THIS is the acting class to take. Im a mom of three and did a lot of research before deciding to jump into training. Im so glad I chose Wendy. It has been worth every penny and every bit of time. It is hard work and not always fun but you will see tremendous growth in a short period. Wendy has a way of helping you do things you never thought you could do and building confidence without coddling.

Wendy is a charming and caring teacher, dont be blinded by her high expectations and blunt honesty, her only goal is to bring the best out of each and everyone and maybe not everyone will become a big star one day but I can definitely confirm that her class will be life-changing and change your views and opinions on acting and life in general, and the improvements her students make going towards the strict training are conspicuous. I can not recommend any teacher or class more and I wish I had done this course years ago, rather than trying hundreds of classes and just not making these kinds of improvements. Plus I dont think there is any acting coach out there at the moment with more experience when it comes to online classes and you can definitely tell she brought online classes to a whole other level, and therefore bringing top-notch training to your bedroom all over the world, whilst not sacrificing the quality of the class. Whether youre not from the states, living in a small village, working full time or there is a global pandemic- no more excuses to continue discipline and training! Wendy and Meisner have changed my acting for good, dont miss out! :)

Wendy will challenge, motivate and personally guide you into becoming the actor she so passionately wants you to be. Her teaching is meticulous, straightforward, compelling and raw. Truly a unique opportunity to grow into a confident and remarkable artist whilst simultaneously discovering yourself as an individual. Highly recommended.

My name is Jacob Kasper and I am: a 2x NCAA Division 1 All-American, Olympic trials placer, and 3x Academic All-American. I was the 2017 Duke Athletics Most Valuable Athlete and 2018 Duke Male Scholar of the year. I’ve trained, coached, and worked alongside world champions such as: UFC 2 division champ Daniel Cormier, UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez, UFC middleweight champ Luke Rockhold, Bellator middleweight champ and IBJJF black belt world champ Rafael Lovato Jr. Prior to coming to Wendy Ward I had absolutely no acting experience, I decided to take the class in hopes that it would help me prepare for my WWE aspirations. At first, I was skeptical of my ability to act and perform exercises, especially in front of others. Developing, cultivating, and growing my creative and entertaining side has never come naturally to me. However, I felt I quickly made progress in Wendy’s studio because of her informative teaching, ability to observe the group, and the confidence she installed in me and my classmates over several months. I quickly found that the same same ability to take one’s work personally, high expectations, and accountability that led to success in other aspects of my life, and in the lives of successful people I was fortunate enough to work with, still apply in acting. COVID then caused myself and other “in-person” classmates to transition to entirely online (like several of our other classmates had always done). I am glad to say that I feel my class experience, acting progress, and quality of work have not been negatively impacted at all since the transition. It is possible that the transition to the online format has actually helped my classmates and myself. I am excited to keep working with Wendy moving forward and see where she can take me. Her attention to detail, world class standards, and clear-direct communication lead to results. Coupled with her ability to guide one towards their individual goals, fun learning environment with classmates, and the helping personal relationships formed has made this entire experience second to none!

Ward Acting Studio will teach you how to become the best actress/actor you can be, in my opinion. Youll be taught one of the hardest things to do as an actor in a scene: be yourself. Wendy Ward will challenge you to be creative, bold, brave, and focused. Highly recommend Ward Acting Studio.

This is an amazing place to develop as an actor. Wendys immense amount of experience provides an endless well of knowledge that is shared with all her students; it helps everyone understand how to be competitive in the industry and how to be committed to the craft to truly develop in a valuable way.

Wendy Ward is top notch. Her passion, experience and wisdom all combined with the hands on, meticulous guiding and training she gives will no doubt make anyone a better actor - and if youre already good youll become great.

I experienced progress in my acting that I didn’t know I was capable of in Wendy Ward’s classes. She challenged me to take the next steps and provided the toolkit to do it. I highly recommend Ward acting audio if you want to take the next step in your acting career.

I was super nervous because this was my first real introduction to the acting world, but Im so grateful this is my first. The class is tough, but Ms. Ward is precise and honest, helping you become the best actor you can be. You may not understand why you do certain things at first, but trust her process and you will grow leaps and bounds!

Wendy Wards Meisner program has been one of the most rewarding experiences Ive had on my acting journey. Her program focuses on quality through a study of truth and meaningfulness. I have pushed myself to go to edges I did not even know existed and have had some successful work as a result. I am confident that without this program, I would not have experienced those moments of success. I am currently in the middle of Tech II and look forward to continuing to grow with Ms. Wards guidance.

I absolutely love Meisner classes with the Ward Acting Studio. The program is tough, but there is a reason why. For a highly sensitive person like myself, I had to learn a new way to work, one without relying too heavily on the approval of others. I am learning how to rely on myself. I have never felt more brave and free making acting choices than when I am in Wendy’s classes. She is the best teacher I have ever had. Not only is she teaching me how to act, but also how to be a better human.

I entered the program with zero previous acting experience and ended up completing the program and taking part in two of Wendys theatre productions. I ended up having a major role in one of the productions called Jacuzzi which went on to win a regional award for top 10 plays of the year. I say this not to impress you but to impress upon you the quality of this training. All four actors in the show were trained by Wendy and in the program. Without fail every professional review of the play commented on the quality of the acting and the articles questioned how it was possible for beginners to become so good so quickly. There is absolutely no way I could have performed like that for two hours during a 30 show run and feel completely at ease, completely focused on living truthfully in the imaginary circumstance without the dedicated, caring instruction of Wendy Ward. I would highly recommend the Ward Acting Studio to anyone who aspires to reach their full potential as an actor.

What a great experience! I came into Wendy’s class acting all technical and robotic. Wendy has taught me more than acting, but about behavior and living in the moment. Wendy, thank you for changing my life.

Fascinating art! Well worth a visit!

Wendys classes are fantastic! As a new student, I am just beginning to see the beauty of the Meisner approach to acting, but it’s already clear to me why it’s so effective. You don’t need to know anything about acting to start the classes, and if you just trust the process and take it seriously, results follow. Wendy’s years of experience in the industry and with the Meisner technique make her a powerful teacher. She really cares about her students’ progress and guides us to achieve the best in ourselves. I’m excited to have found exactly what I was looking for - New York-quality professional training right here in Durham!

I cannot recommend classes with Wendy.  I took two weeks of classes (4 classes) with her, and from the first class, I felt that she spoke to students in a way that would get me reported if not fired at work if were to use it.  She lashed out at a student for yawning. I had not even heard the yawn as I was paying attention to the students working in front of us until she got upset.I frequently found her instructions to be incomplete, obtuse, and even contradictory. Students frequently attempted to ask questions or clarify her instructions but she often refused to answer.  On several of those occasions, I felt that she treated the students who asked questions in a condescending manner. She seemed to be very confident that she is always right and did not seem open to views or perspectives other than her own or to the possibility that she may have heard or viewed something incorrectly.  She never seemed to me to be concerned about how she was treating others and never apologized for how she spoke to anyone.At first I wondered if some of it was part of the Meisner training and kept going because I wanted to learn and had already paid for the month, but I spoke with an actor who trained at a respected Meisner program in LA who had nothing like this experience and expressed concern that this type of environment could be detrimental.  Its really a shame because much of her feedback is helpful, and it is valuable to get honest feedback. As someone who has been through significant rigorous training and who has worked with plenty of abrasive personalities in the past though, I can guarantee it is possible to give timely, honest and even blunt feedback while still being respectful of others. Being condescending and lashing out is not a useful way to promote growth and creativity. If you are dead set on taking classes here, Id strongly recommend you audit a class before signing up.

The Ward Studio is a place for students that are serious about becoming professional actors. I have had many instructors in high school, college, and law school and in all those years I have never found a teacher as dedicated and as focused on developing her students to the highest ability of her craft than Wendy. At the same time she demands the same focus and determination from her students. This is not a studio for those that are seeking positive reinforcement all the time. I have been studying with Wendy now for a year and half and I can say that she tells you when you are good, and when you have work to put in. In fact, she tells you explicitly how to be better. She never degrades or is cruel (as one reviewer implies which is borderline libel). On the contrary, she cares deeply about her students on a professional and personal level. In terms of my work at the studio, I have found it to be one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. And, you cannot and should not gauge your work or Wendy’s methods at this studio based on two weeks of training at the studio, like one reviewer did. This training is the opposite of the military but in one sense it is similar: you don’t know anything until you keep at it. It would be like going to boot camp and questioning your training after two weeks. “Why do I have to make my bed?” How is this going to make me a better soldier?” Come on! -- the training demands a certain trust and belief in the process. This is not an academic setting where you sit and question everything. And, this did not originate with Wendy; it’s part of what Sanford Meisner espoused. Don’t think so much! There is a purpose to this. Wendy is trying to get you to stay out of your head. Good Meisner acting requires just doing and reacting from instincts, not thinking. Follow the program. Trust me and you will reap the rewards. The foundations of Meisner work require a level of discipline and trust in the process. If you can’t put aside your ego and don’t have a certain level of humility then Wendy is not for you. And frankly, perhaps acting is not for you. (no relation to Wendy Ward)

Acting is not what I though it was. Its also not easy to do well because it requires an awareness so fundamental that its not apparent. Thats why it took a couple of millennia (starting with the Ancient Greeks) to work out how to do it so its realistic and not contrived. The Meisner technique teaches the skills that can lead you to that fundamental state of awareness. Wendy Ward teaches this technique, and I think she does it well. I have learned several arts in my life - piano, organ, marching band, improv comedy - and I remember the teachers and coaches that pushed me to excel. Wendy is one of them. If you need to be coddled and cajoled, this is not the place for you. If you like to be pushed to excellence, then it is. You may or may not make it as an actor. Meisner and Wendy will transform you, regardless.COVID UpdateI have had both in-person and online lessons from Wendy Ward. They were both great experiences. She’s been giving online lessons for many years, so she was ready for the pandemic. I couldn’t really tell much difference between the two types of classes, except that online saves time driving to the studio.As for teaching ability, Wendy is great. Great in the sense that she knows how to make you learn. Anyone can tell you what to do, but a good teacher knows how to make you “get it”. Sometimes that means explaining your mistakes to you honestly, which is difficult for some people to do and difficult for some people to take.

Yes, Im revealing my bias--but I didnt think this level of acting instruction was available outside of NYC or LA. Wendy is an almost stereotypical acting coach--experienced, serious, passionate and uncompromising. If you are serious about the craft, want professional level instruction and are willing to do the work, there really is no where else to go.My daughter (teenager) has been studying the Meisner technique with Wendy for 2 years now. She has come to understand (on a deep level) that true acting is about portraying an authentic, lived (but psychologically bounded) experience. It is not (as I used to think) really good pretending. My daughter is acquiring a skill set that allows her to evoke authentic emotion at will. Perhaps more importantly, she has learned how to turn off that authentic emotion as soon as the scene is over.Wendy is clearly an exceptionally gifted teacher. She seems to have an uncanny ability to know exactly what the student needs to work on next. Although my daughters classmates were mostly much older than her, Wendy found a way to include her completely--she modified scenes and chose monologues that were complex enough for the whole class to work off of, but totally age appropriate. Wendy somehow created an atmosphere where students of very different ages, backgrounds and experiences work together to engage each other/react to each other fully and intently, as (Ive come to understand) is an essential part of acting.Of note, Wendy has high standards for her herself and for her students; she expects a level of commitment that is not for the dabbler; she expects (and coaches her students to) a level of emotional maturity that is not for the arrogant. If you are a serious student of acting and respect the craft, I dont see how you can get any better training anywhere--here or in NYC or in LA.If you are still not sure--check out one of her professional plays (put on by the Ward Theater Company). They are an intimate theatre in the round experience. The acting will knock your socks off. No kidding.

I loathe to posit myself a professional, but coming from NYC and being a lifetime theater enthusiast, I feel compelled to declare that I have sat in many, many theater seats. I left both performances in this space not thinking This was an amazing experience For Durham but rather, this was an amazing experience, that I will remember for the rest of my life. I rank what happens in this tiny space as one of the most reliable, top tier theatrical experiences... anywhere. Just GO! You can thank me later.

I just saw I wish you a boat. It was very well done. I have no doubt that the reviewers will be gushing over this one. You need to see for yourself. I will definitely be at the next play.