Online Acting Classes

There are a lot of them out there, especially now. If you are considering an online acting class, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. You are putting your emotional vulnerability in the hands of someone.

2. There is no official certificate for being qualified. Anyone can call themselves an acting teacher, and with a lot of online classes going on, there are a lot of new people out there.

3. You are making an investment; financially, personally, and energetically. Do your research and make the best decision for you.

4. Audit 3-5 classes to get a comparison and see what is out there.

Here are a few questions to answer when considering an online acting class:

1. How long has the teacher been doing this work?

2. Do they have a website? How long in business?

3. Are they a solo teacher or do they work for a school? And why?

4. What is their curriculum?

5. How much is the class?

6. How many people in the class?

7. Will the classes be recorded? If so who will see them?

8. How often will you actually work in the class?

9. Any reviews or references?

10. Why are they teaching on line classes?

11. What is their vision statement about their work?

12. What is their technique?

13. What is their background? Educationally and professionally.

14. How long a commitment do you need to make?

15. What specifically will you get out of the class?

16. Can you audit the class?

17. Do they charge for the audit?

18. When auditing a class, is it an observation audit or a participating audit?

19. How will the teacher “see” you and “get” who you are?

20. What techniques and exercises happen in the class?

Most importantly, it has to “feel” right and be a fit for you. It is very personal.

I think finding a good acting teacher is like finding a doctor, a fitness coach, or a therapist. You want to be “seen”, challenged, pushed, yet feel safe.  If it doesn’t feel right take a good look at why. You can and should try a class and see how it goes. Be cautious about those requiring a long term commitment and a lot of money upfront.  Your concerns can be great instincts, trust them. After all, so much of acting is about instinct.

Good luck!