Approved Teachers are eligible to teach and perform Action Theater utilizing the name and trademark.

To become an Approved Teacher, one must complete at least 600 hours of training within a period of eight years or less. These 600 hours must include:

100 hours with Ruth Zaporah

100 hours with a Senior Teacher

300 hours with Ruth Zaporah, a Senior Teacher, or an Advanced Teacher

100 hours with Ruth Zaporah, a Senior Teacher, an Advanced Teacher, or an Approved Teacher

If a candidate works privately with Ruth Zaporah or a Senior Teacher, the teacher will determine how many hour credit the lessons are worth.

Upon completing these 600 hours, the candidate must then take a Teacher Certification workshop with Ruth, offered every two to three years.

The candidate must pass a demonstration exam with either Ruth or a Senior Teacher. This exam will assess the candidates ability to execute the basic Action Theater practices.

At the discretion of Ruth Zaporah or a Senior Teacher, candidates for certification may be required to complete additional hours to supplement the ones listed above.

To accumulate training hours, contact your current and/or past teachers and ask for a signed Hours Completed Form. Hours may be credited retroactively within the last five years with the consent of a Senior Teacher or Ruth Zaporah. This form is available for download at the following link: ATCertHours.pdf

Approved Teachers are required to participate in a two-week refresher lab with Ruth Zaporah once every two to three years and to maintain current license (described below) to preserve their standing.

In addition to the rights extended to Approved Teachers, Advanced Teachers are eligible to teach required hours towards Certification.

To become an Advanced Teacher, one must complete the Teacher Certification process, plus an additional 800 training hours with Ruth Zaporah or a Senior Teacher, and demonstrate a comprehensive and embodied understanding through ongoing practice of teaching and performing.

The candidate chooses a mentor from the Senior group of teachers with whom they train directly and discuss their performance work. The mentor along with Ruth determine when the candidate is ready to attain Advanced status.

The Candidate is required to write an essay or article on Action Theater at least every three years to be published in the ACTION Theater Journal.

Students seeking Level I Teacher Certification may complete up to 400 hours with an Advanced Teacher as part of the 600 hours requirement; see Level I certification section above for clarification.

To preserve their standing, Advanced Teachers must participate in a two-week refresher lab with Ruth Zaporah every two to three years.

Advanced Teachers are required to maintain a current license.

Senior Teachers are selected based on their thorough understanding of the work, years of dedication, practice, skill and experience in performing and teaching improvisation. They must be able to demonstrate and describe not only the basic exercises, but all the advanced practices. They must be able to demonstrate their experiments and innovations in the form and articulate inroads ( both in form and thought) to the practice. They must teach and perform improvisation on a regular basis.

The Candidate chooses a mentor from the Senior group of teachers with whom they train directly and with whom they intimately discuss their performances. The mentor along with Ruth determine if the Candidate is ready to become a Senior Teacher.

Senior Teachers are selected by Ruth Zaporah and one or more Senior Teachers.

Senior Teachers are required to participate in a two-week refresher lab with Ruth Zaporah once every two to three years and to keep their license current.

Senior Teachers are required to write an essay or article at least every three years to be published in the Action Theater Journal or another publication of their choosing. Thie writing must demonstrate innovative perspectives.