Acting Classes
Romy Irene offers hands-on acting classes tailored for professional actors with prior industry experience or a formal drama school education. Continuous education is crucial, even for seasoned actors. In each class, actors perform and work on scenes under Romy’s coaching. Outside of class, actors dedicate 3 to 6 hours per week to rehearsing with their scene partners.
For those who prefer learning through observation, there’s also the option to attend the class without performing a scene. This is an excellent opportunity for beginning actors or directors to deepen their understanding of the Chubbuck technique.
Upcoming Acting Courses
Below is the schedule for our upcoming Scene Study courses in Dutch or English. These are ongoing acting classes, and you’re welcome to join one or more courses. In each class, we focus on scene work to deepen your craft and performance skills. To apply for any of our acting courses, please send your CV, headshot, and showreel to contact@romyirene.com. Admission to our courses is based on your motivation, experience level, and a personal interview with Romy.
22 September – 22 December 2025
No Class on 20 Oct & 24 Nov 2025
Scene Study
€450
excl. 21% VAT
Sign up before 20 August 2025
29 Sep, 13 Oct, 3 Nov, 17 Nov, 8 Dec, 22 Dec 2025
Scene Study
€390
excl. 21% VAT
Sign up before 20 August 2025
October – December 2025
Exact dates TBA
Scene Study
€390
excl. 21% VAT
Sign up before 20 August 2025
19 January – 16 March 2026
No class on 16 Feb 2026
Scene Study
€TBA
excl. 21% VAT
Course Subsidy
Get up to 40% of the course fees reimbursed via Werktuigppo.
What Will You Learn
Step into a powerful, hands-on journey where you won’t just study — you’ll fully embody the 12 transformative tools of the Chubbuck Technique. From defining your Overall Objective and Scene Objective to mastering beats, actions, and inner monologue, you’ll learn how to let it all go in the moment.
In our Scene Study classes you’ll live the Chubbuck Technique through active scene work, emotionally charged exercises, and collaboration with fellow dedicated actors. Each class is designed to help you dig deeper, personalize your work, and break through emotional blocks, empowering you to deliver performances that are bold, authentic, and memorable.
If you’re serious about mastering your craft, this is where it begins.
1. Overall Objective
Your character’s deepest emotional and primal need that drives their entire existence and choices.
The Overall Objective is your character’s deepest, most primal life goal — the emotional fuel that drives every decision, scene, and interaction. It’s not a surface-level want, but a universal, powerful need: to be loved, to feel safe, to be validated, or to find purpose. This acting tool grounds your character in humanity and emotional truth. When you uncover this core desire, you tap into your character’s emotional engine — it becomes the foundation of the performance, shaping how they fight, love, defend, and break.
2. Scene Objective
The immediate goal your character is fighting to achieve in a specific scene.
This is what your character wants from the other character over the course of an entire scene. It should support the Overall Objective. A strong Scene Objective is proactive, specific, and winnable — something the character wants from the other actor with clear intention, such as “I want you to love me inspire of my flaws” or “I want you to give me my power back” or “I want you to absolve my guilt”. This keeps the actor active and motivated, turning the scene into a dynamic pursuit rather than a passive expression of emotions.
3. Obstacles
The internal and external hurdles standing in the way of your character’s objective.
Obstacles are physical, emotional, or mental hurdles that make it difficult for a character to achieve their objectives — and they’re essential for creating dramatic tension. These can include emotional wounds, fears, limiting beliefs, societal pressures, or resistance from other characters. Identifying and embodying these obstacles makes a performance more authentic and dynamic, because real life is never obstacle-free. According to the Chubbuck Technique, obstacles don’t just shape the character — they drive the character’s desires. In other words, the character wants what they want because of the obstacles they face.
4. Substitution
Endowing the other actor in the scene with a real person from your own life who makes sense to your objective.
Substitution involves replacing the other actor in a scene with a real person from your own life who triggers the same emotional need as your character’s. This tool adds depth, history, urgency, and a sense of real desperation to the performance. By using substitution, you tap into the emotional and layered responses that come from genuine personal experiences. It allows you to attach deep, authentic, and complex emotions to another actor — feelings that would normally take years to build in real relationships.
5. Inner Objects
Mental images or memories that trigger genuine emotional responses during the scene.
Inner Objects are vivid mental images or memories about a person, place, thing, or event. These might be the image of someone’s face, the memory of a meaningful place, or a significant past moment. Inner objects create an internal reality that supports your scene objective and aligns with your substitution — even in moments of silence. It’s like playing a personal movie in your mind when you speak or listen, adding emotional layers and authenticity that resonate beyond the words.
6. Beats and Actions
Breaking the scene into emotional shifts and assigning playable tactics to each thought.
Every scene contains emotional shifts — these are called beats. In the Chubbuck Technique, a scene is broken down into beats, and each one is assigned a specific action or tactic. Actions are mini-objectives: words or behaviors used to influence the other character, get what you want, and respond based on whether or not you’re succeeding. They give direction and purpose to every beat, allowing you to pursue your scene objective with clear intent. This prevents passive acting and brings rhythm, variety, and emotional strategy to your performance, making it feel alive, dynamic, and rooted in real pursuit.
7. Moment Before
What emotionally and physically just happened to your character before the scene begins.
The Moment Before is the emotional and physical experience your character went through just prior to the start of the scene. It creates a sense of continuity and life before the audience sees you — so you don’t enter the scene “cold.” You draw on a personal experience from your own life that supports the rest of your inner work and adds urgency to achieving your scene objective.
8. Place and Fourth Wall
Endowing the physical environment with elements from a place in your own life, while committing to an invisible barrier between you and the audience.
Using Place and the Fourth Wall means endowing the physical environment with elements from a place in your own life to create privacy, history, intimacy, and real-life meaning — including the room, temperature, sounds, and atmosphere. It also involves establishing a solid “fourth wall” to keep you immersed in the scene and not self-aware. The fourth wall is the imaginary barrier between you and the audience. When you commit to the reality of the place, it grounds both your body and emotions. Your senses become engaged, and the space transforms into a living part of the scene, rather than just a set or a blank stage.
9. Doings
Physical activities and the usage of props that produce behaviour and reveal intentions.
Doings are physical activities your character engages in during a scene — like writing, making coffee, folding clothes, or cleaning. These actions help keep the performance grounded and real. Doings give the character a way to regroup, find safety, make a statement, or reveal and conceal what they’re truly thinking or feeling. They expose deeper intentions, vulnerabilities, and vices. Words can lie, but behavior always tells the truth. Doings can add weight and urgency to a scene — because when a lot is at stake, we often can’t sit still.
10. Inner Monologue
The dialogue inside your head.
The inner monologue is the stream of thoughts running in your head — what you’re truly thinking or feeling. We all have thoughts we don’t say out loud, either because we can’t or shouldn’t. Inner monologue is uncensored and honest. It adds meaning, tension, and complexity to your performance. It also creates an unspoken connection with the other character — it’s not just talking to yourself, but a silent dialogue that shapes how you listen, respond, and pursue your scene objective.
11. Previous Circumstances
The emotional and narrative history leading into the scene that fuels every moment.
Previous Circumstances are the emotional and narrative history your character brings into the scene. They include everything that has happened up to this point — events from earlier in the story or from the character’s backstory. This context helps explain why and how the character operates in the world. First, you explore these circumstances without judgment, seeing the world through the character’s eyes. Then, you personalize them with experiences from your own life that align with their journey, again without judgment — seeking to understand why human beings do what they do. This process gives your character emotional truth, depth, and motivation.
12. Let It Go
Surrendering control and living truthfully in the scene, trusting your preparation.
Once you’ve done the work — prepared, personalized and rehearsed — you must let it go. This step is about surrendering control and living fully in the moment. Trust that the preparation is in your body, and allow yourself to be surprised, spontaneous, and reactive. It’s not about “performing” — it’s about being present, truthful, and brave. This is where the art happens. You stop acting, and start existing truthfully in the world you’ve created.
Join Our Acting Classes
Send your CV, headshot and showreel.
Coaching for Directors
Romy offers specialized one-on-one coaching for directors who want to be fully prepared before stepping onto set. Understanding that directors and actors often approach the creative process from different perspectives, Romy serves as a bridge—translating between the technical and emotional languages of both crafts.
Her coaching helps directors build deeper connections with their actors, enhancing trust and communication. This results in more truthful, powerful performances and a smoother, more collaborative working environment.
Experience & Background
With nearly two decades of experience as an acting coach and collaborator in film, television, and theater across Europe and beyond, Romy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work. Her diverse background enables her to support directors with a wide range of practical tools. Having worked with both emerging and seasoned directors, Romy understands the nuances of creative leadership and offers a proven methodology that fosters seamless collaboration with actors.
Customization & Collaboration Style
Each coaching session is tailored to meet the director’s specific needs and creative vision. Whether you’re working in realism, stylized genres, or experimental formats, Romy adapts her approach to align with your style and the tone of your project. She fosters a collaborative environment where creative risks are encouraged, and effective communication between directors and actors is a powerful tool for unlocking strong performances.
Confidentiality & Trust
All sessions are conducted in an environment of full confidentiality and trust. Romy is committed to creating a secure, professional coaching relationship where directors can openly discuss their challenges, explore vulnerable material, and grow without fear of judgment. This supportive dynamic is foundational to her practice and helps encourage creative breakthroughs for both directors and their teams.
What You Get
Romy’s private coaching for directors offers a comprehensive, hands-on experience that supports you through every stage of your creative process. Whether you’re preparing for your first project or fine-tuning your approach on a large-scale production, this coaching will help you build stronger relationships with actors, make bolder creative choices, and gain the tools you need to lead with clarity and vision.
- In-depth script and character breakdown sessions before the rehearsal process begins with actors, helping directors gain clarity on each character’s arc, objectives, and emotional journey.
- Detailed preparation for challenging scenes, especially those that are emotionally intense or involve physical intimacy, ensuring directors can approach these moments with sensitivity, clarity, and confidence while maintaining artistic integrity
- On-set coaching tailored to real-time needs, providing guidance during rehearsals or filming to refine performances, navigate actor dynamics, and maintain the creative vision under production pressures
Languages
Romy’s working languages are English or Dutch. She also speaks some French, Italian, and German. Her multilingual abilities help create a more inclusive and accessible coaching environment, particularly for international teams or projects.
Session Options
In person, on set, or via Zoom—whatever works best for your schedule and location. Wherever you are based, Romy can coordinate coaching that fits your needs. For in-person work, Romy is available in Amsterdam and can also travel to your production site, rehearsal space, or studio, with flexible arrangements possible for international clients. If remote coaching is preferred or necessary, Zoom sessions are equally effective and tailored to be as immersive and impactful as in-person sessions.
Booking & Pricing
Coaching rates vary depending on the nature, duration, and location of the work. Whether it’s a one-time coaching or an ongoing collaboration, Romy tailors the structure to your project’s unique demands. For a personalized quote or to discuss available packages for individual sessions, full project support, or on-set coaching, please reach out directly at contact@romyirene.com. She’ll be happy to provide more details and help you determine the best fit for your creative needs.
Private Coaching for Actors
Romy offers personalized, one-on-one coaching tailored to meet the unique needs of each actor. Whether you’re preparing for a major audition, filming a self-tape, or diving into a new role, Romy provides expert guidance to elevate your performance.
Actors can book sessions with Romy to refine their craft, make bold, compelling choices, and stand out in competitive casting environments. Her approach is deeply rooted in script analysis, character development, and emotional truth, helping actors tap into their full range and deliver powerful, memorable work.
For working actors, Romy also offers role preparation support. From dissecting complex characters to making brave, layered decisions, she works closely with actors already cast in television, film, or theater productions. Her detailed, collaborative process ensures that each actor enters rehearsals or shoots fully prepared, confident, and creatively empowered.
Coaching Focus Areas
- Audition Preparation (TV, Film, Theater)
Comprehensive coaching to help actors refine their audition material, explore multiple interpretations of the script, and make distinctive choices that showcase both range and specificity. Romy provides constructive feedback and guides you in making high-stakes choices that leave a lasting impact. - Self-Tape Coaching
Hands-on guidance for producing professional, high-impact self-tapes. This includes script work, performance refinement, emotional connection, and technical considerations like framing, lighting, and delivery. Romy ensures your self-tape captures your essence and grabs the attention of casting directors. - In-Depth Character Breakdown
A deep exploration of your character’s psychological, emotional, and physical world. Romy works with you to identify objectives, backstory, internal and external obstacles, and relationships—helping you build authentic, grounded, and layered performances. Perfect for preparing for callbacks or preparing a role you booked. - On-Set Role Preparation
Personalized support to get you fully prepared for work on set or stage. Romy guides you through the process of rehearsing scenes, emotional conditioning, adjusting to the tone and style of the production, and staying connected to your character under real shooting or performance conditions.
Languages
- Coaching is available in both English and Dutch, allowing actors to work in the language they feel most comfortable and expressive. Sessions are tailored to support linguistic and cultural nuances, ensuring clarity and emotional depth in performance preparation.
- Romy also speaks some French, Italian, and German. Romy’s conversational command of these languages allows her to effectively guide actors through script comprehension, and emotional intention in multilingual contexts.
Session Options
- In-Person (location-based sessions available upon request, depending on Romy’s current coaching locations and schedule availability). These sessions offer the benefit of real-time physical interaction, spatial awareness coaching, and the energy exchange that comes with in-the-room collaboration. Great for actors who prefer tactile feedback and body-oriented coaching.
- Online via Zoom (available worldwide, offering complete flexibility for actors working from different regions or time zones). Zoom sessions are perfect for preparing remotely for screen tests, international productions, or ongoing coaching support while traveling or on set.
Booking & Pricing
To inquire about current rates, availability, or to schedule a personalized coaching session, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Whether you’re seeking a one-time session for an urgent audition or looking to book a package for ongoing support throughout a project, Romy can tailor the experience to suit your needs. For more information or to initiate your booking, please contact: contact@romyirene.com