When it comes to choosing an acting class in Toronto, there are a few things the novice actor should know. I’ve laid out 12 helpful tips for finding the right acting class and for understanding what to expect from an acting class. These pointers will help you get started in your search for an acting class in Toronto.
Our acting students in Toronto come together in ensemble after completing a creative piece of work
“I still go to acting class. I love the craft. It’s just so much fun for me, and I’m always a student.” – Eva Mendes
- Not every Toronto acting class is for you. Some acting classes are for more experienced actors and do not focus on the basics. The basics of an acting class include a list of skills like learning to act on your impulses, learning to listen to the other actor and learning to be in the moment. Read my article on What You Learn in an Acting Class.
Before you attempt to learn the craft of script analysis, creating a character and breaking down a scene, be sure to ask if you are going to be taught the fundamentals of acting first. You wouldn’t try to play a musical instrument without learning the scales. You can’t play a scene truthfully without learning the scales for the actor’s instrument. - Meet with the teacher of the acting studio. Ask questions and voice your needs. A good acting teacher will listen and address your personal needs instead of just trying to sell you their classes.
Ask questions like:
How long has the acting teacher been teaching?
What acting approach do they use?
How many people are in the class? It’s difficult for the teacher to focus on more than 12 students at a time.
Which leads me to another question you can ask:
Will you work in every class? Some acting classes only allow for the acting student to work every other class. - There is no one size fits all acting approach. A good acting teacher knows this and is willing to work with you to help you find your own unique approach instead of forcing their approach on you. Even if they teach a very reputable approach like the Meissner technique, they should be versatile enough to incorporate your individual needs as a student actor.
- Try and get a referral from another actor you know. Word of mouth can be very useful to get you started. Agents and casting directors want you to take audition technique classes and on-camera classes so you can get to work quickly. As mentioned earlier, this is appropriate for the seasoned actor but not for the new actor. Learning the basics is most important at this stage as it sets the foundation for all your other work and training.
- A great Actor does not necessarily make a great Teacher. Acting and Teaching are two entirely different skills. If the teacher is promoting themselves by displaying all of their acting credits on their website, they are not necessarily the best teacher. Read the testimonials of the students in their classes and notice if the remarks are addressing what you need in your teacher.
- How long has the acting studio been in existence? Most reputable acting schools have been around for several years. Make sure the acting class has been rooted in Toronto for a minimum of 5 years. This way you know they are well established and stable. Cindy Tanas Actors Studio has been in existence with a great reputation in Toronto for over 20 years!
- Acting classes should be a safe place for you to explore and make mistakes. The acting teacher’s role is to act as a guide, directing you to open doors that will help you to find your own unique acting process. Everyone is different. The key to your talent may be hidden inside of you and it will take the skillful guidance of you acting teacher to help you find and unlock your talent.
- Acting classes should be experiential. If the acting teacher is simply theorizing about acting and telling you personal stories, the focus is not on you! You should be up on your feet in front of the other students in the acting class and doing a physical, relational or emotional exercise. You should feel as if you are safe enough to stretch yourself so you can grow as an actor. Your teacher should give you creative critical feedback that has a purpose and makes sense to you as to how it will help your craft as an actor. You should understand what the exercise has to do with your acting and how you can apply the lessons from it in future work as an actor.
- An acting class needs to be focussed in order to benefit it’s students. Does the acting teacher allow students to chat during class? Are students looking at their cell phones instead of your acting work? An acting class is not a place for cell phones! Do the students wander in and out wherever they want to, instead of having a specific time for a washroom break? This really makes a difference to the way the class is held. Holding a reverent space for an actor’s work is critical to their ability to be vulnerable. And vulnerability is an integral part of the craft of acting. See my article https://cindytanas.com/acting-and-emotion/
- Check out the AMIS Hotline for actors and models at www.amisontario.com (416-977-3832)
- Check out Theatre Ontario’s newsletter and become a member. They will offer you a lot of information to get you started in the industry.www.theatreontario.org (416-408-4556)
- TAAS (Toronto Association of Acting Studios) has a code of ethics and offers a list of reputable acting schools in Toronto. www.torontoactingstudios.com
Cindy Tanas Actors Studio teaches acting classes for Theatre and Film in Toronto and the GTA, Collingwood and Southern Georgian Bay.
Connect with Cindy for a free consultation
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Acting Teacher / Mentor / Life Coach Cindy Tanas, has run a highly reputable and successful Toronto acting school for over 25 years. She teaches Acting Classes for beginners and experienced actors. Cindy is a member of ACTRA, former Chair and member of TAAS (Toronto Association of Acting Studios) and member of Theatre Ontario.
Cindy Tanas Actors Studio offers a holistic approach to acting in Toronto since 1995. Both in person and online acting classes are available.
www.torontoactingstudios.com
www.actratoronto.com
www.theatreontario.org