At The Playground Acting Conservatory, we’ve perfected a program so distinctly Pasadena that it could only exist among the arbor-lined streets of our historic city. Our Old Money Etiquette Program doesn’t just teach children to act—it teaches them to behave with the quiet confidence of generational sophistication.
Here’s why Pasadena’s most established families enroll their heirs in what’s become known as “finishing school for the 21st century”:
The Three Pillars of Aristocratic Performance
1. The Art of Subtlety
– Master the restrained acting style prized in:
– Period dramas (The Crown, Downton Abbey)
– High-society social scenarios
– Diplomatic situations
– Learn what not to do: no overacting, no attention-seeking
2. Voice of Authority
– Cultivate the “Pasadena tone” – clear but never loud
– Perfect the art of being heard without straining
– Develop a versatile range: from garden party chatter to boardroom addresses
3. Movement as Legacy
– Walk with generational confidence
– Sit with unconscious elegance
– Gesture with purposeful restraint
Unique Program Features
🏛 Historic Estate Training
Practice scenes in authentic Pasadena mansions
🎩 “Time Travel” Workshops
1910s ballroom etiquette meets modern networking skills
🍽 Luncheon Labs
Master theatrical timing alongside table manners
Why Pasadena’s Old Families Choose Us
“The difference wasn’t just in my daughter’s performances—it was in how she carried herself at the Huntington Library gala last month. Several trustees commented on her remarkable poise.”
– Fourth-Generation Pasadena Philanthropist
“After six months in the program, my son landed his first major period drama role. The casting director said he was the only child who truly understood restrained Edwardian manners.”
– Oscar-Nominated Director & Pasadena Resident
Try This Old Money Exercise at Home
The “Three-Chair” Scene Study
1. Set up three chairs representing:
– A Newport mansion (formal)
– A Pasadena garden (semi-formal)
– A Malibu beach house (casual)
2. Perform the same short scene in all three locations
3. Notice how posture, vocal tone and eye contact change
Past Pasadena Events
Summer Cotillion Workshop
Period movement meets modern manners
Heritage Acting Intensive
For students with family collections/estates
Contact us to learn more about acting programs.