Even if you’ve been out of traditional school for a while, there is something magical about this back to school time of year. The laid-back vibes of summer vacation are at an end, our days are getting shorter and cooler (in the northern hemisphere anyway), and we feel a little more motivated to buckle down and get to work.
If you’re an actor who has taken some time off from your training, you may be itching to get back to it. So, how do you decide where to go? Acting classes are a huge investment of time, money, and creative energy, and you deserve the best training for where you are in your career right now. Here are five steps you can take to decide what training is a good fit for you.
1. Determine your current career goals.
There are countless categories of acting training available—scene study, script analysis, improvisation, stage combat, audition technique, on-camera classes—these are just a few! When you’re researching the landscape of options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So it’s imperative that you spend some time getting clear on your desired next step in this phase of your career. If your goal is to land a co-star on a television sitcom, then comedy and improv training could be great choices. If you want to book a national commercial, it’s time to find commercial technique classes in your area. If your dream is to work as a performer on Broadway, musical theater training might be a smart move. Narrowing your focus doesn’t limit you. Rather, it gives you much-needed clarity.
2. Get clear on your non-negotiables.
Once you pick a category for your training, it’s time to get even more specific. What other characteristics of your new acting school are important to you? Maybe you want to study with a teacher who also offers private coaching for auditions. Perhaps there is a specific technique you want to learn, like the Alexander Technique or the Linklater voice method. Or you’d like to find a large community of ambitious actors who are busy creating their own projects and inspiring one another. Dive a bit deeper and consider the full experience you wish to have with your next training.
3. Set a budget.
Class is an investment in your future success. Figure out how much you can comfortably afford to pay monthly. You may have to make some financial sacrifices in order to get the training you need, but there’s no sense considering a school if the tuition is way out of your price range. Look for opportunities to be of service and do work study for a discount as well.
READ: How to Choose an Acting Class
4. Research the details.
Now that you know exactly what you want and how much you can pay, it’s time to do some research. Visit school websites and social media profiles. Find studios in locations you’ll be able to reach easily each week, considering traffic and public transportation options. Determine what the philosophy and mission of each school is. Pay close attention to the teachers’ backgrounds and work experience. A teacher who is also a casting director or a former actor or a currently working actor will each bring a slightly different perspective to your training.
5. Audit some classes.
Once you’ve narrowed your training options down to a few solid contenders, it’s time to schedule some class audits! This is the final step of the process, where you will immerse yourself in the world of the studio and see firsthand whether it’s a good fit for you. If you are allowed to work in class, be sure to participate fully and make sure you get your outstanding questions answered. Talk to the other students in class during breaks and be curious about their experiences.
Some observations to make when you audit: Do actors work in every class? What are the class sizes like and how much personal attention does each student get from the teacher? Are group rehearsals required outside of class or will you do most of your work on your own? Does the teacher’s style resonate with you? Is their communication clear? Decide whether you can see yourself as part of this community.
Some acting studios do not allow audits because they want to preserve a safe space for their students to work without judgment from outsiders. In these cases, there may be an interview or a special introductory class. Do not hesitate to ask questions, read reviews, talk to other actors who study there, and get the facts you need to make an informed decision.
Our training ground is so important as actors. We can’t just sit in a room by ourselves and practice our craft. We need other actors to work with and trusted teachers to nurture us and give us constructive feedback. I wish you the best as you find the next space where you will learn and grow as an artist. Get “back to school” and break a leg out there!
Looking to get cast? Apply to casting calls on Backstage.
The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
