individual instruction
everyone works, every class

For over 30 years Andrew Benne has offered training for the professional and beginning actor in a safe, challenging, and inspiring environment. The Studio is dedicated to training and preparing actors for professional work in the film and television industry. Our actors work!
Acting Classes at Acting SD cover technique, improv, scene study, and cold reading. Free, participating audits are offered by appointment.
Classes are small and very individualized in order to inspire creativity, risk taking, and personal growth in the actor. Studio teaching focuses on three areas: (1) troubleshooting the particular blocks that are holding an actor back from reaching his or her full potential; (2) providing a solid foundation and training in our Hybrid Meisner Technique; and (3) Persona, image, and branding. Actors in our studio discover who they are, and what they are selling as an actor. Essential insight and personal knowledge to actually be a working actor in today’s entertainment industry.
Weekly Schedule & Tuition
Sunday (Introductory Foundation Classes )
Afternoon: 11:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Evening: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Monday–Friday Nights
Adult class 6.30 p.m. – 11.00 p.m.
Thursday Afternoons
12.45 to 5.15 p.m.
Saturday
9.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m. and 2-6 p.m.
Tuition
4 Adult Classes
- Accelerated study 2X per week is recommended for actors in their first 2 years of study but not required.
8 Adult Classes
- 2X per week $330.00 per 8 consecutive classes (The 2X per week rate reflects 50% off the additional class)
2 Year Hybrid Meisner Technique – Certificate
In the tradition of Sanford Meisner we also offer a two year certificate program, with the same amount of weeks and hours of his original program. 64 weeks or 384 hours of study.
Once you have completed 64 weeks or 384 hours and finished all the technique assignments specifically designed for you, than you will receive a certificate graduation performance ceremony at the studio.
All studio members come out to celebrate you becoming a graduate student.Everyone works at their own pace in our studio, so you can start collecting hours right away at your first class.
L.A style on-camera audition class – Nail It!

This on camera audition intensive is scheduled twice every month is taught by working actress Brooke McCormick. It is an elective for studio members and also open to professional actors. The focus is on working and auditioning actors for film and television. It is about the animal of auditioning and what is required of you as an actor for film and television auditions. Our studio teaches actors how to do the job in our ongoing classes, the intensive classes are about getting the job, and nailing the audition. The training is to be extremely specific with the audition sides, being truthful and creating a strong imaginary world. Actors learn to put everything onto the reader, the camera only see’s knowledge so the actors must be specific in every second of an on camera audition . The class is about increasing your bookings and strengthening your audition tools.
After the playback of the first take- Brooke will give you detailed notes and adjustments to improve the work. You will have some time to work on these adjustments before the second take.
The first and second take will be sent to you as a link after the class wraps. This intensive is invaluable auditioning actors to learn to audition for their career.
Showcases & Guest Casting Directors & Agents
We invite industry guests to our SD studio. We will Showcases in San Diego and Los Angeles. Andrew Benne is known in L.A. For his Original Industry Showcases.
Casting Directors and agents will be invited to special events for studio members to work and perform for industry guests. Please understand that the studio will only showcase actors that are ready to be seen by the industry.
We have a outstanding reputation in Los Angeles for nearly 30 years , and we strive to maintain that status.