The first thing you need to do is decide if acting is really your goal. It's one thing to watch movies and dream of being on the silver screen, it's quite another to actually go out there and make that dream a reality. Acting requires perseverance, dedication and thick skin. You will face many rejections along the way and you need to learn how to deal with that without losing your confidence or drive. If you are passionate about acting then it will not be a problem for you.
If you've decided that acting is really your calling, then you should start preparing yourself now and take classes in order to get some experience before applying for a drama school or college offering performing arts.
To get started on your acting career you need to choose whether you want to go to drama school or university. Both offer exciting opportunities to learn about acting and meet new people who share your passion.
There is no one true answer to the question "Where should I study acting?". Everyone has different needs and it's important to take those into consideration.
There are some questions you should ask yourself before making a decision:
- Do I have the resources (money, time) for studying at a private school?
- What kind of training do I want (classical theatre, method acting)?
- How long do I want to study?
- Am I looking for a specific style of teaching?
- Is the institution accredited or not?
- Does the institution offer classes that are relevant to my needs?
- Does the curriculum cover all aspects of acting (text analysis, movement, singing, dancing)?
- What is the ratio between theory and practice?
- How much practical experience can I expect to gain by the end of my studies?
- How well does the training prepare me for the national or international work market?
The best way to research acting colleges and universities is by talking with people who have attended them before. Ask about their experiences and whether they would recommend it to others or not. It's also better if you can visit the school yourself so that you can see if the place fits your standards or not.
The process of becoming an actor requires hard work, dedication, and a lot of time. Furthermore, there are many different paths you can take to become an actor - there is no clear-cut answer as to which one will lead you to success.
For a full list of places to study acting, head to our Where To Study section.
