About Our School - Peter Sardi's School Of Acting

Peter Sardi's School Of Acting

ABOUT OUR ACTING SCHOOL

A journey that began way back in 1979 in America.

~ Peter Sardi’s School of Acting ~

Peter Sardi is the principal acting teacher and founder of the school. His teaching journey began in 1980. Having studied acting in the USA, Peter’s initial reason for starting the school was to help him retain the knowledge he’d gained in his studies there. Sophie Sardi, his partner assists in all aspects of the school including teaching and administration. She first began studies with Peter in the 1990’s and became his full time partner in 2010.

PETER SARDI

Peter Sardi honed his craft in all three mediums of film, television, and theatre. His dedication to the art of acting is evident in the depth and versatility of Peter's performances. Drawing from his experiences from his time in America, Peter sought to share his knowledge and passion for acting with his students. In 1980 and back in Melbourne, Peter embarked on a series of acting workshops that have continued to this day where they serve to enrich the acting community and have at the same time, solidified Peter's reputation as a teacher, director, mentor and coach. Through his guidance, many actors have developed their skills to a professional level. Peter's approach to teaching is not just about technique but also about instilling a deep love and respect for the craft of acting. His students speak highly of his ability to push them beyond their comfort zones and challenge them to discover new aspects in their acting. Peter's classes are known for their intensity and focus. In a supportive yet demanding environment, students benefit from Peter’s depth of experience and patience. Many of his students have gone on to have successful careers in the industry, a testament to the impact of his teachings. Peter Sardi's contribution to the world of acting goes beyond his own performances. His dedication to teaching and mentoring actors has left a lasting legacy.

SOPHIE SARDI

Having met and studied under the tutelage and guidance of Peter Sardi for many years, I have worked with him as a partner, teaching actors in the craft of acting since 2010. I believe we have the ability to closely align ourselves with our students, utilising our combined skills to demonstrate the fundamental elements of acting. We regularly practise and demonstrate specific acting exercises, uniquely developed in our classes over many years. Our students are able to witness and learn from this at first hand. It is a rare occurrence to have your teachers work in front of you. We feel fortunate that we are able to utilise the skills we employ in our acting classes in the acting industry, whenever the opportunity arises. Peter and I can also say we continue to learn from our students and our teaching continues to evolve because of this. Our teaching philosophy is centred around the idea that learning is a two-way street. While we impart our knowledge and expertise to our students, we also learn from them in return. They challenge us in a way that pushes the boundaries of our own creativity. ~ Sophie Sardi

Recently Peter was interviewed by David Black for the Australian Short Film Network Journal. We have decided to put the full interview here (below) as it gives an excellent account of Peter Sardi's four decade journey into Acting, Teaching and Directing.

Peter Sardi - Acting Teacher Extraordinaire

DB - Hi Peter, thanks for taking the time to chat to me today. Peter Sardi's School Of Acting is certainly one of the iconic Melbourne institutions where many actors have learned the craft of acting over many, many years. But you didn't simply set up an acting school out of the blue. Way back in the '70's, '80's, '90's and beyond, you acted in some of the mainstream TV SHOWS of the day, such as "Keepers," "Cop Shop", "Neighbours", "Skyways", "Special Squad", "Henderson Kids", "Fields Of Fire", "Embassy", "Feds", "Blue Healers", "Wildside", "Stingers", "MDA", "City Homicide". You also acted in several FEATURE FILMS such as "Mouth To Mouth", "Moving Out", "Street Hero", "Ground Zero", "Evil Angels", "Angel Baby", and more recently "The Legend Of Ben Hall;" And you've also worked with The Melbourne Theatre Company as well as The Malthouse Theatre Company. You've obviously brought a wealth of experience to your acting school. What sparked of your desire to teach?

Peter Sardi - It was way back in early 1980 when I had returned home to Melbourne from my first visit to Los Angeles. Having studied acting full time in Los Angeles I was afraid that over time I would forget everything that I had learned. A friend of mine at the time said to me"Why don't you teach what you learned over there that way it will help you remember and retain the teachings." ~ I thought that made sense, so sometime in late January of 1980 on the floor of some factory in Richmond I gathered a very small group of close acting friends, three to be precise, and I taught my very first acting class. These weekly classes were FREE at the time, I didn't see them as 'acting classes', they were simply an opportunity for me to pass on what I had learned in Los Angeles and an opportunity to help me retain and not forget the teachings. Over time the word got out that there was 'this guy' who had returned from Los Angeles teaching acting. It wasn't long before my initial group of three actors had grown to thirty. At this time someone suggested that I should charge a fee for the classes at which point I did and things just took off from there. And the rest is history, as they say.

The best of times!

February – 1979 Peter Standing on Hollywood Blvd outside

Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute before they moved premises to Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood.

DB- What were your experiences over there in Los Angeles studying acting? Can you tell us about that?

Peter Sardi - It was a wonderful experience. It opened up a whole new world for me.

Remember, it was 1979 and the world was a lot bigger, no Internet, no mobile phones, no social media and the like, so in some strange way for the year that I was there Australia didn't exist in that I was very absorbed in the school, very absorbed in the American culture and Australia was a very long, long way away. I was like a sponge just taking it all in and for that time nothing existed outside of 'acting'. I also made some close American friends that I still remain in contact with to this day, thanks to social media. I believe my whole American experience 'opened a door' to not just 'acting' but to something much bigger; You might say it opened a door inside me where something was awoken, and here's the thing. After forty years of teaching acting I have learned that the task or job if you will of a good acting teacher/school is to awaken something in the student that he or she already possesses deep inside but which may have gone to sleep, and it's my job and responsibility as an acting teacher to re-awaken to reignite that creative flame that may have been extinguished years ago. What exactly is it that needs to be re-awakened? Well that's too long an answer to go into it here, but maybe another time.

Lee Strasberg Institute West Hollywood (2024)

DB - There are many members of the Australian Short Film Network that are considering going to an acting school. What can they expect?

Peter Sardi - Listen. That's it in a word ~ LISTEN.

That is the first thing they will learn when they join our school, how to LISTEN. I can't speak for other acting schools but in our school the ability to truly listen is the foundation of our teachings. Of course there are many other elements in the craft of acting that we teach however the foundation that everything is built on is this ability to really listen in a deep way. Also: If you are studying at our school you can expect a very safe environment in the classroom. This is essential due to the nature of the work that we do in our classes. You can also expect to meet some very interesting people from all walks of life, and I have always found this fascinating, how in the same room you can have such a diverse group of people from all sorts of varying backgrounds and cultures. We have had in the same room a High Courtroom judge, a Physicist, a Lawyer, Truck drivers, Plumbers, Bricklayers and the list goes on, yet what unites them all besides their love of 'acting' is their common humanity. What you can expect in our classes is the opportunity to connect to other fellow actors, specifically to connect to each other in a deep way and this is only possible when we can access our own humanity.

Finally, you can expect to learn not only 'how to act', but WHAT IT IS TO ACT.

DB - Peter, I've heard that you are a career maker.

Tell us about some of your students that went onto bigger roles?

Peter Sardi - First name that comes to mind is

LIAM HEMSWORTH.

This PIC was taken not long before Liam headed off to Hollywood. NOTE: That's his mother (Leonie) beside him!

Short Film "DAY OF BIRTH"

DB - Is there anything special down the track for us to look out for? What are your plans for the future Peter?

Peter Sardi - I recently finished acting in a short film "Day Of Birth".

It was a wonderful experience with some very talented people involved.

ALSO: I am currently writing a PLAY with my wife Sophie. It was conceived from an improvisation with a small group of actors that developed over a period of eighteen months. It was a very interesting process that we explored and we have now arrived at a full-length play that I am in the process of fine-tuning.

Currently Sophie and I are embracing technology and enjoying teaching online. Our

online drama classes have exceeded all expectations showcasing some truly remarkable work.

My Teachers and Mentors. . .

Walter Lott and Susan Peretz were not just teachers, they were my mentors who shaped my understanding of the art of acting. Their passion for the craft was infectious, and their dedication to their students was unwavering. As working actors themselves, they brought a level of authenticity to their teaching that was truly inspiring. Though Walter and Susan are no longer with us, their legacy lives on in the countless students whose lives they touched. I carry their teachings with me every time I step onto a stage, and I am reminded of the profound impact that a great teacher can have on a student's life. . . . Walter and Susan, you maybe gone but never forgotten. Thank You ~ Peter Sardi