New York City's Top Acting Studio
Michael Howard Studios is every actor's dream creative home. When you study here, you become part of our community. At MHS, actors work closely with industry professionals to hone their craft and develop their own belief systems about acting.
Founded in 1953 by actor/director Michael Howard, MHS is located in the heart of New York City's Chelsea Arts District. We are the oldest privately-owned acting studio in the country, celebrating 70 years of success and excellence.
"The invaluable training and intensive study at Michael Howard Studios allowed me to pursue the craft on a full-time basis. Not only did I find focus, I learned that professional acting was what I wanted to do with my life."
-Kerry Washington, Emmy Award/Golden Globe Nominee (ABC's Scandal, Django Unchained, Ray)
Michael Howard himself was a protégé of two renowned acting teachers, Sanford Meisner at The Neighborhood Playhouse and Lee Strasberg at The Actors Studio (where Michael was an early and lifelong member).
Whether you're a budding artist just starting your journey or a working actor looking to expand your skills, we welcome you. MHS is the place serious actors come to play.
"We take the work seriously-- but not ourselves."
--Michael Howard, Founder
Conservatory Programs
Our Summer, One Year, and Two Year Conservatories are intensive training programs designed to prepare actors for careers in stage, film, and television. Conservatory programs generally meet Monday through Friday, deeply immersing performers in diverse coursework from Acting for Film & TV to Shakespeare. Our actors have appeared in shows on every major network, in films from every major studio, and on premiere stages across Broadway and the West End.
Workshops & Intensives
Workshops and Intensives are limited courses of specialized training. Actors dive into specific techniques like Auditioning for Camera, The Business of Acting, Improv for the Actor, How to Shoot a Short Film, and more. Workshops are led by our expert instructors who have decades of professional experience in their fields, perfect for actors looking to expand their skills and explore new specialties. Lengths vary: some are only one day; others are over an entire weekend; and others may be one night a week for a month.
Scene Study Classes
Ongoing Scene Study classes meet once a week on a month-to-month basis. Classes are led by the careful guidance of one of the Studio's professional instructors. Each week, actors present scenes that they've chosen from stage, film, and TV. It's a chance to work on the kinds of roles you want to book and play, as well as to hone your skill set in a supportive, encouraging, and challenging environment. It's a must-have for the professional actor.
Private Coaching
Private coaching at Michael Howard Studios allows you to have direct one-on-one acting instruction with one of our expert professionals. Booked by the hour, private coaching is perfect for when you've got a big audition or rehearsal material that needs intensive one-on-one attention. Many actors have coached at the Studio then booked auditions for shows like Billions, Blacklist, Homeland, Law & Order: SVU, and many others. Whether you're starting out or firmly established, coaching helps you book.