Instructors
Mel Tuck
Gastown Actors' Studio Ltd. was the creation of Mel Austin-Tuck, and so to is the creation of Austin-Tuck Studios. Mel is a highly regarded pioneer of Canadian Theatre, a Director of international reputation and an innovator in theatre training technique and philosophy. With Mel's experience in the education and direction of Canadian talent, he has been honoured to have seen many of his students move on to major roles in the Stratford Festival, the Shaw Festival, and regional theatres. Mel Tuck has been gratified to watch his students gain international exposure in the North American film industry as well. His students' credits include Street Legal, Wiseguy, 21 Jumpstreet, The Commish, Madison, Highlander, Dead Man's Gun, The X-Files, and Millennium, with Genie awards going out to Molly Parker as Best Actress and Martin Cummins as Best Supporting Actor, and Emmy award winning actor, Eric McCormack.
Starting in January 2009, Mel will be teaching Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
Deb Podowski
Acting Instructor -Fundamentals of Acting
A professional actor for over 20 years, Deb has had the opportunity to be trained by some of the best acting teachers in North America, including Mel Tuck, who she feels is one of the industry's best acing teachers. "Mel is a large reason why many Vancouver actors are now successful, and why I continue to work today."
Deb had the privilege of training with Mel for 6 years, prior to moving to
Los Angeles where, among many other projects, she had a recurring role on the NBC hit series, "E.R. " and the Fox sitcom, "Titus". During her 9 successful years in L.A., Debra trained with the likes of Howard Fine, Larry Moss, and the famed Beverly Hills Playhouse. With this experience in hand, she began coaching youth and adults; preparing them for auditions. Having recently moved back to Vancouver and under the wings of Austin-Tuck Studios, she now wants to give back to the acting community by teaching with integrity, grace, and simplicity. Debra is also very pleased to have placed many of her acting students with successful local agents.
Peter Bryant
Acting Instructor -On Camera
Peter Bryant has been acting professionally for over 20 years
with over 75 film and television roles on his resume.
His credits include, lead, supporting, guest star, and recurring roles
on television series such as:
Human Target, Fringe, Battlestar Galactica, Dark Angel, Stargate SG1,
The Dead Zone, Smallville, Intelligence, The L Word,
and The Outer Limits, just to name a few.
His roles in film include the upcoming Sucker Punch,
Martian Child, Knights of Bloodsteel, Assault on Precinct 13, Addicted, Scary Movie, Jumanji,
and The Underclassman.
His training includes extensive study at Gastown Actor’s Studio under the guidance of Mel Tuck,
as well as multiple workshops with the renowned Larry Moss from Los Angeles.
Peter is also one of the principle partners in Dionysus Films, a Vancouver based film and television production company that was formed in 2009. Mr. Bryant is the co – writer and director of the company’s first film, “The Lyricist” as well as co – writer and creator of the company’s first
Peter is also one of the principle partners in Dionysus Films, a Vancouver based film and television production company that was formed in 2009. Mr. Bryant is the co – writer and director of the company’s first film, “The Lyricist” as well as co – writer and creator of the company’s first
television series “Forced Reps.”
As well as teaching his on camera classes, Peter also provides private one on one coaching.
Kaaren de Zilva
Acting Instructor -Introduction to Scene Study and Film
Kaaren has been working as a professional actor for the past 16 years. Recently, she had a supporting role in the Oscar winning film "Juno" and has built a strong
career in Film and Television over the years with recurring roles in episodics, lead and supporting roles in various feature films.
Kaaren has acquired many of her acting skills from highly acclaimed teachers in the United States and Canada."Mel Tuck helped build the frame, Ivanna Chubbick provided the precision tools and
Larry Moss created a space that gave me freedom."
Using these varied and powerful techniques has enabled her to develop her own personal
teaching style. A style that incorporates body, mind and spirit.
"Building a solid foundation is key! To have the opportunity to provide an environment for an actor to discover and explore tools to create their art, to watch someone grow personally and as an artist - what an honor that is!"
Jon Cuthbert
I Intermediate Scene Study (students must have previous training)
Johnny has been working as a professional actor for the past 26 years and
received his a degree in Theatre and Film at Concordia University in Montreal and shortly after formed the Back Alley Players Theatre Company and was the artistic director for ten years; while the BAPTC won several awards.
Johnny has over fifty film and television credits. After moving to Vancouver, he ran the Lone Star Acting Workshop in Gastown. He has been coaching professional actors to help them prepare for auditions since 1996.
Johnny draws on many disciplines in his teaching methods. From Uta Hagen to Stanislavsky, Sanford Meisner to Lee Strasberg and everything in between.
"I am a firm believer that every actor is unique. In keeping with that I supply the actor with fundamental tools and approaches from a wide and eclectic methodology. I am less concerned with which method an actor uses in their pursuit of truth as I am in helping them to find that truth. There are many valid paths to the same goal and all are worth investigating".
Acting Classes Actor Workshops On/Off Camera Training Private Acting Coaching Acting Classes
Vancouver's Acting Studio
To be the best Vancouver acting school, an acting studio should offer acting classes from top notch instructors:
“We must overcome the notion that we must be regular...it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre.” Uta Hagen
Austin-Tuck Studios
