Our Story

ActingCraft Academy studio main hall

The ActingCraft Academy Journey

2005

The Beginning

ActingCraft Academy was born from a vision shared by Elizabeth Harrington and David Mercer, two passionate theater professionals who saw a gap in actor training. After years of working in prestigious theaters across Europe and America, they returned to establish a school that would combine classical techniques with modern performance demands. Their first workshop hosted just 12 students in a rented community space, but the transformative results sparked immediate interest in the acting community.

2008

Growth & Expansion

Within three years, our initial workshop series had grown into a comprehensive training program. We moved to our first dedicated space—a converted warehouse in the arts district—allowing us to expand our curriculum and admit more students. This period saw the development of our core teaching philosophy that balances technical discipline with creative exploration, attracting faculty members from diverse performance backgrounds.

2012

Industry Recognition

A significant milestone came when three of our graduates landed roles in a major Broadway production, bringing attention to our training methods. The same year, our annual showcase attracted casting directors and agents from across the country, establishing our reputation as a serious training ground for emerging talent. We expanded our programs to include specialized screen acting courses, responding to the growing demand for trained performers in film and television.

2016

Current Campus

After a decade of growth, we moved to our current purpose-built campus featuring three performance studios, dedicated voice and movement spaces, and a 120-seat black box theater. This expansion allowed us to launch our Professional Program—an intensive full-time training experience that has become our flagship offering. The opening ceremony was attended by industry luminaries and former students who had gone on to successful careers.

Today

A Thriving Community

Today, ActingCraft Academy stands as one of the most respected actor training institutions in the region. Our alumni work in theater, film, television, and emerging media platforms around the world. What began as a small workshop has evolved into a vibrant community of artists committed to excellence in performance craft. While we've grown substantially, our foundational commitment remains unchanged: transforming passionate individuals into skilled, versatile, and authentic performers.

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

ActingCraft Academy exists to provide transformative training that develops versatile, confident performers equipped for sustainable careers in an evolving entertainment landscape. We cultivate artists who bring authentic humanity, technical excellence, and creative courage to their work, enriching the cultural conversation through their performances.

Our Core Values

  • Artistic Excellence

    We maintain rigorous standards in all aspects of our training, challenging students to achieve their highest potential while providing the supportive environment necessary for artistic risk-taking.

  • Authentic Expression

    We believe compelling performance springs from personal truth. Our training helps actors access their unique perspectives and emotional landscapes while developing the technical tools to channel these authentically.

  • Inclusive Community

    We foster a collaborative environment where diverse voices, backgrounds, and perspectives are valued as essential to artistic growth and the evolution of performance traditions.

  • Practical Innovation

    While honoring classical training foundations, we continually evolve our curriculum to prepare actors for emerging opportunities and changing industry demands.

  • Holistic Development

    We address the whole artist—mind, body, voice, and spirit—recognizing that personal growth and professional development are inseparable in the performing arts.

Meet Our Team

Our faculty brings decades of professional experience from stage and screen to the classroom. Each instructor is both an accomplished artist and a dedicated teacher committed to nurturing the next generation of performers.

Elizabeth Harrington

Elizabeth Harrington

Founder & Artistic Director

With over 25 years of directing experience across Europe and North America, Elizabeth brings a wealth of theatrical knowledge to ActingCraft. Her productions have been featured at the Royal National Theatre, Broadway, and numerous international festivals. She specializes in Shakespeare and contemporary text analysis, helping actors find authentic connections to classical material.

Elizabeth holds an MFA in Directing from Yale School of Drama and has received multiple awards for her innovative productions that blend traditional approaches with contemporary relevance.

David Mercer

David Mercer

Co-Founder & Head of Voice

David's 15-year tenure as a Royal Shakespeare Company member informs his approach to voice and speech training. His methodology combines classical techniques with innovative practices that prepare actors for diverse performance contexts. Students benefit from his expertise in dialect work, text analysis, and vocal health maintenance for demanding roles.

A graduate of LAMDA and certified Linklater Voice teacher, David has coached performers who have gone on to star in major film franchises and West End productions. He continues to perform regularly, believing that active practice enriches his teaching.

Maya Patel

Maya Patel

Director of Screen Acting

Maya joined ActingCraft in 2015 after a successful career directing for television and streaming platforms. Her credits include work on critically acclaimed series for major networks and independent films that have featured at Sundance and Toronto film festivals. She brings current industry insights directly to our screen acting curriculum.

With an MFA in Film from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Maya specializes in helping theater-trained actors adapt their techniques for camera work. Her connections in the industry have created valuable opportunities for our students through her guest artist program featuring working directors and casting professionals.

Thomas Reed

Thomas Reed

Movement Director

Thomas brings a unique perspective to actor movement training, drawing from his background as a professional dancer and certified Laban Movement Analyst. His approach helps actors develop physical versatility, spatial awareness, and embodied character work that transcends verbal communication.

A graduate of Juilliard's Dance Division with additional training in physical theater at Lecoq in Paris, Thomas has choreographed movement for theater productions internationally. His specialized workshops in stage combat, period movement, and character physicality are among our most popular offerings.

Our Achievements

17 Years of Excellence
1500+ Graduates
92% Professional Placement
28 Industry Awards

Key Milestones

  • Excellence in Training Award

    Received the Regional Theater Association's prestigious Excellence in Training Award for three consecutive years (2018-2020), recognizing our innovative curriculum and student outcomes.

  • Industry Partnerships

    Established formal partnerships with six professional theater companies and two film studios, creating direct pathways for student internships and early career opportunities.

  • Alumni Success

    Our graduates have appeared in over 40 Broadway and West End productions, 25 network television series, and 15 major film releases in the last five years alone.

  • Scholarship Program

    Developed a comprehensive scholarship program that has provided over $750,000 in tuition assistance to talented students with financial need since 2010.

  • Community Engagement

    Our outreach program brings performance workshops to underserved schools, reaching over 5,000 young people annually and introducing them to the transformative power of theater arts.

Alumni Voices

Rebecca Chen

"ActingCraft transformed not just my acting, but my entire approach to creative work. The faculty's perfect balance of challenge and support allowed me to take artistic risks I never would have attempted elsewhere. The technical foundation I received—especially in voice and movement—prepared me for the physical and emotional demands of eight shows a week on Broadway. Five years after graduation, I still draw on specific techniques and insights from my training daily in my professional work."

Rebecca Chen

Broadway Performer, "Hamilton" National Tour

Class of 2017

Michael Okonkwo

"Coming from a background in theater, I was intimidated by the technical aspects of screen acting. The Screen Acting Program at ActingCraft gave me the specific tools I needed to translate my stage training to film and television work. The on-camera workshops and industry showcases directly led to signing with my current agent. Within six months of completing the program, I booked my first recurring role on a network drama. The career development support didn't end at graduation—the faculty continues to be an invaluable resource as I navigate my professional path."

Michael Okonkwo

Television Actor, "Medical Division"

Class of 2019

Lucia Fernandez

"What separates ActingCraft from other training programs is their holistic approach to the actor's craft and career. Beyond excellent technique classes, they prepared me for the business aspects of acting that many schools neglect—from audition psychology to contract negotiation. The Voice Intensive workshop fundamentally changed my relationship with text and unlocked emotional depths in my performances I hadn't accessed before. Perhaps most valuable was the supportive community of fellow actors I connected with during my time there. These relationships have led to collaborative projects and a network of support that continues to sustain me through the inevitable ups and downs of an acting career."

Lucia Fernandez

Independent Film Actor & Voice Artist

Class of 2018

Begin Your Acting Journey

Ready to transform your passion into professional skills? We offer programs for every experience level, from beginners to working actors seeking to refine their craft.