| There are a lot of acting schools to choose from. | | | | special courses like mask, make-up and costumes. |
| How do you decide which one is right for you? | | | | 6) Length of studies |
| Below is a checklist of 10 things to take into | | | | What kind of commitment do you want to |
| consideration when making your decision. | | | | make? If you're not sure you want to become an |
| 1) School Reputation | | | | actor, start off with a few acting classes or sign |
| Find out about an acting school’s reputation | | | | up for a summer acting camp. If you're ready to |
| through word-of-mouth and if possible, by asking | | | | train full time, programs vary from one to four |
| agents and casting directors at seminars and | | | | years of training. |
| workshops. Look at how many working actors | | | | 7) Performance opportunities |
| came out of the school you like in recent years. | | | | How often will you be on stage? This is very |
| Also look at the acceptance rate and which | | | | important. You can't learn to act if you don't get |
| schools require an audition. Usually, the better | | | | opportunities to work in front of an audience. Try |
| schools are more competitive. Keep in mind, | | | | to schedule a school tour to take a look at the |
| though, that many prestigious acting schools will | | | | facilities and their in-house theater(s). Find out if |
| not allow you to audition professionally until you | | | | graduating students appear in an industry |
| graduate. | | | | showcase in front of agents and casting directors. |
| 2) The faculty | | | | 8) Preparation for the marketplace |
| Your acting teachers will have a lot to do with the | | | | Ask if the acting school offers help with |
| kind of actor you become. Find out if you can | | | | headshots, resumes and cover letters. Are |
| audit a class and if your teachers are working | | | | workshops and seminars with working |
| actors. Also look at the student to faculty ratio to | | | | professionals included in the curriculum? Does the |
| make sure you get to work on scenes in every | | | | school have a film department where you can |
| class. | | | | work with future filmmakers and get a reel |
| 3) Focus of the school: film or theater | | | | together? Are internships in the entertainment |
| What kind of acting career do you want? If you | | | | industry facilitated? Is the school affiliated with a |
| want to be a Broadway actor, consider picking a | | | | professional acting company? All these things will |
| school in New York. Film acting schools will train | | | | help you land your first acting jobs. |
| you better for acting in front of the camera, but | | | | 9) Acting degree |
| keep in mind that a lot of casting directors still | | | | What degree will you get at the end of your |
| prefer actors with theater training, even for film | | | | acting training? A Bachelor’s degree from an |
| and television. | | | | acting university will give you more options in the |
| 4) Method of training | | | | future, including the possibility of pursuing a |
| What’s the philosophy of the school? What | | | | Masters later. If the school you like doesn’t |
| acting techniques will you study? Method acting? | | | | offer a BFA in acting, find out if you can earn |
| The Meisner technique? As a beginning actor, you | | | | transferable credits. |
| may not know what techniques will work for you, | | | | 10) Cost |
| so consider a school that offers many approaches | | | | Consider your budget. You will need money for |
| to acting. No matter what curriculum you choose, | | | | tuition fees, books, supplies, room and board, |
| make sure your acting class includes work on | | | | insurance, transportation and personal expenses. |
| relaxation, concentration, improvisation, scene | | | | Find out if the school you're interested in offers |
| study and character study. | | | | financial aid. Also know in advance what kind of |
| 5) Classes offered | | | | financial risk you're taking (some acting schools do |
| Beyond acting classes, a good acting school should | | | | not guarantee their students will be accepted into |
| offer courses in movement (including stage | | | | the second or third year). |
| combat and dance), vocal production and speech | | | | Hope these tips help. You can view listings of |
| (including singing, dialects and accent reduction if | | | | acting schools here. Good luck on your first step |
| needed), plus acting for the camera and | | | | towards an acting career! |
| auditioning classes. You may also want to take | | | | |