The Caymichael Patten Studio is about empowering actors -- with artistry and technique, and with a realistic sense of how the business works. We’ve been offering private, professional classes to the working actor for 30 plus years.

We strive to create an artistic home for actors with high aesthetic standards who work hard, value a variety of techniques and are committed to the solid use of the self.

The conflict for the young actor is getting more intense: getting good training versus trying to get work that gives you a foothold in the industry.

Do you go to grad school, studio class, or conservatory until you are 28 only to find you can’t get an agent? Or do you take advantage of the culture’s obsession with youth, try to get a job that capitalizes on that only to discover that you don’t have the chops to handle the roles that come next? Training can be expensive and can take you out of the flow of the business, but you need it to succeed. There are traps and pitfalls, and the young actor needs to learn to avoid them to let the world know how talented and special they really are.

The conflict is a little different for those actors who have studied. When they’ve left the artistic cocoon of specialized university or conservatory training, they have no blueprint for handling the business. They’ve learned a lot about playing some one else without understanding that most work comes from learning how to be yourself.

There is a place for those smart enough, mature enough, and brave enough to juggle all of this and the pressures of New York. Here at Caymichael Patten Studio we strive to develop an actor with a work ethic and desire for artistry, allowing for the actor to come and go for jobs in the industry. An actor who, after he or she gets work, is disciplined enough to return to class and continue acquiring the skills they need to get more and better roles. An actor who wants recognition and financial success, but who also has something to say.

There are few places, if any, that balance the artistic demands of the business with those of the professional. We’re a small studio dedicated to developing actors with a sense of that balance. If you know that you need your intellect but not be intellectual; if you know you need to work hard and want some one to tell you what they see when you are up there; if you want someone to call you on your stuff but not have a rigid ideology about what the right stuff is and how to get it; if you know you have to live in your body and have access to your inner life; if you’re well trained but don’t know what you’re right for-- we may be the right place for you. We’ll help you develop your craft and prepare for the business at the same time.

ABOUT OUR WEBSITE

Besides providing some information about our classes, I hope our website gives you a feeling about what it's like to study here.

You can look over our Course Descriptions for a more full explanation of what's covered in class.

See the Teacher Bios page for the background of a particular teacher.

You can get a little taste of what my notes are like in class by clicking on "Articles", where you'll find an occasional essay on acting. From time to time, we'll also offer pieces or opinions by guest writers.

If you’d like to see what some of our actors are up to in the way of current work, click on the "Actors at Work" link at the top of this page.

FAQ

Is private coaching available?

Yes. Our teachers are available for individual work; please call the studio for prices and schedules.

Is auditing permitted?

I don't let anyone audit a class. It changes the nature of the class and doesn't protect the students who are already studying here. It's usually not a problem, since admission to all the acting classes is by interview. A prospective student will spend half an hour with the teacher and that usually gives everyone a chance to find out if they can work together.

-Cay