“One word……. **SPECTACULAR! **”

Julie Tran

“The girls had an absolute ball and looked forward to every Saturday. I particularly liked how the teachers looked after each child and tailored the training to their level.”

Celia Farrow

“Izzi adores your classes. She says it’s SPECTACULAR!  She truly shines and is happiest on the stage and she’s happiest above all working with you in the classes and on the shows. Thank you!”

Lori Shulman

“We are new to Young Actors Academy and we’re really glad that we joined the session. My son is a little bit introverted, so it was great to see him really step up his confidence in such a short time. You are an amazing teacher, Susan. Loved you on LOST, too!”

 

Ann (Leo's mom)

“My daughter really loves the classes and always comes out happy and enthusiastic! She asks every day if it’s a Young Actors Academy day and comes home with a big smile each week and is excited to tell me what she done. We can’t wait for the summer camp!!”

Lucy Rider

“Theo really loves the classes. He has grown in confidence and sings all the time at home. You have worked wonders!”

Rebecca Pine

“My little girl skips into the studio on a Saturday. She absolutely loves these sessions and wished it was actual school! The teachers are enthusiastic and warm and we would totally book again!”

Tori Maxwell

“So impressed with your academy. My daughter really loved the classes and the show at the end was excellent. We can’t wait to sign up again.”

Alison Thompson

“Ellery is loving every minute of your class!  We can’t wait for the show. Your academy is amazing.”

Danielle Burness

“Amazing academy with excellent curriculum. Highly recommend!”

Sayareh Ourmazdi

“Thank you for everything. You and your team are doing a fantastic job, I am very impressed. Kasia absolutely loves it and can’t wait for classes every week.”

Ella Debski

“Brilliant program, wonderful teachers. Emily had so much fun. The teachers are excellent, lots of support, a happy environment, it’s fantastic. Big, big thank you for all your wonderful work.”

Julia (Emily's mom)

“Thank you Susan & team for making Anabelle’s year so special and memorable. She loves the classes and the show was amazing.”

Kelly Edwards

“The workshop reached far beyond our expectations. Sara had such a fantastic time and learned so much. She LOVED it. We can’t wait for the camps.”

Paula (Sara's mom)

“Piper loves your acting class deeply. It’s so much fun and filled with positive, creative energy. Thanks so much for inspiring her.”

Blythe Williams

“My two kids train privately with Susan. We’re so lucky to have someone of her caliber teaching our kids. An award winning actress working in film and TV who has played starring roles on London’s West End and on and off Broadway, teaching here! My son is working on a Disney TV show because of her amazing coaching and my 19 year old who has been coaching with her for a few years is constantly booking.’

Jennifer Tomlinson

“Both Adam and Sarah had an amazing experience! Since the first class, they come home excited and happy singing the songs and talking about all the kids who were doing the class with them like they’d been friends forever. I was impressed how quickly they picked the lines and songs up and by the enthusiasm they brought home. For them was an incredible experience.”

Anna Bateman

“Thank you so much for bringing out the absolute best in my normally shy child! The teaching was outstanding, she learned so much in all three disciplines. My daughter was bubbling with enthusiasm for days afterwards and can’t wait to come back!”

Angela P.

“The on-camera audition videos are wonderful – I must say we really got what we were looking for from your Acting Intensives – a musical, a drama, on camera and auditioning experience, theater games and improv…fun and supportive environment with great teachers and focused kids!”

Eric (Liv's dad)

“You have such a remarkable way to bring out the best in EVERY SINGLE performer on stage. Truly, they ALL shine on stage. I’ve never seen anything like it. You are amazing and like I’ve said many times now, we are so lucky to have found you!”

Amy Walsh

We're excited to announce our upcoming, in-person

DECEMBER WORKSHOPS

Our masterclass series provides young actors with the opportunity to learn directly from masters of our industry

SPACES ARE LIMITED!

LOCATION: YAA @THE HOUSE, 29134 Roadside Dr UNIT 104, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Everyone at  Young Actors Academy holds the legally required Child Performer Services Permit (CPS)

Lic. CPS-LR-1001238628

ACTING WORKSHOP 10-13 yrs

Sunday, Dec 7th • 10:00am - 12 noon $55

REGISTER HERE

This workshop gives young actors the chance to dive deeply into their craft in an energetic, fun and supportive environment! Together, we’ll explore the foundations of powerful acting  while stretching each actor’s imagination, confidence, and creativity. Students will gain essential skills needed to perform on stage and screen as they work on scripts and scenes from their favorite TV shows and films, recent and current audition material, as well as improv, character development, and audition technique — all designed to help them grow, take risks, and refine their skills, no matter their level of experience.

WHAT THIS WORKSHOP INCLUDES

  • Building truthful, grounded characters

  • Making bold, specific choices

  • Moment-to-moment acting

  • Improvisation to unlock spontaneity

  • Scene work

  • One-on-one coaching

  • Audition skills and confidence-building tools

This workshop is open to all levels — from beginners to actors already auditioning and working. Everyone will be challenged, supported, and encouraged at their own pace.

This intensive will be taught by Susan Duerden.
Susan is an award-winning actress and one of Hollywood’s most sought-after acting coaches. She has coached beginners to award winners, and her students are currently working in television, feature films, London’s West End, Broadway, and national tours.

Very Limited Spaces!

This workshop is intentionally kept small so each young actor receives individualized guidance and focused attention.

ACTING INTENSIVE FOR TEENS   14-16 yrs

FOR PROFESSIONAL & PRE-PROFESSIONAL ACTORS
Sunday, Dec 7th • 1:00pm–3:30pm $65

REGISTER HERE

We have limited spots available for this high-level acting intensive designed for young actors committed to deepening their craft.

This small, focused workshop blends advanced acting technique, scene work, improv, and a strong on-camera element. Actors will refine the skills essential for powerful on-screen work — deepening character, sharpening specific choices, and strengthening moment-to-moment connection — through focused scene work before bringing that work to the camera.

The intensive will highlight:

  • Developing grounded, honest performances

  • Advanced scene work & script breakdown

  • Improv to strengthen spontaneity and connection

  • How to bring your process to the camera

  • Preparing, connecting, and delivering in an audition

  • Making clear, specific choices that book the job

Actors will work on scenes from TV shows, movies and current and/or recent castings, receive one-on-one coaching, get adjustments, and then film their work. After class, students will receive their on-camera footage.

Because each actor will work extensively in class, spaces are extremely limited.

This intensive will be taught by Susan Duerden — an award-winning actress and highly sought-after Hollywood acting coach. Susan has coached beginners to award winners, and her students are currently working in TV, feature films, London’s West End, Broadway, and national tours.

Over the past year YAA students starred in shows on: NETFLIX, HBO, NBC, CBS, FOX, HALLMARK CHANNEL, SYFY CHANNEL, APPLE TV, AMAZON STUDIOS, THE WB, MARVEL STUDIOS, DISNEY CHANNEL, NICKELODEON & DISNEY PLUS and have perfomed on stage LOCALLY, on BROADWAY, LONDON'S WEST END & NATIONAL TOURS.

Everyone at YAA holds the legally required Child Performer Services Permit (CPS)

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

My daughter booked her first role on a Nickelodeon TV show after taking Susan's acting classes and privately coaching for the audition. The change is amazing. Anna is a much more confident actor (and child!) and loves the classes. We can see such a difference in her acting and so can her agent. We're so happy we found YAA. – Beth Arnold

The best acting school for kids and teens hands down. We've been to classes in North Hollywood and Sherman Oaks but Susan and her team are outstanding. Susan really cares about the kids and builds their confidence and self esteem along with their acting skills. My kids love the classes online and can't wait to be back in person. – Alex Stafford

Izzi adores your classes. She says it’s SPECTACULAR! She truly shines and is happiest on the stage and she’s happiest above all working with you in the classes and on the shows. Thank you! – Lori Shulman

I wanted to let you know that Michael loved the class, he left feeling more alive and can't stop talking about going back. I'm so happy for him and glad he feels so comfortable with you. Thank you! – Shawna Stevenson

My two kids train privately with Susan. We're so lucky to have someone of her caliber teaching our kids. An award winning actress working in film and TV who has played starring roles on London's West End and on and off Broadway, teaching here! My son is working on a Disney TV show because of her amazing coaching and my 19 year old who has been coaching with her for a few years is constantly booking. – Jennifer Tomlinson

We are new to Young Actors Academy and we're really glad that we joined the session. My son is a little bit introverted, so it was great to see him really step up his confidence in such a short time. You are an amazing teacher, Susan. Loved you on LOST, too! – Ann (Leo’s mom)

The workshop reached far beyond our expectations. Sara had such a fantastic time and learned so much. She LOVED it. We can’t wait for the camps.– Paula (Sara’s mom)

I love the classes. It’s so much fun. I was scared to sing, but now I’m not. I love singing now. I like the acting games we play. They are great fun and we get to make up plays and dance in very cool ways. – Mark (9 yrs old)

My little girl skips into the studio on a Saturday. She absolutely loves these sessions and wished it was actual school! The teachers are enthusiastic and warm and we would totally book again!– Tori Maxwell

The girls had an absolute ball and looked forward to every Saturday. I particularly liked how the teachers looked after each child and tailored the training to their level. – Celia Farrow

Very professional and the kids came back each day telling us how amazing it was. – Claire Manning

So impressed with your academy. My daughter really loved the classes and the show at the end was excellent. We can’t wait to sign up again.– Alison Thompson

Both Adam and Sarah had an amazing experience! Since the first class, they come home excited and happy singing the songs and talking about all the kids who were doing the class with them like they'd been friends forever. I was impressed how quickly they picked the lines and songs up and by the enthusiasm they brought home. For them was an incredible experience. – Anna Bateman

Brilliant program, wonderful teachers. Emily had so much fun. The teachers are excellent, lots of support, a happy environment, it’s fantastic. Big, big thank you for all your wonderful work.– Julia (Emily’s mom)

Crawford said, "I want to do that again!" He really enjoyed the session. A great place to help build his self-confidence whilst having fun!– Linda Young

Theo really loves the classes. He has grown in confidence and sings all the time at home. You have worked wonders!– Rebecca Pine

Thank you Susan & team for making Anabelle's year so special and memorable. She loves the classes and the show was amazing.– Kelly Edwards

Ellery is loving every minute of your class! We can’t wait for the show. Your academy is amazing.– Danielle Burness

Thank you all so much. I saw my son grow in confidence and he came out of the classes full of energy and enthusiasm. Thank you so much! We can’t wait for summer camp!– Anna, Gavin's Mom

Noelani was on cloud 9 the entire day. She loves performing and absolutely enjoyed the workshop. I think this would be a great fit for her.– Marielle Banducci

Piper loves your acting class deeply. It’s so much fun and filled with positive, creative energy. Thanks so much for inspiring her.– Blythe Williams.

Thank you so much for bringing out the absolute best in my normally shy child! The teaching was outstanding, she learned so much in all three disciplines. My daughter was bubbling with enthusiasm for days afterwards and can’t wait to come back!– Angela P.

Thank you for everything. You and your team are doing fantastic job, I am very impressed. Kasia absolutely loves it and can’t wait for classes every week.– Ella Debski

My daughter really loves the classes and always comes out happy and enthusiastic! She asks every day if it’s a Young Actors Academy day and comes home with a big smile each week and is excited to tell me what she done. We can’t wait for the summer camp!!– Lucy Ryder