“Deborah pushes and stretches students in all areas of life. We are challenged to know more, feel more, be more aware, be more specific, have bigger hearts, and to never settle. I leave every class stimulated by our discussions, by the direction, by the other students' work. I leave every class striving to be better.I am a different actor because of this studio. I am a different person.”

Tessa Ferrer

Mr. Mercedes, Catch 22, Grey's Anatomy, Swagger

“It is the teachings of Deb Aquila that I lead with my work, always. Because once you know this level of work, you cannot un-know it.Starting out, I sampled a myriad of techniques, formulas and coaches from the vast plethora of acting classes offered in both Los Angeles and New York. At which point, I was working blindly, merely off instinct. And I was truly in search for something of substance, something which resonated and provided a structure I could learn from, change and grow with.One class with Deb Aquila and it felt like home.Her techniques provide a thorough structure in how, specifically, to approach the work. Her guidance is intricately insightful and honest. The studio, as a whole, is an actor's safe haven, brimming with support. She, herself, is, perhaps the single greatest resource to actors here and now. Everything I have come to value in this work has stemmed from Deb Aquila and this studio.”

Callie Hernandez

Soundtrack, Flight Attendant, Graves, Alien: Covenant, La La Land

Before taking classes with Deborah Aquila, I had worked with several other teachers in Hollywood. I always left feeling - if not confused and in my head - then at the
very least that it was a waste of time and money. In fact, I told this to Deborah when we met. She smiled, and assured me she could help me reach a level of understanding in my acting to where I wouldn’t recognize my current work.

She underestimated her positive change in my understanding of the art of acting. She since has become more than just a great teacher to me, but a mentor and a friend. Deborah will never mess with your instincts, my greatest fear as a student, rather she enhances them and
teaches you what the work of acting entails and how to reach deeper than you ever thought possible. I look forward to being a part of every performance I ever have the privilege to bring to life.”

ALAN RITCHSON

Reacher, The Hunger Games, Titan

Deb Aquila taught me how to create a back story that brought me to life in the given circumstances of the scene.  She taught me how to prime my unconscious so that it surprised me in the moment, when I least expected it.  She’s a great teacher.  And she loves actors.  Cares about them in a way you don’t often see.   She’s true blue. Thanks, Deb.

Peter Lewis

Motherless Brooklyn, Dirty John, Mad Men

“I found The Aquila Studio at a really important time in my career. I was frustrated with the experiences I was having in other classes, and I needed something to help me grow not only as an artist, but as a person. Deborah Aquila did that for me. She turned everything I knew about acting on it's head, and ensured that the level of preparation that I put into my work carried over into my professional jobs. Her understanding of the great theatrical works, and knowledge of the industry as a whole makes her one of the most valuable people in the entertainment industry. I would not be where I am today without this studio, and I am so grateful that I am able to be a part of something like The Aquila Studio.” 

Richard Ellis

I Am Not Okay With This, Veronica Mars, Should I Do It?

I have been training in-person at the Aquila Studio for the past 9 months and I have felt
significant growth in my craft and confidence as an actor. The Aquila Studio has helped me
identify blockages and achieve higher levels of freedom in my work. The attention to detail,
respect, and integrity of the teachings are a few of the many qualities to celebrate at this
studio.

Carlo Mansacola

Spin the Bottle, Maya, Habit

“If I had to describe Deborah Aquila with one phrase, it would be ‘force of nature.’ I had the biggest performance breakthrough I can remember in Deb’s Script Analysis Infused Technique Intensive. Deb talks about connecting the head and the heart, and it is exactly the way her head and heart are so connected that enabled me to begin to unlock that connection.If you want to stretch your craft or yourself as a human being, I cannot recommend any of Deborah Aquila’s classes enough.”

Gabriel Freilich

Filthy Preppy Teen$, Dark Shadows

“Whenever I’m not on a set I like to train. Acting is like being a musician or an athlete. You need to train regularly. Here in Los Angeles, I go to the Aquila studio to work with Deborah Aquila. She is amazing, with a tons of experience, and also a very beautiful human being.”

Marie Mouté

Welcome to New York, La Vie Devant Nous

“Us actors have our various ways of studying technique. However, Deborah offers an approach to break down the scene in a masterful-way. I would recommend any serious actor to take her experience, approach, and guidance. BRAVO DEBORAH :)”

Aaron Norvell

General Hospital

“Deb teaches her students how to shift their perspective and think from their character’s point of view. In just two days you learn how to analyze a scene and work truthfully through the backstory you’ve created.”

Alicia Ivanhoe

The Day I Almost Died, Jackson Bolt

“I enrolled because I battled crippling audition anxiety that was withholding me from taking the next step forward in my career. One of the first pieces of advice Deb shared with us was that nerves disappear when you study for the test properly. Holy smokes, was she right. Deb will teach you how to open your mind up to an audition scene (or acting piece as Deb affectionately calls them) in ways you’ve never thought of before. You will learn how to create rich characters that make deep, specific choices that will exalt you as a storyteller. They teach you how to be a collaborator and to respect yourself as an artist. You will discover the freedom of truth, which empowers you to give. It’s been four months since I’ve taken the course. Since then I have booked a major supporting role in a feature film and two pilots including Marc Forster directed, Hand Of God. Come ready to work and you will flourish.”

Brett Wyman

Dumb and Dumber To, The Assault, Hand of God, Good Kids

“Deb’s Intensive has been life-changing to say the least. It’s like getting the keys to the kingdom. This class teaches you to be a bloodhound for sniffing out the realities of your characters in the given circumstances of the work and forges the trail to the fire that burns brightly within your own soul.”

Adil Lavji

Tie the Knot

“As actor’s we portray the lives of others so we need to pay attention to the world around us, observe and learn how to open our eyes to see what makes people tick.With Deborah I learned how to create my character’s world and open my character’s eyes (see through their eyes).You will not only learn how to analyze a script and figure out what the writers intend is, but you will also learn how to connect all of it in the end and make it click for you!As we are all unique and connect on different levels, it was great to see Deborah’s love and passion for actors and devote as much time as needed with each single actor in her class until it clicked for them. I witnessed actors that have had a harder time connecting emotionally find their connection with Deborah. Deborah is a beautiful thing and I am an actress with freedom ready to take risks. Grateful!!”

Claudia Graf

Like You Mean It, Dirty People

“I have to say that after spending time in class with both Deborah, I feel like I discovered a giant hidden cavern filled with mazes and pools that I can explore and from which I can pull so much more depth and specificity in to everything I am doing.  That in and of itself I would call a huge success.  Deb really made me want to “step up” my game and challenged me to always strive to be the best. I’m grateful for having met them both and look forward to growing more with them in the coming years.”

Daved Wilkins

Kissing Speilberg, Doritos Crash the Superbowl winner

“Deb’s class has transformed the way I approach scenes, characters and stories. I feel like I have grown tremendously in the time I've been a student at the Aquila Studio, better understanding technique and how to breakdown a scene and character. Because of this I feel more prepared and confident when diving into a script on my own whether for an audition or preparing for a role by creating a character who is filled, truthful, and authentic to the text. The passion and knowledge they show in each class inspires me to push myself and become the best artist I can be.  I honestly don't know where I’d be without having been lucky enough to learn from Deb.”

Violet Brinson

Sharp Objects, Cagney and Lacey, A Higher Loyalty

I graduated from a conservatory program in New York back in 2014, and moved to LA shortly after. Like many actors, I was eager to get to work. Having all my focus set on booking jobs, made me forget what acting meant to me; the power it had. I knew of Deb Aquila, and being one of the industry’s most successful casting directors, I was excited at the prospect of taking class with her.

My time with Deb really took me back to my conservatory days. Her style of teaching was what I yearned for, with students that were so determined to put their best, being prepared and showing up to work. I find her insight and level of detail incredibly important in approaching a role, that the rest simply follows. I have and continue to recommend Deb’s class to many who wish to elevate their analysis and understanding of characters and relationships. 

Nicholas Bonanno

Madcaps, Goodnight Tom, NCIS

Working with Deb Aquila at TAS has been a revelatory experience.  Listening to her break down script after script helped me to contextualize the profound importance of understanding story on the deepest possible level.  As a result of the intense and thorough script analysis that I learned at TAS, I was able to unlock parts of my instrument that were dormant and find a greater artistic freedom.  In addition, Deb and Jesse do not suffer fools and are only interested in helping you find your most authentic way into the scene or character that you’ve been assigned.  This is a class for growth, challenge and perseverance.  This is a class for actors who take their craft seriously and want to push themselves outside their comfort zones.  Working with Deb in the Master Class changed the way that I work in the best possible way, and I am eternally grateful to the entire TAS community for their commitment to nurturing great art and fostering great artists.

Lynn Adrianna Freedman

The Offer, Her, Gone Girl, Criminal Minds

Taking Jess & Eanna's class was awesome. They are both so passionate about acting which brings a contagious excitement to every class. And while they both care deeply about performance, they also know how to have fun, not to take things too seriously. I liked how the class was not overly concerned with a final product, and mostly focused on process. This gave us students the space to try new things and grow in new directions. I've found myself dipping into things they taught us in each project I've worked on since.

Lena Redford

Blood Barn, And Back Again, Nature is Speaking

Deb’s class is by far the most transformative acting class I have ever taken! She has a magical ability to see the root of an actor’s challenges, and work with them to move past it and level up as an actor. An incredible coach and human, I recommend Deb and her Studio to every actor I know!

Jackie Rhoads

Breakout Breakup, Across the Pond, Guiding Light