TESTIMONIALS
“I do not know anyone who better speaks the language of actors. Aaron is a brilliant director, improv coach, audition coach, and theatre teacher. A highly skilled actor/improvisor himself, Aaron has a truly great artistic vision. He has a simply expansive knowledge of the current landscape of American theatre-- far greater than any other audition coach I have ever encountered. He is able to seemingly magically pull out a performance from an actor who never thought that such a level of maturity and skill was possible. I could not recommend Aaron more.”
-Jordan B., Graduate of NYU Tisch
"For any and all acting coachings, Aaron is simply the best. I have worked with Aaron in both private monologue coachings and in group improv acting classes, and he has treated every class with enthusiasm, joy, and exceptional intelligence. As a teacher, Aaron is extremely knowledgable and well-trained when it comes to acting technique, but most importantly, he encourages exploration of a piece, and will be with you every step of the way as things get tough. Aaron is quick to pinpoint trouble spots, but will present you with viable solutions on how to fix them. He is encouraging and inspiring, the kind of teacher who makes you feel special and excited to succeed. And personally, Aaron is a fun, funny, goofy, and charming guy who you will love spending time with. I couldn't recommend him highly enough!"
-Brennan S., Student at NYU Tisch
"When I was feeling stuck while working on college audition monologues, I knew there was only one person to turn to: Aaron F. Brateman. Aaron has a way of taking dramatic text that is so familiar to you and making it feel completely fresh and new. He pushed me to think harder, he questioned my every intention, and in the process, I discovered magic in my own work. He has a way of challenging you but also making you feel completely safe to try new things and experiment with different character choices. He uses different approaches for each of his students, because he realizes our differences. I truly believe that Aaron's coaching is the reason I was accepted into the colleges that I was. Aaron has my highest recommendation."
-Patricia I., Graduate of Oklahoma City University
"Ever since I started working with Aaron, I’ve discovered more and more about myself as an actress and improviser. I’ve taken group improv classes from Aaron for over a year now and more recently I have worked with him on monologues for college auditions. I honestly think he has pushed my boundaries to a point where I have grown to accomplish things far out of my comfort zone. My favorite part about working with Aaron is the constructive criticism he gives. He is incredibly insightful and honest, yet I feel as if he is always on my side. Not only is he able to pull a text apart and analyze the unspoken meanings behind every word, but he is able to get me—the student—to accomplish that as well. He always re-assures me that I am never “wrong” when it comes to my ideas. He encourages me to commit to whatever choices I see fit. I’ve always felt working with Aaron was a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable space. In the past, that was hard for me to truly find with other coaches. Whenever I work with him, the time flies by as if we are just two friends in a studio together. However, he has a phenomenal sense of professionalism. He has been extremely hands-on and dedicated to helping me grow through different exercises and techniques. If my making a break through with a monologue required for Aaron to jump around a room screaming like a crazy person, he would do it. He’s the type of coach to get 100% mentally and physically involved in a student’s progress. Aaron has helped me become so much more confident about myself as an overall performer. I highly recommend working with and spending time with him. He is amazingly down to earth, hilarious, talented, and well trained, and I cannot even imagine where I would be in my college audition process without him."
-Nicole D., Student at University of Miami
“When I told a friend of mine that I was looking for a coach to help me with my college auditions, he referred me to Aaron. Not only did Aaron help me get into a number of excellent acting and musical theatre programs, but he also got me to look at acting in a whole new way. He pushed me to go far beyond what was expected of me, and I could not be more grateful for it. The college process can be an extremely stressful time, but Aaron made it into a learning experience which I will forever be better off for having. He never allows me to settle for acceptable work, but rather he would push me until it was great. With the huge number of acting coaches in New York City, I recommend Aaron for anyone who is not only looking for a coach, but for a friend and teacher who will bring the very best out of you.”
-Julian L., Student at Pace University
“Aaron was the first teacher/director I had that truly made me feel confident in my acting. Aaron will invest all of his energy into his actors, and push them until they reach their full potential. This past summer Aaron and I worked on Romeo and Juliet, and I walked into the show very insecure about myself as an actor. Aaron took the time to work with me and coach me like no director has before. He showed me what it means to make a strong choice and commit to that choice with confidence. He pushed me to limits I didn’t know I could reach, and because of him I now know what I’m capable of. Now, I can walk into other projects and use everything Aaron taught me. If it wasn’t for Aaron, I would still be that actor shying away from making a choice. Aaron always made it clear how much he believed in me, so now I believe in myself.”
-Charlotte K., French Woods Camper
"I've worked with Aaron for a few years now. We did improv together at camp and then I eventually did his improv class in the city. I used to get super frustrated and insecure when it came to doing improv, but Aaron brought out the best in me and made me know that I can do it. When it came time for college auditions I knew I wanted to work with Aaron on monologues because I knew I needed to work with someone who I could be comfortable and vulnerable with. Aaron understood me and pushed me to where he saw I was able to go while working on monologues. he also taught me a new way to look at pieces and a completely new perspective on acting in general. I am a better and smarter actor today because of him. He just gets it and understands you as a person, and I'm so grateful to have someone so wonderful in my life."
-Jillian C., Student at Emerson College
“Aaron is the only teacher in all my years of schooling in any class that has ever been able to truly bring out a part of myself that I never knew was there. There is something about the environment he creates that makes it possible for all students involved to feel special and part of the greater whole. As an improv teacher, there is truly no one better suited for the job. He goes out of his way to make our skills impeccable, but also to ensure that we are having fun. That being said he’s always made it immensely clear to us that his first job is to be our counselor, every person in that room knows that if we ever need anything he will be there to talk us through it. We all love him because we all know he has our backs in every room he goes into. He is a big part of why me and a lot of other people go back to camp every year. I could go on for hours, but that is just a bit about why I believe Aaron is a very special teacher, and friend.”
-Izzy B., French Woods Camper/Playgrounded Player
"I worked with Aaron for my college process as my monologue coach. I knew him because he previously had directed me both in a show and in an improv group and after my experience with him as a director, I knew I wanted to work with him for college auditions. He helped me find excellent material for my auditions, worked closely and in-depth with me, and helped me gain the confidence to go out and succeed in my auditions. In my time with him, I learned more about acting than I had in all my previous experience in theatre, and his understanding and passion truly lead me to find my own voice as an actor. He’s insightful, honest, and just a great spirit, who I have recommended to another one of my acting friends who also enjoyed working with Aaron."
-John-Luke L., Student at Elon University
“Aaron was my director last summer in a production of “Romeo and Juliet” at French Woods. I have also been taking his group improv classes in NYC this year. “Romeo and Juliet” was the first drama I’ve ever acted in, and I was terrified. But Aaron made me feel like I had something to offer the group, and I was a valuable part of the process. It was a very difficult show, but Aaron never faltered, so the cast didn’t either. Everyone who’s worked with Aaron trusts him, which is why he’s able to push us to our limits and beyond. In improv classes, he forces us to find parts of ourselves that we didn’t even know existed. This year was my first time doing improv, and I had no idea how it worked, but I now have more knowledge and a more expansive skillset than I would have thought possible less than a year ago. Before working with Aaron, I would never have called myself an actor. Now I do. I would recommend him to any and every actor.”
-Foster S., French Woods Camper/Playgrounded Player
“I have worked with Aaron as both a director and a coach. He is supportive and eccentric yet demanding making him an ideal teacher for any actor, especially young actors. Through sessions with him I have learned how to make my work urgent, fresh and honest. He has helped me learn how to connect to and differentiate the characters I play and through that define and play objectives for them. One of Aaron's many assets that make him an irreplaceable acting teacher for anyone is his incredible ability to collaborate. In defining characters and their objectives Aaron would lead me to find more and dig deeper. The pieces, however, all began with my feelings and my truths as an actor and a human. When I occasionally went astray, he would never patronize me but instead gently lead me down another path. Through this collaboration Aaron taught me how to take my concepts of my pieces and roles and commit fully to them. Through this I’ve learned to make bold and active theatre but, most importantly, work that is unique and mine. His passion and kind demeanor, combined with his emphasis on the importance of his students to be the owners of the work they do, make him an ideal teacher for anyone. He leaves students with more than just fully developed work- he gifts them vital skills and lessons that will serve them, and certainly served me, as they continue to grow as artists…He has taught me how to fully invest in my acting which unlocked an ability to create work that is no longer superficial or "performing.” Through this he has helped me to do work that is more honest and human and true than I ever imagined I’d achieve. More than just being collaborative, Aaron has a deep respect for everyone he works with. He supports their ideas, as well as their goals. He treats his students and colleagues as equals. Aaron maintains a sense of empathy that good actors strive for and what better way to achieve this than through a teacher with such qualities. Beyond his warm heart, sessions with Aaron are a great deal of fun, full of laughter and thrills. He is hilarious and through this creates an environment where actors can feel safe to play and discover. He helps to open up actors’ impulses through unconventional methods, often that get his students to fully commit to the battles of the characters they are portraying. All these skills make him an invaluable teacher, and certainly one I learn an incredible amount from every time we work together. Above all this, working with Aaron is always a joyous time that I look forward to and an experience that any actor regardless of skill or age would benefit from.”
-Westley S., Student at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
“Aaron is the biggest reason I am the actor and person I am today. He presents the young actor with the demanding and mature task of becoming familiar with and sharing the purest form of themselves with an audience, and he supports this challenge from a place of immense love and care. He treasures each individual and celebrates their unique traits, tailoring his approaching with an intense attention for and understanding of each actor. In one summer, he completely transformed my approach to the stage, and I took home lessons I will carry throughout the rest of my educational and professional career. When it came time to prepare for college auditions, there was no doubt Aaron was the guy. We meticulously worked through monologues to find those which best represented me as an actor. Once we had the perfect material, he pushed me past my limits in the greatest way. I passed all of my prescreens, and I certainly would not have without Aaron's coaching. His deep understanding of drama, paired with high professionalism and an incredible teaching ability, makes for a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience. I cannot recommend him enough to any aspiring actor."
-Tyler F., Student at Northwestern University
“I’ve worked with Aaron in a multitude of capacities: under his instruction, under his direction, as well as teaching alongside him. All of these experiences, spanning a range of years, were highly informative, educational, and enlightening milestones in my artistic journey. As a teacher, he consistently fought to find a way for me to understand every concept, regardless of how difficult the principle was. As a director, he bestowed on me a set of acting tools that no one before had trusted me to utilize, he elevated my perception of storytelling, and encouraged me to see the larger picture of the work. As a colleague, he helped me to embrace my insecurities, and guided me in my teaching methods to become an effective and respected educator. Aaron has played a formative role in my development as an artist. Why? Because he so deeply understands the human condition - both in the artform, and in real life. He knows how to connect. He knows to access the tools actors need. He knows how to identify the emotional and mental barriers in his students. Aaron speaks a language that demands the actor to rise up to the potential within them, but does so without flying above their head. He’s absolutely brilliant. I can’t thank him enough for the gifts he’s given me, of which there are many. Our work together is present in every performance I do. Anyone would be so lucky to work with him.
One time, Aaron was working on some of his own audition material, and asked me to give some feedback and coaching. Stunned that he’d even ask me, and nervous that I wouldn’t be able to provide him with anything helpful, I quickly thought to myself, “What would Aaron say? How would he look at this? What questions would he ask if he were watching?” What he didn’t realize was that I was merely holding up a mirror for him. I’ve learned that if there’s an effective way to go about working a scene, Aaron’s work is the model for how to do it.”
-Justin A., Jersey Boys National Tour
"When a last minute Broadway audition came up, I knew Aaron would be the perfect person to call. I got to final callbacks for the Broadway play. I then had a movie audition come up, and decided to work with him again. I ended up getting down to final callbacks for two different roles in the same film. Shortly after, I booked a series regular on a Netflix show. Aaron has the ability to break down your walls like no other. He was able to identify my bad habits, and break them in 30 minutes. Whenever I work with Aaron, I know I'm prepared to the best of my abilities. I would recommend him as an acting coach to everyone."
-Kirrilee B., One Dollar, K.C. Undercover, National Tours of Mary Poppins and Billy Elliot
“I didn’t expect to learn so much in just 3 weeks of rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet, but Aaron proved me wrong. Working with him brought out the confidence in me to be myself while pretending to be someone else. All of my castmates felt the same way—each rehearsal felt like a performance, a master class, and a therapy session all in one. We all came out of the production as better actors, but more importantly, we came out of the production with a better sense of ourselves as people and performers. Aaron never fails to bring down the wall between the character and the person portraying them, and he makes every actor feel completely at home in their role. My work with Aaron as an improviser took my game to the next level. He is one of the only teachers I’ve ever had who is able to personalize instruction for every single student in a class of over 20. He is able to bring a sense of camaraderie and trust between every member of every group that he leads. I have been nothing less than inspired and impressed by Aaron every time I’ve worked with him. Any actor who chooses to be taught by him is in for a treat.”
-Rohit O., French Woods Camper/Student at Princeton University
“Aaron has been shaping me as a performer and person since I was 11 years old. It’s 6 years later and I continue to learn more and more about my craft and myself because of his teaching skills. The way he gets across to the people he’s directing is so incredibly unique and powerful, and it’s something only he can pull off. He keeps pushing you to the limits of what you think you can do, knowing and believing all the while that you had it in you from the start. My scope of what I believe I can do onstage as a performer constantly expands with the way he teaches. He connects with you as a person and uses that connection to show you that you can put yourself into a character and bring them to life. I never once thought that I could be the rockstar he saw me as, but after only 3 weeks of rehearsals with him, I saw my entire style of performing change in the best way possible. He values giving people the experiences they need to grow in the areas they want to learn more about, like when he allowed me to assistant direct for his show, which was something fairly new to me, but was something I am truly passionate in pursuing because of this opportunity. He’s the kind of teacher and person who you want to know, perform, or train under/with when it comes to expanding your worldviews, boundaries, and imagination. I could not thank him enough for how he’s impacted me throughout my life.”
-Grace R., French Woods Camper
"Aaron is a fantastic teacher. I worked with him in the improv troupe at French Woods and in group improv classes in NYC. He also directed me in an innovative, gender-bent version of "Inherit the Wind" at French Woods. Aaron pushes his students to be their best. He expects a lot from his students because he truly believes in each and every one of them. Working with Aaron made me a better actress and improviser. Plus, he's a great guy and always makes classes or rehearsals feel fun!"
-Rachel W., Graduate of Oklahoma City University
“Being in a room with no one but Aaron, yourself and the collaborative creativity generated between the both of you is not only a remarkably clear reminder of why you wanted to act in the first place, but also an educational goldmine. His ear for language and eye for fresh opportunities in a scene keep you attentive and in an ongoing fight with yourself as to whether you’re exhausted or craving more of a challenge. He is careful in keeping tone and atmosphere consistent while finding new hidden gems each time you run a scene.
He is passionate, caring, and knows how to run a room while keeping a sweet and trust-based relationship with his cast. He’s clever to an enigmatic level and is full of ambition. I’m grateful to say he’s someone I hope will stay present throughout my entire career.”
-Hudson F., French Woods Camper
“Aaron truly is the reason I return to camp every summer. He is not only an incredible director and improviser but he is an incredible person. He knows exactly what to say to you to make you feel comfortable with your choices, even if he didn’t exactly like those choices. Whenever I’m talking about my favorite parts of camp, it always shifts to Improv Troupe and getting to work with Aaron. There are truly no others like him, and he is the most perfectly unique person I know. He is endlessly inventive, continuously creative, critical yet non-judgmental, compassionate, insightful, and inspiring. Aaron sets high standards and great expectations for himself and his students. From Aaron I have learned to love challenges and take them head on, and I have gained confidence in myself that I never knew I could achieve. If you are going to work with Aaron know that if you put everything into it, you will get everything out of it.”
-Phoebe C., French Woods Camper/Playgrounded Player
"I do not speak lightly when I say that no one could ask for a teacher more knowledgeable, friendly, and dedicated to their students than Aaron F. Brateman. We met at a summer camp, French Woods, two years ago. He directed me in a production of Inherit the Wind, while simultaneously teaching me and several other kids in an Improvisation Troupe. Through both, he showed discipline and above all else a commitment to learning, making sure that his cast and troupe were growing from their experiences.
This past summer, I had the opportunity to work with him once more, this time in a musical, 9 to 5, while again being taught by him in Improv Troupe. As I had grown as an actor in the past year, I expected to have a different dynamic with him as my director. Not only did he recognize my growth and adjusted his teaching style accordingly, he pushed me further and further, never letting me settle until I reached my full potential. The same occurred with Improv Troupe; because so many of the members this year were the same as last year, he was able to build upon his teachings, and give us more complex exercises to test our skills and help us grow as improvisers.
Of course, I consider Aaron more than just a teacher: I consider him a friend as well. He is always more than willing to set aside personal time to talk and joke around once the work has been completed. Some of my fondest memories of Aaron are chatting after rehearsal, asking him for advice, or just having a laugh. This past summer I even got to coach several monologues with him privately, and I personally believe that I approach some pieces completely differently now because of his training. Aaron stops at nothing to foster growth in his students, while still fostering friendships with them. If I were to describe him in one word, it would be this: non-stop. He has an unstoppable drive that makes him one of the best acting, improv, and comedy teachers I've ever had. I can give no higher recommendation."
-Jacob H., Student at Fordham University
