About Us
Trauma Informed, Consent Based, Pay What You Decide

What is Broken Mirror’s ongoing scene study? 

Our ongoing scene study is a weekly acting class without a fixed end date. Instead of enrolling in a 5 or 8 week course, students are committing to on-going practice with a rotating mix of scene work, monologues, and ensemble exercises.

This model mirrors professional studio training: fostering deeper growth, ongoing collaboration, and a steadier, more sustainable relationship to craft.

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 How long am I expected to attend?

Joining the course requires an initial two-month commitment. Our curriculum is designed around an alternating performance cycle, and eight weeks is the natural threshold where actors get enough stage and class time to see real traction in their craft. Committing to a full cycle also protects the stability, rhythm, and focus of the entire ensemble. After your first two months, enrollment continues on a month-to-month basis.

 What is the acting method used in class?

This course centers on The Non-Dominant Approach. An acting pedagogy that prioritizes a transformational approach to craft over a transactional one. Working from allowance, discovery, imagination work, and the recognition that we are more aligned with -- and therefore can more truthfully embody our characters through the acceptance and integration of our moment to moment imperfect humanity, than by dominating their behavior through preconceived actions and ideas. Actors will be shepherded into a revitalised relationship with craft that supports long term sustainability, agency, trauma-informed practices, and mutual respect. 

What does class look like?

We start each class with an intentional group check-in, followed by a 30-45 minute group warm up. Our warm ups are more than just waking up the body, they are how and where the majority of the Non-Dominant techniques, tools, and exercises are taught, and honed. Due to the on-going nature of class, folks will be learning these techniques at different rates and tempos - this is to be expected, and also why the warm ups are so important. 

Following the warm-up we generally see four explorations a class. After each exploration there will be a recall between the actor(s) and the teacher. The purpose of the recall is to instill a sense of agency, awareness, self direction, and a deepening of understanding of craft within the actor. 

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*Note. While this will be the format for 90% of classes, every two to three months we will have workshop intensive days focusing on the Brahe Mask Method - a hybrid theatrical mask work that combines traditional Balinese mask practices and Michael Chekhov technique. This work is deeply aligned with the Non-Dominant Approach and serves as an incredibly effective vessel for working from truth and embodiment.  

Do I find my own pieces to work on? 

Generally, yes. You are expected to select and prepare your own material, whether a scene or a monologue. If you want to work on a scene, you can arrange it directly with a classmate in person or over email.

If you need guidance or trouble finding the right piece, let Ben know and material will be assigned to you.

I don’t know a lot of plays, where can I find them? 

Broken Mirror maintains a physical script library at the studio that students can borrow from free of charge (just log what you take on the sign-out sheet). Upon joining, you will also receive access to a comprehensive Google Drive folder containing a wide selection of plays, scenes, and monologues.

Do I have to choose work from plays? Or only pieces I’d actually be cast in? 

NO! Broken Mirror’s mantra is, “Artistry Over Industry” so if you have ever wanted to explore material that doesn’t fit your “type” please use this class as an opportunity to do so. Furthermore, you can work on pieces from plays, television shows, films, musicals, or original work. Follow your inspiration! 

How often do I get to act? 

Actors work on each piece across three separate class sessions before rotating to new material. To balance stage time across the room, students get on their feet roughly every other week. On alternating weeks, you are actively participating in the ensemble warm-up, observing work, and taking part in group recalls and discussions.

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If I’m not putting up work that day, am I still expected to attend class? 

Yes. Weekly attendance is mandatory. This is not a drop-in class; it is structured to build a consistent artistic habit. You learn as much from active observation as you do from being on your feet.

​Am I expected to rehearse outside of class?

Yes. It is expected and necessary that students rehearse outside of class hours.

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Can I rent the studio to rehearse?

Yes. You can book space directly at brokenmirrorstudio.com/rent-our-space.

Active Broken Mirror students receive a discounted rate of $10/hour on weekdays and $15/hour on weekends. The public booking page will show the standard $25/hour rate, but Ben manually updates the rate to the student discount before confirming your reservation.

What happens when new students join?

When space permits, new students join after auditing a session and completing a brief intake conversation with Ben.

During their first or second class, new actors introduce themselves to the room by sharing a monologue of their choice. They work that piece two or three times to acclimate to the studio culture, pace, and vocabulary before transitioning into partner scene work. (When multiple actors join in the same cycle, start dates may be staggered to maintain ensemble balance.)

What if I need to miss a class ?

Consistency protects your growth and respects your scene partner's preparation. We expect regular, weekly attendance.

That said, life happens: illness, emergencies, transit disruptions, or professional acting bookings. If you must miss a session, notify both your scene partner and Ben as early as possible so class time can be redistributed.

Exiting Class. If I take time away, can I return?

Yes. Broken Mirror offers a Leave of Absence (LOA) policy that allows you to pause your enrollment for professional gigs or personal obligations and return when space allows.

If you decide to conclude your time in the class entirely, we ask for two weeks' advance notice so we can plan scene assignments and ensemble balance accordingly.

How does payment work?

Tuition is billed monthly (weekly or bi-weekly installments can be arranged if preferred).

• Initial Payment: Your first month’s tuition is paid online upon registration.

• Monthly Invoicing: Ongoing invoices are issued on the 15th of each month for that calendar month. We bill mid-month rather than on the 1st to ease the strain of standard rent and household bill cycles.

• Payment Grace Period: Invoices include a 7-day payment window, with an automatic reminder sent after 4 days. A modest late fee (10–20, depending on your tuition tier) applies after 7 days. Late fees can always be waived in cases of genuine hardship.