How To Find The Right Acting Class

Just like school age children, fall means back to school time for actors. Many actors take a summer break to visit their hometowns and recharge their batteries.  Once they return to Los Angeles, they need to get back in the swing of things and find an acting class to attend on a regular basis.

There are more acting classes in this town than most people realize. It's not hard to find a class to attend.  The hard part is making sure the acting class you choose is the right place to refine your skills.  How does an actor make sure the class they attend is the best fit for them?

1. Area of study - Are you interested in scene study? What about improv?  Are you interested in learning stage acting or on-camera acting? Once you decide on your preferred acting technique, make sure that any acting class you are considering focuses on that aspect of the craft.
2. Becoming famous - If a prospective teacher promises to make you rich and famous, run as fast as you can from his class. That teacher is a liar. An acting teacher can help bring out your natural talent and abilities but they can't turn you into Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts. The teacher can show you techniques and exercises to help realize your potential but it's up to you to bring your talent to the surface (and beyond). 
3. Research and auditing - Finding the right class can involve a few steps.  Researching acting teachers on the Internet is a good start. Once you find someone that has the qualities you're looking for in a class, contact the teacher to see if you can audit the first class. Most teachers will let you watch a class and absorb everything that happens during the session. A teacher who is not willing to let you audit a class might be an instant sign that it's not the right choice for you.
4. Make a list - Do your acting interests run the spectrum from comedy to Shakespeare to TV dramas? If so, write down what you're interested in studying and find a teacher willing to help you navigate the wide range of your interests. You could find your attention is more focused on certain parts of your list.  A good teacher helps you move away from the "kitchen sink" list of interests to what really sparks your acting passion.
5. It's all about you - A good acting class shines the spotlight on the students. It's a bonus if the teacher is a working actor because he will know the daily challenges that come with being part of the acting world. A good acting class focuses on you and not the ego or success of the teacher. Find a supportive environment and not a class where the teacher constantly tells you why his acting choice was better than your acting choice in a scene.

Don't forget that networking and asking the advice of friends is an invaluable tool in finding a class that is right for you. Sometimes your friends and fellow actors know you better than you know yourself. Trusting their advice and insight can be the first step in finding the perfect class for you.

This guy attends an acting class on a regular basis and loves it!