Finding the right teacher is tricky. Enrolling in a class taught by a well-known coach doesn’t always mean you’ll connect with them or that they will be a match for you.
You need to find a teacher that will help guide you to your vulnerabilities and explore yourself more in depth. A good teacher will challenge you to do better without sugar coating or softening reality and push you out of your comfort zone.
When you do your research online or go through the resources I have put together for you, look for and understand the teacher’s philosophy. Get references and ask other actors around if they have had any experiences with that teacher. Do some more research and get to know the people that run the school as well as the people that teach the classes.
Some schools are operated and taught by one individual while some schools have more than 3 instructors and operated by other members of the organization. Acting coaches or teachers are also actors, however you don’t want to pay $300 to hear a teacher talk about his glory days on the stage.
The professional teacher pulls from their experience to help you understand the lesson but does not make the lesson all about themselves. This individual is there to teach you to reach your goals as an actor, not peacock around and tell stories to impress you.
Typically, class size helps you determine the amount of one-on-one attention you will receive from the teacher, find out what their class sizes are. Ideally under 10-12 people is what you should look for in a 3 to 4-hour long class.
If the instructor has a website, read over their class descriptions and any curriculum they may have. Some schools have a ‘series’ that start at a beginner level and prepares you for their next level up class. Read their course descriptions and find out exactly what you will get.
Is this an on-camera class? Will you have the opportunity to record your scenes and keep them? Will you be taking a method or technique class? Is this a business class?
If this in an audition class, will the instructor provide the monologues or will
you have to bring your own? Is this for a beginner actor or an experienced actor? You get the point. If their website doesn’t answer your questions, pick up the phone and ask them.
It is very important that you understand their registration and refund policies. In the state of Texas Refunds are made in compliance with the provisions of Section 132.003(a) (5), (6), (7) and (8) of Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code.
Please ensure that the school you are looking to attend follows this code, their website or a bulletin in their school is where they generally disclose this information. With this in mind, be very careful and look for any red-flags that may indicate that the school you are looking at is a scam.
I have seen ads on Craigslist and other websites of ‘instructors’ teaching in their home or their apartment. For the sake of your safety, please do not go to an individual’s home for acting lessons.
There are many people just waiting to take advantage on a young, hopeful, naïve aspiring actor/actress. Visit my website and read my blog on Recognizing Scams when you have a moment. This blog post is mostly aimed at fake Agencies or Talent Scouts but the basic concept still applies to acting schools.