Our program has a lot of room for growth as we offer fully comprehensive training for actors wishing to prepare for a professional career in LA or New York. All actors start in their appropriate acting class and all enrollment is ongoing – either continuing work in the current level or moving onto the next for more intense focus. Training at AZAA is individualized and growth in our acting program is dependent on the actors dedication and discipline. Students learn basic acting skills in our Foundations class, then learn discipline in our Technique class. Finally students with a clear sense of approach to the work can find their artist voice while acting at the highest level with specialized coaching in American Acting. There is no glass ceiling in our program as we seek to unlock artist potential and build confidence for the competitive industry.
AZAA also offers other ongoing focuses, such as improv, and welcomes improv training by itself, however, highly recommend both for actors and improvisors to improve their craft. Improv is also individualized coaching within a collaborative environment. Students get out what they put in, learning how to take risks with bolder and braver choices, students who wish to advance in improv get to our performance level where they explore improvisation as performance art, gaining on stage experience along with advancing skills in improvisation.
We feature regular specialty and guest artist workshops throughout the year and our opportunities are always in support of giving you comprehensive training options that could mirror conservatory training at a fraction of the cost. If at anytime during your enrollment you’d like to enroll in additional classes and specialty workshops you can do so on our registration page.
When students are enrolled in a single class they get to enjoy deeply discounted tuition to add our additional focuses. This includes our core classes of Improvisation, Shakespeare or any additional acting focus. These discounts to our students are often applied to specialty workshops throughout the year.
Arizona Actors Academy has a comprehensive program. Students are offered additional classes at incredible tuition discounts to make it an affordable program that can mirror conservatory training at a fraction of the cost.
Students on a budget are also encouraged to try multiple classes while enrolled at AZAA and we welcome re-focused training. Communicating with your coaches and AZAA staff we can guide you to create the training experience that works for your artist self right where you are at and can adjust with your growth as an actor. The door to every coach and classroom would be open to your return and pick right back up where you left off.
Current students can change their enrollment anytime using our Current Student Change Form
- Change your Core Acting Class
- When moving up from Acting Foundations into our On-Going Program
- When switching from one Single Class to any other.
- Add a Class
- Students can Add Improv anytime.
- Students can start Meisner and add Acting Technique for double the acting focus.
- Withdrawals
- Students can withdraw anytime.
- Withdrawals should be 30 days notice to avoid late penalties.
- There are no refunds for tuition paid.
Our classes are weekly and ongoing month to month, therefore you can mainly rely on having class every week, except when we take holiday breaks. We try to take off for most major holidays and and have a Winter, Spring and Summer break so that our dedicated ongoing students & coaches can enjoy larger breaks for vacations.
In the Spring our Sunday class unfortunately meets on many of the holidays such as Easter, Memorial Day, Mother & Father’s Day, we will sometimes adjust our four week schedule to three weeks for longer classes to offer some holiday relief.
Our calendar is available to view on google, as well as downloadable PDF form. Students who miss classes due to illness &/or travel would pursue our make-up options.
Expectations of our Students
We strive every day to create the safest creative environment for artistic development. This requires a working space of the highest integrity for personal risk taking and artistic exploration, both on and off the stage. We have the following expectations of students to uphold that standard.
Our Students will:
- Show respect for others: Our students will respect the rights and feelings of the other participants. Fighting, bullying, name calling, intimidations, bigotry of any kind, inappropriate language or any other form of emotional or physical abuse or unwanted contact directed to one another, Directors, Coaches, Staff, or Volunteers will not be tolerated.
- Maintain a Professional Focus:
• Cell phones should be turned off or switched to silence when entering the classroom. Please save any calls or texting for breaks. If you have a special situation such as a sick relative or work crisis and need to check your phone, let your instructor know before class starts.
• Absolutely no picture taking or recording during class without express permission and a photo release.
• No eating while actors are working.
• What goes on in class stays in class. To take creative risks, actors must feel safe. Respect your fellow classmates’ privacy.
• Be respectful and quiet while other actors are working and during feedback. One of the best ways to learn is from watching others!
There is only one acting coach. Do not critique other class members’ work in or outside of class. Kudos and encouragement are welcome but specific acting directions must come from AZAA staff and guest artists only.
• Do not comment on other actors’ work. This includes “are you okay?” etc. It must be understood that our work requires incredible vulnerability and courage. Emotion and vulnerability is to our medium as paint is to the visual artist. You will see the whole spectrum of human experience in our class. • Do not be concerned about an actor’s wellbeing because they are using their medium successfully! Respect the tears, rage, and laughter as part of the process and nothing more. - Respect our Theatre: Participants will respect the theatre facilities, costumes, props, sets, and all other Arizona Actors Academy and Theatre Upstairs property. They will pick up after themselves and work to keep the theatre and classrooms clean. If property is damaged participants will be held financially responsible for the replacement of such.
- Dangerous Items: Never use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco and none of these or weapons of any kind are permitted at the theatre.
- Displays of Affection: Do not engage in inappropriate public displays of affection. Our students and performers are expected to act as professionals on and off the stage at AZAA/Theatre Upstairs, and no unprofessional or suggestive conduct will be tolerated.
• Romantic relationships with other AZAA students is highly discouraged. Do not interfere with each other’s learning process.
• Conflicts that occur between students at gatherings outside of school/theatre events do not belong in our building or related events. No personal drama. The student will strive to maintain the integrity of a safe, creative environment to risk take and grow. If these conflicts occur, they are the responsibility of the parties associated and not ours. Retaliation or inappropriate behavior in response to personal relationships brought into our school/theatre events will not be tolerated. - Always be On Time: Show up to rehearsals, classes and performances on-time and ready to get to work with all necessary props, costumes, notes or scripts.
- Do not Leave Unless Dismissed: Do not leave the theatre during a class, show or rehearsal unless excused by an instructor/Director or when the instructor/Director dismisses the group.
- Dress Appropriately: Our students are expected to dress appropriately for all rehearsals and classes except where otherwise guided by the Director for a show’s costume or for specific program activity. Items with provocative, offensive, violent or drug related pictures or slogans will not be permitted. Appropriate foot wear is expected at all times.
- Never Discriminate: Discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, age or on any other basis prohibited by law, is never allowed.
• Any student who believes that he or she has observed or has experienced prohibited behaviors should report these immediately to an instructor, the Artistic Director or our reports form on our website.
• Clear information on how to access our feedback/reports form will be shared before you have your first class.
We are open for live classes at Arizona Actors Academy. We will follow State & local guidelines.
- It will be up to you whether to wear a mask or not while attending classes and events.
- The choice to wear a mask or not until our country reaches herd immunity is up to each individual.
- No commenting on, shaming, deriding or judging of another’s choice to wear or not wear a mask will be tolerated.
- Please help us hold in place, with integrity, this space for creative expression and personal risk taking by fostering acceptance and understanding of your peers personal choice in this matter.
- Additionally we will operate at full capacity.
- By taking part in our classes you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
- Do not participate in any classes if you are feeling sick from COVID or other. Help us keep our community healthy.
- We have amazing Make-Up options for missed classes.
- We highly recommend students get vaccinated, however, it is not mandated.
For committed students we can assist with temporary payment extensions for students experiencing financial hardship. Once a student has attended three months of classes and is in good standing, we can offer temporary or ongoing work study options when available.
For In Person Classes
Most of our classes only require you to bring yourself on your first day. You will only need material prepped for your first class if you have been contacted directly from us about that. Otherwise, all you need to bring to your first day of class is a willing and open mind. Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes to prepare for movement. We also ask that you bring a water container for yourself to stay hydrated during class. We can offer refills.
For Zoom (online) classes where applicable:
~You can connect via computer/laptop (recommended), tablet or mobile phone.
~Visit the link Zoom, and download for your computer. Or go to your App store on your mobile, tablet device and download Zoom.
~At least a half hour before your scheduled class, your instructor will share via email the link to join the class.
~You do not need to have a Zoom account to join class.
We recommend:
~For the first class to join early in case you run into any complications getting connected.
~Make sure you are in a quiet space to avoid distraction.
~If there is noise in your environment (including an echo or computer audio delay), we ask that you use headphones.
~Mute yourself when you are observing.
Our core class enrollment, unless otherwise specified is ongoing. Therefore you are automatically enrolled and billed every month. The tuition listed under each class is a monthly cost. Our billing schedule has tuition invoices issued on the 25th of every month with a due date of the first. Students can withdraw from classes with a 30 day notice and any enrollment changes, such as, adding classes or changing core acting class should be done by the 25th of the month. See our Terms and Conditions of Enrollment for full info.
Our class schedule is listed under our acting classes, our administrative hours are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Email is our best mode of contact. We do not hold office hours, if you wish to check out our facility and our class, please pursue an audit.
We welcome interested students to audit any of our classes to get a taste of our program. For new actors just getting started, we welcome you to try our Acting Foundations class before committing to our ongoing program. The class is full participation depending on class size. When time is limited, priority will go to enrolled students to participate first. For actors who are looking to advance their training and work at a new level, we welcome you to use your audit to observe our Acting Technique class to understand the foundation of our approach and the space we hold for our actors working at the highest level. You can also audit any of our improv and acting courses to ensure that our programs are the right fit for you and your artistic goals. The $25.00 payment made for your audit will be credited back to your tuition if you choose to enroll in our classes. For more questions about our audit option, please contact jacque@azactorsacademy.com.
Advanced Actors wishing to join:
- Meisner is an open class – recommended to Actors with a strong foundation (suggested 3+ mo. of Actor Training).
- Interested students can choose to audit the first two weeks of every open enrollment period.
- These dates are reflected when you select a date to audit.
- Auditors would have to enroll by Week 3 to continue the module.
- Acting Technique requires approval – we welcome any actor with a strong basic foundation in acting to pursue advancing right into one of our Technique classes. To do so we ask that you audit on Thursday night with our Coach Rachel Grimes. She will hold a brief assessment to ensure that you have the background that our Acting Foundations course holds necessary to be successful in Acting Technique. You can also audit Sunday’s class if the date is better, and reach out to pursue a phone assessment with Rachel for approval into the class after attending. It is important to us that you observe the class to ensure it’s the right fit for you.
If tuition payment is not received by the 1st and you have not contacted us to discuss reasons for delay, you will receive a $5 late fee each day you are late. If your tuition is not received by the 5th of the month, we will automatically withdraw you from further classes. Re-enrollment will be subject to fees. Financial hardship options including payment plans are available.
Our location is:
4820 E McDowell Rd Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Students can add classes, transfer core acting classes (for leveling up or setting a new home acting, improv class) and make withdrawals from any or all classes. Students can also use this form to make contact and payment info changes. Changes to your enrollment should be made by the 25th to be reflected on your next months tuition billing. Withdrawals should be made with 30 day notice to avoid any tuition penalties. See withdrawal below.
Our students can pursue Make-Up classes during their enrollment by auditing any of our other class focuses; Acting Technique, Improv for Actors and Improv for Performance. Some of these options are just observation and some offer opportunities to participate. The details on how to schedule your make-ups during your enrollment are provided after your first class.
We are not currently offering dedicated Zoom classes.
Our Meisner class is taught by Isaac Byrne who conferences into our studio from NY via Zoom allowing that class to be taken as a hybrid. Therefore, this class is open to any actors looking for online or remote options.
Additionally we have a Zoom Foundations class available with interest. We’d love to hear if you’d enjoy this opportunity and will offer it whenever demand justifies it. Contact us with interest.
~For new students: You can select the $75.00 deposit payment option to register for your class(es) and contact us if you need to set a specific due date for remaining tuition, otherwise, we invoice your remaining tuition payment for you within two business days. Invoices always come via email and are easy to pay online.
~For ongoing students: We do not set up ongoing payment plans, however, we do allow you to contact us by the 1st to discuss a payment due date extension or payment plan over the month. This can be agreed upon by emailing jacque@azactorsacademy.com your exact extension/pay plan request. We expect all students to catch up to our billing period but are happy to help when needed.
Payment is required upon registration.
Options:
- $75 minimum deposit payment.
- With this option, you will receive a tuition invoice for the remaining balance due, which will be due before your first class.
- Full tuition payment.
- With this option, your first month’s tuition will be covered and the ongoing billing will start with your next month’s tuition. If you have any credits for mid month enrollment, they will be applied to your next invoice.
- All payments are non-refundable.
We care greatly that our classes feel welcoming and safe to all. If you are experiencing any unpleasant interactions or have issues with fellow students or staff, please report to us. You can do so in person with your coach if you feel comfortable, or report via the website. This can even be done anonymously if you feel you may be in any danger. The submissions are delivered to AZAA leadership to ensure full accountability for every report. We take all feedback and every report seriously wether it is anonymous or not, and we will practice due-diligence by conducting proper investigations for any accusation. Sharing your contact info is encouraged to help us toward positive change in result of your report and/or feedback.
You can support AZAA a number of ways.
Spread the word, tell others about us.
REGISTRATION | ENROLLMENT
- You are required to complete the form and signify your agreement to Payment Policies, Waiver of Liability and class Code of Conduct.
- A minimum $75.00 deposit is required upon registration to confirm your enrollment.
- Any remaining tuition balance will be invoiced via email within two business days (all credits applied).
- Enrollment is ongoing and automatic each month until a formal withdrawal is made online.
- Exception: Acting Foundations is only a two month commitment.
- Students will be invited to advance into ongoing enrollment.
- Exception: Acting Foundations is only a two month commitment.
- Monthly Tuition must be paid in full to start classes.
- If you fulfilled an audit class your $25.00 fee will be credited toward’s your tuition.
- An active email address is necessary for you to receive your monthly billing invoices, tuition reminders and updates.
• Please notify us of any changes in contact information.
MONTHLY TUITION | INVOICING PLAN
- Tuition is billed monthly.
- Digital invoices will be emailed on the 25th of every month and are easily paid at your own convenience.
- Tuition must be paid monthly using credit/debit card or bank transfer payment upon receipt of invoice on, or before the 1st of the month.
- If payment is not received and you have not reached out to discuss options of financial hardship, a $5 fee will be applied for every day you are late with your tuition payment.
AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS
- If you chose auto billing, you will still receive an invoice on the 25th for review and last minute changes (however, please see our 30 day withdrawal policy below to understand the penalty of late changes). Your payment will process on the 1st for you without penalty. If you need to withdraw from the automatic invoicing plan, an online withdrawal/change of payment option must be received by the 25th of the month.
DECLINED & LATE PAYMENT FEES
- Students will incur a late fee of $5 on the 2nd.
- A fee of $5 will be applied for every day you are late.
- If tuition is still unpaid by the 5th and no communication is discussed for late payment, student will be automatically withdrawn and will not be allowed to participate in further classes until resolved.
- Student will be responsible for all fees charged for declined payments.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
- Please email us if you are having financial difficulties and need payment extensions, pay-plans or other options of assistance. jacque@azactorsacademy.com
- Payment Extension or Pay Plan Policy: If you do not hold to your agreed dates of your pay plan you will be required to provide payment info so that we can run your payments automatically for you.
- There are occasionally work-study opportunities available on a temporary basis to assist you. Reach out with interest.
TUITION PRICE
- Rates are subject to change.
REFUNDS & PRO-RATING TUITION
- Tuition is not pro-rated, refunded or discounted for classes missed, or when dropping from a class.
- Tuition will only be pro-rated during your first month of registration, if necessary.
- NO other months will be pro-rated. Auditing & deposit payments upon registration are non-refundable.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
- In order to withdraw from class without penalty, a 30 day notice of withdrawal should be submitted through our online Add/Change form.
- If you withdraw within 30 days of the next billing period, you will be automatically charged 50% of your tuition cost.
- This charge can be credited towards your return enrollment.
- All new students will receive a 60 day grace period for withdrawal.
RE-ENROLLMENT
- If you have to temporarily withdraw, you will be able to set up an automatic return to classes.
- You can always re-enroll as a return student anytime.
- Any credit you may have from a withdrawal penalty will be applied to your next ongoing tuition invoice.
INCLEMENT WEATHER OR INSTRUCTOR EMERGENCY
- In the event of inclement weather or emergency, we will send email notifications if classes are cancelled.
- Any cancelled classes will be offered a make-up class with ample time to adjust your schedule.
- If you are unable to attend a make-up class, AZAA cannot refund the original class. Please make every effort to attend the make-up class.
Acting Foundations:
Depending on your preference, if you selected monthly billing, your second invoice will be emailed the Friday before your fifth class to cover the completion of your Foundations course. This tuition should be paid by Monday to confirm your continued enrollment.
Ongoing Tuition:
Invoices are emailed on the 25th of every month reflecting your tuition balance for ongoing enrollment. Tuition is due on the first either paid by you or for you per your preference upon enrollment. If tuition is not paid on the 1st, you will receive a $5.00 late fee everyday that you are late. If you are unpaid by the 5th without communications you will be automatically withdrawn from class and your spot will be filled with waitlisted students. Be sure to always contact jacque@azactorsacademy.com to set up late payment extensions, pay plans or make late changes. You can avoid fees and disruptions in enrollment with great communication.
Withdrawals should be submitted with a 30 day notice via the student change form. Grace periods are given to students within their first two months of enrollment as we understand that it is hard to determine whether you wish to continue the program without having a few classes first, in this case, you can withdraw up till the 25th of your second month of classes without penalty.
Students who withdrawal within 30 days notice will be charged 50% of their tuition cost. This penalty charge will be held as a credit towards return tuition. We will hold your credit for up to one year from your withdrawal date. Under our financial hardship initiative, you can reach out to jacque@azactorsacademy.com to discuss resolution without burden.
As a small business we rely on monthly projections to operate. This policy is in place to protect us from unexpected loss when students decide to end enrollment during our tuition billing. We appreciate your consideration and compliance when choosing to withdrawal from your enrollment at the last minute. Students experiencing financial hardship should reach out to us before choosing to withdraw.
Arizona Actors Academy is focused on adult programming and not offering classes for students under 18 years of age. If you or your child is a mature, focused teen actor age 16 or 17 that would like to begin working at an adult level, please contact info@azactorsacademy.com to inquire about setting up an assessment to see if our program is the right fit. Arizona has many great organizations focused on youth, we can give you recommendations if you drop us a quick email.