See what our PAA Alumni have to say about studying and applying the Practical Aesthetics technique.
"Practical Aesthetics is like having a very cool secret weapon as an actor. It is spontaneous and specific at the same time and can offer a terrifying but ultimately exhilarating experience for performance."
ROSE BYRNE
Actor (X-Men, Bridesmaids, Marie Antoinette, Damages)
"Practical Aesthetics has definitely been an invaluable tool in the ever-changing and inexplicable process of bringing characters to life."
DAMIAN WALSHE-HOWLING
Actor (Underbelly)
"Truth being our final destination - Practical Aesthetics promptly encourages encounters between actors that traverse the imaginary and ground us firmly and unashamedly in the reality of doing - which is after all what acting is."
NICO LATHOURIS
Dramaturge
"Practical Aesthetics is the best no frills approach to riveting acting. I loved your classes Melissa and I'm glad I travelled so far to participate, I don't feel the need to travel to New York to pursue this method because I feel we have one of the best advocates of Practical Aesthetics right here in Australia!"
GREG PANDELIDIS
Actor
“At PAA, Melissa Bruder teaches us the power of being vulnerable, and how to utilise that power in your craft.”
O KOPPES
Actor
" In the past few years, I've had the opportunity to work closely with Melissa, and it's been extraordinary. Her process is clear, specific, and gives the actor a detailed formula. Her New York native energy inspires you and I still invite Melissa on set with me whenever I feel out of my depth because she just gets it "
FIRASS DIRANI
Actor (Killer Elite, House Husbands, Underbelly, The Straits)
"Practical Aesthetics is a great tool not only for actors, but also for writers and directors who want to access a clear, precise way to analyse their scripts scene by scene."
DANIEL KRIGE
Actor / Director / Writer
"Practical Aesthetics gives an immediate FOCUS to the actor. It impacted not only on my mental understanding of the text, but the way I physically FELT while working on scenes. It's a fantastic discipline with a generous and highly intelligent team of teachers."
NATASHA BEAUMONT
Actor
"Practical Aesthetics was the first approach to 'not acting' that finally satisfied all those lingering doubts hovering around my instincts. A true Eureka! moment."
LEE BIOLOS
Actor / Director
“Melissa Bruder has a way with the craft. As an actor who has tried many techniques and methods, her knowledge of the process is unwavering. I found myself in my craft at PAA.”
BEN JESINOWSKI
Actor
" Practical Aesthetics is the most incisive technique I've come across as an actor. It is a simple but sharply specific process that plants you truly in the moment generating unexpected and exciting results with minimum fuss. The analysis framework is a powerful tool kit that I turn to regularly as a Director - it always helps me unlock authenticity whatever the experience of the performer I'm working with."
JULIAN SHAW
Actor / Director
"Melissa Bruder’s intelligent and gentle approach to Mamet's theory of Practical Aesthetics dissects a very abstract and complicated art into easily absorbable bite sized exercises; part theory and lots of practical. I can’t recommend this course enough to Directors wishing to empathise with an actor’s experience, and by way of doing so, build an environment that fosters bolder and braver performances.”
TOM NOAKES
Director
“As a director, one of the most important skills is learning the language of actors. PAA gave me this and so much more. I recommend it without hesitation.”
ANONYMOUS
“Melissa is wonderful – dedicated, loyal, generous, friendly, firm but fair and obviously exceptionally experienced. Thanks again Melissa – you have challenged me to set specific practice in my daily life as I continue to prepare to be a better actor. I have walked away from this course with a specific set of tools that will bring quality and truth to my acting. You are a breath of fresh air!”