Top tips on how to find a good acting class.

The best acting classes can always be found with some careful investigation and thought about what you actually need and what the class can provide for you. Don’t just join any class without doing your homework first. We are all so different, and we all need to learn different things and we all have different styles of acting. So choose the right one for you.

Figure out what you are actually looking for and what you want to get out of the class or course. You may be a theatre trained actor looking for film techniques. You maybe trained in the past but want to brush up on some skills. Or you maybe a beginner just starting out on your acting career and need a starting point. Be clear what you want and then see if that suitable class exists.

When you have found and attend your chosen class don’t forget that your goal is not to please the teacher. Your goal is to grow as an actor and strengthen your acting skills.

Collect as much information as possible like brochures, programmes and feedback. Most good classes should have a good website, providing you with all the necessary information. Contact them for any information that isn’t covered on their site. Look for feedback and recommedations. Ask other actors what they recommend before parting with your time and money.

Some classes use clever marketing to may make you think that you have to book a place without hesitation. They may only have ‘limited spaces’ or offer a temporary reduction in price. Don’t rush in to it. If the course is that good and is sold out, chances are they will repeat the course again, they’d be silly not to.

If a class or course offers to ‘make you into a star’, you’re being lied to. If a tutor says she or he can ‘make you a brilliant actor’, you’re also being lied to. A good class will show you techniques that will strengthen your own talent, if you have one. To be a good actor you will need to learn so many various skills and it doesn’t happen overnight.

Is the course worth the money? Some classes may only be a one off event and be extremely expensive. On the other hand you may be asked to pay hundreds of pounds for a term of seperate classes. Weigh up the costs. There is no point doing a term course if you are only looking to study 50% of the topics on offer. A ‘pick n mix’ approach may be more useful for you. Don’t forget that drama classes are also tax deductible and look out for any offers, ‘series discount’ or concession prices if you are already studying.

Look out for some form of guarantee. Some classes may offer a money back guarantee early on in the course, especially if you are not happy. It’s a good sign that the tutor or company are genuine and are very proud of what they can offer. Unfortunately not many acting classes will offer this so make sure you are going to get some use out of the course before you pay out.

Check for any course recommendations. If they are courses that are supported or recommended by Spotlight or Equity, then they are most probably genuine and pretty darn good. Courses held at the Actors Centre are also very trustworthy and very popular. There is also a great network of actors that attend the Actors Centre, and it’s been going for over 30 years, and they will all offer you good advice on classes.

Check out the location too. Just because the class is held at a drama school, doesn’t mean that the school are responsible for the course itself. Some large schools may hire out rooms to private tutors and courses. On the other hand, don’t be put off from attending a class that’s held in a community hall or even a room above a pub. There are some great classes held in some strange spaces. It’s the course and tutor that matters.

Try to avoid overcrowded classes. Smaller classes are more useful as you will end up doing more practical work rather than just observing. You may only pay around £20 for a day course but it’s no good if you’re just sat on your bum all day watching the odd volunteer get a 1-2-1 coaching session.

Do you actually need to attend the class? Some courses may be aimed at actors who are just starting out so don’t waste your time and money on any repeat training. Look for classes that you have no knowledge about.

The internet is so useful when it comes to any actors research, and especially when it comes to any business or person taking your cash! Find out as much as you can about the tutors history and credentials. Are they proper players within the industry or are they just making a quick income by dabbling in training actors?

Also some tutors may cling on to a technique that worked for them. But will it work for you? If a teacher tells you that theirs is the ONLY way, walk away. Try various techniques and discover which one resonates with you. Many actors take little bits from a number of different techniques and practitioners. Take what you like and need and leave the rest. Shop around and look into what other tutors offer.

If your class is being run by a tutor who is also an actor, make sure that they are running it as a TUTOR and not as an actor. Although what they impart about their own career can be useful, they should wearing their ‘tutor hat’. It should not be about them, their ego, their technique or their career. Teachers and tutors are there to train you. Nothing else. Anything that a tutor does in the class should be in the interest of training YOU to be a better actor.

If you are looking for a private acting coach find a teacher that works for you. Don’t assume that a teacher is competent just because they have a connection to Mike Leigh or once worked with the likes of Dame Judi Dench. Just because they were in a film with Michael Caine or Emma Thompson doesn’t make them a great acting coach. They should challenge you and bring out the best in you, regardless of their history.

There isn’t such thing as a free acting class. Some reputable courses may also offer you a free taster, so take advantage of them if you are genuinely interested in doing the full course. Also don’t take the free place just because it’s free and you’re already are trained in that area. A class should push you into learning new skills. Think about the actors who would need the course more than you do.

In the States, it’s very common for actors to sit in on an ongoing class, for free, just to observe. This is a great idea if you want to try before you buy. Hopefully some British long term classes may start using a similar set up. Some classes in the UK are taster sessions, but will normally charge a fee to cover their own costs.

Using social media can be very useful when trying to find out about the credentials of a tutor or actor class. Use twitter and facebook to ask other actors opinions on the course. Was it useful for them? Was it worth the money? Would they recommend it? Chances are you’ll get some useful feedback whether it was good or bad.

Any class that teaches you the business side of acting is very useful in our opinion. Once you have trained how to act you will need some guidance on how to survive as an actor in the industry. You need to find out how to market yourself, get good headshots and do your best at auditions. Look out for good workshops that will help you with the business side of things, not just concentrate on the acting.