Mother of Invention Acting School

As a writer, I had been long looking for an acting class that would
open up my creative and narrative impulses in a way that was fresh and
provocative, and I feel fortunate to have come upon Andrew's class. He
starts from the ground up, giving students a secure foundation in
Stanislavsky technique (though he knows and discusses many other
approaches as well) which is imperative for a novice like myself, but
still useful and necessary for more experienced actors.
The best element of the class, and the one I found most exciting from
the first day to the last, is the fact that students work on one scene
throughout the entire ten weeks. Rarely is it the case in any setting
that you are allowed to commit so much time and energy to one thing in
an effort to continue discovering and improve your approach. In a way,
it is like getting to be a real working actor; you get two and a half
months really to explore character, situation, history, objective
instead of giving a scene a passing glance and never getting to return
to it. It allows the opportunity for relationships to form between
actors and between actor and script, and it was a journey from which I
felt I could extrapolate so much for writing. For anyone ready to dig
deep into their real potential as a performer and as a creative
person, it is an ideal class to take.

Posted 11/03/09 | Report Abuse

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I was just going through http://utteracting.com and I got excited all over about taking this class again! This is my second time taking Andrew's class and I cannot wait to see what new way of looking at the craft of acting will emerge from within. Any who I think Andrew's website describes best what he teaches and how but I've GOT to add that when you take the class and finish it, it does not disappoint. I HIGHLY recommend this class to actors and actresses who are dedicated or are ready to be dedicated to acting. I'm ready!

Posted 10/19/09 | Report Abuse

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I have taken classes with a couple of different acting teachers and audited classes with "Big Name" acting teachers in town. They are all kind, love actors and dedicated to teaching. But for me, when it comes to scene study, they all have a seat of their pants/whatever feels right way of teaching that does not seem systematic. Not repeatable.

Andrew Utter teaches an approach that he learned at Yale Drama. He gives credit to his mentors at Yale in class and on his site.

The class is rigorous. You read Stanislavky and Uta Hagen among other rewarding sources. But don't get the wrong idea that his class is a dry academic approach to acting. The goal of the class is to show an actor how to, quoting Andrew, "Make choices that will make people want to buy a ticket to see your performance." It's all about a system that gives the actor the tools to "Fan the flames" that will make for a performance that is bold, interesting and true.

So, the result is a compelling performance full of emotion and truth but the means of getting there is systematic and repeatable.

Posted 10/11/09 | Report Abuse

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Good Acting requires a lot of focused work. Andrew Utter sees to it that the enormous time you spend working to become a better actor is spent using great tools. I've taken his class twice here in LA and have found it filled with incredibly useful and powerful techniques. It's a hard class and to truly benefit from his techniques you must work hard. He teaches no 'tricks' to acting. He works with 'objective' and playing action towards that objective. You learn to stop emoting and start DOING.

Posted 06/28/09 | Report Abuse

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I was first drawn to Andrew Utter's class by two things: His pedigree and his name. A Yale MFA whose name means to speak (verb) and carried to the utmost point or highest degree (adjective) had to be good. As a fifty-something director and teacher new to the Bay Area last January, I was looking for a class to renew and augment my acting and to reinvigorate my own work. The ten-week cycle was highly cerebral as well as physical, the twin branches of an actors instrument, which are of course inextricably intertwined. Andrew has laid the foundation for his own techniques on the sturdy shoulders of Stanislavsky, Hagen, and his own proven mentors at Yale Drama School, indisputably the taking-off place for many of the most successful and highly effective actors of our time. Applying long-tested ideas, and polishing them to a fine shine all his own, Andrew has created a foolproof blueprint for building a character and engaging on stage with your scene partners in an authentic and compelling way, which is accessible both to students who have been in the business for decades and to those who have never before set foot on a stage. By focusing on what you as a character need from your partner and your circumstances, that bugaboo self-consciousness can be conquered. Thanks to Andrewhis intelligence, passion, and ironclad consistency, offered in a gentle and safe environment--I have renewed confidence and a resupplied toolkit as I prepare to audition again. And the lessons Ive taken away are certain to enhance my work as a teaching artist and as a director henceforth. I greatly look forward to enrolling in another cycle with Andrew as soon as time permits. It has been an utter revelation.

Posted 06/28/09 | Report Abuse

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Andrew Utter is a teacher with extraordinary intensity, intention, commitment and powerful vision.

It's evident at every moment that he is completely committed to assisting his students to not just "act well", but to "act better." The class is well organized and structured and there is definitely never a dull moment.

The scene work is very intense and difficult, but equally powerful. His techniques are simple but transformational. It impacted me on many levels, personal and psychological, as well as being so useful to me in learning and perfecting my craft.

Working with another student in between sessions was also fun and challenging. Andrew's students seem committed and focused, and they were a pleasure to work with. In a class such as this, it's important to share the journey with good people. "Friends and Family Night" at the last session is a wonderful opportunity to share oneself with others. My family and friends loved the opportunity to see me perform - it was fabulous!

I am already planning to do the course again, as I think it will be continuously invaluable to me. I can without any reservation whatsoever , and with pleasure and gratitude, recommend Andrew as an outstanding and committed instructor.

Posted 03/07/09 | Report Abuse

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