Training Options
Navigate the confusing world of acting classes — what's worth your money, what's a waste, and what to look for.
Training Options
There is no required credential to be an actor. No license, no certification, no degree. You could start submitting for roles tomorrow morning.
But talent without training is raw material. You might have strong instincts, but instincts alone will not carry you through a 14-hour shoot day, a cold read in a casting office, or a scene that demands you access specific emotions on the seventh take at 2 AM. Training gives you tools. It gives you a repeatable process. And it gives you the ability to be consistently good rather than occasionally interesting.
The actors who book consistently are not always the most naturally gifted. They are the ones with a process they can rely on when talent alone is not enough. That process comes from training.
Here are your options, what each actually costs, and an honest assessment of what each is worth.
University Programs (BFA/MFA)
A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a four-year undergraduate degree. A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a two-to-three-year graduate program and the terminal degree in performing arts.
What You Get
Structured, comprehensive curriculum covering acting technique, voice and speech, movement, stage combat, theater history, directing, and dramaturgy. Multiple production opportunities per year. A cohort of peers who become your first professional network. Top programs hold industry showcases in New York and Los Angeles where agents, managers, and casting directors attend specifically to scout graduating talent.
What It Costs
| Program Type | Typical Annual Tuition | Total Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFA (public, in-state) | $8,000-$12,000 | $32,000-$48,000 | 4 years |
| BFA (public, out-of-state) | $25,000-$30,000 | $100,000-$120,000 | 4 years |
| BFA (private university) | $55,000-$65,000 | $220,000-$260,000 | 4 years |
| MFA (varies widely) | $15,000-$55,000 | $30,000-$165,000 | 2-3 years |
For reference: Carnegie Mellon's current tuition runs about $64,000 per year. NYU Tisch is in a similar range. Juilliard sits around $55,500 per year, though they are aggressively moving toward a tuition-free model and the MFA in Acting is already fully funded. UNCSA (University of North Carolina School of the Arts) is roughly $9,500 per year in-state and $27,000 out-of-state -- one of the best deals in conservatory-level training.
Some MFA programs offer full tuition waivers and stipends. The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale has been tuition-free since 2022. Others provide graduate assistantships that significantly reduce costs. Research financial aid aggressively -- paying full sticker price for an MFA is rarely necessary.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are looking at private BFA programs, compare the total four-year cost against a public conservatory like UNCSA or SUNY Purchase. The training quality at the best public programs is on par with private schools at a fraction of the price. That $200,000 difference is real money you could spend on years of living expenses while you build your career.
Notable Programs
Undergraduate (BFA):
- Carnegie Mellon School of Drama -- Consistently top-ranked, extremely selective
- UNCSA (University of North Carolina School of the Arts) -- Public conservatory model at public school pricing
- Juilliard -- Four-year drama division, approximately 18 students per class
- NYU Tisch School of the Arts -- Multiple studio options (Meisner, Experimental Theatre Wing, Atlantic, Stonestreet)
- CalArts -- Strong experimental and contemporary approach
- Rutgers Mason Gross -- Three-year BFA, strong theater training
- University of Michigan -- Well-connected showcase program
- Boston University -- Strong conservatory within a university setting
- SUNY Purchase -- Excellent conservatory training at public school cost
Graduate (MFA):
- David Geffen School of Drama at Yale -- Tuition-free, three-year program
- Juilliard Drama Division -- MFA in Acting is fully funded
- NYU Graduate Acting -- Three-year program at Tisch
- UC San Diego -- MFA with strong regional theater connections
- American Conservatory Theater (ACT) -- San Francisco-based MFA
- Brown/Trinity MFA -- Unique academic/conservatory hybrid
Best For
People who thrive in structured academic environments, want a comprehensive foundation in both craft and theater history, and can manage the financial commitment. An MFA is particularly valuable if you are interested in theater careers or university-level teaching (it is typically required for tenure-track positions).
The Honest Assessment
No casting director has ever asked to see a diploma. A degree from a top program gives you training, connections, and a showcase -- it does not guarantee work. Actors from two-year conservatories and weekly classes book the same roles as BFA/MFA graduates. The degree is one path, not the only path.
Agents sign actors straight out of top MFA programs. They also sign actors who never set foot in a university. What matters in every case is whether the actor can deliver in the room.
Conservatories (Non-Degree)
Intensive, focused training programs outside traditional universities. These range from two-year full-time programs to shorter intensives and progressive level systems.
Notable Conservatories
| Program | Location | Focus | Duration | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Playhouse | New York | Meisner Technique | 2 years | ~$20,500/year |
| William Esper Studio | New York | Meisner Technique | 2 years | ~$8,000-$10,000/year |
| Stella Adler Studio | New York/LA | Adler Technique | 2-3 years | ~$12,000/year |
| Atlantic Theater Company | New York | Practical Aesthetics | 2 years | ~$15,000/year |
| Groundlings | Los Angeles | Improv/Comedy | Progressive levels | ~$400-$500/level |
| UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) | New York/LA | Improv/Sketch | Progressive levels | ~$450-$550/level |
| Second City | Chicago/Toronto/LA | Improv/Sketch | Progressive levels | ~$350-$450/level |
| RADA | London | Classical/Contemporary | 3 years (BA equivalent) | ~£9,250/year (UK students) |
| LAMDA | London | Classical/Contemporary | 3 years | ~£9,250/year (UK students) |
Tuition figures are approximate and change frequently. Contact programs directly for current pricing.
Pros
Focused entirely on craft -- no general education requirements eating up your schedule. Often taught by working professionals who are actively auditioning and booking alongside their teaching. Shorter time commitment than a degree. Generally less expensive than university programs.
Cons
No degree at the end. Still a significant time and financial commitment for the full-time two-year programs. Quality varies enormously -- the name recognition of a top conservatory carries weight, but lesser-known programs may not offer the same caliber of instruction or industry connections.
🎯 Industry Insight: The Meisner-based conservatories (Neighborhood Playhouse, Esper, Maggie Flanigan) produce consistently strong film and TV actors because the technique trains you to live truthfully in the moment -- exactly what the camera demands. If you are serious about on-camera work and want a deep technique foundation without a four-year degree, a two-year Meisner program is one of the best investments you can make.
Best For
People who want deep, focused technique training without the time and cost of a four-year degree. Particularly strong choice if you know which technique resonates with you and want to study it intensively.
Private Studios and Ongoing Classes
This is where most working actors do the bulk of their training, and where you will spend the most time over your career. Private studios and individual teachers offer ongoing weekly classes in scene study, on-camera technique, cold reading, audition prep, and specific techniques.
What It Costs
| Class Type | Typical Cost | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing scene study | $150-$400/month | Weekly, 2-3 hour sessions |
| On-camera technique | $200-$450/month | Weekly, 2-3 hour sessions |
| Cold reading/audition technique | $150-$350/month | Weekly or bi-weekly |
| Private coaching (per session) | $75-$300/hour | As needed |
| Top-tier teachers in LA/NY | $300-$500/month | Weekly |
Finding the Right Class
In Los Angeles, well-regarded ongoing studios include:
- Lesly Kahn & Company -- Known for comedy and sitcom technique
- Howard Fine Acting Studio -- Comprehensive technique with a large alumni network
- Margie Haber Studio -- Cold reading and audition technique
- Warner Loughlin Studios -- Character-driven approach
- Larry Moss -- Scene study with an emphasis on film
- Ivana Chubbuck Studio -- Power of the Actor technique
In New York, notable options include:
- Susan Batson Studio -- Private coaching and classes
- T. Schreiber Studio -- Comprehensive technique training, long-running program with multiple class levels
- Bob Krakower -- On-camera audition technique
- Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop -- Presence-based approach (also in LA)
In London, look at:
- City Academy -- Wide range of adult acting classes
- Identity School of Acting -- Founded by Femi Oguns
- The Actors Centre -- Drop-in workshops with industry professionals
✅ Key Point: Regardless of whether you pursue a degree or conservatory, ongoing classes should be a permanent part of your professional life. You never stop training. Actors with 30 years of credits still take class, work with coaches, and stay sharp. The day you stop training is the day your work starts getting stale.
Best For
Everyone. At every stage of career. This is not optional.
Community Classes and Workshops
Community theaters, recreation centers, university extension programs, and local arts organizations often offer introductory acting classes. These run $0-$150 for a multi-week session.
Best for testing the waters. If you have never been in an acting class and want to find out whether this resonates before committing real money, start here. The instruction will not be at the level of a professional studio, but it gives you a baseline experience.
Online Training
The pandemic accelerated online acting education, and some of it has stuck around because it genuinely works.
MasterClass offers overview-level classes from well-known actors. These are interesting for perspective but will not replace hands-on training. $120/year for all-access.
More substantive options include:
- Many established teachers (Lesly Kahn, Anthony Meindl, etc.) now offer Zoom class options at similar prices to in-person sessions
- Skillshare and Coursera offer introductory-level courses for $15-$40/month
⚠️ Warning: Online training works best as a supplement, not a replacement. The core of your training should involve being in a room with other actors, reading off a real person, and getting live feedback from a teacher who can see your full physical performance. You cannot learn to act on a screen the same way you cannot learn to swim by reading about it.
How to Evaluate a Teacher
Bad training does not just waste your money -- it can actively set you back by instilling habits you will need to unlearn later. Here is how to assess a teacher before committing.
Do This
- Audit the class first. Any reputable teacher will let you sit in on a class before you commit. If they will not allow auditing, walk away. No exceptions.
- Check the teacher's background. Do they have professional credits? Have they worked in the areas they are teaching? Look them up on IMDb. A teacher does not need to be a star, but they should have real-world experience.
- Watch how they give notes. Good teachers are specific, constructive, and focused on the work. They direct the actor toward discoveries rather than simply demonstrating what they want.
- Evaluate the class size. If there are 25 students in a two-hour class, you will get maybe four minutes of stage time. You are paying for feedback -- make sure you will actually get some. 8-16 students is a reasonable range for most scene study classes.
- Talk to current students. Not testimonials on the website. Actual people currently enrolled in the class. Ask: Are you improving? Do you feel supported? Are people in the class booking work?
Watch For These Red Flags
| Red Flag | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Promises of bookings, representation, or fame | No teacher can guarantee this. Ever. |
| Large upfront fees ($2,000+ "enrollment") | Legitimate classes charge monthly or per session |
| Long-term contracts | Good teachers do not need to lock you in |
| Claims their technique is the only valid approach | Ego over education |
| Discourages training elsewhere | Insecurity, not pedagogy |
| Requires you to use their photographer, agent, etc. | Kickback scheme |
| Creates an emotionally unsafe environment | Manipulation disguised as "pushing you" |
| More time performing for the class than teaching | The class is serving their ego, not your growth |
A Note on Emotional Safety
Acting requires vulnerability. A good teacher creates an environment where it is safe to take risks and fail. A bad teacher weaponizes that vulnerability -- using shame, intimidation, or emotional manipulation under the guise of "breaking you down to build you up."
That approach is outdated, harmful, and unnecessary. The best acting teachers in the world create spaces of rigor and high expectations without cruelty. If a teacher makes you feel unsafe, trust that instinct and leave. There are too many good teachers for you to waste time with a destructive one.
🎯 Industry Insight: Agents drop actors who trained with abusive teachers -- not because of the actors themselves, but because those teachers instill defensive habits that make actors uncoachable in the room. The way you train shapes the way you audition. Choose your teachers carefully.
Building Your Training Plan
Year One
At minimum, enroll in one ongoing weekly class (scene study or intro to acting). If budget allows, add a second class in on-camera technique or improv by month four or five.
Year Two and Beyond
Diversify. Add specialized training in areas where you have gaps:
- Weak cold reading skills? Take an audition technique class.
- Stiff on camera? Invest in on-camera work.
- Limited vocal range? Start voice and speech training.
- No dialect skills? Study with a dialect coach.
The Non-Negotiable
Training never stops. This is not a phase you complete before your career starts. It is a permanent, ongoing practice. Think of it like a professional musician -- a concert pianist does not stop practicing when they start performing professionally. The practice is the profession.
When you stop training, you stop growing. When you stop growing, your work gets stale. And stale actors do not book.
Next Steps
- Audit two to three classes this month. Most studios in major markets allow you to sit in for free or a nominal fee ($10-$20). Go watch, take notes, and see which teaching style and environment clicks with you.
- Enroll in one ongoing weekly class within the next two weeks. Scene study or an introductory acting class are both solid starting points. Do not overthink this -- you can always switch later. The cost of waiting is higher than the cost of picking the wrong class.
- Read one acting technique book to ground your understanding: Respect for Acting (Uta Hagen), Sanford Meisner on Acting (Meisner and Longwell), A Practical Handbook for the Actor (Atlantic Theater Company), or True and False (David Mamet).