The CRAFT of ACTING & The ART of BUSINESS

Love Acting?

Want to Explore some new techniques?

Learn More About the Business?

Saturday & Sunday

Feb 16th, 17th

From 12 - 5:00 PM

Come play with us, while you explore some serious tools for your acting craft! We will also touch upon some business basics for the SouthEast..

Two Weekends to explore basic and modern acting techniques. Drawing from years of study, from Stanislavsky, to Checkov, to Lucid Body, to special workshops with directors and top NY/LA coaches, Aria intends to set a foundation, while giving a sampling of newer techniques, within the practical experience of hands on scene study.

Aria began her professional acting career at Shakespeare Santa Cruz almost 20 years ago, and has been teaching actors for over 5 years, beginning in NYC as a VO and Acting coach. She has also worked as director/producer/casting assistant. 

Student Testimonials:

“Working with Aria is organic; she puts you at ease by letting you be yourself and let creativity flow. She is also a great director/producer, she trusts her talent to deliver, but she also works with us to get the very best out that she knows is there. 

... She has helped me in so many ways to work with the same organic feeling, passion, to trust in and believe in myself.”

                                                              -June Benson

“Aria is an enthusiastic, talented and incredible voice coach who helped me create a demo that I am very proud of. 

I was then honored to work alongside her in a play, "Red 

Anthology." I learned so much from her as an actress. Her focus, sincerity and passion is an inspiration and her presence on stage is electric. It is an absolute pleasure and true privilege to be able to work with Aria!” 

                                                                   -Lucy-Jade Norris

“Aria is more than talented ... she is magical! What makes Aria stand out from the rest is her genuine belief in her students. She puts her all into her teaching as well as demo production. She has an amazing way of making you feel at ease and more than confident. 

I was thrilled to work on a children's audiobook production that Aria produced. 

The experience was invaluable. I look forward to working with her more in the future.” 

                                                               -Ann Lucente

“I can’t thank you enough.   At the agent night, just about every one of Alycia’s comments centered around something you coached me on.   I’d say that’s a pretty good testament to how good you are.   

I would like to let you know that this experience (not just the agent night, but all of it) has been very rewarding.” 

                                                                  -Julian Hing

 “I went rather guardedly to Aria's class but to my surprise I found it one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in all my New York travels. 

Aria encouraged us to scrutinize ourselves gently, to see how we used our voices in our real lives.  We learned to view voice overs as we would a challenging acting project:  conveying truth, maintaining a strong drive while staying relaxed.  I also had the pleasure of rediscovering the wonderful tool of sense memory to root me in the present.  We learned how to phrase effectively and we also had sessions about the business side of voice overs.  

Finally, Aria created a warm and fun atmosphere.  By the way, recording the demo was such a pleasure I got over my lifetime aversion to hearing myself on any kind of sound equipment. I offer my grateful love to Aria and my classmates.”

                                                                    -Byron Loyd

"Aria McKenna was a consummate professional who knew how to get the best out of each student ... by the end of the class, it was clear we all had grown immensely. Aria not only taught us the essential technical skills to be successful, she also gave us tremendous insight into the business.. 

I also feel really great about the demo CD that Aria & her sound engineer helped me put together!!! It is the corner stone of who I am as a new artist and I feel it represents my skills well. I feel certain that it will be my launching pad to a great career!!!!!!!!!

An insightful, inspiring and knowledge filled experience!!!!!”

                                                                -Tony Lee

“The pilot for my first animation, Rainbow Pals, is complete!!! We are set for more episodes in the very near future!

I am the voice of Loke, the pink bunny!! 

This is so very exciting!! I am so proud of this, I am so grateful to you for all you have done for me.”

                                                           -June Benson

“Aria McKenna is a complete professional, and I feel so lucky to have found her. ..  Although I was initially skeptical - my fears were immediately allayed. 

Aria is talented, well-connected and most of all, kind. She told me what I was good at as well as where and when I needed to work harder. I could not have asked more from this very lucky find. Aria is a shining star, and to say the least, she rocks!”

                                                                   -Judi Vitale

“Thanks again for an excellent class last night.   I'm so happy I chose the program.  I feel very confident about where things are heading moving forward.

Thanks again for everything you are doing!” 

                                                                       -Michael Rosenblum

“Thanks to your great coaching I think everything went well. I followed your instructions and they have worked wonders. I learned so much from you.. 

You're a terrific teacher/coach.”

                                                                -Patricia Martinez