Go to content

Now Accepting Applications for 2 Year Conservatory – Learn more

Summer Intensive is Now Accepting Applications – Learn More

Our Philosophy

At TKS, we nurture a community committed to excellence, growth, and meaningful artistry.

A Message from Terry Knickerbocker

Much of what I teach is practical and artistic. I want to help ambitious actors learn to act at the highest expression of their abilities and talent. I aim to create a classroom atmosphere where creativity can flower, one in which anything can be expressed, as long as it is expressed safely and responsibly. This helps students take ownership of their expression, both in class and in the world.

I encourage my students to be a sponge—and get out into the world and experience as much art and life as they can.

Read TKS Conversations
Two people sit on a bench in front of a wall adorned with colorful masks, deep in conversation about their NYC acting classes. Papers in hand, they discuss techniques learned from Terry Knickerbocker as a small plant rests beside them on the floor.

Stepping Into Your Power as an Artist

It takes courage to express what seems scary. I aim to create a brave space where artists can take risks and push their boundaries. What we do as artists is essential, even revolutionary—beneficial both for us and for our audiences, who receive a powerful gift each time an actor speaks. Art and artists aren’t always valued, so it’s incredibly brave to take the risk of becoming one—and we would be honored if you’d take it with us.

Our Core Philosophy

At TKS, the pursuit of excellence guides everything we do. We’ve built a haven where we value quality, meaningful relationships, true learning, and respect. Our Studio culture prioritizes steady progress over quick, shallow results, with the goal of consistently high-quality work. We nurture a thriving community full of individuals who hold these values as sacred—who continue on into the world as ambassadors of this philosophy of artistic excellence.

The Meisner Technique

How We
Accomplish This

Through small class sizes and expert faculty, we foster deep learning and artistic growth with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Class Size

We keep our studio at a modest size, to accommodate our focus on true learning and relationship building. Most classes will range from 6-20. We are a smaller, more intensely focused studio for people who follow a north star to being the very best artist they can be.

Faculty + Staff

Our faculty and staff are here to facilitate the exploration and expansion of our knowledge of art and life, and specifically our understanding of the art and craft of acting. We teach tools and a process to achieve that. Every class, every rehearsal, every time we sit down to do our artistic homework, every moment in life offers us an opportunity to learn and to grow. Students will learn from a faculty that is specially curated by Terry, all committed to guiding students toward artistic excellence.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

We believe that you cannot run a reputable and modern school without Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging as an integral part of the philosophy. Consideration for DEIB and intersectionality is not unique to TK Studio, but is nonetheless essential in the operation of our studio. We believe representation of diverse voices is a necessity to truthful storytelling in our art form, and we strive to cultivate and amplify these voices within our classrooms, staff, faculty, and online presence.

Timing + Patience

We refuse to rush our teachings, choosing instead to create space for meaningful conversations, thoughtful introspection, and deep exploration. We believe in taking the time to dig beneath the surface, encouraging students to connect not only with the material but also with one another, fostering a richer, more profound learning experience. We know that true growth comes from allowing the process to unfold naturally, embracing both the challenges and breakthroughs along the way.

Discover Our Acting Programs

Explore our range of programs and experience the Meisner Technique firsthand.

Learn About Our Programs View Our Class Schedule