Dearing Acting Studio
Acting masterclass in Phoenix · Ages 17+ · Four weekends a year
The Masterclass
The deepest work we do. Months of rehearsal on one extended scene, then two days on stage in front of a live audience, every scene critiqued out loud.
The October weekend is cast. Applications for the January 23 & 24 Masterclass are due November 21.
Months of work. Two days on stage.
Extended scenes from plays like Proof, Doubt, Betrayal and Reasons to Be Pretty, built with a scene partner and coached by Matthew Dearing.
What’s included
- A cast role in an extended two-person scene from a great play
- Months of rehearsal with your scene partner, coached along the way
- Two full days, 9 to 5: every scene performed live, then taken apart and rebuilt out loud
- A live audience of students, families and auditing actors
- Ages 17 and up. Current students, past students and actors new to the studio all apply
The path in
Three steps. No shortcuts.
One. Apply.
Fill in the Masterclass application and paste a link to your self-tape audition. It takes about ten minutes. Pick the weekend you want; deadlines are on the form and below.
Two. Get cast.
Casting is done about a week after the application deadline. Accepted actors are paired with a scene partner and a scene. Tuition of $425 is due at acceptance.
Three. Do the work.
Rehearse with your partner in the months before the weekend, with Matthew’s coaching. Then perform it, hear the critique, and perform it again.
Where your work is today matters less than where you want it to go. Hungry beats finished.
Audit a weekend · Open to everyone
Watch it happen, from $25.
You do not need to be a student. Sit in the audience on October 24 and 25 and watch every scene and every critique, live. Name, email and a card, about a minute. Your receipt is your ticket, and the scene lineup is posted the week of the weekend.
Dearing Acting Studio · 10806 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix
The next four weekends
Four Masterclasses a year, one each quarter. Apply for the weekend you want; casting is announced about a week after the deadline.
- October 24 & 25, 2026Cast. Audit seats are open
- January 23 & 24, 2027Applications due November 21
- April 24 & 25, 2027Applications due February 26
- July 24 & 25, 2027Applications due June 12
Every weekend runs 9 to 5 both days at the studio. All studio class calendars
Believe it
“Matt Dearing changed how I look at acting, and in turn changed my life.”
Frank Caliendo · comedian
“Matt’s a teacher who cares about the development of his students and who I trust to be honest and sincere in his direction.”
“One of the most important lessons I have learned as an actor is how to be emotionally honest. This is what Matt Dearing teaches best.”
Founder
Who teaches it
Matthew Dearing casts every scene, coaches every pair through the months of rehearsal, and gives every critique himself, out loud, in front of the room.
“There is no finish line, friends. Become a student for life.”
Matthew Dearing · Acting Is My Day Job
Perform in it, or learn from it.
If you are ready to be pushed, apply for January. If you want to see what the standard looks like first, sit in on October and watch every scene and every critique.
Questions first? Call or text 480-313-9901 · The adult classes
Not in Phoenix? Seven past Masterclass weekends are filmed, lesson by lesson, as online courses.
