I would not have decided to reinvest in my acting career (which led to my recent casting on Shortland Street) were it not for Peter Feeney and the Actors Lab. The terms reliably have both chewy, craft-centric scene work to nourish and exercise the artsy actor muscles, as well as results-based, commercially insightful audition and self-tape sessions that will sharpen your business wits and help you think of yourself as a marketable product (as you should!)

Peter’s experience and humanity are his great strengths. In his classes I have learnt. Fallen. And learnt again, all in an incredibly encouraging and supportive environment. I’d highly recommend his classes to anyone wanting to fine tune their acting muscles. After joining the Actors Lab to reconnect to the craft and fine tune some flabby acting muscles, I was fortunate to be cast in a NZ feature film opening in 2024. I can hand on heart say, I wouldn’t have had the confidence nor preparation skills to navigate the process without Peter’s classes and invaluable wisdom…

I’m 17 and currently an actress on Shortland Street. Peter Feeney’s classes have helped me immensely in developing my skills as an actor, as well as helping me learn what works for me and what doesn’t. Couldn’t recommend more!

Actors Lab has truly been my second home for many years now. For over 7 years Peter has been instrumental in helping me evolve as an actor. His guidance and expertise have pushed me to new heights, allowing myself to discover the actor who I am becoming. His unwavering passion & enthusiasm is truly inspiring. His belief in my potential and his constant encouragement motivated me to keep pushing forward, even when faced with challenges.

He instilled in me a sense of perseverance & always reminds of the joy and fulfillment that comes from pursuing your dreams.

With the support of his school, I have grown in confidence and skill, taking on challenging roles, exploring different techniques – and have made best friends.

The Actors Lab & Peter’s dedication to my growth has truly made a difference in my journey as an actor.

The guest teachers at Actors Lab are always  so passionate about what they do. Trust & support are such important qualities in a teacher – especially for something like acting. I couldn’t recommend ALS more.

Actors Lab has a great mentality in its roots. It’s a hype train, everyone wants to do their best, and everyone wants YOU to do your best. There are no lazy classes. Even if you start the day a 1 out of 10. Actors lab manages to bump those numbers up and push out some of your best work. Highly recommend it not as just a learning tool, but as an opportunity to work with like-minded and extremely talented actors.

I started coming to The Actors Lab when I still lived at home ( which was 7 hours away from Auckland) . I flew up every Sunday just to attend because I absolutely loved it. The classes are acting through and through, no boring stuff. You learn to stretch outside of your comfort zone with no judgement at all. The teachers are everything. The organisation of each class is really immaculate, I don’t think Emma has ever missed a beat. The teachers don’t sugar coat, instead are encouraging and truthful. Peter is a true role model in and outside of the classroom. He is always willing to listen whether it’s acting related or not, and I don’t think I can thank him enough.

The Actors Lab has transformed my acting from being very second guessing and unsure to making smart, confident acting choices.

The diversity of talented teachers allows you to experience an array or different methods and teaching styles to add to your acting tool kit. All, which I can confidently say, have been useful for me in the industry.

From someone who’s had no formal training, these classes allowed me to learn new techniques from experienced and relevant tutors working in the business that have escalated my acting. The tutors really value you, they’ll give you a lot of time because they want you to succeed!

I absolutely love Actors Lab for the diversity of skills, techniques and experiences that the different tutors bring. Every term is new and refreshing and students get the option to choose tutors based on what we personally want to improve on. During my time at Actors Lab, I’ve gotten to experience everything from camera and audition technique to voice and accent work to basic stunt training. The best thing is that all the tutors are working, industry professionals from actors to casting directors, so you know it’s all no frills, no BS.

I’ve done 2 terms with Pete so far and I’ve loved every session, and will continue to do more in the future. His classes were a great way to introduce me to the wide world of the acting industry, with tons of variety, from different activities, as well as bringing talented, veterans of the industry to share their knowledge with the class. Highly recommended

Tangible methods, empowering insights, and, best of all: a space to hone in on what works for you. I’ve found my time at the Actors Lab essential to my journey as an actor. Here is where I learned to fail, take risks and expand myself. Peter and his team have helped me build my pillars of approach to character, text, working on set, and auditions. You are given a realistic and empowering look into your work. Alongside advice, that’s concise, personable, and equips you with the tools you need to work in the industry. The classes allowed me to let go of perfection and take risks. When you are here, you’re looked after, and a strong sense of community is present.

Actors lab has been a great place for me to come in and sharpen my tools in between work. Peter makes sure you get on the floor and work, not just watch!

Pete and his quiver of tutors, all of whom have extraordinary Acting credentials give me a hell of a lot of intelligent critic to think about at each session. It’s a great place to experiment. A great space to make bad choices and a great space to feel stuff when you get it right.

I’ve been attending Actors Lab Studio intermittently since 2010.

I have been attending classes at Actors Lab for almost a year now and I’m pleased to say I have found my “Tribe”. I have grown exponentially as an actor and that’s thanks to the tutors and my fellow actors at the Actors Lab who are there to support and cheer you on every step of the way.

Ok ok where do I start, I love the fact that Actors Lab has a variety of tutors who are current industry professional Actors and Directors, it is so valuable to have many varied perspectives and so much experience in the room. The way the blocks are structured allows the option to work with multiple tutors or stick to one if you’d prefer which is so refreshing and exciting!
And of course, the team are a beautiful bunch of creatives who have been so warm, inviting and insightful. I can’t wait to be back in the New Year!

What Peter Feeney has created with Actors Lab Studio has been invaluable to my growth as an actor. He’s managed to create a supporting and trusting environment for us actors to try different things and not be afraid to fail. As Peter says we sometimes learn the most from failing. Also in the last few years Peter’s brought in some amazing industry professionals to come, share and guide us with their knowledge (Joel Tobeck, Lisa Chappell, Emmett Skilton) to name a few. I know for me I’ve managed to take what works for me from each guest tutor and put it into my actors toolbox for when I might need it. ALS will always have a special place in my heart.

Peter your passion for your craft and your desire to engage with audiences of all ages was inspiring.

I can thoroughly recommend Peter as a marvelous proponent of the principles and Techniques he has encountered and uses himself in his acting processes. He is a gifted man with much to contribute to his profession.

Returning to acting after a break for many years I found Peter’s workshops to be invaluable. Working closely with Peter in a pair-based environment also helped me to both refine my skills and gain confidence. I would wholeheartedly recommend Peter’s courses to any actor who wishes to further their craft in a safe, fun and yet challenging environment.

Peter is a gifted teacher & industry professional. I trust him implicitly with our actors for all areas of developing & maintaining their craft. He is extremely accessible, sensitive & caring.

Peter brings fresh vision to his work coupled with professional wisdom and his inimitable energy.

You are a wonderfully insightful and optimistic actor, and this allows you to draw the very best work out of everyone. But what is unique about this course is that you aim and succeed in giving everyone involved the skills to be this for themselves. And – above all, the classes were FUN and challenging and filled with great people!

Peter is a very gifted young actor who will always be genuinely interested in exploring his work and finding new approaches to it, and opening this out to his fellow actors.

Peter Feeney!!! He was pretty instrumental into getting two of my sons into film: Josh and William McKenzie in the ‘Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell,’ NZ Film. He workshopped them. He really was my God Send.

I so appreciated working with you. You bring a fantastic combination of experience, optimism, hard work and pragmatism to it all, and you’re so very good with your students/ fellow actors. Thank you!