Acting Workshops

An acting class or workshop can serve as both an introduction and a “workout” to strengthen your acting “muscles.” But the goal of an acting class is not to keep taking the class, but to stop taking it– to get out into the real world and work! 

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Private classes and workshops should be a springboard/stepping stone for you, not a final resting place.

Private study (“acting classes,” “scene study,” “workshops” “workout groups”) should be with a teacher(s) who is positive, constructive, well-recommended and well thought of in the industry. Casting directors or prospective agents may shift their thinking about you when they learn where or whom you’ve studied with.

Check your prospective teacher’s resume’. Study/workout should be with someone experienced who is inspiring with good intuition and a practical perspective.  This instructor’s goal should be both to ignite and hone your acting powers as well as to get you up and running in the current competitive market as soon as possible.

Your goal is to not need the class anymore. You want to get away from paying to learn and get into getting paid to learn— the goal is to work! This should be your teacher’s/program’s goal as well.

Some students attach themselves to classes as a kind of on-going group therapy that they apparently don’t want to to leave. They enjoy the camaraderie and a “safe” spotlight, and will happily keep paying for what is actually an excuse to not “go for it.” They never seem willing or able to leave the safety and support of the classroom. Well, baby bird’s gotta jump out of the nest at some point! There is nothing wrong with a safe workout program per se, but you’re not aiming to make a career of being in a classroom, right?

A paid teacher’s validation is fine, but nothing validates talent and ability like a paycheck or a live audience.

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Beware inept teachers, workshops or programs that charge big money only to cut you down and/or string you along forever.

It’s sometimes true that, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.”

Anybody who has worked a day in the industry can proclaim themselves an expert with “secret inside knowledge” and set up shop as a “teacher,” in a market where many hundreds are willing to pay good money for the key to “getting in.”

A teacher could be someone who worked a long time ago but can no longer get work and now just needs some cash. Or perhaps it’s someone who is good at asserting their “authority” in a classroom setting, but who isn’t  actually a good teacher. They just want followers.

To be fair, there are terrific mentors who have good experience and perspective and have lots to share even though they may not be currently working. It may be well worth it to pay for their insight. But– some teach because they can’t get work– for good reasons that you may not be aware of. It may be that their version of cultivating your art and professional strategy holds no value for them or for you.

Their take on the industry may be outdated (remember things change rapidly in this industry!). They may be too angry or needy or just kinda nuts (which may be why they don’t work anymore?). Maybe they have a galvanizing personality and need a captive (paying) audience to worship them. Perhaps they aren’t talented enough to get work so they position themselves as experts in what they don’t actually know that much about.

Whether they once had it or not, success as an actor doesn’t necessarily imply competence as a teacher. Acting and teaching acting are separate skills, in my book. Some can do both, but not all. You may have a brilliant, experienced performer who is a terrible teacher. Also, just because someone has had a lot of exposure to lots of good voice actors (maybe they were/are an agent or an engineer), it doesn’t necessarily mean they can teach the art or business of voice acting. 

There are lots of variations of all this. Lots of classes and teachers to sift through.

Sadly, a newbie often lacks the life experience needed to spot and defy false gurus. Your B.S. Meter will become more fine tuned with time.

I’d say first off: Don’t let any teacher/expert cut you down personally and never be afraid to tell an “experienced” or well-respected hack to go jump off a cliff for the right reason. Trust your gut on these matters.

That said, an honest and accurate professional opinion is worth gold, even if the truth hurts a bit. You aren’t looking for a teacher who only complements or strokes egos. Tough love can be a good thing in an acting class. You want a teacher who has good insight, great instincts and is honest.

No matter a teacher’s competency, they are all equally willing to take your money. Do your research to find a teacher with good experience and preferably who is still professionally engaged and who is well recommended.

Results are what matters!

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In answer to a number of inquiries: Unfortunately, I don’t have other region-specific advice on “who to study with” in areas outside of Los Angeles. The path should be the same, though– do some research, audit if possible, see the shows, get recommendations, talk to students or graduates, check the teacher’s or class’s resume´.  Also, I unfortunately don’t have the time to do individual consulting on demos, career coaching, etc.