About
Founded in January of 2009 by Laura Hooper and Audrey Francis, Black Box Acting began as a boutique studio with just 12 students and 2 classes. Their approach was simple: a streamlined curriculum based on human behavior, and a fierce commitment to creating a home where actors could continually challenge their creative limits.
One year later, The STUDIO had grown to facilitate more than 115 students, ranging from theatre professionals to non-actors, and within 2 years the student base tripled. Nearly 80% of these students were enrolled in long-term training, which inspired Audrey and Laura to add a new facet to the business.
The ACADEMY is the culmination of Laura and Audrey’s goal to help actors take the technique out of the classroom and onto the stage. Crafting an intensive conservatory program was the next step to providing maximum training opportunities within the acting community.
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"An actor couldn’t be in better hands. "
Amy Morton
Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble
Tony Nominee, August: Osage County -
"You will learn more in a few months than most people do in four years of college. "
Andrew Cutler
ACADEMY Class of 2013
Actor -
"They create a safe and open environment where actors can open up, be vulnerable, honest and in the moment. "
Erica Daniels
Associate Artistic Director
Steppenwolf Theatre -
"They invest in you and your progress. "
Patrick Gannon
ACADEMY Class of 2013
Actor -
"Black Box challenges me to be present. "
Christine Lin
STUDIO Student
Broadway Actor, Chinglish -
"I am consistently impressed with the artists that emerge from Black Box. "
Mickie Paskal, CSA
PR Casting -
"The energy between Black Boxers is one of a kind. "
Matthew George
STUDIO Student
Playwright -
"Their brand of acting excites audiences by embracing honesty in each moment on stage. "
Adam Belcuore
Casting Director
Goodman Theatre -
"Black Box is interesting to watch and easy to work with. "
Autumn Joy
STUDIO Student
Actor -
"I am more proud of this than my college degree. "
Maria Margaglione
STUDIO B5 Graduate
Actor -
"Black Box is the best place to go for an actor who’s stuck. "
Laura Korn
STUDIO Student
Actor -
"In two weeks I saw one teacher on a national commercial, two on Chicago Fire, and another in an amazing Jeff Recommended play. "
Elizabeth Antonucci
ACADEMY Class of 2013
Actor -
"It’s the most artistically fulfilling thing I’ve ever done. "
Jeffrey Bouthiette
ACADEMY Class of 2013
Actor -
"With the process I have learned at The ACADEMY, I am now incapable of indicating what I think a character feels or wants. Instead, I have firm opinions about how I feel and what I want in the given circumstances and can’t help but hear and see others behavior. "
Denise Hoeflich
ACADEMY Class of 2013
Actor -
"I have found a home at Black Box. "
Lindsay Nance
STUDIO Student
Actor -
"What I’ve learned at Black Box grounds everything I say and do in truth. "
Toph Enany
STUDIO Student
Actor + Improvisor -
"It’s not difficult to imagine The ACADEMY surpassing expectations in every way. "
Jake Carr
ACADEMY Class of 2013
Actor -
"As a dancer, Black Box showed me how to face my fears with my whole body. "
Anna Zimowska
STUDIO Student
Dancer -
"This could be the best thing you ever do for your art. "
Simone Roos
ACADEMY Class of 2013
Actor -
"You need to get yourself to The ACADEMY! "
Melonie Collmann
ACADEMY Class of 2013
Actor




