I really can't say enough good things about The Susan Batson Studio. The studio first came recommended to me by 2 fellow actors that I trust a lot... When they both told me to go check it out, I was like, "Okay! I gotta go do this!" After taking my first class, I ended up staying for roughly 10 months. What I learned during those 10 months was invaluable. I have taken many classes in the city, with many teachers, and there are very few, if any, that are as great as Ms. Susan Batson. The work that you do at the SBS gets to the core of who you are, not only as an actor, but as a human, and it is through the exercises that you do in the main class (DYOM) that you really begin to understand and open up your instrument. After you do the first 6 exercises as yourself... Susan will assign you a character to work on... And so the character work begins. You learn how to build a character from the ground up... A process that an actor must know and be comfortable with. In addition to DYOM, the studio offers many other classes... Such as Industry Prep, where you solely work on monologues that you use for auditions out in the world... They also have a scene study class, Exer-Actor, Dance, ect... Regarding anyone who gives this studio a bad review, I would say that 1. They really just don't understand the work that goes on at the SBS or 2. That because the work that occurs at the SBS is so raw & real that it simply scared the shit out of them or 3. They are so afraid to ever do that level of work themselves that they put down the studio... (Of course they don't do this in a malicious way... They probably just aren't even conscious or aware of the fact that they are scared to learn what they have inside their own instrument, so they act out by putting the studio down.) The last thing that I will say is, when attending any type of studio situation or class... Don't stay too long. Don't get sucked into only being "a classroom actor." Definitely go to classes and study and learn and get better!!! (I have taken MANY classes and continue to) But don't get sucked into being the type of actors who ONLY takes class (unless that is what you truly want!) Eventually, when you feel ready, you must get out there and begin to work! I think sometimes actors forget that because studios are awesome and safe and you may be seeing lots of great work... So it feels like you are working... But you aren't. You are working when you are working ;) Good luck on your journey. Acting is beautiful and I hope you find the right studio for you. read more

Stay away. Carl Ford has a habit of inappropriately touching the women (especially models) who attend the studio inappropriately. He has touched me inappropriately more than once as well as other women in the studio. Unfortunately, many women are afraid to speak up due to fear of their careers being sabotaged (careers that haven't got their start yet) and overall embarrassment. I'm speaking up for all of us. It's unfortunate and damaging to innocent people who just want to learn. Carl Ford (Susan's son) abuses his power and harps on the student's fear of retaliation if they dare to publicly speak on it. If you haven't got your needs met as a child/young adult from your parents, haven't healed yet, and are an attractive woman don't go here. If Carl finds you attractive, your time in that studio will ONLY be about that and if you don't give him any s*xual attention, he will retaliate against you by saying your "work is sh*t" during class feedback etc. I have shared my experience with women who have went to the studio during the same year that I went there and they have had a mutual experience. Some even worse. We hear about this in the business all of the time but that doesn't make it right or normal. I've held this in since 2019 and I am warning you all (ESPECIALLY WOMEN). Do not go here. I went before their online classes. I would not recommend. If you first meet him and he compliments you physically and says you're "gorgeous", RUN! That's when the harassment starts. The studio is a casting couch. If Carl doesn't find you attractive and want to hook up with you, consider yourself lucky. read more

After years of studying and developing a show with him, Carl directed me for its premiere in New York City. Some weeks after the opening, Carl repeatedly got verbally violent and abusive; he shouted at me broad types of insults and ended up physically assaulting me and calling me homophobic slurs. He put part of the show's team at risk, almost ruined my artistic career, and spoiled a whole production. The more I tell my experience, the more similar stories I learn from former students, especially women whom Carl Ford inappropriately treated. Artists, stay safe and away from these destructive practices. Art has nothing to do with violence. read more

Horrible experience. When I showed up to sign in, I was greeted by an icy dark haired receptionist who looked like she absolutely hated life and also absolutely did not want to help in any way. I attended the pre-industry night class and was told that my sides wouldn't work. After I had already paid. Even though they were approved beforehand. I contacted the studio voicing my concerns and Carl Ford gave me a call. He wanted to schedule a time for me to come in to go over my sides. Great. I arrived in time to be completely ignored and waited an hour and a half before I had to leave for my next appointment. This was a complete waste of time and money. I would suggest William Esper down the road on W37th Street. They are respectful of their students' time. read more

Susan is all about the TRUTH. Finding out who you are and what you are dealing with then finding out who the character is and what they are dealing with. I enjoy hearing her shout "actiiiinnng! actiiinnng!!!" LOL Her son Carl Ford is a beast too. Thank you for allowing me to become more "aware" read more

SPECTACULAR, THIS STUDIO IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, I made a review a year ago and I am back to say it is still wonderful!! I started classes with Susan Batson and Carl Ford at the age of 16. These classes are just so outstandingly beneficial to an actor or actress. Since training with Susan Batson and Carl Ford my bookings have gone through the roof!!!! Susan Batson Studio really have the perfect method to help an actor or actress really understand and feel the person they are bringing to life, I tell all my friends and family about these classes. Susan Batson and Carl Ford are my go to for everything and will continue to be through out my career and life, such a supportive environment between the teachers and students and other students with each other!! I have made amazing friends and I can't wait to see all of us grow. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Susan and Carl! see you in class :) - Jada W read more

LOVE IT! Since day 1 I got here, I had the feeling of belonging. It just gets better. You just really have to be open, humble and trust the process and learn from the experience. Every single moment here is transforming in a different aspect for my art and for my life. Sincerely grateful with every single person who forms part of the studio, from the staff to the big loving international community of students. I'm in love with all the history happening here. read more

If I could give 0 stars I would. Do not waste your money here! The teachers do not have a clue as to what they are doing. I've trained at a couple of really good conservatory's and I was looking for a place to practice audition technique and liked the idea of a drop in on camera class. This place takes advantage of impressionable beginner actors and wields they're irresponsible egocentric power. You will not find substance or technique here just unqualified 'teachers' talking about their 'ideas', the amount of times the teacher name dropped in a really gross way...an hour of rambling and no teaching then a couple of warm ups that weren't explained properly, then we are given some copy with 0 context and no material for the women (obviously too lazy to find appropriate material). Then told to do ? (Literally 0 explained) I do my script analysis work as best as I can (not taught) and then I'm called into the room a prop gun is thrust into my hand. The assistant is the 'director' there is a light shining directly into my eyes (way too bright) and I'm told to look directly into the camera (?) then I'm told I can't have my sides.. im sorry in what scenario have you ever been hired with 15 mins to learn the pages and then perform? Fine if this is audition technique but in that scenario YOU KEEP THE SIDES. They were also acting being director 'jerks' lol so basically talked to me like shit... at that point I was done lol. At least I have some material for my future web series..seriously I can't believe they're selling this garbage. I'm just mad because I wasted my money and time when all I wanted to do was work. read more

The Susan Batson Studio is full of dynamic individuals of all types. Everyone at the studio is passionate about their craft and it certainly shows. There are a variety of classes and different instructors, none of which are the same, which provides numerous options for a student. The studio also hold various workshops. I'm presently taking one and enjoying it immensely. read more

hands down the best acting classes that I've come across. That said, buckle up it's going to be a bumpy ride. The school is open to actors of any level but it is far from a recreational acting class. Be ready for a challenge. read more

Went last week for first time. Not a fan at all - studio is definitely not for everyone. Definitely go for a class because everyone else in the class loved it, then decide for yourself. I just felt the beginning warm ups did not warrant the time spent, and the coaching was not actionable, just a lot of "dig deep." To each their own! read more

Recommended to me by a highly respected casting director and the most recognized producer in film. Challenging yet refreshing due to the different teachers/classes/methods that are applied on a daily basis. Great for any one at any level. read more

Susan Batson Studio - Performing Arts Near Me - Manhattan, New York

Best improv class I've ever taken ..BUT the man who just answered the phone is an asshole ..Who gets an attitude with someone for asking for information about the studio ..I said thank you and he didn't even reply he just slammed the phone down on me .I was calling to enquire about auditing classes and he acted as though I was supposed to know already ..Newsflash jerk you're making Susan look bad . read more

I have studied acting at several studios and decided to try this one as It was recommended to me. I have to agree with Shelby's post in that I found the class to be a joke and full of emotionally unstable people. It really did feel like being in a pyscho ward. I learned nothing about the art of acting or any useful skills. read more

DO NOT GO HERE. I booked a private coaching self tape session with Wass Stevens for 300 dollars an hour and it was honestly the most unpleasant experience I have ever had with any coach or studio. They told me to come 15 mins early and when I got there they carelessly told me he called and said he's 'tied up' and is going to be half an hour late, meaning I'd have to sit and wait for someone i was going to pay three hundred dollars to for 45 mins. Neither the manager or the studio seemed to care much. But the worst part is coming: Wass Stevens strolls in and walks right into the self tape room, I go in and ask why I've been waiting 45 mins, visibly upset, and he throws the papers of the script into the air like a spoilt child and says "FINE. Well if you're going to be like that FORGET IT!!'. Obviously just bluffing and thinking I was gonna beg for him back, because I know he would love 300 dollars, he storms out of the studio before storming right back in (lol) and starts shouting at me in front of their entire staff, who looked on and did absolutely nothing (I am a petit 22 year old female and he is a middle aged, very loud and aggressive man). He realised he had no good argument and started shouting about how I should have given him a chance to explain, forgetting the first thing I had said when I walked in was 'what happened?'. I told him I would like to cancel our session and he storms out again, before storming back in (again, ha) and comes right in my face saying I need him more than he needs my 100 dollars (it was 300 dollars), again, while the staff did nothing. He clearly is a bitter, aging, actor who's insecure about the fact that he's just done a few guest roles on crappy TV shows, and wants pretend to act like a diva so he can convince himself and others he's a star when he actually has to work 3 jobs at once. He's frustrated because no actor that teaches is a star. Tbh, if I was his age and a failed actor, I'd be the nicest person I could be, to make it less embarrassing that I was a loser, instead of being a loser and a dick, which is the lowest of the low. read more