Atlantic Theater Company

Romain Mereau is a 2019 graduate of Atlantic Acting School’s Full-Time Conservatory program.

I just finished the Summer Intensive program at Atlantic Acting School! It was a joyous, unforgettable experience taking those intense six weeks of full-on immersion into Practical Aesthetics, and sharing those weeks with some of the most talented people I know.

From Atlantic alumni to Broadway debut! Sky Smith lived the dream in OUR TOWN in Broadway —and the journey has only just begun. Do you Want to hear more about his experience, backstage moments, and how he made it to the big stage? 

It was like a surge of electricity that filled my body and crackled in my lungs. Against the background bustle of the office in Auckland, New Zealand, where I worked, a friendly voice on the phone had just told me some of the most exciting news I’d ever heard. “Okay… thank you” was all I managed to get out at the end before hanging up and grinning in disbelief. I had been accepted to study acting at the Atlantic Acting School in New York on a full scholarship. I did a little dance.

We’re so proud to celebrate Atlantic alumna Camelia Iturregui (@dafunkcamel) on the nationwide release of Brownsville Bred—now playing in AMC Theaters!

Going into Atlantic Acting School, I didn’t know my voice. I felt disjointed, weak, and inadequate. My voice has always been, what I considered, the bane of my acting career.

As a graduate of the Evening Conservatory in 2022, my time at Atlantic provided an ideal environment to hone my craft, consolidate my skills, and springboard into the professional world.

Talent abounds in my homeland. Most everyone has heard of the stereotype that all Filipinos can sing and take karaoke seriously. We are certainly not wanting for natural inclinations for performing.

The Summer Intensive at Atlantic was truly the spark that ignited my professional journey. I came in looking to sharpen my craft and left with a whole new perspective on what it means to be an actor.

My time at Atlantic has given me the tools to construct work professionally while never letting go of the playfulness and care that came naturally. When I walk into a room, I remember the standards that instructors like Karen Kohlhaas engrained in me: to honor the work and the talent of others in the room by being truly present.

Every week, I have the immense joy of entering a studio filled with young artists who are hungry to create and learn this elusive thing we call acting. I’ve never been more in love with my occupation.

Recipient of this year’s Equity Atlantic Scholarship, Stephen Anzo, shares the magic of his sojourn in the Big Apple − from the sensory overload of his first day in the city to the joy of being part of a supportive, talented ensemble.

Talent abounds in my homeland. Most everyone has heard of the stereotype that all Filipinos can sing and take karaoke seriously. We are certainly not wanting for natural inclinations for performing.

My time at Atlantic has given me the tools to construct work professionally while never letting go of the playfulness and care that came naturally. When I walk into a room, I remember the standards that instructors like Karen Kohlhaas engrained in me: to honor the work and the talent of others in the room by being truly present.

As I began my career, my ability for storytelling was equal parts fun and frustration. For a long time I looked for some kind of logic to explain my lack of motivation. Cue 2020 – in the middle of a freaking pandemic, my artistic journey was obviously not the top priority. But somehow, this need to explain my incongruence kept looming over me.

My experience at Atlantic Acting School was akin to gradually assembling a truly amazing puzzle. One of the initial pieces I discovered and valued the most was when I completed my application form. A specific question made me realize that Atlantic was the perfect fit for me. The query was something like, “What can you tell us about the words inclusion, diversity, equality?” This indicated to me that it would be a safe and conscientious place where I could be myself and feel welcomed.

On the eve of my first night of evening conservatory classes, if you had asked me to articulate what my expectations were for the year ahead I’m not sure I could’ve given you a coherent answer.

About halfway through my senior year of high school, after every college and grant application deadline, both of which I confidently passed on, I remember touching base with my academic mentor at the time, my choir teacher.

Atlantic Acting School trains actors to build a solid foundation in the Atlantic Technique, with training that balances development of analytical, physical, and collaborative skills. Working as an ensemble, actors learn the importance of interdependence, and experience both individual and collective growth.