Acting Studio

Matthias Schott

Matthias Schott manages the Schott Acting Studio:

Besides his teaching duties, he is primarily responsible for coordinating and overseeing seminars and masterclasses.

He has been fortunate to perform as an actor in various theatres, including the prestigious Düsseldorf Playhouse.

Having received training from the European Theatre Institute, which included teachings from acting legends like Constantin Stanislavski, Jevgeni Bagrationowitsch Wachtangow, Bertolt Brecht, Michael Chekhov, and Jerzy Grotowski, he focused his career on stage acting.

Besides receiving traditional theatre training, he immersed himself in the study of the Strasberg Method, learning from renowned teachers at the Actors Studio such as Sandra Seacat, Greta Seacat, Geraldine Baron, and Susan Batson. He also dedicated several month to developing his skills in Meisner technique under the guidance of Mike Bernadin, and for several years honed his craft in the Stella Adler technique with the expert tutelage of Ron Burrus and Milton Justice.

Teaching engagements and seminars for film schools; dramaturgical advice for authors and directors.

2014: Completed 2 year training in “Systemic Coaching and Business Mediation” at the BIF – Institut für Familientherapie e.V. (Institute for Family Therapy).

Since 2015, courses and studies in the work of C. G. Jung: Comprehensive study program in Dublin with Jung Centre Jasbinder Garnermann, New York Centre for Jung Studies, Washington Jung Society – Series of Seminars with James Hollis, Los Angeles Dream Tending with Stephan Aizenstat, Several Seminars through various platforms with Robert Romanyshyn, Junge Centre Houstan – Weekend Seminars and Lectures, Multiple Lectures – C.G. Jung Institute of Santa Fe and Embodied Jung Conference in Italy.

2022: “Viridis Graduate Institut: 10-week Intensive Eco psychology and Environmental Humanities“ – Changing the Roots of Narratives with Lori Pye, Ph.D.

“I met Matthias in a three month Meisner Technique Foundation Course in 2008. We both were fascinated and his commitment in the work and in the pure art of acting encouraged me to get really deep into it. Today I must admit these months saved me as an actor. It was some kind of relaunch. And this has got to do with Matthias. If you get the chance to work with him, grab the opportunity. Or just meet him. He is a guy full of genuine passion and credibility. (At least for me he is.)” – Tillbert Strahl

“Matthias Schott is an outstanding acting coach and workshop leader. Through the detailed exercises in the workshops and his incredible curated eye, he provides generous individual feedback which has been pivotal on my acting journey. He is a true talent and the classes are not only a melting pot of ideas and experimentation but also fun! I can truly say that without it, my acting journey would not have grown as much. His knowledge, expertise and intuitive eye is unsurpassed.” – Alaa Taha (Playwright/Actress)

“Matthias is a phenomenal acting coach. I always come back to his teachings, whether it be preparing for theatre or film. Matthias has an engaging, attentive and intuitive teaching style that nurtures each student’s journey. He identifies potential blocks and offers the tools to work through them in order to understand where you need to go to reach a level of higher awareness and understanding as an actor. He breaks down the multifaceted process through a vast variety of exercises, which makes the task at hand tangible and approachable, no matter where you are in your acting journey. Matthias’ workshops make up both individual and group exercises that shape and form each student and attune to each individual level. Matthias has guided me from a fundamental level to individual scene- and character work or auditions for schools and jobs. There is a wisdom and deep sense of humanity in the way he approaches each character or scene, teaching us to challenge our understanding of the human experience, be conscious and present in our acting choices, never judge our experience or understanding of the character, but be curious, free and creative.” – Nina Mariko Sandquist (Actress/Gangs of Oslo – Blodsbrødre)

„I left the Intensive Foundation course exhilarated and exhausted. I loved every minute of it. Matthias was a great teacher. He continuously challenged us, while being caring and patient. I left the course having learnt a lot more than I had expected to and with my curiosity peaked to learn even more. What a great experience!” – Christian von Hedemann (May 2024)

„I took part in the Foundation Course with Matthias and it was a great experience. Coming in with zero experience, it was a nervous first day, but the way of teaching and constructive feedback given – regardless of experience – really helped to create a safe environment where everyone could share and grow within the 4 days of the course. Matthias is great at observing a scene and kindly coaches you within the use of emotions or application of acting-tools to make the scene more real and believable. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Whether you want to actively pursue a career in acting or if it’s just to take a step outside of your comfort zone – it’s valuable in more ways than one!” – Peter Akselson (May 2024)

“I was a complete beginner when I signed up for the foundation classes at Schott Acting Studio. From the very start of the registration process, Matthias was incredibly attentive, addressing all my queries almost immediately and providing all necessary information, including a location map. The acting classes were held in a serene and beautiful setting, surrounded by an amazing group of people and led by Matthias, our kind, caring, and friendly coach who helped me discover a ‘new me.’ These four days of intensive acting classes were invigorating, fun, and an overall fantastic experience! I’m already certain this won’t be my last class—I will be back.” – Max (May 2024)

„It was a really great experience which I can recommend to everyone, even if you are nervous or a bit shy… afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It will help you in many ways and schott is very professional and nice. The location is amazing and the cafe very cute. You will not regret trying this out, for fun or to really see if acting is the thing you want to do.“ – Bella Ferlings (May 2024)

Advanced Training:

James Kemp in “Yat Malmgren´s Character Analysis & Movement Psychology”

Liana Nyquist (Movement Specialist) – “Yat Malmgren´s Character Movement”

Mike Alfreds (Director) – Laban for Actors

Ken Rea – Presence and Audition technique

Milton Justice – Stella Adler

Ron Burrus – Stella Adler (Stella Adler Technique & On Camera Training)

Dee Cannon – Stanislawski/Uta Hagen (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)

Rob Marchand – CBI Process (Improvisation/Mike Leigh uses to create his films)

Christopher Fettes – 4 Weeks Intensive “Character Analysis & Movement Psychology”

Privat Sessions with Actors and Directors – Juilliard School New York

Susan Batson (Susan Batson Studio, NY)
Lena Lessing – (Susan Batson Technique)
Mike Bernadin – (Meisner Technique)

Further education (workshops):

Edgar Fell (Eric Morris/ Strasberg), John Colton (Stella Adler), Larry Moss (Strasberg/Meisner/Adler), Robert Castle and John Costopolous (Strasberg); Movement Training with Liana Nyquist (Yat Malmgren/ Character Movement), Gennadi Bogdanov (Biomechanic) and with several trainers teaching the work of Jerzy Grotowski and Eugenio Barba.

Improvisation training with Keith Johnston, Gorilla Theatre Berlin and Philip Said (Improliga Lyon)