TESTIMONIALS
"Where there is authenticity - creativity will flourish. When there is respect for others we can begin to respect ourselves. For the last 40 years the Atlanta Workshop Players have helped countless performers, myself included, arrive at a genuine appreciation for the arts. We can create the conversation, be the catalyst to the shift, and change the world one audience at a time. Thank you Lynn, Don, the entire AWP family for instilling such joy and passion into what we do. Here is to another 40!"
-Michael Provost
Testimonials in this video from: Katie Ladner - Broadway Performer, Mary Lou Belli - Emmy Award Winning Television Director, Jason Lockhart - President & Head of TV/FIlm of Atlanta Models & Talent, Sydney and Ryan Kowalske - Actors, Rick Estimond - President of People Store Talent Agency, Jack Alcott - Star of Dexter: New Blood, Jamie Wooten - Producer/Writer of Golden Girls, Katelyn Nacon - Star of The Walking Dead, Bonnie Gillespie - Emmy Honored LA Casting Director and author of Self-Management for Actors, Faith Salie - CBS Sunday Morning, Panelist on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and author of Approval Junkie.
"AWP means freedom to express yourself."
-Sarah N Evans
AWP Student
"The (happier) happiest place on earth."
-Margot Chernyak
AWP Alum & Counselor
"I have been fortunate to have established a wonderful working relationship with Lynn. As one of the most respected instructors for kids and teens, I would never hesitate to refer talent to her programs. She is not only one of the best instructors in Atlanta but she is also one of the nicest people you will meet in this industry."
-Jen Kelley
Casting Director, Big Picture Casting
"AWP has become a second home to my children. It's a place where they can grow creatively and as humans, in a safe, fun, environment. AWP fosters positivity and encouragement of all students, regardless of differences!"
-Margie Verdon
AWP Parent
"Atlanta Workshop Players (AWP) has given my daughter so much. As a lover of theater, AWP has created a safe space for her to grow in this craft. She is surrounded by nothing but love and encouragement - Lynn Stallings (the owner) is the most patient, kind mentor a child actor could ask for. My daughter has gone from a lover of theater to a true performer in a span of just a few years. The other students lift each other up - there is no negativity to speak of. Having that kind of environment is priceless for a teenager. My daughter can't wait to go to her company sessions each week and I can't image our life without Atlanta Workshop Players."
-H Johnson
AWP Parent
"We became connected with Atlanta Workshop Players during Covid Pandemic. The world shut down and caused a lot of uncertainty in our home as my husband was out of work.
My son's acting coach encouraged me to apply for a scholarship for a virtual movie summer camp. We did and he received some help with the fees so he could participate.
AWP helped us get through the summer..
In the fall, my son took an acting class and strengthened the bonds even more.
Sadly, when my husband found a new job, we were relocated 1000 miles away. It broke our heart to leave behind such a wonderful program.
Luckily, we are now able to travel more and my son just enjoyed the in-person camp with AWP this summer.
He is already making plans for next year's camp!
AWP takes inclusion and diversity seriously which as a mom of a special needs kid means the world to me. He felt included and loved everyday he was a part of camp.
-Sybil L
AWP Parent
"AWP is honestly a place where I feel completely accepted, encouraged, and loved by everyone around me. The atmosphere is genuinely a utopia of kindness that I wish was everywhere!!"
-Maggie Thurmon
AWP Alum & Counselor
"You've touched and changed so many lives for the better including my own. I will always cherish my time with AWP and am thankful for the path that you sent me on."
-Kinsey McLean
AWP Alum
"AWP is an oasis of creativity and acceptance that stands out among schools of acting. My time spent working with Don and Lynn were some of the best summers of my life. When working with AWP, you will leave not only a better performer, but most likely a more passionate, compassionate and empathetic human being."
-Michael McCracken
Talent Agent
"AWP has been instrumental to my son's success. The love, encouragement, and unparalleled training has boosted his confidence level. He has also booked numerous roles since he has started training here. We love this place!"
-Lenie Grant
AWP Parent
"The first time my daughter, who was ten at the time, and I walked into AWP (which was almost by accident since we were quite far from our city but perhaps fate), my instincts told me that I had stepped into somewhere truly special. My instincts were right! We are coming up on two years now that she has been a member of the AWP Theatre Company, which really we should call “theatre family.” She is so comfortable being herself with this group, and definitely a lot of laughing can be heard during their gatherings. The productions at AWP are also top notch, and showcase the talents of the entire group. This is something we very much appreciate coming from other, more competitive theatre environments. My daughter has taken additional on-camera acting classes at AWP and has done an overnight Summer Camp there as well, which have really helped her grow and achieve even more confidence as a performer. Finally, I would like to personally give my gratitude to the owner of AWP, Lynn Stallings who goes out of her way to make sure each kid feels at home and that their voices are heard. What an amazing place! We drive 45 minutes each way to attend classes here and it is well worth it."
-G Shaffren
AWP Parent
"We met with Lynn and became part of the AWP family about 3 years ago in 2018. My daughter, then 9, loved theatre and performing but had developed some confidence issues at some other local studios. Within weeks of joining their musical theatre company she had found a loving and supportive environment that she called a second home. What I found unique was that the love and support was not just from the staff, but the environment that they created has promoted a love and support amongst the kids in what in other places would be a competitive environment. Our whole family has created lifelong friendships with the staff and other AWP families. Words can truly not describe the appreciation and gratitude I have for the growth that my daughter has experienced, not just as an actor but also as a human and a friend, at AWP. Since joining the AWP family my daughter has signed with one of the largest talent agencies in Atlanta and booked her dream co-star role. There is no doubt in my mind that she would not have the career she has without the training and support she received at AWP."
-T Joss
AWP Parent
"We highly recommend AWP no matter what age or whether you are interested in film, live performance, or vocals; whether you have 'industry' ambitions; or you are simply looking to boost self-confidence and enhance public speaking skills.
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Lynn's free spirit and love for all of her AWP family is wonderfully contagious. The culture she has created is one where everyone is welcome and everyone is accepted and supported by staff and by the entire AWP community.
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It is no wonder that on an 'industry' level, AWP is respected throughout the entertainment community. It produces top talent in all genres! And, with almost 40 years in the industry, uncountable contacts, and a degree in psychology, Lynn understands how to advance her 'players'.
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We are grateful to have found Lynn and AWP and continue to be astounded in all aspects by how much our daughter's life continues to be enhanced."
-John Nuckolls
AWP Parent
“Lynn Stallings has been a wonderful part of our acting community here for many years. Her professional skills and teaching abilities have helped many actors become not just good, but great. I would like to highly recommend her. We stand behind everything she does."
-Brian Beegle
Casting Director
"AWP embraces each person's gifts and talents as unique and valuable. The environment is warm yet challenging and because of this, students build self esteem, self awareness, and also learn to appreciate others because of their differences not in spite of them. AWP delivers top notch training in a fun, approachable format."
-Jamie Orrefice
AWP Parent
"AWP is a home away from home. It's one of the only places where I can feel like myself. To me, AWP means family with unconditional love that is not afraid to correct my wrongs and guide me along the way."
-Ashleigh Boyce
AWP Student
"I began as a student with AWP more than 15 years ago. I was a shy, awkward pre teen who was soon to discover her voice, influence, and true self in an unexpected place.
After participating in a school production in 3rd grade, I told my family I wanted to get involved with acting. That is when I found the dazzling Lynn Stallings, who recommended I join an on camera essentials class. Little did I know I’d be walking into the studio on that first day into something that would change my entire life.
AWP is so much more than a place to practice your craft. It is family. It is home. When I look back on my middle and high school years, I have more memories of the fun I had with AWP than I do with my own school. Through AWP, I found people who would become lifelong friends and learned skills to apply to any field. AWP teaches you so much more than acting - they teach you how to be kind, how to love with your entire heart, and how to leave places and people better than you found them. If our world had more AWP, it would be a much better place.
The true heart of my story comes from later in my high school years. When I was in 11th grade, my family experienced major trauma that left me needing to find a place to live for a little while to heal. Who better to call than the wonderful Stallings family? Lynn, Don, and Ashlyn took me in with open arms. They were a pillar of strength when I needed help standing again. I truly don’t know where I would be today had they not been there to help. Like I said, AWP is family, and family did for family. I am forever grateful.
Today, I am a social worker who’s love for people began due to this organization."
-Ally M
AWP Alum
"I am fortunate enough to be one of Lynn's many "success stories" in this industry. Yes, I came to Lynn as a child actor in Atlanta in the 1980s, and her guidance set me on the right path for a thriving career in show business.
Lynn is a force of positivity who nurtures talent, understands the complexities of our business, and invests time and energy into every relationship, because she knows ours is an industry that involves a balance between the creative process and fair deal-brokering. Honestly, if I were still an actor, I couldn't ask for a better representative than Lynn Stallings! Caring, shrewdly aware of what it takes to succeed, and warmly diplomatic... a wonderful combination for a talent manager!
Our industry is a better place for having Lynn in it. Her organizational skills are unquestionable. Her eye for talent is sharp. Her relationships are solid and long-spanning. She doesn't live in a world of instant gratification; she understands that we're all building relationships that last a lifetime in this industry, and she invests time, energy, and most of all passion into everything she does. I'm so very excited to see submissions come in from Lynn and her team, when I next post a casting breakdown!"
-Bonnie Gillespie
LA Casting Director, Industry Author
“The team at AWP is professional and connected in the marketplace, a great group to train with. My own daughter attended AWP camp over a decade ago and we both still count it as one the highlights of her youth."
-Mystie Buice
Agency Director
"AWP is a great home away from home. And an amazing creative space that I really enjoyed getting to experience."
-Avery Brooks
AWP Intern
"AWP is awesome!!!! As someone who has never acted before and was pretty intimidated at the idea of showing up and performing in front of total strangers, I can assure you that you will NOT regret coming here. Everyone is super nice and welcoming, and the adult lessons are great at teaching you the methods and techniques behind acting, as well as anything you would like to know about the acting industry in general. Highly recommend AWP to anyone who is interested in getting into acting, and also to any established actors who would like to develop their skillset further."
-Harrison Turner
AWP Adult Acting Class Student
"Atlanta Workshop Players has literally changed my life. It is such a welcoming environment, regardless of your skill level. There's something for everyone here, and it doesn't take long make friends at all. Classmates are so sweet and supportive, and I've seen so many kids blossom into their craft. If you like performing just for fun, this is the place to go, and if you're serious about becoming a professional performer, if you work hard with AWP, I guarantee that you will be successful! Without a doubt, this studio will help you find your best self! :D"
-Imaria Ayanna
AWP Adult Acting Class Student