2026-27 Classes

How big are the classes?   Classes are limited to 12 students.  A small class size ensures that every student works at every class and gets individual attention.    

Why are there two levels combined in one class?   Because the classes are small, (and because Amanda is a spreadsheet nerd!), Amanda knows what each student has worked on at Verve. She keeps track of the commercials, voice overs, monologues and scenes that each student has worked on.  Because of this, she is able to customize the experience for each student.   

What if I just want to try acting?  This sounds too intense for me.   Even though it is a class, we still have FUN! Students get out of it what they put into it, so if you want to come and explore, it’s still a great class for you.  If you just like acting and want to continue to act as a hobby, that is fantastic and you are welcome!  Acting skills are life skills, so even if you don’t think (or don’t know yet) if you want to work professionally, you’ll still learn skills that will help you in life.  In addition, expressing yourself artistically is essential to your long term well-being, and Verve’s youth programs are a safe place to explore and express your inner artist. However, we also offer Saturday workouts and summer camps that have a shorter time commitment. 

Who should take the class? If you want to audition for theatre – a play or musical – where there are cuts, this class will help you get and maintain a competitive edge. If you want to get an agent here in Phoenix, this class is essential.  Phoenix agents represent you “across the board,” which means in commercials, voice over, film, TV, hosting and print. You must have training, and skills, in all of these areas. If you want to get an agent in LA (First talk to your parents! That is a huge commitment!), the skills you learn in the class are applicable to huge markets. (Phoenix is the 6th market Amanda and lived and worked in, so the curriculum reflects that experience.) If you already have an agent, you know that ongoing training is essential to being competitive.  Most agents actually require you to train regularly.    

How do I know which class is right for me? 

Start with the Grade.  Verve organizes the classes up by age and grade so students feel comfortable working with their peers. There is overlap of the "Tween" age group  by design so parents have some flexibility in schedule and 

4th Grade: THURSDAYS

5th Grade: THURSDAYS

6th Grade: THURSDAYS or WEDNESDAYS

7th Grade: WEDNESDAYS or SATURDAYS

8th Grade: WEDNESDAYS or SATURDAYS

9th Grade: TUESDAYS or SATURDAYS 

(or MONDAYS if student has met pre-requisite)

10th Grade: TUESDAYS or SATURDAYS

(or MONDAYS if student has met pre-requisite)

11th Grade: TUESDAYS or SATURDAYS

(or MONDAYS if student has met pre-requisite)

12th Grade: TUESDAYS or SATURDAYS

(or MONDAYS if student has met pre-requisite)

I've taken classes before/done a lot of theatre, am I Advanced? 

If you haven’t taken classes at Verve before, but have taken more than a year of classes at other studios, contact Verve (info@vervestudio.net) to schedule an audition.  Students must be proficient in commercials, voice over, improv, film auditioning and scene work to work in the Advanced Monday class.  At the audition, students will perform two prepared memorized contrasting one-one and a half minute monologues of their choice and a commercial cold read chosen by the studio. 

Who teaches the classes?   Amanda Melby designed all of the curriculum and materials.  She has been a working actor for 30+ years, a member of SAG-AFTRA for 25 years and a member of AEA for 20 years.  She has a B.A. in Theatre and English from Concordia College in MN, has studied in Howard Fine’s and Gunnar Rohrbacher's Master classes in LA and has training from all of the markets she’s lived and worked in.   Ashley Faulkner graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Theatre and Film Studies.  Read their BIOS here.

What if I get cast in a show?  Or have an audition/booking out of town?   Awesome!  When you audition for the play, put your class as a conflict.  Often they can work around it.  (Or you can leave early from class to get to rehearsal on time.)  If they aren’t able to work around it, you may pause your enrollment for one month one-time between November and March (30-day written notice required).  If you are travelling frequently to LA for last minute auditions, contact Amanda to work something out.    

Can we try a class?   The weekday Youth Professional Training program is designed to build on skills as the year and levels advance; we don’t offer drop-ins or trials for PTP.  However, the WEEKEND WORKOUTS are a la carte and you can attend them as your schedule permits.  

We missed the start in September, can we still join?

Yes, you can, space permitting.  Select "Monthly" when you register. 

Do you take ESA/Class Wallet?

Yes!  We do.  Verve Studios, LLC is an approved Vendor.