About Us
Trauma Informed, Consent Based, Pay What You Decide
Founded in 2021 by multi-disciplinary artist Benjamin Bass, Broken Mirror Studios strives to provide the Philadelphia area with an artistic sanctuary dedicated to the continued development of craft, the exploration of ideas, and the building of community. Part acting studio, part creative lab, Broken Mirror Studio supports actors and artists realign with a culture of practice while providing a safe and inclusive environment to discuss and explore new ideas. Working from a pay-what-you-can model, Broken Mirror firmly believes in the prioritization of growth and community over profit.
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Simply put, we help artists grow.​​​​​
Why "Broken Mirror"?
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"All Mirrors Are Liars"
​This was the sentiment expressed by S.U.N.Y. Purchase dance professor Jill Echo that started it all. The idea that no mirror can ever truly reflect the fullness of an individual. Glass quality, light direction, the height of installation - all of these factors affect reflection, but it goes so much deeper than that. Because what one person believes they see in the mirror is quite literally different from what others perceive.
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On a hard mental health day, someone might see a worthless version of themselves staring back. Meanwhile, those who know that same person might see one of the most generous, radiant, and beautiful souls they’ve ever met.
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We all know the pull toward perfection, in our acting, our work, our relationships, and in how we wish to be perceived. But perfection doesn’t exist, and never has.
When we can release the insatiable inner critic who only sees what’s missing, and replace it with an allowance for our own perfectly imperfect humanity - something shifts. A relationship to practice, curiosity, and permission becomes the ground where the magic we admire in others begins to appear in ourselves.
Scene Study F.A.Q.s
What is Broken Mirror’s ongoing scene study?
Our ongoing scene study is a weekly acting class without a set end date. Instead of enrolling in a 5-, 8-, or 10-week course, students join on a monthly basis and stay in active practice with a rotating mix of scene work, monologues, and ensemble exercises.
This model mirrors many long-term studios: it supports deeper growth, ongoing collaboration, and a steadier, more sustainable relationship to craft.
How does scene work function in an ongoing format?
Students generally choose the material they want to work on, and may request to be assigned something if they’re unsure or want guidance. If someone takes too long to decide, Ben may assign material so the work can stay in motion.
Scenes are usually completed over the course of three, occasionally four explorations. While we can always go deeper it is usual that that piece will then retired and the student will pursue another text.
*Please Note. Not every student works every week; each class typically includes three to four pieces, and most students can expect to work two to three times within a four-week cycle, depending on group size.
What happens when new students join?
New students join at the top of a new month or cycle, which keeps the room cohesive and prevents mid-process disruption.
On their first or second night, a new student is welcomed into the space by sharing a monologue of their choosing. They will typically work that monologue two to three times as they acclimate to the studio’s process, pacing, and ensemble culture.
From there, they transition into scene work or continue with a new monologue
(If multiple new students join in the same cycle, we may stagger their start nights to maintain room balance.)
What if I need to miss a class?
Consistency matters. Your work builds from week to week, and your partner relies on you. Please make every effort to be present.
That said, life happens: illness, family emergencies, SEPTA delays, or booked work.
If you must miss class, please notify your scene partner and Ben as soon as possible so we can adjust the evening accordingly.
If I take time away, can I return?
Yes.
Broken Mirror has a Leave of Absence (LOA) policy that allows actors to step away for personal reasons or professional opportunities and return when ready.
You can view our LOA policy here. (Link coming!)
What if I genuinely cannot afford the sliding scale?
Financial accessibility is a cornerstone of our practice. While we cannot guarantee a solution in every circumstance, we will make every reasonable effort to find a path forward.
If the sliding scale feels out of reach, please DM us or email Ben (info@brokenmirrorstudio.com) to discuss options.
How does payment work?
Tuition is contributed on a monthly basis. (though if weekly or bi-weekly installments work better we are happy to accommodate)
When you enroll, you pay your first month’s tuition upfront through our website. After that, you’ll receive a direct monthly invoice for the same amount.
Invoices are due within 7 days of receipt.
A small $10–$20 late fee (aligned with your chosen tuition tier) may be applied if payment has not been received after 7 days. A reminder will be sent after 4 days.
*Late fees can always be waived if someone is in genuine difficulty. Communication is what matters.
A Trauma Informed Studioh
What Does it Mean? Why Do We Do It? And How Do We Practice?
Credit:
Before we go on it is important to acknowledge where this information is coming from. All of the information below was learned from the incredible organization Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE). To learn more about them, click here!
What is Trauma Informed:
A trauma informed practice takes into consideration that due to the deeply nuanced, far reaching, and all too common experience that is trauma, we specifically facilitate our environment with the assumption that everyone in that room has some sort of relationship or familiarity with trauma. Because we come in with, and never release this assumption, we intentionally curate our language and behavior to minimize the potentiality for trauma to be triggered.
Why Is Broken Mirror Trauma Informed:
The theatre industrial complex (to borrow a phrase from Nicole Brewer) has an irrefutable history of maintaining an abusive power dynamic in theatre and casting. A business model that historically has tolerated racism, misogyny, sexual harassment, ableism, and unjust wages has led to generations of actors adopting a “scarcity mindset.” Meaning actors will compromise their mental health, boundaries, and personal safety in order to get cast in a project. They are often willing to do this because they have been led to believe that, “they should be grateful to even have work.” For an aspiring, or even deeply committed artist, it is an industry that is absolutely antithetical to self love, mental health, and emotional and economic well being. Broken Mirror Studio was formed partly in hopes of serving as an antidote to the hurt that the industry, as well as many traditional training programs inflicts on its artists. We want to offer an alternative approach to what an acting studio can be. Rather than focusing our efforts and intentions towards "preparing you for the industry" we want to offer an artistic sanctuary dedicated simply to the continued development of craft, the exploration of ideas, and the building of a diverse, inclusive, and supportive community
Benjamin Bass
Benjamin Bass is a queer multi-disciplinary artist living in Philadelphia, as well as the founder of Broken Mirror Studio.
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They hold a B.F.A. in acting from S.U.N.Y. Purchase and have been fortunate enough to both work and continue training all over the world. Notable works include "We Own This City"; "Audrey's Children"; The obie award winning hit, "The Woodsman", Trey Lyford's "The Accountant" and the Chinese national tour of, "One Starry Night." Benjamin is a proud member of both Actor's Equity Association and the Screen Actor's Guild​
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As an educator Benjamin is the head instructor at Broken Mirror Studio. They have taught master classes for N.Y.U., S.U.N.Y. Purchase, University of the Arts, UPENN, Drexel University, as well at various other studios throughout NY and Philadelphia.
Commitment to Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion
Racism is a form of structural and systemic violence that currently manifests in the persecution and murder of Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, racism perpetuates the systematic oppression of people of the global majority through enduring structures and institutions of power that deny these communities fundamental human rights. We hold these hard truths close as we commit to anti-racist work in our community of exploration, discovery, and growth within the arts.
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Broken Mirror recognizes that racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Structural racism reflects the macrosocial system of public policies and institutional practices that work in various, often reinforcing, ways to perpetuate racial injustice. Interpersonal racism reflects microsocial forces of culture expressed through discourse, attitudes, and behaviors that work in various, often reinforcing ways, to perpetuate racial injustice. Systematic racism is when structural and interpersonal racism operate both separately and together.
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We resolve to actively listen to our BIPOC colleagues, friends, and communities on these issues; to unlearn behavior and assumptions; to humbly admit when we are wrong, even in situations that make us uncomfortable.
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We recognize that there are significant differences between People of the Global Majority and white communities in access to housing, education, career and employment opportunities, housing opportunities, protection from environmental hazards, socially meaningful environments, government services, and wealth. These differences in access to opportunity have significant effects on health and quality and length of life, and are perpetuated through socio-cultural forces at play over generations. Anti-black bias in academia is just one of these forces that oppress people of the global majority.
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We resolve to proactively seek to recruit, admit, and/or hire diverse students and faculty to our program; create programs, measures, and systems of accountability to make sure that students and staff from diverse backgrounds feel they belong and have the opportunity to succeed.
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We resolve to incorporate anti-racism in our teaching, hiring, and continued development of our studio.
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We resolve to continue this work even as it feels hard and in moments when the intensity of the political currents and news cycles ebb and flow on these issues, and to commit to holding ourselves and each other accountable.
Pricing:
Pay What You Decide
Broken Mirror Studios firmly believes that growth and the building of community should be at the forefront of artistic opportunity, regardless of financial situation.
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What is Sliding Scale Tuition?​
Sliding scale tuition is built on the idea that access to training shouldn’t depend on financial resources alone. It recognizes that each person’s financial reality is different, and that shared accountability keeps our community sustainable.
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Students are invited to select the tuition level that best reflects their current circumstances. Some pay more so that others can pay less, and everyone’s contribution directly supports the work of our teachers, artists, and space. *Please note, if our 3-tiered options still feel unavailable to you, please reach out anyway so we can find something that does.
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We use Alexis J Cunningfolk, "Green Bottle Model" read more about it here! as a sliding scale recommendations. Attached below is both a visual as well as written breakdown to help determine where you fall on the scale. However if our options do not work for you - you may prefer to pay an amount in between scales, or perhaps the low scale option may prove too much, please know that it is a priority of Broken Mirror to have a place in our studio for anyone who wishes to study acting.
Please also be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford a higher ticket price, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility.
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Green Bottle Model
We use Alexis J Cunningfolk, "Green Bottle Model" read more about it here! as a sliding scale recommendations. Attached below is both a visual as well as written breakdown to help determine where you fall on the scale. However if our options do not work for you - you may prefer to pay an amount in between scales, or perhaps the low scale option may prove too much, please know that it is a priority of Broken Mirror to have a place in our studio for anyone who wishes to study acting.
PLEASE be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford a higher ticket price, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility.
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Top of the Scale (or the left bottle):
I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs
I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs
I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property
I own or lease a car
I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs
I have regular access to health care
I have access to financial savings
I have an expendable** income
I can always buy new items
I can afford an annual vacation or take time off
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Middle of the Scale (or the middle bottle):
I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them
I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs
I own or lease a car
I am employed
I have access to health care
I might have access to financial savings
I have some expendable income
I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others
I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden
Bottom of the Scale (or the right bottle):
I frequently stress about meeting basic needs & don’t always achieve them
I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs
I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing
I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas
I am unemployed or underemployed
I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & health care
I have no access to savings
I have no or very limited expendable income
I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them
I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden
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* Basic Needs include food, housing, health care, and transportation.
** Expendable Income might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc.
