Finding the best acting teachers in NYC is crucial for any aspiring actor aiming to make their mark. The right mentorship doesn’t just develop your technique—it empowers you to own the stage and make an impact on stage and screen.

In this blog, we’ll explore what makes the best acting teachers so impactful while focusing on the exceptional faculty at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. 

With a rigorous Meisner-based curriculum, the Maggie Flanigan Studio stands out among acting schools in NYC. We provide personalized, top-tier acting training that shapes the careers of serious actors.

Key Takeaways

• The Maggie Flanigan Studio is among the best acting schools in NYC, providing personalized training that shapes the careers of serious actors.
• Our expert faculty offers acting classes that blend movement, voice, and dialect coaching for comprehensive actor development.
• At the Maggie Flanigan Studio, actors find a nurturing environment where they can grow and achieve their professional aspirations.

Why Great Acting Teachers Matter

Most acting teachers do not view teaching as an art form. They grab notes from classes they took years ago, and cobble together a class. Many lack the ability to not only create a safe and nurturing space, but also hold their class to the highest artistic standards. 

At the Maggie Flanigan Studio, it is important for me as the artistic director to set a high bar for not just students, but the teachers who join our community. The guidance from a skilled acting teacher defines your growth, helping you master your craft and succeed. 

The Maggie Flanigan Studio knows this and provides first-rate instruction that turns serious actors into professionals.

How the right teacher shapes your acting career

A great acting teacher doesn’t just teach—they shape your artistic path, and instill in you work-ethic, discipline, and professional standards. With their expertise, you develop stage presence, refine your technique, and build the confidence needed to stand out. 

A great teacher is a mentor, someone who wakes you up to the beauty of this art form, someone who will challenge you, demand nothing less than your best effort, support your struggle, and lay the foundation for a long and successful acting career.

Qualities of the best acting teachers

The best acting teachers in NYC have a deep understanding of artistry and professional integrity. The great NYC acting teachers have spent decades on the craft, and have garnered a reputation of training the best actors in the business. 

I believe a great acting teacher creates a safe and nurturing space for actors to risk and fail, but also has a high standard that every student is expected to meet. A master teacher not only understands their work, but owns it through thousands of hours of training and teaching. 

They do not therapize students, or use their biggest vulnerability to embarrass or humiliate them. They keep their ego in check, and are always accessible to their students. They offer personalized feedback, pushing you to improve while creating a supportive environment. 

These are the qualities of a great acting teacher. The Maggie Flanigan Studio faculty embodies these qualities and ensures each student evolves into a better actor with every class.

Meet the Exceptional Faculty at Maggie Flanigan Studio

The Maggie Flanigan Studio believes that the foundation of any successful acting career begins with the guidance of truly exceptional teachers.

Our faculty members are not just educators. They are seasoned professionals who have dedicated their lives to the craft of acting and the art of teaching. 

With a commitment to excellence, our teachers embody the qualities that make Maggie Flanigan Studio one of the best acting schools in NYC.

Maggie Flanigan: A legacy of excellence

Maggie Flanigan, founder of our studio, is a highly respected figure in the acting world, renowned for her deep passion for the Meisner Technique. She established the Maggie Flanigan Studio in 2001 to offer actors rigorous, personalized training that prepares them for the demands of professional acting.

Maggie believed in individual attention, discipline, and authenticity in her teaching. She focused on helping students build the skills and confidence needed to succeed, emphasizing small-size acting classes and hands-on instruction.

Throughout her 40-year career, Maggie profoundly impacted generations of actors. Recognized as one of the best acting teachers in NYC, she earned numerous accolades, including NYC Back Stage Readers’ Choice Awards. 

Her influence is evident in the success of students like Sam Rockwell, Chris Messina, and Calista Flockhart, who credit her with shaping their careers in theater, television, and film.

Charlie Sandlan: Leading the way

I joined the Maggie Flanigan Studio in 2005 and took ownership in 2012, fully committed to continuing Maggie’s vision. My goal as the Artistic Director and Master Teacher here at the Maggie Flanigan Studio has always been to uphold the high standards she set, making the studio a top destination for serious actors looking to refine their craft.

My teaching philosophy is based on the belief that great acting stems from authentic behavior grounded in real experience. I am proud to carry not just Maggie’s legacy, but also Meisner’s, and his brilliant technique. 

I am dedicated to teaching this work with the integrity and consistency that Meisner expected. I am passionate about craft, and am fully committed to challenging and supporting students to reach their full potential. The Meisner Technique offers a clear path for actors to consistently deliver powerful, fully realized performances.

Mentoring actors who have gone on to succeed in theater, film, and television has been incredibly rewarding. At the Maggie Flanigan Studio we work every day to make sure our students are stepping closer to the vision of the artist and actor they want to be. It is my life’s work.

Our emphasis on the full two-year progression of the Meisner Technique ensures that our students develop the skills needed to thrive as true professionals.

Erin Cherry: Nurture simplicity in craft

Erin Cherry, our Senior Acting Teacher and Private Coach at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, is an Emmy award winning actress with extensive experience. She holds a BA in Theater and an MFA in acting from Rutgers University, where she studied under Maggie Flanigan and William Esper.

Cherry’s Emmy-winning role as Brenda on After Forever highlights her dedication to the craft. She is instrumental in shaping the next generation of actors by focusing on simplicity and authenticity. Cherry helps acting students connect deeply with their characters, emphasizing truth and emotional honesty in scene study, cold readings, and monologues.

As a private acting coach, she offers personalized guidance to help students refine their skills for auditions, advanced classes, and professional roles. Her commitment to Maggie Flanigan’s legacy ensures that every student receives the discipline and nurturing needed to excel in their acting careers.

Other notable faculty at the Maggie Flanigan Studio

Midori Nakamura

Midori Nakamura brings extensive experience to Maggie Flanigan Studio’s acting classes, having worked across film, television, Broadway, and Off-Broadway with iconic actors like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Angela Bassett. 

Her teaching roles at Yale, NYU Tisch, and the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute further enhance her value to our acting school in New York City. 

Rooted in the Linklater Technique, Midori’s voice training helps actors connect their voice with their entire being and break free from unhelpful habits to achieve greater vocal range and presence. 

Her expertise has made her one of the best acting coaches in NYC, guiding students to success in theater, film, and television.

Sara Fay George

Sara Fay George blends her expertise in acting, movement, and energy work to offer a holistic approach to actor training. 

Trained at the William Esper Acting Studio, she developed the Holistic Method, which integrates disciplines like Shakespeare, Ballet, and Energy Anatomy to create a comprehensive learning experience crucial for professional acting in New York City.

Sara’s movement classes help acting students connect their physicality with emotional depth, fostering authentic performances. Her focus on embodied learning and personal growth ensures that students develop the skills and confidence needed to excel in their acting careers.

Tina Mitchell

Tina Mitchell brings global expertise in theater and movement. With extensive training in techniques like the Suzuki Method and Lessac Voice, she helps students in Movement 3 & 4 classes refine their craft and deepen their connection to their work.

Tina’s approach honors each student’s unique physical abilities. She creates a supportive environment that encourages risk-taking and growth. Her commitment to fostering lifelong learners in the performing arts makes her an invaluable part of our New York City acting school.

Erika Ackerman

With over 40 years of expertise in voice and movement, particularly in Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Erika Ackerman provides students with the tools they need to excel in professional acting. Her work is instrumental in helping actors develop the vocal and physical skills necessary for a successful career.

Fedra Ramirez

Voice and dialect consultant Fedra Ramirez helps actors expand their versatility by mastering authentic dialects.

Her approach ensures believability and broadens the range of roles an actor can pursue while combating stereotypes. Fedra’s expertise is invaluable for actors looking to diversify their skills and enhance their career opportunities.

What Makes Maggie Flanigan Studio Stand Out

The Maggie Flanigan Studio is considered one of the best acting studios in the United States. Our mission is to shape exceptional actors through a comprehensive and rigorous conservatory curriculum. The structured programs in our Two-Year Conservatory like our Professional Actor Training Program, provide some of the best acting classes available. 

Focusing on holistic development, we integrate movement, voice, breathwork, mask & clown, Chekhov,and dialect training into the curriculum. This approach ensures our actors develop not just their craft but also possess the versatility needed to thrive in a competitive industry.

Our acting school creates an environment that supports and challenges students. Every class offers personalized guidance that fosters artistic growth and confidence. This balance of encouragement and discipline makes the Maggie Flanigan Studio one of the best acting schools in New York City.

Take your acting career to the next level with our expert educators. Call us today to learn more about our acting programs and start your journey to becoming the actor you’ve always aspired to be.

Summary

The faculty at the Maggie Flanigan Studio represents the very best of acting education in New York City. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to guide you through every step by offering some of the best acting classes available. 

With experienced teachers who genuinely care about your growth, the Maggie Flanigan Studio is a top choice for anyone serious about a career in acting.

If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, we’re here to help. Learn from the best acting coaches in the industry and develop the tools you need to succeed on stage and screen. Let Maggie Flanigan Studio be the foundation of your success as an actor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the famous New York acting teacher?

Some of the most well known teachers from the 20th century include Sandy Meisner, Bobby Lewis and Stella Adler.

Maggie Flanigan is a renowned acting teacher in NYC, and she is celebrated for her deep passion for the Meisner Technique and her dedication to shaping serious actors through her rigorous training programs at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. 

Is NYC a good place for acting?

Yes, New York City is a prime location for acting. It offers countless opportunities through its vibrant theater scene, renowned acting schools like Maggie Flanigan Studio, and proximity to influential casting directors and theater companies.

What is the best acting school in NYC?

The Maggie Flanigan Studio is widely regarded as one of the best acting schools in NYC, offering premier acting classes with a focus on the Meisner Technique, comprehensive training, and a faculty of experienced industry professionals.