Maggie Flanigan Studio Reviews

If I were to talk about my experience at MFS as a whole, I'd run out of space... so let's talking about Cold Reading with Erin Cherry! First and foremost, like all MFS classes, you are being taught by a master of the art form who is actively working in the industry. So being able to spend months working on cold reading for auditions, with someone who is frequently cold reading for auditions is invaluable. The class does a great job to mimic the scenario of a cold read - you come to class and are given your sides. You have a half hour to prepare them, and then you come in and audition with Cherry. I watched myself go from being uncertain in my choices and unsure of how to craft in such a short period of time, to being confident in the decisions I make because of my refined process. Cherry gave me the tools I needed to utilize such a short amount of time in a worthwhile way. On top of that... it's just so much FUN! I really love being in the room with her because there's no humiliation, there's no degradation - she creates an environment where you feel safe, guided, and cared for. Mistakes don't feel scary. Not understanding your sides in 30 minutes doesn't make you feel dumb, because you have someone there to support, uplift, and guide you towards understanding how to conquer this aspect of your career as an actor. I could go on, but to finish up: While I highly recommend taking any class at MFS and any class Cherry offers, the Cold Reading class is an invaluable resource to all professional actors who want to refine their process and build up a level of confidence that follows them into auditions throughout their career.

Maggie Flanigan Studio offers a wide range of diverse classes, and Combat For Stage and Film is certainly a class that you do not want to miss out on. Jayme Woj is an incredibly talented and well studied instructor. Safety is a priority from the first class all the way through the end of the course. There is a focus on technique in a way that will prepare you to learn any combat sequence safely and with an understanding of how to make it read well on film and/or stage. Jayme's passion for this work is contagious and his experience and knowledge are an inspiration. In this class you get the opportunity to learn both hand to hand combat skills as well as technique with swords. It is an incredibly fun class, it is physical, and it is highly rewarding to witness your own progress with an end of semester performance video. I highly recommend this class and this training. I have no doubt that this will be very useful in the future in my career, and even if not, this class was just lots of fun.

The Studio offers so many amazing classes and all teachers bring immense passion and care for their students. I took Voice III with Amanda Quaid, we worked on dialects. Especially for me as a non-native speaker, this topic freaks me out. Working with her was so much fun and made it easy to understand how dialects are built, how to practice them, and most importantly, have fun with them. I highly recommend taking the class if you want to create believable characters.

Movement 1 is insanely good. An incredible class that takes you on such an amazing emotional and spiritual journey. We travel through every shakra in the body. At the end of the class you will feel like a completely different person. The class is so euphoric and you fight it at first but the love and support just consumes you… it’s an amazing course Sarah Faye has a gift. An incredible person. Life changer… don’t hesitate … this class helps you blossom at a person.

The acting program here is quite literally life changing. I loved their stage combat class. Jayme is amazing, he really takes his time to show you how to do every move. As a complete beginner, I found that I was able to learn so quickly. Now I feel confident to tackle any combat on stage or film, and have a reel to show for it too. I highly recommend!!

You will see yourself grow so much at this studio! This place is amazing! Great people, great teachers, and a sense of community like no other! I had no training before Maggie Flanigan and coming into the studio on the first day, I felt like I was accepted and starting a new journey that would change my relationship with acting. I feel so much more grounded and confident in my abilities, I learn everytime I step into the studio. Theres no other place like it!

I was feeling lost before Maggie Flanigan. Like many actors, I noticed my fulfillment and sense of creativity depleting, and I desperately wondered what was wrong with me—why the craft wasn't feeling ambitious anymore. Studying at Maggie Flanigan re-injects the ambition that real acting truly involves, because the quality of work demanded cannot be falsified. What’s demanded of you is presence, and an honest aspiration to free yourself. You're forced to ask yourself the hard questions. The growing pains will shoot through you like never before, but it's because you are shaking habits, patterns, and anxieties that are woven into all of us the second we started identifying as performers. In these ways, Maggie Flanigan is an unprecedentedly refreshing studio. Without a doubt you will experience a revolution of some kind, or plant the seeds of revolution.

Once I finished the two-year Meisner program, I felt fully equipped to take on my acting career. I wasn’t planning on enrolling in the business program, but I am so happy Charlie convinced me otherwise... With the business program coming to an end, I find myself reflecting on how rewarding it has been. The years it would have taken to learn everything in the program, is just one reason why it’s worthwhile. I grew exponentially as an artist and as a professional, have a greater acting toolkit, and have developed industry relationships that I intend on nurturing throughout my career. I have so much gratitude and admiration for my teachers and mentors of this program: Charlie Sandlan, Dariush Kashani, and Mackenzie Lansing. Choosing Dariush as the head of the business program was the wisest decision Charlie made.

I attended the MFS summer intensive because I wanted to be a better actor. In every class, my limits were pushed. The level of commitment that is expected from you is nothing short of 100%. Charlie has a complete domain of the craft. He is so tuned in with what's happening during class. It was very hard, but eventually, I was able to be fully present, to really listen, and to express how I feel. The best experiential, moment-to-moment acting of my life has been done in Studio A of the Maggie Flanigan Studio. I am very much looking forward to attending the 2-year program!

I applied for the summer intensive in hopes of attending the full 2 years after, if the approach was to prove itself as right for me. I could never have imagined the journey I was to go on. Charlie facilitates a safe environment to explore ones truths and live them out without inhibitions, moreover being encouraged to do so. The summer intensive gave me a glimpse of what I am capable of and definitely got me hooked on the full program.

I came to the summer intensive because I lacked an approach when it came to acting. I felt I lacked a foundation and was too in my head all the time. The summer intensive gave me exactly what I was looking for, and also really allowed me to have a deeper understanding of the craft. I absolutely fell in love with the course and enjoyed being in an environment with other actors hungry to improve their craft. Maggie Flanigan Studio has a high bar set for actors making it the perfect place to come to if you're a serious actor who wants to rise to the top!

Maggie Flanigan Studio is a transformational experience! You walk into this training intensive as one person and walk out an improved one. If you are willing to take yourself seriously as an artist this is a good place to do that. I did the 6 week summer Intensive and I was able to peel layers and confront doors that I had no clue were blocking me as an actor/artist. There is a safe environment to deal with the feelings/emotions that come with training/ working to be a professional and I’m so grateful for the staff and students for it! I am excited to begin my 2 year conservatory program and the rest of my journey inside of this beautiful art form.

I came to the summer intensive looking to shake off some rust and found an approach that allowed me to do the sort of work I've always admired in others, work that I had thought was beyond me. It'll take more than six weeks to fully own that, but for now the possibility has changed what I expect of myself and my work.

The Maggie Flanigan Studio reintroduced acting as an art form for me. During my time here I learned the meaning of truly being. Doing the hard work while attending this studio was the artistic challenge I have been seeking. And having had time to digest some of the teachings I’ve never felt so confident as an artist. I will also say that the close connections I made with my classmates also contributed to the learning experience, everyone was serious and ready to learn, ready to play, and ready to act. Charlie is the type of instructor that will tell you what acting is when he sees it; conversely, he will also tell you what acting is not when he sees it. As a student it is important to know the distinction and invaluable to hear when you are not acting. Charlie teaches you how to respect the truth by always telling it. Even when it hurts.

Maggie Flanigan Studio. What an incredible two and a half years of my life. From starting with the summer intensive during the lockdown to following through with the two year program, this experience is irreplaceable. Charlie Sandlan is not only a master in his craft but also takes his students seriously and wont lower the bar, instead he wants you to bring your commitment, dedication, and creativeness to the bar he sets. This has helped me grow not only as an artist but as a person. If you want to be a true thespian, if you want to expand your mind, if you want to grow, I say go for it! What's holding you back? Take the leap and find your truth.

It was in my first interview with Charlie that I realize I wanted him to guide me. I remember him asking me what I wanted to take away from the class and I said "I just want to be out of my head and be open, brake down the walls that I've built throughout the years" and surely enough I have been learning how to do it. It definitely takes time, but you have to put yourself out there and do the work. MFS was the best place for me to get educated on this field, this is only my first year and I have learn so much. I can not wait for what is to come for me.

Training at Maggie Flanigan Studio is one of the greatest decisions I have made for my art. Charlie is focused on fostering a safe community where artistic expression and exploration is not only encouraged, but required. He only works with people who take learning about their craft and art seriously. I have learned so much about myself, and my life through this work. More importantly, I have learned about humanity, and how opening myself fully to another person can create rich, real lived experience. These experiences have helped deepen my crafting. I look forward to continuing the work in Second year. Voice and Movement classes have provided me multiple techniques to strengthen my awareness of my body. As an actor, gaining this knowledge and freedom of my instrument has been crucial.