20 Best Acting Programs In Philadelphia, PA (2022 Updated)

Great university and very nice campus! Saint Joseph's University (SJU) is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic Jesuit university located in west Philadelphia. The university was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851 as Saint Joseph's College. Saint Joseph's University educates over 9,200 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students each year through the Erivan K. Haub School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Program of Professional & Liberal Studies, and the Haub Degree Completion Program. The University offers over 60 undergraduate majors, 53 graduate programs, 28 study-abroad programs, 12 special-study options, a co-op program, a joint degree program with Thomas Jefferson University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. It has 17 centers and institutes, including the Kinney Center for Autism Education & Support and the Pedro Arrupe Center for Business Ethics. In the 2014 U.S. News and World Report rankings, in the Master's Universities (North) category, Saint Joseph's was ranked number 11. It is a pleasure to have excellent academic colleagues in the Food Marketing Department!Paulino Montes-Solla

This school is the bomb dot com. One of the admissions officers, James, gave us a review of what they look for upcoming students, overview of the school, as well as costs. Yes, he answered any questions that we had. Hailey was out your guide for the campus tour and she was from VA just like us. She and my daughter connected during the tour and my daughter was able to ask her various questions during the tour as well as the other students. Be prepared to do a lot of walking on the campus tour, so dress comfortably and wear some comfortable shoes. We happened to tour on a day that the heat index was 121 degrees, but the campus kept us hydrated with cold, bottled water. Honestly, I thought I knew quite a bit about the school. Yet, I learned so much more. Don't count them out because they have a lot to offer for everyone. It's not too small and not too big. A great medium sized campus in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Don't forget to check out Hawk Hill. Most of all, remember that the Hawk never dies!!TheHawksTV

St. Joseph's University, unfortunately like many colleges around the world, is run by corporate types who care nothing about education and ethics. They continue to hire part-time professors who are low-paid and receive no benefits. There are no requirements for incoming 1st-year students, and professors are pressured to retain poor students so that the college doesn't lose their sky-high tuition. Incoming students are offered various government loans and financial assistance to get them in the door. This is the reason students carry terrible financial burden into adulthood–and the tuition costs just keep rising! The SJU administration does not support the professors, the students (unless they are exceptional basketball players), vigorous academic education, or the integrity one would expect from the Jesuits. Father Comey would not recognize today's St. Joe's. . . .Rabbit Moon

Good only for specific programs like Physical Therapy and ? and if you are planning to spend 1-2 semesters abroad. Their travel abroad opportunities is their claim to fame, Otherwise, it is a very boring campus, the food is pretty bad, the dorms are dirty for what you what you pay, and the majority of the students are commuters or live off campus so you don; t get the full college experience. As a Communications Major, I would HIGHLY SUGGEST another school. I wasn't prepared for a job as an editor on a magazine and most journalism jobs expect you are at least intermediate at Adobe Suite,using a Mac, able to do film/ photography and write, and chase are stories for $10 an/hr. The nostalgic days of the investigative reporter and my visions of bringing justice to the world like Edward R, Murrow and Hunter Thompson were over long ago, at least at this school, but the BILLS for just 2 years at Arcadia ( I was a transfer student keep on coming and probably will till I die). The Communications department is a joke and 90% is run by adjuncts. I had some good classes but I should have learned how to make a perfect resume, portfolio, and all the computer skills you're expected to know now. It is a beautiful campus although they neglect to say you are bordering a ghetto. Don't let that damn castle lure you in. Small class sizes are nice but you can get that at other schools for a lot less money The worst part is no one has ever heard of this school outside the Philadelphia area, so it is kind of embarrassing considering I am fairly smart and could have went to a better school if I had more money to pay for it. All in all, make Arcadia your back-up school and commute if u can to save a lot of money. You can throw a party in your back yard more exciting than any I ever went to at Arcadia.E morrison

Prepped for a year to do well enough on the GRE, gain work experience, and crush my interview to gain admission into their physician assistant program…which I did. Even visited the campus before accepting their offer to get an impression of if it was right for me. Well, it was a classic bait and switch [in quality]. The castle ambiance is luring, but the administration and chairs are a soup-sandwich falling apart. Two professors were fine but the rest couldn't separate out their divorced unhappy lives from their duty to teach. Some had a strange understanding of pathophysiology that makes me chuckle 12 years later now that I know better. Plus, they tracked negative feedback on courses by seeing what time your evaluation populated off and when an unnamed new one populated on…so there was no true anonymity. Luckily my academic advisor went to bat for me when I was threatened with expulsion if I ever gave another negative review. It prepared me but I am sure another university would have done so just as well with kinder and more just intent as well as better organization.Nathan Whitfield

I have spent 4 years at this great institution and I plan to stay for a further 3 years in pursuing my DPT degree. Many complain of a lack of activities and in my opinion it's due to the lack of effort many put into finding things to do. I have found it incredibly easy to have fun while enjoying the peacefulness of avoiding inner city sound pollution. If you are pursuing a degree in any biological studies and want close personal interaction with professors, this is the place to be. This university has opened many doors for me and I am grateful. I will be honest in saying that it needs a tune up in some categories, student affairs I'm staring at you, but it succeeds in preparing you for the real world. Finally, if you want to see the world, there is no better place. I have been to London and the Virgin Islands for study abroad and have had many friends that have explored nearly every corner of the world. This is my humble opinion, if you don't agree, then you didn't take advantage of this school. Hail, Arcadia! Hail! We say! I hope this helps.Kyle S

I joined Drexel University as a Computer Science major with a sole aim to take transfer to a better institution. The only two things that I liked at Drexel was :- 1. Scholarship and Financial Aid 2. Math faculty (Dimitri, Jason and Pavel Grinfield) The CS lectures were aweful, so was the CS faculty. I had a 4 GPA for 3 continuous quarters (that's how long I stayed here). CS 164 was a course which taught Javascript language. However, I knew more JavaScript before taking the course than I came out learning after the course. Totally confusing. Popyack was my professor. CS 171 and 172 were fine, just because I had prior experience with C++. In 8 out of 10 lectures I fell asleep, because they were extremely boring. The professor made no eye contact what so ever. Half of the time what he says would make no sense. The labs don't really help you out, they are poorly designed. Most labs will take more time than the time allotted. You'll have to go home with extra work. The university is fraud and extremely unmanaged. There's no infrastructure compared to the good colleges. Small football field. The area is not safe at all. You keep hearing this person got shot, that person got robbed, raped etc. They do not maintain student to faculty ratio. Classes are oversized and poorly air conditioned. Drexel course registration system is very poor. Generally by the time your registration time starts most of the classes you had planned to take would be full. Leaving you sweating and worried early in the morning (around 7 am). There's something called Drexel Central at Drexel, which helps you out with general/administrative/financial aid questions. I emailed them many a times, however, out of 5 emails, I only got reply to 3 of them. Bad service. (They say they maintain a well-designed database system for all the messages/inquiries/support). They compare themselves to UPenn. (Yes, you can laugh). Also, some professors say that Drexel Dragons are much better than UPenn students. (Laugh again). Extremely expensive. (So much money for nothin'. In fact, the tuition is more than that of UPenn which is an Ivey League) There are two places where you can go and have meals, and hang out with friends too. However, the food options there is so limited that it's better you rather eat at other places and waste all your meal swipes for which you are paying about $ 2000 per quarter. Even with meal swipes you don't get everything (basically the good things). For most of the things you can't use meal swipes. For meal swipe, at one of the locations, for example you can buy Pepppperrrronnnni Pizza (You can guess the quality of the pizza! The worst pepperoni is served here.) The free refill cups are extremely small. When I joined in the Fall the cups had a good size of 16 oz, but as time flew the cups became smaller and smaller. They are now half (may be even lesser) of what they used to be. The books for the courses are at extremely high price, and are hardly used. Drexel maintains rating and review system for course and faculy, however, though it is hardly ever evaluated. (But they will send you a million emails asking you to complete course/faculty rating/review). For example, one of the Pfysics professors at Drexel, who is pathetic at teaching, asks the students to buy books if they are taking the course compulsorily, still continues this practice of making them buy books, even after so many reviews having been done against it. No action taken by Drexel. The dorm life is not bad. Except that the washrooms, toilets are not cleaned on a daily basis. The kitchen is always dirty. Laundry room is always full. Well, they do have a Subway, but the quality of service provided there is extremely poor. The guy there literally just throws everything you tell him on the bread, such that when the bread is folded, 1/4th of the sandwich comes out. Chick fil A at Drexel unlike at all other locations does not provide free refills. Again they are charging you so much for nothing. Never consider going here.Niam Tomer

Surprisingly good University, presenting a good amount of development and a few excellent professors. The co-op opportunities are very interesting, a great idea and implementation. It is, however, a very expensive education, leading to a lower prestige/cost relationship. To become a top-ranked University, Drexel still needs a lot of branding through student achievement – combined with school pride, which could be much stronger – and research projects/applications with high visibility. Both could be reached with benefits to bring more top-level students and professors and with good money usage (because there is a lot of it) and cooperations for project funding.Leonardo Rolim

I attended Drexel and I can honestly say this was the worst choice I've made in a school choice. My professors were pretty decent, but the staff are not helpful and they talk to you like you should know certain things already. I pay this damn school every month on time because I have a balance due, and they won't release my transcripts even though I am paying them upward $125 per month. Which are payments that I am never late paying. I can honestly say I regret this decision and really should have went with my first choice which was Temple and my second choice being Cheyney. The one thing that i did love was it was fast track learning.Ashley Hinton

So far I have seen a total of 2 shows at this theatre. The first was Close Your Legs, Honey and the other was Pillow Talk. These shows were vastly different from each other, but both had me laughing out loud and feeling disappointed once the show had ended (because I wanted more). The crowd, the employees, the area, and the general welcoming feel of the theatre makes one feel right at home. I took my husband there both times and he also loved it as much as I did. I look forward to going to this theatre often and just enjoying talented people sharing their talent with the rest of the world. If I had to say a negative it would be that finding the actual performers on social media is harder than I would expect. The performers' social media handles should be in the information about the show so people can tell them that they're doing an awesome job.ViPer

So when I first came here I felt out of place on the Super Free Sundays because it felt like a big inside joke that everyone who attends class here was in. If you weren't in then you didn't feel at home. But I've taken improv classes here and I love the place. The instructors are talented and skilled. I learned valuable life lessons here. The community is super friendly. The shows are cheap (or free if you're a current student). There's ample seating and most days of the week there are shows going on. So come on out and learn some improv! It's SO much fun!John Mercado

We came to see Not Yet Rated perform and oh man! It was funny! Such a a great improv performance. They were outgoing and hilarious. They all worked so well together and had good chemistry. The theater itself is small, the lobby & theater both had a faint unpleasant smell and the seating is very tight, my seat happened to be getting kicked by the person behind me the entire time, they were an adult. I guess this is expected of a small theater. The staff members are friendly. I would like to come again to see more shows! (Maybe in the back row?)Leanne M

This wonderful little gem is just a few blocks from Temple… I wish my biology professors informed us that the specimens we were studying in lecture were housed just mere blocks away! Its collection delves into systematics, conchology, paleontology, comparative anatomy, and geology. The number of specimens and geologic objects this place puts on display is astonishing. I went on a quiet day and got what was essentially a one-on-one tour by an incredibly well-informed guide. I was so surprised about how much she knew about the building and how well she engaged with what I seemed to take interest in. The quality and variety of the objects there make the Wagner a must-see for anyone interested in the natural sciences or the history of science. It’s a lovely little historical place that preserves its history without compromising modern scientific fact. Don’t forget to leave a donation! They hold tons of free programs throughout the year as well.Jon Falciani

The Wagner natural history museum is another Philly first, tucked away on the Temple U campus. For more than 160 years, it's offered free science education programs to adults and now for all ages. The museum preserves its 19th century layout.There are rows of glass-cased specimens with antique hand-lettered labels. Photography is prohibited, but sketching is encouraged. If you enjoy scavenger hunts, there are multiple lists by the exhibit entrance table. The auditorium features the original projector which they claim to still use for programs. Collection highlights for us included the horse skeleton, brontosaurus bone and the cases of beautifully-preserved animals, birds and shells. Museum admission is free (donations welcome) and it is close to public transportation. Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No

Price for adult entry
FreeBarb Hauck-Mah (barbhmphilly)

Kids loved it. There was so much to see in the glass cases. Pictured is everyone acting like an orangutan. I could have spent hours looking at everything but the kids lasted about 45 mins. I prepped them by saying that a little boy collected all the creatures and rocks and kept doing it until he got old and used what he found to teach other people. They seemed to like that. Tips- no place to park stroller. Had to carry it into the hall and they kept it for me in the staff room. -very close access to Cecil b Moore stop on septa. -not very busy in the morning until a school group came in. -except for the horse there wasn’t anything else that was touchable in the museum.Brian Warden

My recent visit to the "Kimmel," as it is passionately referred to, was without exception a wonderful night of music and comfort. The Orchestra played along to the movie "Princess Bride." Obviously exceptional music as the Philly Orchestra is one of the premier collections of classical musicians today. The movie and music production were amazing, along with the technical creativity of playing the music alongside the screen as we watched the movie. One thing of importance for visiting this facility is the exceptional seating throughout. The fluid design and seating throughout give way to ambient excellence in all areas of this venue. I have had the pleasure of numerous visits to this venue and have sat in different levels and stage locations, all have given to great acoustics. If you haven't been in a while, go, sit, listen! A wonderful facility we are so lucky to have in our Philadelphia area!Robert Glennan

The Christmas Concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center was fantastic. It was my first time but it won't be the last. Had excellent seats. In fact I was in Orchestra seating. It my spirit and soul were lifted by the various musical selections of Christmas songs. Thank you to very special young lady who saw to my every need.Jane Victoria Hopkins

Beautiful building with awesome acoustics. With several tiers of seating and orchestra seating there is seating for everyone. Bathroom facilities are clean and line at the box office moved very quickly. Stop by the Encore bar for drinks before it after your show. Will be back for future concerts.Christopher Freer

The student body and the parents are amazing. I can't say enough good things about the people. The school does an amazing job of developing nice wholesome people. My children became much kinder people. With that being said, the actual academics underwhelmed me. I hope that with time this issue will be addressed because the other aspects of the school are truly inspiring.Alex Caroline Robboy

Our daughter has been there for 3 years and we love it! She is receiving an EXCELLENT education in a kind, tolerant, spiritual environment that emphasizes whole person learning. We are happy and proud to be part of this community.Beth Goldstein Huxen

I have 3 children at Friends. They are all thriving here. I recommend this school to anyone. My kids are getting a very strong and well rounded education. You will be very happy here!Daniel Becker

We saw 3 Musketeers. Received a complimentary, small, alcoholic drink. I believe it was vodka and tart lemonade in which they added 3 drops of a dark liquid. I thought it was supposed to be a mock poison to be remeniscent of the time frame in the play. Really enjoyed the production, the theater looks like it has been restored but to a rough finish not polished. The finish of the room gives a great ambiance. Play was done well the actors even though they really worked at the play they had fun. Actors/tresses played multiple parts but you still knew what part they were playing. The horse chase towards the end was hilarious. 3 Plywood horses with blankets and the actors acted as if they were running! Great time.John A. Ruglass

Great theater! I'm not sure if there is more than one stage, but where the Guys and Dolls Jr. Show that I saw, was a decent size stage and close, Matchbox, type of seating. The door is at the front of the stage and the bottom of the steps when you walk in. So if you're like riigght on time, everyone is gonna know 🤷🏾‍♀️ life happens, lol. The outside and lobby area are nice and have a great vibe when it is all lit up. Since I was nearly late, I did not get parked in, but I could see how that could happen very easily. I do not know how parking works, so that is one thing to think about when you go!Tasha Birtha

We are so fortunate to have Broadway calibre actors in our area. The company is the oldest and best theatre in the area. While tiny, the setup is quite ingenious. The two person play was spooky yet riveting with a few surprises and special effects that made it seem like we're in the Yorkshire moors. A very good thing. I hope they revive this play again. Maybe for Halloween? One can hope.scinamyn

The only reason this isn't a 5 star review is that I have to leave room for service I didn't us (bar) due to time constraints. Neither myself nor my aunt had ever been to this theater before. We both found it very well put together. It is a significantly more intimate theater than others in the area, but still very comfortable. Further, I doubt there's a bad seat in the house. We sat in the mezzanine level a few rows from the wall and still felt close to the stage to see everything. The theater itself looks updated and fresh; the seats were comfortable and clean while the walls looked new and modern (good for acoustics). What a great opportunity to see lesser known shows of various kinds without breaking the bank.Scott Menin

Great theater! It's an intimate spot where every seat feels close enough to the stage. Their prices are totally fair, and their bar drinks are very reasonable ($8 for mixed drinks, $12 for hard liquor, $8 for wine or prosecco). Everyone was super friendly, and seems to attract a well-educated and diverse crowd. I highly recommend it.Erica Piazza

Wonderful little theatre. Perfect view of stage no matter where you sit. Suggestion: would be a perfect venue for Jazz. Someone should consider booking a few groups. Love this theatre.Maryann Carland

I waffled between two or three stars. None of my friends or acquaintances had any experience with Settlement, so I hope this review is helpful to some parents. I was looking at Temple and Settlement at the same time, and happened to speak to Settlement first. Two of my kids take lessons there. The administrator makes it VERY CLEAR you have to follow strict rules in the event of absences, and if, for whatever reason, you have to leave the school, you forfeit your registration fee. You sign a contract (which is typical with most music programs) in front of her demonstrating your understanding this. So the financial burden/obligation sets the tone of the relationship you have with the school. But every parent knows that the teacher-student relationship can be a gamble. If it doesn't work out at Settlement, you are pretty much STUCK for the contracted year (their locations are not close to one another so moving to another teacher at another school is not a realistic option for city families). I hoped for the best, but that wasn't a good strategy. The school is, for the most part, dark and dated. Think reform school with instruments. But, more importantly, there's no esprit de corp. You feel you are just part of a transaction fulfilling your part of a financial obligation. But it has parking, which fills up quickly during the weekday. One child enjoys the instruction, the other doesn't. So, when the contract comes up, I'm looking for another program that is less dogmatic and more progressive in its approach to servicing families, and has an environment, at least in spirit, that we look forward to joining and doesn't leave me feeling sad.C K

this place has a great dance education. Ms. Kaye is the best teacher my daughter had for dance! I believe that there should be even more dance opportunities in the summer. For example I believe that you guys should hold tap classes! tap and ballet is my kids favourite forms of dance as of right now.Sunset Tina

Excellent school. I took both violin and piano lessons as a hold. Those wonderful memories of that beautiful building and the amazing music coming form each of those beautiful wood floor rooms.Sandra Redguard

The New Groove team represents among the highest levels of music education you’ll find. My 6 year old couldn’t have experienced a better formal introduction to piano, thanks to our talented, wonderful instructor Julianna. The level of professionalism, and at the same time passion is contagious with New Groove. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet the co-owners of the company and wow, what a couple awesome women. If you don’t know whether your child wants to get serious about music, this is the ideal company to excite your little future musician, and frankly yourself. My daughter started a year ago at 5 and today is playing with both hands, reading and understanding what she’s practicing. I hear a lot of other parent’s experiences ending with the usual “I just couldn’t get him to practice.”—I don’t have this experience with my daughter. Highly recommend you give it a try. Nothing better than teaching your child about commitment through music. Very excited for what the future brings here at New Groove. Feel free to email me for any advice regarding this.Steve Heckman

New Groove is a great place for both emerging student musicians of any level as well as for teachers learning to get their footing as an educator and freelancer. The New Groove "MELD" program (Music Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development), which I participated in from October 2021 to March 2022, has helped me feel more confident in my potential as a teacher, freelance musician, etc., especially considering the conversations we had are those you won't typically find in a university setting (i.e. talking about finances, criticisms of the higher music education system, and the possibility to pursue many projects at once rather than one job for the rest of your life). They owners of the student, Kathy and Elise, have been especially encouraging in my personal music goals as well as my professional ones. For students, I would recommend New Groove for music lessons, but even more so, I would highly recommend prospective teachers check out their MELD program!Zach Eisengrein

I have been taking voice lessons with Kathy Bell for a few years now and she is a phenomenal voice teacher. My vocal technique has greatly improved because of her skill as an instructor. Ms. Kathy gives vocal "tools" that are easy to understand and apply and she really focuses on an individual student's strengths, practicing skills they find more challenging, and creating lessons that are tailored to the specific student's voice. On top of that, my lesson is the highlight of my week because Ms. Kathy is such a great teacher, encouraging, and very easy to get along with. The New Groove practice page is accessible and easy to use and the chat feature has helped connect students through discussions about music which is key especially during times when we can't all be together. Ms. Kathy and New Groove have helped me cultivate my love of music and I could not recommend them more to anyone looking to improve their vocal technique and enjoy music more!Agatha Prairie

Both my kids were pc lifers. They worked hard, played hard and learned to care about the needs of others. They were extremely well prepared to pursue demanding academics at very competitive colleges. As adults, i am proud to say they are self- sufficient responsible adults who live by the credo that there is that of God in all of us. PC was instrumental in their upbringing. Ty!c balderston

I like the high-quality products that this independent company is doing. Their work looks like it comes right out of a major studio. It’s super impressive to see something start from humble beginnings and grow into a force to be reckoned with. And even though this company is going to explode and grow, the production staff there makes you feel like family. I’m very happy to know these people, I’m also very happy to be part of the family.John Paul Coulter

Kamilla, Tyrell and Karriem are extremely hard-working, professional and dedicated to the business. I'm so honored and privileged to work with these AMAZING people!Matt Deibert

I was at a few of the filming sessions and had a lot of fun and the best part of the day is the feed you…. I'm WAITING for the next filming to start.MR. 123

I’ve been a student at Playhouse West for a little over six months now, and it’s been exactly what I’ve been looking for for a long time: a place I can go every week to work on my craft with a diverse group of people who are determined to be the best actors they can be. I came to Playhouse West with a lot of prior training already under my belt, but the classes are open to a wide range of experience levels; I’ve been able to learn so much from watching and working with every single person I’ve met in class. Tony starts every student at the same place, the fundamentals, and we all work through the technique at our own pace. He meets students where they are, and is supportive and patient, but he doesn’t shy away from critique. He’s unflinchingly honest, and will give you tough love if you need it. I’ve been in a lot of class settings where it was scary to get up on stage for fear of being made a fool of by the teacher, so it was very important to me to find a class where there was room to make mistakes. Playhouse West has been a safe place for me to continue learning, and I’m grateful every day I’m in class.Vanessa Sterling

I have only been a student at Playhouse West for about a month and a half and I can say I have learned so much already in that short amount of time. You work every class, you learn from watching your classmates, you learn from the feedback that Tony and Ed give to you and to your fellow classmates. Not only that but the other practical advice and information that Tony shares throughout the class is so valuable for someone who wants to be a working actor. (Bring a notebook!!) To be successful here you have to put in effort to rehearse and be prepared for class. And when you are in class you have to be present and focused to take full advantage. This is a school for people who care deeply about the art of acting. There are truly no shortcuts. Also I wanted to point out the quality of people this school attracts- everyone is wildly supportive and wants everyone to do well. I’m so happy I found this school and I’m grateful to be a part of it and to keep learning!Sara Flail

Playhouse West is what it is because of Tony Savant (the Artistic Director). He is a true artist, and in turn any student who studies with him and truly dedicates themselves to the work will become a true artist as well. He demands a lot of his students, and in turn prepares them for the real world. I have studied with Tony for 3 years and at every single audition or job I booked, I felt more prepared than every other actor I’ve worked with. He does not focus on the gimmicks (like ”how to audition” classes), but instead he focuses on the true craft of being an artist/actor. In a world full of business focused training, if you want to actually become a great artist/actor, study at Playhouse West. Here you will gain a solid foundation, and will study the same craft that some of the greats taught/learned (Meisner, Kazan, Clurman, etc.)MichaelMina

I can’t say enough good things about Philly Music Lessons and their teachers. My daughter started with piano lessons when she was about 7 years old around 2014 then picked up violin lessons about 2-3 years later. She’s now 15 and have been taking lessons in person way before Covid shut down, virtually through 2020, and now back in person. The staff are organized and courteous and the teachers truly care about their students. My daughter has had such a great experience playing in the annual spring and fall recitals at Rittenhouse (downtown Philly) and it’s just wonderful to see her grow to love classical music and mixing her lessons up with some contemporary pieces as well. If we did not move outside of the city, I would continue to take her to lessons at the Fishtown location until she graduates high school in 4 more years. I highly recommended this music school to other parents who are local and looking for an activity for their kids to engage in outside of school. If your child wants to be a part of their school orchestra, then these private lessons will be so beneficial to their experience.Sujita Kong-Mam

Our kid's school requires she take instrument lessons, and honestly, I was prepared for it to be a battle. Luckily, with Philly Music Lessons and her wonderful teacher, Jenny, she LOVES playing the violin. Jenny brings warmth, energy, and enthusiasm to every lesson. She listens to my kid and communicates with her in a way that feels open and interested. My child has progressed far more quickly than I ever dreamed, and she actually looks forward to practicing daily. Lessons are the highlight of her week! (Well, lessons and movie night lol.) The office staff at Philly Music Lessons are very helpful, especially with scheduling, and all our communication has been super smooth. I'm so grateful to Jenny and everyone at PML for teaching music with a focus on curiosity and joy. Highly recommend!Rebecca Levine

My experience signing up for and taking singing lessons at Philly Music Lessons was great all around. The school paired me up with a teacher promptly based on my needs, and it was easy to correspond with the school regarding scheduling, billing, etc. My lessons with Marcelle were also great. As an adult who has never taken singing lessons before, Marcelle made me feel comfortable, our lessons were always engaging and informative, and I made noticeable progress in the four months together. If I weren't moving out of Philadelphia, I would certainly have continued lessons with her, and I strongly recommend her to anyone who would like to learn how to sing.Mélanie Terrasse

This was my first serious acting class that I took and it met my every expectations and beyond. Is it easy? No. Is it challenging? Yes. But I believe we learn & grow the most when situations are difficult or challenging. I wanted a glimpse of what it meant to be a true artist as an actor and the summer intensive at MFS certainly delivered that. I am going to say that Charlie is not a teacher for everyone. He makes that very clear and it's up to the individual to know for themselves whether they want to learn from a person like Charlie. Personally for me I need an instructor like Charlie. I need someone to push me to places where I am afraid to go as an actor. And while sometimes it was frustrating & scary, those small breakthroughs that happens makes it worth it. The summer intensive allowed me to certainly learn more about myself as a person. Hopefully I can learn and further strengthen my foundation as an actor when I continue to learn the Meisner technique.Paul K.

The Maggie Flanigan Studio reintroduced acting as an art form for me. During my time here I learned the meaning of truly being. Doing the hard work while attending this studio was the artistic challenge I have been seeking. And having had time to digest some of the teachings I’ve never felt so confident as an artist. I will also say that the close connections I made with my classmates also contributed to the learning experience, everyone was serious and ready to learn, ready to play, and ready to act. Charlie is the type of instructor that will tell you what acting is when he sees it; conversely, he will also tell you what acting is not when he sees it. As a student it is important to know the distinction and invaluable to hear when you are not acting. Charlie teaches you how to respect the truth by always telling it. Even when it hurts.Humberto Perez

Charlie, Karen, and Cherry are the absolute best. I've taken many classes in NY, since moving here three years ago. Nothing has been quite like the six week summer intensive at Maggie Flanigan studio. There is an energy the that the instructors bring to the place that is professional, safe, and filled with lots of heart and dedication. Each class brings you closer to taking yourself seriously as actor. The words, "home for the serious actor," fully encompass what it means to learn at the Maggie Flanigan studio. I feel changed as an artist, more confident, and inspired to dig deeper into the training. This is not a fun class to take in your free time. This is a class that will shed some light on what it means to live truthfully in the moment and to be prepared for a life long career. I'm very thankful that I decided to jump in.Christopher Ellis

I truly wish I could give Rob Holt and everyone at Voice Box more than five stars! Rob is THE Voice Over professional, coach, director, demo creator and all around expert!!!! Nobody knows this business or understands talent better than he does! I've taken many classes through Voice Box and every single one has been more valuable to me than I expected. I have been coached one on one by Rob many times and if you have ever been directed (in acting, voice over, singing, etc…) you know how incredibly valuable a great director is. Rob is the greatest, by far, that I have ever worked with…always knowing just how to get the absolute best out of me. I have recorded demos with him that are of supreme quality and have booked me jobs. Rob has mentored me from the very beginning and he continues to offer support and advice, for which I am extremely grateful. If you are considering a career in VO….look no further!! Rob….THANK YOU!!!!!Erin Villone

If you're thinking about exploring voiceover, there is zero need to look any further than Rob and Voice Box. His passion and enthusiasm for both the art and industry of VO is as infectious as it is obvious — equaled only by his jack-of-all-trades (and true master of ALL!) expertise, and his genuine excitement for his students' success. Even as a newbie, right out of the gate he and his top-notch team made you feel like you were being welcomed into a community that couldn't wait to have you join them, and you had their undivided attention. Rob's sheer generosity and excitement in knowledge sharing is mind-blowing! And it continues to be, as he somehow manages to create time out of thin air to remain a mentor and guide. He is simply a master director, producer, and coach, and I can say without hesitation that I wouldn't be where I am without him. 5 stars, plus plus plus!!Leslie Knowlton

First of all, if you're looking for the KING of voice over- stop right where you are because this is THE place to find him. Rob Holt and the entire Voice Box Crew are true professionals that give you genuine and undivided attention. They realllllly get you to tap into your unpotential and innate talent you didn't know you had. Rob is the master of directing and producing, and I would not be where I am today in my VO journey if it weren't for him. I've taken a solid amount of classes and seminars with Voice Box Studios in 2018 and to this day Rob still manages to find time out of his cray schedule to guide me through my road to success. Beyond thankful for this VO wizard I can gladly say was and still is my teacher, my director, my sansei.Kaitlin Butulan

PSPA offers the perfect blend of fun and professionalism for students interested in the performing arts. They offer a great variety of classes in different dance styles, as well as singing and acting classes. The instructors have top notch qualifications which provide students with a rare opportunity to learn from professionals who are/have been on Broadway, in films, and/or in well-known dance companies and crews. The Director and her staff are warm, dedicated, and welcoming. They really take the time to keep you well-informed and make you feel like a valued member of their community. The end of the year productions are truly a first rate experience for dancers and their families. We tried several dance studios before finding PSPA, where my daughter was finally able to experience a perfect combination of fun, challenge, and growth by leaps and bounds. Since I'm writing this in the time of COVID, I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that the school's response to the pandemic has been extremely comprehensive, safe, and inclusive. They've spared no expense upgrading their equipment and procedures to make sure students are safe but still continue to receive the same high-quality instruction, all while facing a significant challenge of trying to maintain a small business during a very trying time. We are proud to be part of the PSPA family!Jessica Morton

We can’t say enough wonderful things about PSPA! Our daughter is starting her third year of dance here and every year she keeps asking to take more classes. Teachers are kind and patient, extremely knowledgeable, and so encouraging. The shows are outstanding, and the very best part of being in the PSPA family is there are NO SNARKY DANCE MOMS!! I promise you, there will be no regrets when you sign your children up at PSPA! Throughout the whole pandemic the staff and teachers have gone above and beyond to make sure these kids are getting the best from them every second of every lesson. The building is cleaned every day, and between classes, and steps are taken daily to ensure everyone in the building are kept safe and healthy. I would recommend PSPA to everyone looking for a stellar dance experience for their children.Jamie Stein

We are so fortunate to have found PSPA, a gem in Bucks County! My daughter has been a student for 5 years. Terri Garcia-Lee and the entire professional staff are passionate, caring individuals that instill a love for dance and performing arts in their students. Every year the school holds a Broadway style performance in which every student can elect to participate. This is no ordinary “recital”! You will laugh, cry and beam with pride seeing your child in the show. PSPA also holds special events through the year allowing the students to learn about performing arts…whether it’s a field trip to see a show on Broadway or the opportunity to participate in specialized dance work shops to fine tune their skills. The beautiful setting of the barn/dance studio is a bonus!Jannell DePalantino

Jason Douglass' Danceadelphia : A good teacher is like a candle it consume itself to light the way for others. Mr Jason the best teacher, he teach from his heart that deeply care, not from the book. Mr Jason You add a lot of love to everything you share, And even though you mean a lot, You'll never know how much you helped to change the world through every life you touched, You sparked the creativity in the students whom you taught, And helped them strive for goals that could not be bought, Mr Jason You are such a special teacher that no words can truly tell However much you're valued for the work you do so well.Philadelphia Professional Driving School, INC.

It is a great dancing school..my 8 yr old daughter arianna takes hip hip class there and she has been doing it since oct. And she loves it! The teacher jason is greatt he is very friendly..always puts smiles on the kids face! And loves kids! I would send everybody to this place! Also my other 7 yr old daughter gianna is starting gymnastics there!! There all around great! Even the young girls that teach there! 👍Kristen Sullivan

As a proffessional dancer that has performed all over the world I can say that Jason Douglas's Danceadelphia is a phenomenal studio for young students looking to get well rounded training in dance. Great energy, Great teachers and Fun classes. Jason is a tsunami of good energy. *Morgan is my favorite teacher*mitchell tannis

Our daughters have participated for the past few years in some of the theater programs offered during the year, as well as the summer, with great interest and excitement. The faculty and staff provide an excellent outlet for young children to learn about acting, improvisation, and all the related elements of the performing arts in a fun and engaging atmosphere.Michael Norton

Such nice and professional people! It’s hard to find someone in the industry that is both! My children adore going there. Even during covid they remained professional and extremely productive! Thank you for letting us be your familyCEo From Wildcraft

We loved the outdoor performances this year! The crew is understanding, intuitive, listening, loving and nurturing!!! We had so much fun. My children will proudly wear the wolf pac shirts until they outgrow them 🙂K M