ABOUT JWS

Looking For An ARTISTIC Home?
You FOUND It.

Once UPON
A Time

Jen was a working Broadway actor and was frustrated by the lack of acting-based training for artists who work in musical theatre. This was New York City, the artists’ mecca, but she simply couldn’t find a safe space to practice the technique and craft of acting and singing at the same time. 

So she created one.

JWS is now the premiere training studio for theatre actors in NYC (and beyond). We’re home to the best professional theatre artists out there, and we have the stats to prove it. JWS clients have appeared nearly every Broadway musical in the last 15 years.

We BELIEVE

in CRAFTSMANSHIP
A successful performance career requires a combination of technical mastery and creative expression.

in COURAGE
Risk-taking is a necessary part of the creative process. At JWS , we feel the fear and do it anyway.

in COMMUNITY
Camaraderie, not competition. Sharing, not selfishness. Empathy, not envy. We are all in this together.

We EXPECT

That when you come to JWS, you bring
GRACE with you:

G. GROWTH MINDSET
Everyone is here to learn.
Clients and teachers alike.

R. RESPECT
For others… and for yourself.
You deserve that.

A. ARTISTRY
This is our superpower.
And we use it for good.

C. CONFIDENTIALITY
What’s said here stays here.
What’s learned here leaves here.

E. EMPATHY
If you wish to be understood,
you must first seek to understand.

The AMAZING
JWS Community

When you come into the studio (on 28th Street or on Zoom), you’ve entered a space filled with ambitious, kick-ass people who care. 

They care about you more than they care about your Broadway callback. (Although they’ll certainly support you through that too). Our community is filled with courageous, empathetic, inspiring Artists who believe we’re better together.

We all live to support one another. - SHEREEN AHMED

A deeper form of artistry. A deeper sense of humanity and purpose. - ERIN ELIZABETH CLEMMONS

Opened my eyes to who I actually am. - BRANDON CURRY

Helped me get out of my own way. - ERYN LECROY

JWS is THE place for freaks, theater geeks, and creative souls. - LIANAH STA. ANA

The heartbeat of JWS is respect, integrity, and mastery. - BELÉN MOYANO

We all live to support one another. - SHEREEN AHMED A deeper form of artistry. A deeper sense of humanity and purpose. - ERIN ELIZABETH CLEMMONS Opened my eyes to who I actually am. - BRANDON CURRY Helped me get out of my own way. - ERYN LECROY JWS is THE place for freaks, theater geeks, and creative souls. - LIANAH STA. ANA The heartbeat of JWS is respect, integrity, and mastery. - BELÉN MOYANO

JWS has changed my life. - CHRISTOPHER RICE THOMSON

The safe space to try and try and try again . - JAMES T. LANE

I love these people. - AFRA HINES

The safe space you need to grow. - MARIAND TORRES

The community can not be beat. - JENNIFER NOBLE

Helped me take ownership of my career. - JACOB GUTIERREZ

JWS has changed my life. - CHRISTOPHER RICE THOMSON The safe space to try and try and try again . - JAMES T. LANE I love these people. - AFRA HINES The safe space you need to grow. - MARIAND TORRES The community can not be beat. - JENNIFER NOBLE Helped me take ownership of my career. - JACOB GUTIERREZ

Unlike anything I had ever experienced in a class before. - ALLY BONINO

Instrumental in me feeling as confident as I can. - HAILEE KALEEM WRIGHT

A community of artists who unendingly support each other. - VIVECA CHOW

A safe space for me to dig deep into myself . - SHARONE SAYEGH

My artistic home. - MICHAEL MCCORRY ROSE

Intersectionality and empathy are at the forefront here. - ACHILLES MULKEY

Unlike anything I had ever experienced in a class before. - ALLY BONINO Instrumental in me feeling as confident as I can. - HAILEE KALEEM WRIGHT A community of artists who unendingly support each other. - VIVECA CHOW A safe space for me to dig deep into myself . - SHARONE SAYEGH My artistic home. - MICHAEL MCCORRY ROSE Intersectionality and empathy are at the forefront here. - ACHILLES MULKEY

Meet The TEAM

Our team members are all accomplished artists, with decades of experience in the theater industry. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their coaching, as well as a deep passion for empowering artists to unlock their potential and make a positive impact through their work.

Let's Connect

Jen Waldman


Founder and Artistic Director

Drew Wutke


Resident Music Director

Billy Bustamante


Teacher

Jake Parisse


Studio Manager

Mark Shanahan


Teacher

Kyle Branzel


Teacher

Steve Pacek


Teacher

Our COMMITMENT

JWS believes every artist is entitled to a safe space to do their creative work.
We also believe it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to make that safe space a reality.

We’re putting our money where our mouth is so we can bring these beliefs to life.
Get to know our anti-racism, disability inclusion, and consent partners below

Anti-Racism

EDIFY BROADWAY at
HARRIET TUBMAN EFFECT INSTITUTE

We are working with the outstanding changemaker Nicole Johnson, founder of the Harriet Tubman Effect Institute, to work toward dismantling white supremacy and oppressive structures within the studio so that we can cultivate a community rooted in justice.

Jen continues her personal development in this area as a member of Hella Social Impact.

VISIT HTE

Disability Inclusion

ALIE B. GORRIE at
ABG INCLUSION CONSULTING

We’re working with the amazing inclusion strategist, Alie B. Gorrie to create access and inclusion planning so that there are clear ways for artists with disabilities, whether visible or invisible, to have their needs met at JWS.

VISIT ABG

Consent

ALISON NOVELLI at
CHEEK TO CHEEK INTIMACY

We've partnered with Cheek to Cheek founder Alison Novelli, the brilliant intimacy director and coordinator, to help us dissect our exercises and create protocols for a consent-based classroom to ensure there are clear boundaries for the safety of our artists and teachers

VISIT C2C

 Frequently Asked QUESTIONS

  • No. We do not allow auditing as it disrupts the safe space environment that is critical to the work we do. We understand that you are taking a leap of faith when you join JWS. Once you are in class, we are confident you will appreciate that our classes are designed only for training current students, not for selling to prospective students.

  • If you identify as a PROFESSIONAL actor, and you want to learn… we have something to teach you. So, no, you do not have to audition. When you apply to join the studio, we will ask you to send us samples of your work and answer a few questions so that we can place you in the class that best suits your needs. If your goals and our classes don’t align, we will tell you so, and we will guide you to another studio or coach that has what you need.

  • JWS is more than a studio. It is a COMMUNITY of like-minded people who seek to create a stronger and more vibrant theater industry… together.

    Once you have taken a class at JWS, we are committed to your growth. You are an essential member of this community, whether or not you are currently enrolled in a class.

    The JWS community stays connected in a private online forum. The support and camaraderie shared amongst our artists is truly something to behold.

  • We have created a living document for COVID safety, influenced by both the current CDC and AEA Covid Guidelines. Our detailed safetHEREotocols can be found HERE.

  • Yes we do. Click HERE to learn more.