How do you find the right acting class? 

We’ve all been there, we are excited about getting into an acting class, and we jump in. Then we realize quickly that it’s not a good fit. But you are now committed for a month or more. So here’s how I like to sort through acting classes before I choose.

#1 Get Recommendations

I like to ask other actors, managers or agents whom I admire for recommendations based on my needs. Be specific. If you are looking for a commercial auditioning class, they might give you an acting coach for scene study. It makes a difference in your experience and learning.

And if you don’t know anyone, Google and yelp reviews will give you some hints and a good start.

#2 Choose an acting teacher with a solid background in acting

Choose someone who has worked in the industry as an actor, casting director, or agent/manager. Someone with real, hands-on experience with the right temperament to teach. Finding the right teacher is going to be a personal choice. One size does not fit all in this matter.

#3 Pick the class that focuses on your specific need

make sure the focus of the class meets your needs as an actor. If comedy is your focus, make sure there is a large element of training in comedy. Of course many aspects of acting crosses over, so understand the process. If you were looking for commercial training, make sure that’s what you’re getting.

#4 Ask if you'll actually act/work in every class session.

To become a skilled actor, you need to act. Make sure the class is small enough that you work in front of the class every time. This is the only way to become comfortable, and lose the nerves. Taking notes and watching other actors teaches you a lot, but the experience of working in front of others always hits deeper. 

#5 Audit the class.

Many reputable classes, will allow you to audit one class. This means attending a class and observing. Usually this is free or might require a small fee. But don’t be surprised if auditing is not allowed. I think class is a sacred room requiring trust and having others outside of the class observe a student’s process is not always allowed. Instead of an audit, that teacher might opt for a one on one conversation to establish a connection, answer questions, discuss their process on coaching actors.

Once you’ve done your research, you should find a class where you can grow. 

When to move onto a different class or teacher

And just as a side note, if you are getting too comfortable in class, not making any progress, not improving, it might be time to find a new class. This doesn’t mean the class is bad. You just might need a different view and perspective that hits differently until you a have that lightbulb moment. There are many different methods for actors to use in performing scenes.

Most acting coaches will have their preferred method. You won’t know which method works for you the best until you’ve tried them all. Which means you need a few different acting coaches over early in your career. And as we grow in our career, the method we used early on, may not work as well for us years into our career. 

It's not personal, it's business.

Just like a professional athlete, we need many coaches to teach us different skills. When we leave one acting class for another, remember that it’s business. You need to keep developing your product, which is you. If you are stagnant, not making any progress, then your business goes stale. You need to stay enthusiastic and in love with your craft. It’s not easy to move from one place to another, especially when you have connected with your acting teacher. 

This is a very personal business, where we make a strong connection with each other. But coaches also understand that this is business. They also know it isn’t progressing. They can probably feel like coming.

No coach ever wants to lose a student and no actor ever wants to begin with a new teacher. But it's part of the craft. And when you're part of the class, give that teacher's methods a chance. Don't judge the process. And as the methods are ethical, respectful and produce results, give it a go. 

Get in a class and keep studying.

Class is where you're going to find your community of actors, your peers and your new friends. Whether class is Zoom or live, in-person, get in class and keep studying. Even A-list actors continue to study.

And if you need insights into how the industry works for actors, watch my free workshop.

Watch Free Workshop

Break a leg!

-Nancy