Online Acting Classes & In-Person Uta Hagen Acting Class

Learn the Uta Hagen acting technique—available online or in person at the Michelle Danner Acting Studio, one of the best acting schools in Los Angeles.

About Uta Hagen’s Technique

Uta Hagen’s acting technique emphasizes realism above all. Her approach encourages actors to “become” the character, not merely pretend. One of her core methods, Substitution (or Transference), teaches actors to replace their own experiences and emotional recollections with the given circumstances of the scene, producing authentic, emotionally truthful performances.

As a teacher, Uta Hagen helped launch the careers of many acclaimed actors. Her legendary books, Respect for Acting and A Challenge for the Actor, are essential reads for any serious performer.

What You’ll Learn

At the Michelle Danner Acting Studio, you’ll study this groundbreaking technique and apply it directly to scene work. You’ll explore how to:

• Merge textual analysis with personal experience.

• Create truthful behavior through immersion in character.

• Use Uta Hagen’s famous Nine Questions to break down and embody any role.

Uta Hagen’s 9 Questions for Actors

Use these powerful questions to deepen your connection to the character:

1. Who am I?

   • What is my present state of being?

   • How do I perceive myself?

   • What am I wearing?

2. What are the circumstances?

   • What time is it? (Year, season, day, time of day)

   • Where am I? (City, neighborhood, building, room, or landscape)

   • What surrounds me? (Weather, objects, conditions)

   • What just happened, what’s happening now, and what do I expect?

3. What are my relationships?

   • How do I relate to the people, objects, and environment around me?

4. What do I want?

   • What is my main objective?

   • What is my immediate need?

5. What is my obstacle?

   • What stands in my way?

   • How do I overcome it?

6. What do I do to get what I want?

   • What are my actions and behaviors?

Recommended Reading

📘 Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen
📘 A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagen

These books are widely regarded as essential for any actor serious about the craft.

Why Study at Michelle Danner Acting Studio?

📍 Location: 10820 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
📞 Phone: (310) 392-0815
📧 Email: [email protected]

Our Los Angeles Acting School offers training in the world’s most respected acting techniques:

• Method Acting (Lee Strasberg)

• Stella Adler Technique

• Stanislavski System

• Meisner Technique

We also offer a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts, and our small class sizes ensure personalized attention for every student.

Join Us

Become the actor you were meant to be. Learn more about our Los Angeles Acting Workshops and enroll today!