Like any typical university, classes are designed to prepare you for a career, but won't necessarily secure your career. If you were accepted to multiple universities, chances are you'd choose the one that offers the best programs based on your goals.
You should do the same with acting classes. Finding the Best Class: A great way to find a class is to get a recommendation from
an actor friend. This way, the class they recommend is taught by someone they trust. If your actor friends don't know of any reliable classes, doing research online is a great resource.
Listen to people who you feel are headed in the same direction and take caution with advice from those who aren't. Once, I took a class from a verbally abusive teacher who lacked actual film acting experience. You're probably thinking, "are you crazy?!" My manager at the time demanded that I take this person's class or they'd drop me as a client. This is a BIG RED FLAG for both the manager and the teacher. While some might consider this a few months down the drain, I learned vital skills for my career like how to stand up for and trust myself and who to take advice from. Learn from my mistakes so you don't have to experience this the hard way.
People love sharing their knowledge when they think they can help. When asking questions, listen carefully to those individuals you respect the most. Picking the Right Teacher: Before signing up for an acting class because a friend recommended it, you'll want to look at the teacher's credibility. Have they actually worked as an actor? Do they have film/theater credits? If so, how many and how big was their part? Do you like and respect their work? These questions will guide you to the best decision.
You'll want to find someone who builds up your confidence and doesn't tear you down. While too much criticism can have a negative impact on you, it can also be beneficial if it is constructive. On the other hand, you don't want a teacher that only gives you praise because you won't learn anything new. Find a teacher that doesn't verbally abuse you, but uses criticism constructively to improve your performance. If the class allows auditing, by all means give it a try.
Take a look at current (and past) students to see if they're working actors. If they are, it's a good sign that it's a quality class and that you might actually get work too. When you find a class that meets the above suggestions, I highly recommend joining it. This class will serve as your "acting orientation" and give you the basic tools needed to excel in your craft. An acting class will keep you sharp in case you get a last-minute audition and don't have time to prepare for it. Acting books also provide excellent acting instruction and guidance. Ask mentors which ones they recommend.
Popular Classes: Taking the well-known and popular classes are generally the most beneficial. The popular classes are most likely to be recognized by a casting director, producer, agent, or manager. If they like and respect the acting school, they'll have more confidence that you're a well-trained actor. This can give you an extra edge over other actors who don't take classes.
General Class Info: The average is $55 per individual class (2016) - most offer month-to-month or package deals. Class size is usually about 12 students. If the school is large, they will have multiple classes available for you to take and a cap on how many people can take that specific class. Most classes at the beginner level don't have prerequisites, but some require an audition before acceptance. If you don't get in the first time, you will most likely be given another chance to audition down the road.
Learn From Others: During acting class and rehearsals, be observant of other people's scenes and the direction they're given. If you focus only on your scene work, you limit the amount of acting tips you can learn. However, if you pay attention to the whole class, you can learn much faster.
