ACTORS ACADEMY
ADVANCED ACTOR'S LAB
HELSINKI
May - December / 2027
Actors Academy proudly presents the Advanced Actor’s Lab — A Meisner Technique based actor training designed for trained professionals and Actors Academy One Year Training alumni, who are ready to challenge themselves and take their craft and careers to the next level.
Consisting of powerful weekend intensives and online classes, with international top coaches, you will be challenged to find truthful and authentic routes to the full spectrum of your craft as an actor. Building upon your existing professionalism, we will work with performative skills including: Character work, Impediments & Physical Diversity, Text analysis, Screen Acting, Stage Combat, Intimacy Coordination & Career Branding.
Culminating with a live Showcase within an intimate setting with quests of casting directors, directors and agents.
Whether you’re stepping back into training to refine your edge or reignite your passion, this experience will strengthen your craft, awaken your instincts, and ground your presence — all within a committed, ensemble-led space that fuels momentum, clarity, action, and artistic courage.
Apply now.
Application deadline:
31 January 2027
THE TRAINING IN A NUTSHELL
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Runs from May to December of 2027
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The training is part-time. Classes will be held during weekends and evenings so you can work or study full time on the side.
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8 x Intensive Live Coaching Modules
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Online Sessions between the Live Modules
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Updated Professional Headshots
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A professionally filmed and edited Showreel
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Filmed material from the Scene Sessions at the studio
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Core Training Essentials: Meisner Technique, Repetition, Emotional Preparation, Character Work, Physical & Emotional Diversity and Impediments, Scene Analysis, Voice & Movement with Text & Monologue, Screen Acting & Filming, Industry Expertise, Career Strategy for Screen, Stage Combat, Intimacy Coordination Essentials, Actor's Branding and Network Coaching, Actor's Mindset Coaching
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Meetings to connect with Casting Directors, Directors and Talent Agents
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Final weekend's open class Showcase for industry professionals
MODULE HIGHLIGHTS
Meisner Technique & The Actor’s Mindset
with Nita Arpiainen
Set the tone and intention for your journey. Reconnect to the truth of the moment through repetition, embodiment, and connection. You’ll begin the training by building trust, deepening awareness, and anchoring into a mindset of creative expansion and emotional honesty - and understand your own power in creating the career of your dreams.
The Power of Voice, Text & Truthful Performance with Deborah Garvey
Unleash the full potential of your voice and body to deliver emotionally grounded, compelling performances. Through monologue and text work, you’ll learn how language, phrasing, and breath drive character, intention, and presence.
Using breath, movement, and sensory exploration, you’ll learn to build roles from the inside out — creating fully inhabited performances that are felt deeply and seen clearly. With an emphasis on precision, presence, and inner life, you’ll develop a monologue that captures subtlety, depth, and emotional truth.
Screen Acting, Professional Filming, Industry Expertise & Career Strategy for Screen with James Larkin
Master acting for the camera with precision, presence, and depth. Develop a more nuanced understanding of how performance translates to screen — from subtle shifts in thought and emotion to the smallest physical and vocal choices that shape what the camera captures.
Professional Filming: Perform a rehearsed scene on location with a film crew and receive a professionally edited scene for your showreel — fresh material to showcase your work.
Refine the craft of working on camera at a professional level. Develop greater precision in your screen choices, learn to adapt instinctively to direction and changing circumstances, and explore how performance is shaped by the realities of a working film set. Alongside the creative process, gain deeper insight into the actor–director relationship, set dynamics and the professional demands that influence performance from preparation through to the final take.
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Scene Work & Filming, Industry Exposure & Final Showcasewith Ashlie Walker
The final module includes preparing and filming scenes, a live open training session, and an exclusive event where casting directors, agents, and directors are joining to meet you, get to know you and view your work. A perfect culmination and opportunity to show what you've built and where you're headed next.
Meisner Technique, Emotional Preparation & The Actor’s Craft with Ashlie Walker
Dive deeper into Meisner. Explore bolder instinctual responses, and how to bring nuanced truth to your scene work. You’ll deepen the subtle artistry of listening, impulse, and honest expression — all rooted in a powerful sense of presence and character.
Scene Analysis & Physical Diversity with Ashlie Walker
Dive deeper into Meisner with a focus on applying the technique to layered scene work. Learn to break down a scene and bring it to life with truth, spontaneity, and emotional precision. You’ll explore how to embody obstacles and impediments — including states like intoxication or addiction — in a grounded, believable way. Through instinctual listening and emotional preparation, you’ll sharpen your ability to bring depth, humanity, and boldness to every role.
Embodying the Character: Precision, Presence, Physical & Emotional Transformation with Ashlie Walker
Deepen your Meisner practice through focused work on your showcase scenes. Explore greater depth, specificity, and spontaneity in your character and circumstances, while refining your instinctual listening and emotional preparation. You’ll challenge your choices, strengthen your connection to the scene, and begin shaping your work towards the final performance and filming.
Additional Training Features
Intimacy Coodination for Actors
This session explores how to approach intimate material in a way that is both emotionally truthful and deeply safe.
Stage Combat
Develop safe, precise, and believable stage combat skills for both stage and screen. Work through professional choreography and put them into practice in a filmed combat scene, edited into a finished reel.
Actor Branding & Career Tools
Gain clarity on your personal brand, learn how to network with integrity, and build a website and promotional materials that reflect who you are as an artist.
Edited Scenes from Filming Session in location
Walk away with a professionally filmed and edited scene, as well as your other filmed material — perfect to add to your website, submissions, and showcasing your on-camera work to agents, casting directors, and industry professionals.
Fresh Professional Headshots
You'll receive a fresh set of professional headshots — ready to use across your website, auditions, and marketing materials.
WHAT DO YOU GET?
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An advanced and broadened understanding of your craft, cultivating an edge upon your skills as an individual performer
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You will develop advanced understanding of the Meisner technique and how to draw upon the skills of repetition practice, independent activity, emotional preparation, relationship and imaginary circumstances for scenes
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A connection with your deeper emotional expression and range, and a readiness to follow your truthful impulses through character work and impediments
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An understanding on how your mind, beliefs and patterns play a huge role in your enjoyment, freedom and success in your craft and career - and support on making the needed changes for break-throughs
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The skills of text analysis and building a character
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Strengthened capacity to fully listen to and connect with your acting partner
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Reinforced acting instincts and the confidence to take risks, trust in spontaneity, improvisation, and moment-to-moment reactions
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An enhanced capacity to utilise your imagination in different scenes and roles or requests from directors
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Ability to create clear objectives or wants that help guide you organically and instinctively through scenes
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Scene working tools that are free from the constraints of 'ideas' or rigid concerns about 'text’
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Professional Screen Acting Technique and Experience
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A set of Professional Headshots
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Edited scenes and material for your own use (e.g. as part of your actor showreel) after the training
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A video recording of your live performance on the open class Showcase
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Opportunities to personally meet industry professionals, showcase your talent in a freeing open class atmosphere
WHO IS THIS TRAINING FOR?
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One Year Training Alumni: If you’ve completed our One Year Training, this is the perfect way to continue your journey and deepen your craft.
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Professional Actors: Whether you’re an experienced actor or you’ve been working in the industry, The Advanced Actor's Lab will help you refine your technique, bring nuance and depth and rediscover your artistic voice.
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Actors Seeking New Challenges: If you feel ready to explore new aspects of acting or reawaken your passion for the craft and life over all, this course will help you do just that.
IS THE ADVANCED LAB FOR ME?
This training is for you if:
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You’re a trained or professional actor craving a deep, inspiring challenge in a professional training environment
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You want to elevate your skillset and stand out in the industry
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You’re ready to commit to your artistic and professional growth
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You’re excited by collaboration, honesty, and full-body, full-heart work
This training is NOT for you if: -
You’re looking for a beginner-level introduction to acting
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You’re not ready to show up fully, take creative risks, or be challenged
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You prefer to work in isolation rather than in an ensemble-led, supportive space
TRAINING COACHES
Ashlie Walker
Training Lead Coach
Meisner Technique: Repetition, Independent Activity, Emotional Preparation, Scene Work
James Larkin
Acting Coach, Director
Screen Acting, Actors Craft & Camera Work
Nita Arpiainen
Holistic Acting Coach, Course Facilitator
Meisner Technique
Mindset & Goal setting
Embodiment & Meditation
Cold Reading
Deborah Garvey
Voice & Movement Coach
Body, Breath & Voice, Emotional Authenticity
And other visiting coaches.
CLASS TIME TABLE
The training consists of eight intensive 3-day training Modules, eight online sessions between Modules on weeknights, and a separate professional Headshot session.
The exact teaching hours during Modules will vary.
WEEKEND MODULE EXAMPLE TIME-TABLES*
Friday: 16:30 - 21:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 16:15
Sunday: 10:00 - 16:15
Friday: 16:30 - 21:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 17:30
Sunday: 09:00 - 14:00
*Please note that due to possible flight changes and restricted availability, some weekend Modules might run from Saturday to Sunday, e.g. 9:00-18:00. Students are recommended to keep their schedule flexible during the Module weekend. Students will be informed about any changes in schedule as early as possible.
1/ MODULE
14 - 16 MAY 2027
NITA ARPIAINEN
Meisner Technique, Repetition, Actors Mindset
2/ MODULE
4 - 6 JUNE 2027
ASHLIE WALKER
Emotional Preparation & The Actor’s Craft
3/ MODULE
25 - 27 JUNE 2027
DEBORAH GARVEY
The Power of Voice, Text & Truthful Performance
4/ MODULE
6 - 8 AUGUST 2027
ASHLIE WALKER
Scene Analysis & The Actor’s Craft & Impediments
5/ MODULE
17 - 19 SEPTEMBER 2027
TBA
Stage Combat & Actor's Branding & Intimacy Coordination
6/ MODULE
15 - 17 OCTOBER 2027
JAMES LARKIN
Screen Acting, Scene Work, Filming, Industry Expertise & Career Strategy for Screen
7/ MODULE
5 - 7 NOVEMBER 2027
ASHLIE WALKER
Emotional Preparation & The Actor’s Craft
Embodying the Character: A Physical & Emotional Transformation
8/ MODULE
DECEMBER 2027 (DATE TBA)
ASHLIE WALKER
Scene Work & Filming
ONLINE CLASSES
8 x 2H Weeknight Online Classes with Course Coaches and other Visiting Teachers - 5 - 7pm:
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Dates TBA
HEADSHOT SESSION
Fresh Professional Headshots
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Date and time TBA
*All rights to changes reserved.
*In the case of a teacher being unavailable for health or other serious reasons, AAF will always substitute said teacher with one of equal professional credit.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Space is limited and applications are reviewed in the receiving order. Early submission is recommended.
Apply by filling out the application form from below and email us a clear headshot and other requested links to your materials. If you are not an Actors Academy One Year Training alumnus, we will contact you after reviewing your application.
Actors who do not yet have the required level of Meisner Technique experience will be asked to attend a two-evening Meisner Technique Workshop before the training start. This introductory workshop will provide the essential foundation needed to fully participate in the Advanced Training.
Please note, you are expected to approach the training with a highly professional attitude and a strong commitment to both the program, the group and your growth as an actor.
Once accepted into the Training, you will be asked to confirm your enrolment by paying the deposit.
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Applicants must be at least 17 years old.
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A strong understanding of English is required.
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Applicants must either be professional actors, trained actors, or alumni of Actors Academy’s One Year Training.
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If you do not yet have a solid foundation in the Meisner Technique, you will be asked to participate in a two-day intensive Meisner Technique Workshop to ensure you’re prepared for the Advanced Lab Training.
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A serious commitment to focused study and committed attendance throughout the program is expected.
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To graduate and receive a certificate, students must attend at least 90% of the training and rehearsal sessions.
Application deadline: 31st January 2027. Apply now to be considered.
TUITION AND PAYMENT OPTIONS
The tuition for the Advanced Actor's Lab is 6,950€ (incl. VAT 25.5%)
PAYMENT
Deposit
A deposit of 1,500€ is required to confirm your place once you have been accepted into the training.
Full Payment
The remaining balance must be paid by April 14th, 2027. If needed, part-payment options are available (see below).
Payment Methods
You can pay via credit card, bank transfer, MobilePay, or choose part-payment through external providers (Jousto, Alisa Pankki, OP Lasku) — for example, 200 € per month. Please check your eligibility with the provider before selecting this option.
FUNDING YOUR TRAINING
Investing in your craft is a big decision — and you don't have to figure out the financing alone. Many of our students have funded their training through adult education benefits, employer support, instalment plans, grants, and other options available in Finland. We've gathered the most useful funding routes, links, and practical tips into one guide to help you find the option that fits your situation.
