Testimonials 2017
I have had the pleasure to be part of the Wexford Acting Studio since the beginning and have seen my daughters grow and become amazing performers. Miss Sarah has coached them and encouraged them to be the best that they can be and has taught them so much that they can use in their "everyday" life. Training at the studio has not only helped them on stage but also in school with public speaking and has given them a confidence to try and not be afraid to fail. My favorite part of the studio is the volunteer opportunities. I have gotten so much out of volunteering with the productions and watching how much fun the students have with the shows. There is such an excitement and joy the students have when they see the audience reactions to all their hard work, and it is such an amazing privilege to be able to share it with them! It may seem like a lot of work (and it is) but it is such a gratifying endeavor that I cannot imagine not volunteering! Thank you Miss Sarah for being an incredible role model for my girls and for giving me the chance to learn and grow too!
Jami P.
My daughter has been taking classes for 8 yrs. from Sarah. She loves the classes and the annual fall musicals. The skills she learns in this class are useful for acting, but I have realized these skills are important life skills. She has learned to be comfortable speaking in front of an audience, she has learned how to project her voice so she can be heard, and she has confidence to be creative and express her thoughts. All of these skills are important part of communications for any career choice she may make. I would recommend this class for anyone child.
Crystal W.
My daughter wants to pursue musical theater in college and as a career. To succeed, she needs to be a "triple threat"--someone who can sing, act, and dance with a high level of ability. While there are many dance studios and voice teachers in the Pittsburgh area, it is extremely difficult to find someone who teaches the craft of acting to teenagers in a focused, disciplined manner. We found that in Miss Sarah and Wexford Acting Studio. Through improv exercises, games, and workshops, Miss Sarah teaches her students professional acting techniques in a way that's fun, yet demanding. She takes an interest in each student, and she takes their desire to be actors very seriously. She also creates a warm, nurturing environment where teenage actors can be themselves, trust one another, and work together as a family. My daughter loves attending class, and we have seen a huge improvement in both her skills and her passion for acting. The fall musical and the spring showcase are wonderful opportunities for students to get on stage and use their skills--and the level of talent and acting ability on that stage makes it evident that Miss Sarah is a master teacher. We are so thankful we found Wexford Acting Studio!
Cindy F.
WAS has been such a wonderful addition to our sons young educational years. He has so much enjoyed learning the art of acting from the expertise WAS has to offer under the leadership and direction of Miss Sarah. Our son is into many sports, school activities, etc. in addition to acting. When he comes out of weekly class he is so happy and enthusiastic about what he learned in class and excitedly expectant for the next class. We are thankful for the broadening of our sons future horizons!
Theresa G.
I can't thank Sarah enough for sharing with my son her expertise and guidance. She has mentored my son throughout many North Allegheny drama productions. I would highly recommend her studio. Her classes are fun, productive, yield high results and produce confident actors! We are HIGHLY pleased with her studio and are truly impressed with her desire to broaden her students artistic development!
Sue L.
My children became familiar with Wexford Acting Studio during a summer Theater camp. Miss Sarah found the perfect positions for both of them in her classes. My son is more technical so Miss Sarah and her team taught him how to do the sound and lights for the actors. He has been attending summer camps and showcases ever since to run the tech for WAS. My daughter has blossomed as an actor and a singer through working with WAS. She has gained the confidence to perform at school during talent shows and plays. Wexford Acting Studio lead by Miss Sarah have always encouraged my children to use their strengths in theater and in life.
Theresa B.
As parents who want to see our child flourish and be nourished in areas that feed them. Yes, we have so many choices. We are so blessed that we noticed how much our daughter loves to sing and perform. I began to use my mother's heart to find a fit to enrich it. I will never forget the sparkle I saw in the eyes of one of Miss Sarah's students, just a year ago. She described how much she LOVED Miss Sarah and Wexford Acting Studio. We've taken on a journey from Acting Camp in the late summer, to the BIG show in the fall, to the semester of growth fall to spring. Result, our daughter has found amazing enrichment and blessings as a result of being taught by the heart of a woman that reaches beyond the lights. Miss Sarah you are a gift to every child, young adult and parent who crosses your path in this lane. You teach discipline with warmth for an art that applauds you back.
Kim V.
Classes at Wexford Acting Studio offer invaluable training experience for performers of any age and at any stage. Not only does Sarah cultivate a comfortable and rich learning environment, she approaches classes in a way that is fun while being effective and challenging at the same time. Students are encouraged to break out of their comfort zone in a safe and supportive environment. I'm always amazed when I watch the students perform not only because of their mastery of theater skills but also for the pure joy they exude when performing for family and friends.
Mary
I love Wexford Acting Studio! Sarah's approach with the younger students is open and encouraging. My daughter has gained confidence - both on stage and in everyday interactions. In the process, she has gained a new love for all aspects of musical theater!
Angie W.
The Wexford Acting Studio came highly recommended to us, and the program has exceeded our expectations! It is the perfect place to combine my daughter's passions for singing, dancing and performing. Miss Sarah provides expert age-appropriate instruction and a supportive environment for children to explore their talents. The confidence my daughter has gained through this program is evident in all other areas of her life, too. At the age of only 7, she had the opportunity to perform in the studio's production of Les Miserables, School Edition and learned so much from working alongside older and professional performers. We are so grateful to Miss Sarah for fostering a love of musical theater in our daughter, and our community!!!
Adrienne F.
My daughter started at WAS just over a year ago when she was nine. She had never done any acting or singing on stage and, even though she had done many dance recitals on stage in her younger years, had never felt confident enough to perform in her school talent show. From the start, my daughter loved attending the acting classes. In one short year under Sarah's tutelage, she has gained the confidence to perform a duet during the showcase last May, participate in the Fall musical, and perform her showcase duet at her school talent show this month. I was stopped after the talent show by many other parents asking where my daughter took classes. Her confidence on stage was evident. We owe it all to Sarah and WAS. Sarah has the innate ability to draw out confidence in her students, while making it a fun learning experience. I will forever be grateful to Sarah for her support, teaching, and encouragement.
Erin
Our daughter Anna has loved every class, show, and camp at WAS. It has been a pleasure for the whole family as we are always in awe of the stunning productions and enjoy seeing Anna continually growing and acquiring new skills each year. In addition to being a wonderful instructor, Sarah has fostered a close knit, supportive community among these young actors.
Denise and Robert O.
My daughter's initial acting interest was sparked while attending a Wexford Acting Studio fall musical performance, which led to her enrollment for the Wexford Acting Studio program to test the waters and see what acting was all about. That in turn has resulted in one of the more positive and enriching cumulative experiences for her over the past several years. She has absolutely enjoyed the opportunity to interact on a regular basis with peers who share a common passion, as well as to learn from such an engaging instructor in Sarah who both exemplifies and kindles enthusiasm toward theatre for and within her students. The supportive environment has enabled her to further develop confidence, taught her how to pursue a passion to the fullest, and helped her to more fully appreciate the value that a fierce attention to detail brings to any pursuit of excellence. These are all qualities and experiences that will serve her well even beyond any acting aspirations. And on a less serious side, it has simply been fun for her all along, something that she truly has looked forward to week in and week out, time with the WAS acting family. We could never thank Sarah enough for all that she has given and what she has meant to my daughter.
Dave B.
My son just finished Year 1 in WAS level 3. He has learned a lot and gained confidence on the stage while having the time of his life! He goes to class with joy every week. The environment is positive, fun and professional. Thank You!
Joan
Abby has grown so much in poise and confidence during the years that she has trained with Miss Sarah. Shyness and quietness is progressing each year into more and more courage and boldness. Abby's growth is being noticed by teacher's at school and in other activities. Miss Sarah's caring coaching and encouragement has done wonders!
Jill Ondos
My son has been with WAS for 6 years and absolutely loves it! He looks forward to all the classes and performances. We are so thankful for the dedication, inspiration and care that Miss Sarah gives my son, and all her students. WAS creates an environment that allows kids to thrive and realize their potential. My son is growing up to be a very confident young man, I know that WAS has played an instrumental part in this.
Tiffany and Mike W.
The quality of instruction, and the productions put on by Wexford Acting Studio are truly the best Pittsburgh has to offer. My daughter has attended for several years and the classes have helped not only her acting skills, but her self-confidence as well. The fall production is a highlight of the year for us. I enjoy getting involved with the production almost as much as my daughter likes be in the show!
Debra A.
When my daughter said at age 8, "I hate sports, stop putting me in sports," we tried Wexford Acting Studio and she's been happy there for 5 years now. This program has given her a chance to be her silly self without judgement. WAS has also improved her self esteem and willingness to try new things. She particularly enjoys being a part of the large productions in the fall. Miss Sarah has been wonderful and I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to try something different!
Tracy B.
My son had long been told by all who knew him that he should study acting, and when he finally decided to give it a try, we enrolled him in WAS. He was concerned at first that there didn't seem to be many other boys his age, but after just one or two classes all of his concerns were allayed. Miss Sarah, and the other students, never made him feel out of place or unwanted. He looks forward to class every week, and always enjoys the theater games and exercises. He comes out of class happy and energized, and looking forward to the next one. His participation in his first musical last fall was quite an eye-opening experience for him. I don't think so much had been required of him time-wise before. He joined late and had the smallest of parts, but he learned so much, and is really looking forward to the next one, Beauty and the Beast. WAS has been a great experience for him all around around.
Melissa F.
We joined WAS last fall on the recommendation of a friend. We have been with other studios over the years and I can honestly say that WAS takes acting and the arts to a whole new level. My daughter's first chance to perform with WAS was the Fall show, Les Mis. The caliber of this performance was that of a professional production. The young actors gained invaluable experience working alongside seasoned professionals. I think Sarah has the unique ability to see the talent in each of her students and she pushes them to grow to their full potential. The Level Three classes teach teens improv and the importance of being able to "think on their feet". Through games, role play, and performing in front of their peers, Sarah instills confidence in her students. These character traits are as important on the stage as they are in everyday life. She offers constructive criticism, and helps to groom the next generation of actors all within a supportive and nurturing environment. The actors all support one another and really want to see each other succeed. Sarah's passion and love of the arts is apparent in her approach and in her results.
Susan T.