The Approach

The approach to training at The Actor Training Studio asks the actor to focus on their scene partner while pursuing a strong, playable objective. "Who are you talking to? What do you want from them?" are questions with which all ATS actors quickly become familiar. This coaching helps actors develop in three essential components of acting:

• The Vocal/Physical component - When it comes down to it, the most tangible aspects of any acting, whether on stage or on camera are how we move and how we sound. Actors are encouraged to become vocally and physically self-aware without becoming self-conscious.
  
  
• The Analytical/Intentional components - Breaking down a scene or script to bring out the actor´s most exciting, committed work; actors are given frequent opportunities to strengthen and enhance the choices they make about character and dialogue so that these choices have a profound impact on their acting.
  
  
• The Emotional/Transformational component - At The Actor Training Studio, emotion is something that is never forced, but is invited or invoked into the actor´s work. Locating and identifying habitual areas of tension within the actor´s instrument, Garrison encourages actors to risk, commit to their inner impulses and allow emotion and surprise to infuse their work.
  

Perhaps the most unique aspect of the training offered at ATS is a technique called Interior Action. Grounded in the teachings of Constantin Stanislavski and significantly influenced by the work of Michael Chekhov, Garrison has developed a highly intuitive system that takes advantage of every actor´s unique ability to express him- or herself freely and specifically, regardless of the demands of media, venue or style. While Interior Action can be easily grasped, it´s also one technique that can benefit an actor´s work throughout their entire career.