Class Act

Acting is not one of those fields that require a degree. Your PhD in Acting (I know someone who has one) isn't going to make a stick of difference in a film/TV casting session EXCEPT for the level of confidence it can give you (more about that later). I know one or two very successful actors who've never taken an acting class in their lives. HOWEVER, this is rare and NOT recommended. In my opinion, finding a good coach and taking some part-time classes is essential; and a degree isn't necessary because you never graduate!

Think of it this way: professional hockey players; do they graduate "hockey school" and then never practice again? No. That's because they need to keep their skills sharp and their body fit for every single game they play until they retire. Acting is surprisingly similar to professional sports, and an acting class is like practice or training.

How do you weed out the good classes from the scams?

I offer the most information on this topic because I feel acting classes are the "front lines" of actor support and development. It's also where actors get ripped off the most.

Every reputable class should let you audit (sit in the room and watch) for free or a nominal fee. Workshops, or "Weekend Intensives", are more expensive to audit, but my advice is to leave the workshops alone until you've taken regular classes for at least a year. A one-month class consisting of two classes a week (a standard, for whatever reason) should cost $300 - 400 CAD per month in 2003. Workshops shouldn't be too much more, either. If a class costs more, ask them why - and it better be a good reason. If a class doesn't let you audit, WALK AWAY.

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