Mikeila Cebedo

Through Shaun’s classes, I learned how to meet myself halfway in the fear of becoming. I learned how to be comfortable with the process of creativity: messy, imperfect and constantly in flux. His classes made me realize that it’s actually in the uncertainty that I thrive the most.

I experienced the safety and freedom to explore and reflect on my process… and that the only authority I ultimately answer to is myself. Through his mentorship, I was reminded that I’ve always had something meaningful to contribute and that my creative voice is valued, within myself and within the macrocosm of our lives as artistic and unique beings.

Rick Hastings

I’ve trained with Shaun McComb for about a year, both in class and through private online coaching — and he’s hands down the best acting coach I’ve ever had.

Shaun takes the time to truly know each actor — not just their craft, but who they are as people. He builds training around your specific goals and challenges, giving clear, actionable notes that immediately elevate your work. He has no ego; his only focus is helping his students grow.

What I appreciate most is the safe, encouraging space he creates. You feel free to take risks, explore, and push yourself in ways you never have before. His depth of knowledge, adaptability, and innovative problem-solving make every session inspiring and productive.

Valerie Lalonde

When I came across Shaun’s Scene Study class at The Dirt, I was feeling anxious and unsure about my work after years of being in classes that just weren’t for me. Shaun’s class reinvigorated a sense of passion for the craft in me. His clear love of what he does is infectious and makes me want to show up to every single class ready to play and work.

Shaun has a no-bullshit approach to the work which means that the work is always just about the work. He’s clear, curious, passionate, and creative in his approach with all of his students, making sure that he tailors his teachings to each individual and what they need.

I always leave feeling good about my work no matter the outcome of the scene. Shaun also creates a supportive environment to work in where every classmate is enthusiastic and uplifting of one another. I recommend Shaun’s class to every actor I know.

Joel Labelle

Shaun is an invaluable asset to anyone who takes their acting career seriously.

It’s easy to keep training at the same place and get comfortable but the job of the actor is always changing, so Its good to shake things up. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started training with Shaun, but my expectations were blown away immediately!

Shaun is so passionate about teaching acting and it shows. Compared to other classes I have taken, you get a lot of time on-camera, giving you multiple takes to explore as an artist. The class environment is a great place to fail, learn and try new things. Shaun is an invaluable asset to anyone who takes their acting career seriously.

Jonathan Silver

Shaun McComb is that rare acting coach that blends humility, love for the craft and first-hand experience to create a perfect atmosphere of comfort and creativity in the room. His passion for helping actors do their best work is palpable, and his focus on finding the joy of acting in a landscape so often filled with stress and obfuscation is refreshing.

He never gives any student short shrift, diving deeply into their process in a way that feels at once tailored to the individual actor, and universal in a way that will make you want to write down every other sentence he says. Even in my short time with him, I can feel myself growing as a performer, and look forward to our time together each week.

Mona Hillis

Shaun’s Scene Study class has changed me as an actor – for the better, of course. He has a never-ending supply of tools available in his belt that make prepping a scene a breeze. His ability to read his students and find exactly what every individual needs to work on most while fostering a safe and fun environment to play in is what makes me keep coming back for more. I can’t recommend his class enough.

Omar Saleh

Shaun began teaching me online during the pandemic and at the time I was just starting my “career” in acting and learning all the 101s and etc. Honestly, at first Shaun himself was very truthful and didn’t shy away from letting me know that if we didn’t work out its okay for us to go our separate ways. And right off the bat if your coach says that, you know you’re not getting scammed anytime soon (haha!).

Little did I know he ended up believing in me more than I did with myself and gave me the strength, the skills, the tactics, the passion to genuinely get better over time. It’s not easy and he doesn’t make it easy. At points he makes sure you learn how to criticize yourself (in a good way) so that you can “perfect” all angles and stay humble at the same time.

In less than a year I’ve done things I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing for several years out. And I without a doubt owe it all to Shaun.

It’s hard to describe magic, sometimes you just have to come see it for yourself.

Blue Bigwood-Mallin

Attending Shaun’s Scene Study Class has been an absolute boon for my work as an actor. It was recommended to me by some colleagues and, despite attending numerous on-camera classes in the city, I was blown away. My time there provided me with a reliable set of tools for approaching auditions and an open, focussed environment to experiment in. The weekly scenes kept me off balance and encouraged me to trying new things, while also helping to illuminate bad habits and hang-ups that were holding me back.

Shaun is exceptional at tailoring his approach to where you’re at and focussing in on areas that need improvement. He takes the time to get to know each and every student in his class, and has a sincere dedication and passion for the craft that is absolutely contagious. His instruction manages to strike a balance between rigour, practicality, and compassion that is exceedingly rare in most acting classes. It is a joy working with Shaun and I would highly recommend his to class to any actor, regardless of skill of level.

Carmen Kruk

For me, Shaun McComb’s Scene Study class is defined by the obvious passion for the craft that radiates off Shaun and through the whole studio. It is not unusual to see Shaun watching his students from the edge of his seat – physically (and sometimes audibly) cheering them on. This genuine enthusiasm for his students’ growth and success is evident in all aspects of Shaun’s teaching – from the carefully selected scenes which at times challenge, frustrate, play into your strengths, or push you out of your comfort zone, to the care he puts into personalizing notes and feedback.

Despite incorporating seemingly universal techniques, Shaun’s teaching is never didactic or one-size-fits-all. Instead, Shaun’s keen observations, and ability to translate concepts into the terms each actor understands most clearly, creates a one-size-fits-one personalized work experience.

Shaun’s no-bullshit personality is tempered by his obvious passion for the work and genuine care for each of his students. On a technical level, Shaun’s Scene Study class has helped me streamline and organize my baseline prep process. In addition to incorporating new concepts and techniques, working with Shaun helped me reframe familiar techniques to prioritize play over rigidity which has, in turn, breathed new life into my work and allowed me to reconnect with the joy of acting itself.

I first took Shaun’s class at the recommendation of a friend and walked in feeling very nervous, rusty, and out of my element. However, Shaun’s warmth and willingness to get into the weeds with me began breaking down that anxiety almost instantly and I now have no hesitation giving the same recommendation to any friend or actor. I have found Shaun’s class at The Dirt to be unfailingly useful: you get A LOT of time on your feet in front of the camera, and the class ensembles Shaun creates mean you’re surrounded by, and working with, an ensemble of equally passionate and hardworking actors who are genuinely inspiring and supportive of one another.

Aaron Chartrand

My favourite work I’ve ever done has been the work I’ve done with Shaun. Shaun has a way of cutting through the fog of the scene and distilling your work and best instincts into something very pure and potent. He has a way of communicating to the actor that is simple and effective which provides you with a feeling of clarity, in a process that can usually feel rushed with the time constraints that come with auditions. I really feel as though my work with Shaun results in the story of the scene shining and the communication of clear character drives as well. I always leave my sessions with him feeling like I’ve grown drastically, even if our session is only an hour. And above all that, he’s just a lot of fun to work with.