If you want to learn how to live authentically on stage and to bring honest emotion to a text, I can't give a stronger recommendation than I can for Green Shirt Studio. The work and effort that Andrew and Sommer put into each class is unmatched and if you are willing to put in the work you are going to get a lot out the program. By the end of your time at Green Shirt you'll have a method to approach any work or script and access the emotional life of those characters. I recently finished their year-long training program and I've grown so much as an actor and a human over that time. I learned how to connect with my scene partner in a true and honest way, so that every word and moment between us is packed with meaning. Sommer and Andrew call this "the invisible thread", because it's so obvious when two people are actually connected and communicating with each other and seeing this on stage is captivating. I'm not exaggerating when I say that many of our in-class exercises were more engrossing then a lot of the professional theater I've seen in the city. And it's that connection with my scene-partners that really carried over into my daily life. In learning the Meisner process from Andrew and Sommer I came to realize how often I was on auto-pilot in my daily life and closing myself off to the people around me. Thanks to their work I've become more open emotionally with the people I care about in my life. Suffice to say I can't recommend Green Shirt enough, whether you are an actor looking to breath more life into your scene or an improviser trying to create more honest and grounded characters on stage, Green Shirt studio will give you the tools you need. read more

I literally tell EVERYONE I know and meet about Green Shirt Studio, and I figured it was high time I wrote a Yelp review. Yet, there is almost no real way I can put into words here what it is doing for me as a person and as a performing artist because the experience is so sacred to me and ever-unfolding. It's the feeling of being involved in something so transcendent that to describe it is to underplay its value somehow. I have NEVER, at any school, had teachers as committed, knowledgable, or passionate as Sommer and Andrew. I'm in Meisner Level 3 right now, and I can say with accuracy that my whole life has changed and blossomed because of this experience. It has affected my creative work, my personal life, and my whole outlook on the world in countless positive ways. I plan to go all the way through Meisner Level 5, and I will continue to take the other classes they offer after that. The studio space is huge, immaculate, and fully outfitted to facilitate learning in a comfortable, warm environment. It has become a sort of home away from home, and I look forward to my class with growing eagerness each week. I feel that I am on an amazing magical journey here that I have never known before. I am so extremely grateful that Green Shirt Studio exists; it is one of the gems of the city that makes me love Chicago and know why I am here. read more

Andrew Gallant and Sommer Austin head up Green Shirt Studio. Both are certified Meisner instructors (under Larry Sliverberg), and they are both amazing! I highly recommend taking classes through their studio if you want to bring you acting to another level. They both know their stuff, have tons of industry experience, and are the smartest, kindest and most supportive people in the world. You start at the most simple place of listening and focusing on your scene partner, and the you begin the work, from emotional preparation to "doings". It's in a comfortable setting with supportive instructors and students, and your work is your reward. It's beyond anything I have ever learned in any other acting or improvisation class. Green Shirt works with a lot of industry professionals too, and offer additional training at their studios in areas such as movement, voice, cold reading, Shakespeare and more. Wait! Why am I writing a positive review? I should be writing a bad review so you won't take a class with them, and then become an awesome actor, which I will then have to compete with. Ugh...crap. read more

I truly love Green Shirt. I've been taking classes there for 5 years, since attending one of their free workshops. It didn't take longer than that first day to realize what a good place I had found. Sommer and Andrew are both very talente4 actors but also very honest and sensitive teachers. Their experience and knowledge of Meisner training is extensive and intelligent. There's no bs at Green Shirt, just a wonderful collection of people working together in an inspiring and joyous way to learn and make theater. They have currently been adding some exciting new classes and workshops in disciplines that are not always easy to find: Alexander, Feldenkrais, Linklater, and many others taught by a wide variety of excellent Chicago theater artists. If you come to Green Shirt you will be treated with kindness and respect for the unique bundle of talents and aspirations that you are. read more

Always wanted to take Meisner classes and didn't want to all at the same time. Finally bit the bullet, as they say, and decided to tough out a 10 week immersion class with Andrew Gallant at Green Shirt Studio. I figured it would be like taking medicine, not very pleasant but helpful. To my surprise, I love this class. Over halfway through I am already sad it will be ending. Classes I have taken in the past have helped me with many aspects of acting and character development but the way Meisner is taught at Green Shirt is helping me establish a different way of working that seems much more connected. I feel it will enable me to reach depths in my acting that I can maintain over time. Andrew creates a supportive, protective environment where students can risk and grow. I highly recommend this course and Andrew Gallant as a teacher. read more

The five levels of Meisner training with Andrew and Sommer gave me the tools to be in touch with the emotional thrust of the scene and the magnetic connection with scene partners. I'm glad I signed up for the whole series as one level built on the previous and the last two levels were transformative. There's a real sense of community at Green Shirt, with free activities for anyone every week. I had never performed before this training and have been cast in four plays this past year. Not bragging. Just saying. Oh, and by the way... this is for everyone, whatever your age. I'll be 70 in a couple months. And 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, etc. are plugged in here. It's a diverse community. read more

I am so glad and grateful to have found Green Shirt Studio. After taking Levels 1 & 2, I knew I wanted to continue growing in this work and decided to completely immerse myself in their Meisner Accelerated Program. Nothing has taught me how to be truly present in my performing like the Meisner technique. Andrew is a fantastic, helpful, and knowledgeable instructor, and I loved my classmates. (I also jumped into a few of Sommer's classes when I had to make up a class or two, and I found her to be wonderfully helpful as well!) If you're looking to grow as a performer, get out of your head, and learn how to make meaningful art, I cannot recommend Green Shirt enough. :) read more

"Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances." Not an easy task! Well, Green Shirt Studio is the best place to learn how to do just that. Sommer Austin and Andrew Gallant have created a rich, supportive environment where you will be given the tools, encouragement and direction needed to build a strong acting foundation. They make sure everyone gets what they need and are generous with their time and attention. These two know their stuff and they've expanded to include a broad array of classes to help us actors round out our toolbox. I am a proud former and current student! read more

I went into this program with many fears and reservations about Meisner Training. Andrew put all those fears to rest and created a very comfortable and safe environment for us to create in. My appreciation and understanding for the craft grew immensely. The training is something I will always carry with me in both my personal and professional life. I am largely indebted to the patience and generosity of the teachers in this school. I highly recommend any creative who is interested in growing as a human being to take this program. read more

I can't claim to have the most extensive acting background, but everything I have come to understand about Green Shirt and its owners would indicate to me that they are the absolute best. They are obviously passionate about what they do but more than that, Sommer and Andrew are wonderful people. I would strongly recommend working with these fine folks should you decide to pursue acting classes in Chicago. Do yourself a favor, sign up and have a great experience! read more

Green Shirt is a great training center for actors and performers. I got a new freedom to be not just as an actor but as a person. The instructors create a safe space for students to explore emotional freedom and experience real connection with their scene partners as we grow and develop through the levels of Meisner training. Green Shirt is a challenging, playful and nurturing place to learn the art and craft of acting. Money well spent. read more

One of the gems of acting institutions in Chicago. Green Shirt Studio is a friendly and safe environment for fresh and trained actors to grow in their craft through the Meisner training. There were times I felt uncomfortable trying new techniques but every time I had those moments, the instructors encouraged me to push past my limitations. I recommend any actor to take a class at Green Shirt! read more

At Green Shirt I found, not only one of my favorite acting methods (meisner technique) , but also a welcoming environment and great teachers. I took the Alexander technique class with Jeremy and I loved his commitment to helping his students. Ah and they have Free Friday's who doesn't want free acting workshops? read more

I took the whole 5 Levels of Meisner training with Andrew and Sommer. And it was a great learning experience. I had no acting background before this training. I learned every little thing about acting from them. I would recommend Green shirt for an intense learning experience. read more