule - Speiser/Sturges, accessed 2026-07-16
- Pay for Classes - Speiser/Sturges, accessed 2026-07-16
- Audit a Class - Speiser/Sturges, accessed 2026-07-16
- Aaron Speiser - Wikipedia, accessed 2026-07-16
- About Aaron Speiser - The Screen Acting Studio, 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.
Guides for choosing a school
- Acting for beginners: how to start
- How to choose an acting school in LA
- Types of acting classes, explained
- What acting classes cost in LA
Career resources for LA actors
Practical next-step guides from the LA Actor Guide.
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