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 18 years.  He has had over and                                    television roles in that time. His credits include principal, lead, supporting, guest                            star, and recurring roles on: The X Files, The Commish, The Outer Limits, Dark                                   Angel, Stargate SG1, The Dead Zone, Smallville, Intelligence, The L Word, and                                   Battlestar Galactica just to name a few. And films such as Assault On Precinct 13,                            The Martian Child, Addicted, Scary Movie, Jumanji, and The Underclassman. His                                training includes extensive study at Gastown Actor’s Studio under the guidance of                              Brent Stait, Kate Twa, and of course the man himself, Mel Tuck, as well as multiple  workshops with the renowned Larry Moss from Los Angeles. Peter’s approach is to, " be able to help actors have truthful, interesting, memorable and most of all, actable choices that will ignite any and every performance."

In addition to film acting techniques, he will give the actor vital tools to facilitate scene study.
"I will also demonstrate certain auditioning methods that will tame your
nerves while setting the room on fire with truth and depth.
Don't act the part..."


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!"





Jaap Teer
Jaap Teer is the singing instructor at Austin-Tuck Studios.

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