About Us
Our founder, Jere Van Patten, has the expertise and experience to help you shape your craft and soar to new heights. He has spent his career honing his skills as an actor, director, and educator. Since 2005, he has been helping actors of all levels find their voice and achieve their dreams. At our studio, we offer a supportive and collaborative environment where students can explore their craft and discover their true potential. We offer a comprehensive curriculum that includes a wide range of acting techniques, improvisation, scene work, and much more. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, The Actor's Ink Studio has everything you need to take your craft to the next level. Let Jere's expertise offer unique insights and techniques that will help you stand out in any audition or performance.
-
In-person classes in acting, directing, improv and Shakespeare. One-on-One coaching also available.
-
Audition Techniques Workshops monthly.
-
Online classes in acting, directing and Shakespeare. One-on-One coaching also available.
Our Coaches
The Actor's Ink Studio is home to two top-tier coaches, Jere & Allyson Van Patten, who specialize in voice and acting respectively. Their expertise and guidance will assist you in getting the most out of your career in the entertainment industry. Our goal is to install a lasting relationship between our students and the creative arts.
As teachers, directors and performers, we know what it takes to be successful in this industry. We understand that theatre is not just a form of entertainment, but also an art that has the power to transform people’s lives, and we strive to bring this perspective into all aspects of our work. We have a passion for pushing the boundaries of creativity and providing a platform for our students to challenge themselves and reach their true potential.
-
Jere Van Patten
FOUNDER + ACTING COACH
Jere Van Patten is an award-winning actor and director represented by the Leighton Agency. He will be directing Rumors at Fuse Theatre which will run May 1 - 10. Favorite roles include "Edna" in Hairspray for MCC; "Clown 2" in The 39 Steps, and "Jinx" in Forever Plaid at Hale Centre Theatre; and "Peter Quince" in A Midsummer Night's Dream for Southwest Shakespeare Company. His undergraduate degree is in Theatre, and his graduate degrees are in Education and Theatre Directing. Valley theatres he has worked with include The Phoenix Theatre Company, Southwest Shakespeare Company, East Valley Children's Theatre, Hale Centre Theatre, Theatre Works, Desert Foothills Theatre, Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre and others.
-
Allyson Van Patten
VOICE TEACHER + ACTING COACH
Allyson Van Patten is an award-winning actor, director, voice teacher and coach. She is adjunct voice faculty at Mesa Community College, and operates a successful private voice studio as well. Favorite roles include "Miriam," in Beau Jest at Hale Centre Theatre; "Belle" in My Favorite Year at MCC; and "Buttercup" in HMS Pinafore for ASU's Lyric Opera Theatre where she received her undergraduate degree in Music Theatre Performance. She has directed several award-winning productions for Mesa Community College's Music Department including The Producers, The Secret Garden, Beauty & the Beast, and many more. Other shows she has directed include Ruthless for Desert Stages Theatre; The Pirates of Penzance for Inspire Theatre Company; You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown for Mountain View High School, and The Addams Family for Westwood High School.
-
Polly Chapman
I’m a professional actress that has been working around the Valley for a very long time: both on stage as a director and choreographer, and also in commercials. I’ve worked in two of Jere’s shows. He is a fabulous director! Kind, caring, very intuitive, and a gentle coach for an actor. He doesn’t tell you what to do. He tells you what to think about; what to question; what to try to understand better; and in my mind that’s the very best kind of director. He is very persistent, but very kind, and he leads he doesn’t command. Anyone who wants to understand acting better and wants to have a joyous experience in the theater, I would strongly recommend working with Jere Van Patten!
-
Mae Soelberg
Jere is more than an acting coach; he is a mentor who goes above and beyond to ensure his students reach their fullest potential. If you're in need of assistance, whether for auditions, skill enhancement, or overall performance improvement, I wholeheartedly recommend Jere. His commitment to his students' success is evident, and the results speak for themselves. Working with Jere has been a great experience, and I'm grateful for the positive impact he's had on my journey as an actor.
-
Linsey Maxson
Having had the privilege twice of being an actor directed by Jere Van Patten, I can say with full confidence, those are two of the best experiences I've ever had. He lets you explore your character and bring to the table what ideas and thoughts and premonitions and intuition you have while guiding you to explore new nuances and choices that you never thought possible. He doesn't simply block a scene, telling you where to walk and when to sit and when to stand, he helps you explore what your character's thoughts and feelings and motives and fears and triumphs would be, so that you can then portray that character in the best way possible.
-
Dave Ray
I’ve done seven or eight shows with Jere, and one of the reasons that I love working with him the most is that his rehearsals are a safe space where you’re not afraid to fail. I mean, as an actor, you’re gonna to make amazing choices; you’re gonna make terrible choices; you’re gonna make weird choices; and oftentimes you don’t get to the great choices until you’ve made the terrible ones. In order to do that, you have to feel safe; and you have to feel comfortable enough to be able to just lay it all out there; and Jere does a really amazing job in setting up a space where you really feel safe enough to do that, and it makes it exciting!
-
Sydney Crandall
Jere possesses a keen understanding of the nuances of acting, and his insights have consistently elevated my performance. He has an uncanny ability to pinpoint areas for improvement and provide constructive feedback that is not only valuable but also delivered with genuine care for my growth as an actor. Having him as your teacher might just be the breakthrough you need to become a believable performer. It was for me!
-
Kamie Tierce
Jere is the best director I have worked with. He asks the important character questions, creates a safe space for actors to try anything, and supports the relationships that make a story interesting. His love of theatre and genuine care for those he's working with is apparent at every rehearsal. His guidance has made me a better actor and provided me with the most rewarding acting experiences. If you have the opportunity to work with Jere, do it!
-
Kathleen Richards
I have had the unique pleasure to work with Jere Van Patten both as an actor on stage and as an actor with him at the helm as our director. One of my most favorite things about working with him has to do with trust. There is tremendous trust that is a two-way street that happens on stage. He will catch you whenever you need, and he offers that same thing as a director. It makes the experience truly joyful because you know you can play; and you know you can fall; and he will be right there to catch you no matter what; with a smile and a laugh and a suggestion for how to make it better. He is truly one of my most favorite humans to work with in any capacity.
-
Emily Noxon
Jere excels at teaching techniques and then giving you the opportunity to practice them. He helps you understand the character from several different perspectives. Jere asks questions to help you learn who your character is, not just what's in the script. Jere has helped me become a better actor because he is knowledgeable, talented, and enthusiastic. He is a talented and inspiring director and actor himself.
-
Alice Johnson
Jere puts his heart and soul into teaching. He not only understands acting but he understands people and how to help you reach your full potential. The confidence I have gained in myself as I continue to audition and perform has been invaluable. I am grateful for the invaluable lessons, the insightful guidance, and the unwavering support that Jere has provided. If you're seeking an acting coach who is not only helpful and insightful but also dedicated to pushing you to be the best actor you can be, Jere is the one!