Green Shirt Studio

I had been wanting to try an acting class for a long time to become more comfortable with public speaking and performing, and I'm so glad I chose Green Shirt Studio for my first experience! My Level 1 class was full of fun, creative, and kind folks, and Jack Schultz, our instructor, did a fantastic job of explaining the philosophy behind the Meisner method and exercises. I enjoyed my Level 1 class so much that I ended up completing all five levels of the Meisner method taught by Jack, and the skills taught in Levels 1-4 have seamlessly built on each other. My class is now preparing for our Level 5 showcase, and it's remarkable how many of us have gone from starting as non-performers in Level 1 to delivering emotion-driven scenes for our showcase. I cannot recommend Green Shirt Studio enough for anyone who's ever thought about trying an acting class but was too nervous to try!
Apr 28th, 2024

I am just finishing Level 5 of Green Shirt's Meisner acting sequence and I cannot speak highly enough of Jack and the rest of the team. This has been the most thoughtful, accepting, and fruitful acting education I've experienced. In class I feel free to be vulnerable, try new things, and make mistakes. I've watched myself and my classmates become more open, present actors. This is the perfect place for anyone interested in engaging with acting as an art form and vehicle for greater presence, whether or not you want to work as an actor.
Mar 6th, 2024

Green Shirt Studios is a wonderful acting program based on Sanford Meisners process to access authentic listening and reacting in-scene. Classes are affordable, accessible, and taught with grace so anyone can hone their craft regardless of experience.
Mar 4th, 2024

Absolutely worth it!!! Not only great for actors, but for anyone looking gain confidence, connect with people in their lives, and join a wonderful creative community. Taking classes here has been one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done. I completed all 5 levels of the Meisner Acting Program with the instructor Jack Schultz, a kind, friendly, patient, and humble instructor who genuinely believes in each of his students. I would recommend level 1 for anyone! The program begins by using fun and often therapeutic tools and exercises to help you focus on, and connect with partners, and get out of your own head. This process helped me escape my internal doubts and anxiety and begin to trust in my authentic and unique voice and perspective. It continues by helping you find ways to consistently, sustainably, and effectively conjure up the necessary emotions for a scene with only the power of your imagination. And it ends by adding a simple and effective system to break down and analyze scenes in a way that completely demystifies the art of acting. All the while, students are given opportunities to read through several modern plays and practice/showcase their hard work through scenes and monologues. On top of the acting program, the school offers a variety of other classes, workshops, and events, including an improv course hosted by Chicago comedy legend Jimmy Carrane. I took 2 levels of that class which similarly helped to break down the intimidating art of improv, into an incredibly fun and simple science. The community has only continued to grow since I've been there, offering opportunities for open mic nights, a 10-minute play-fest where students write, act, and direct original plays, and workshops that explore other areas of performance and even the business of acting and auditioning. Ultimately Green Shirt Studios has been a wonderfully warm, creative, and fulfilling environment, and if you're on the fence about joining a class, I suggest you take the plunge!
Apr 26th, 2024

Green Shirt Studio changed my life. I signed up for Meisner Level 1 in March 2023, hoping to reconnect with my love for performance as an adult. What surprised me from the startand what compelled me to return for the entire year-long Meisner programwas how much more it is than just acting skills; Green Shirt transformed me as a person. The skills you learn make you a better actor, for sure, but it also challenges you to become more present, vulnerable, and authentic. It helps you follow your instincts and learn that "you're enough" on a visceral, body level. Jack Schultz's leadership at Green Shirt is truly magical. He's created a supportive community where everyone feels safe to try things out, be a beginner, and ask questions. I'm so grateful for the training that prepared me for Chicago's theater scene, and even more so for the personal transformation it brought. It's never too late to do something you love.
Mar 28th, 2024