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What kinds of acting classes are there?
Answer: Each acting class is slightly different from every other, in tone, in content, in teaching style and in metrics for success. The different acting classes you might take during the course of your acting career will… (continued in David’s answer below)
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Answer: Each acting class is slightly different from every other, in tone, in content, in teaching style and in metrics for success. The different acting classes you might take during the course of your acting career will vary based on your needs and the direction your acting career takes. From scene study to on camera to movement to voice, each acting class you take can strengthen a different acting “muscle.”
If you open up the pages of Backstage, you’ll see advertisement after advertisement for acting classes. Each acting class is slightly different, and each offers a different benefit to you as your acting career progresses.
The first question to ask when considering a particular acting class is “What do I need to gain skills in?” The answer might be very specific, or might be nothing in particular – you might just want to join a group of like-minded actors in a weekly jam session, just to keep your chops up or to have contact with fellow artists. On the other hand, you might be considering sharpening your skill set with a particular type of class. There are plenty to choose from; here are the most common.
Scene study acting classes. This is the most common type of class, in that scenes from theater, television, and film are used to analyze the acting process. Usually, scenes are read, then blocked, then rehearsed, then worked, then presented. The process may vary from class to class, but the end result is a total analysis of the scene from script to finished product.
On-camera acting classes. If you’ve spent most of your time on stage, learning the craft of stage acting, you’ll want to expand your horizons, open yourself up to new opportunities to get acting jobs in film and television, and learn the craft of on-camera acting. From vocal levels to body placement to prop usage and frame construction, there are dozens and dozens of technical skills that the on-camera actor must possess, separate from stage acting skills. These on-camera skills are also important for on-camera auditions – knowing how to address the audition put on tape is just as important as it is on set.
Cold reading acting classes. Often, especially in the world of commercials, actors are given very little time to prepare with a script, and even when we are given a day or two with our sides, cold reading skills, the skill that gets us from 0 to 60 with a script quickly, are extremely valuable. To be able to quickly get to the heart of the action of the scene, your character’s purpose and action (and other character’s) in the scene, what you want, what your obstacles are and how you play the scene gets you that much further that much faster. Having strong cold reading skills let you spend more time exploring the options you have in a scene and less time trying to figure out the basics.
Audition acting classes. The art of auditioning is actually very different from the art of performing on set. There are a whole series of requirements and a different audience and customer than with performance – with performance, you’re working for the director. With auditioning, you’re looking to get approval from both the casting team and the writers, producers, and yes, sometimes, directors on a project. Audition technique acting classes look at the audition process as a job skill all its own, breaking down the preparation and execution of the audition.
Improvisational, or improv, acting classes. Some people say that comedy, and comedic timing, and creativity can’t be taught. Millions of improv students prove them wrong every week. Comedy, improv, sketch, writing and other creative skills can and are taught at schools like The Groundlings, Upright Citizen’s Brigade, ACME, Second City, IO and more, and when you have improv acting classes on your resume, it’s one more reason for a casting director to bring you in for sketch comedy, sitcom, and semi-scripted auditions.
Movement acting classes. Your physical body is just as much an instrument and tool as your voice, the props you use, and the space you work within. Movement acting classes that explore the physical movement of your arms, your legs, how you hold your body, the way you move your head, how you interact with your fellow actors can strengthen your body, sharpen you mind and offer you choices when you actually perform you may not have been aware of. Classes that have names like Alexander Technique, Movement in Space and more border on yoga and dance, all with the goal of making you a better actor.
Vocal and singing acting classes. From musical theater classes to Broadway belting to vocal level matching for scene size, vocal acting classes sharpen the voice the way movement acting classes sharpen the body. Taking a “singing for actors” class has benefits beyond overcoming your fear of hitting a high C – they actually make you more aware of the way you use your voice when on-camera and on the theater stage.
Stage combat acting classes. In this type of class, various weapons used in the course of stage or film work, will be examined and their use practiced and perfected. In addition, physical fight sequences, using just the body will also be practiced. The teacher in the class will demonstrate how to use swords, guns and other weapons, how to handle them safely, how to choreograph the acting sequences in which they will be used and how to make them appear realistic to the audience. You may also learn physical stage fight techniques – punching, kicking, slapping, falling and taking hits. In all cases, student safety is paramount – no one is actually supposed to get hurt, but the audience is supposed to think they did.
Whatever the acting class you decide to take, make sure you research the facility, the teacher and the student body, as well as the success the former students of the class may or may not be enjoying. Be careful and do your homework – it will make the acting class you finally decide to attend all that much more meaningful and enjoyable.
What’s your answer to this acting question? Let me know in the comments below.
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LikeDislikeThis is my first visit and I just wanted to stop by to say Hello!.
hello, my name is kenny bertin from Rochester Ny i’ve been looking for acting school but i just found this website that gives me all details please i would like to ask if you can give me all informations and location so because i am very interesting. thank you and i will be waiting for your answer .
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LikeDislikeyou asked about the acting school all information but I don’t give more information about that because I am not learning that but my sun is the first year student to college for theater. So he asked that three questions and I send to you those question after this message. please you have the knowledge about actors you give any idea. Thank you for your response my question.
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