Finding the right training can make all the difference if you aspire to pursue a career in acting. Designed to help you hone your craft, develop confidence and navigate the complexities of the industry, acting courses give you a solid foundation to build on.

However, with so many options available, it can be a challenge to decide which course best suits your aspirations. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned performer, here’s how you can choose the ideal acting course to match your goals.

Define Your Career Aspirations

The first step in choosing the right acting course is understanding what you want to pursue or achieve in your career. Are you looking to land roles in film and television, or are you more drawn to theatre? Perhaps you want to develop a specific skill, like improvisation or screen acting. By clearly identifying your career goals, you can narrow down your options and focus on courses that align with your ambitions.

Consider Course Durations, Curriculums & Other Details Carefully

Part-Time, Short Courses

Short courses, taught on a part-time basis are ideal for those who are just starting out or want to explore a particular area of acting. These programs offer flexibility around other commitments and can help you test the waters if you’re new to acting and hoping to ease in. 

If you’re an experienced actor looking to refine a specific skill, such as voice work or character development, a targeted, part-time, short course can also be an ideal option. 

Full-time Programs

Full-time study is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves fully in the craft and gain a deeper understanding of the profession. They’re particularly beneficial if you’re aiming for professional opportunities in competitive markets like Sydney or Los Angeles.

At the Actors Pulse, this program is taught over 3 years and provides comprehensive training in multiple disciplines, including acting techniques, voice work, movement, industry knowledge and more. 

Workshops

Workshops provide a hands-on environment where actors can experiment and learn from industry professionals. These are often one-day or weekend events focusing on niche aspects of acting, such as audition techniques or method acting. Workshops are excellent for expanding your network, gaining fresh perspectives and receiving valuable feedback in a supportive setting. 

Other Factors To Keep In Mind

Consider Your Personal Interests

While career goals are important, your personal interests should also guide your choice. Acting is an art form that thrives on passion, so choose a course that genuinely excites you. Selecting a course that aligns with your interests will not only make the learning process enjoyable but can also help to keep you motivated and engaged. 

Research & Reviews

Before enrolling in any acting course, take the time to research your options thoroughly. Look into the institution’s reputation, the instructors’ credentials, and the curriculum. Reading reviews or testimonials from past students can provide valuable insights into what you can expect. 

Curated Courses Taught By Industry Experts

At The Actors Pulse, we’re renowned for our focus on the Meisner technique and offer a range of programs to suit actors at different stages of their careers. Passionate about supporting you to achieve success, we offer a selection of course types and durations to help you find the right fit for your needs. 

Enrol online or speak with our team today to learn more.

Yes, our online classes are a consistent part of our acting course options.
Yes, if you are local to Sydney you will be able to combine both onsite and online options. For those who are not local to Sydney our online option is perfect for you.
A self-tape is an increasingly popular method of casting for film, television and theatre. While some actors find this a difficult and challenging process, at The Actors Pulse, we guide you step by step on how to act, film and sound professional.
Our online classes follow the same curriculum and content as our onsite classes with the delivery more focused for the screen.

If you are thinking about starting acting classes either part-time or full-time, you’ll be pleased to know that no prior experience is needed. While no prior experience is necessary, you’ll likely be required to audition or submit a practical test. This allows you to demonstrate your level of interest in acting classes and shows your baseline level of acting.

Before taking the first steps there are a few things you should consider so that you can get the most out of your acting school and the classes they provide. Firstly, you should consider your training options. There are many different ways you can train for acting and this includes different classes and programs (for example, movement classes).

You should also have a complete understanding of what your goals are before you start acting classes. Think about whether you want to act on stage or on-screen, as this can have a fairly significant impact on the type of course or programs that would be the most suitable for you.

Your age and experience level should also come into consideration. While age isn’t a barrier to beginning acting classes it may dictate the type of classes and programs that are best suited. Acting classes can include those who are of a similar age and experience level.

Your experience will have a major influence on how you can get the most out of your acting classes. If you have little to no prior experience, you should opt for classes that help you learn the basics. It’s important to build a solid foundation before trying other classes that may be more complex.

On top of these key considerations, there are a few steps we recommend you follow to get started when it comes to acting classes. The first step is to find an acting school that has open positions. The best acting schools will likely only have limited positions available and there are usually term dates for registering.

The next step is to prepare for your audition, if an audition is required before you can begin acting classes. Preparation isn’t simply around showcasing your current level of acting skills either. You should do your research to find out more about the tutors and other influential individuals within the organisation.

If you are concerned about your level of experience, there are ways you can hone your skills so you aren’t walking into your audition with absolutely nothing under your belt. Look for opportunities to gain experience by working as a background actor either on or off-screen.

Social media can be a fairly powerful tool to utilise before getting started with acting classes. You can use social media to follow production companies, acting tutors, casting directors and more. These social media profiles could provide useful information like acting tips, information about upcoming auditions and more.

Your first acting class should fill you with excitement (and potentially a little bit of nerves!). No matter how you feel, it is always good to prepare, so you have some level of knowledge about what is likely going to happen in your class. Remember, this is just the beginning of what could be an amazing journey, so make sure you start on the right foot.

A couple of the basic logistics details that you might want to know about before you even step into a classroom revolve around how long the class will go for and how many other students will be in the class. The length of your classes may be influenced by whether you are a part-time or full-time student.

If you are a part-time student your class will be spread across more weeks, so you still receive the same classes as full-time students, but over a long period. Most of the time, you can expect individual classes to go for around three hours. This allows for enough time for every student to perform and receive comprehensive feedback.

The other thing you might also want to know is how many other students will be joining you in the class. Usually, acting classes will have no more than 20 students participating. It does depend on which acting school you attend though and some may impose restrictions on the maximum number of students per class.

So, what are you most likely to experience when you step foot into your first acting class? If this is a completely new class where no one has met before, introductions are in order!

This can take several different forms but usually involves 15 to 30 minutes of going through the class with introductions. If you are joining a class late where introductions have already occurred, you will likely still introduce yourself before the tutor goes through an outline of the class.

After introductions, warm-up exercises are the likely next step as this is a great way to get everyone relaxed and ready for the lesson ahead. This can include; stretching, vocal warm-ups, breathwork and more. The exercises help improve improvisation skills and get you to think on your feet.

Once your warm-ups have finished it is time to move on to performing a scene, either as a pair or individually. Here you will get to watch and listen to others’ performances while you wait for your turn.

After or even during your performance, you’ll receive feedback from your tutor. They might stop you mid-performance, provide feedback for you to implement straight away, or they may wait until the end of your performance to provide feedback.

Each class is different and at the end of each class, your tutor might assign some homework so you can properly prepare for your next class. Your tutor has likely planned many of your upcoming classes, all building on the previous class, providing a holistic approach to acting.

When pursuing a career in acting, one of the most basic things to consider is if it is financially viable. You might be as passionate as they come, but if you aren’t able to pick up paid jobs, it can be difficult to maintain long-term. The good news is that acting courses are a step in the right direction and can help you find auditions and agents.

Landing an audition is one of the first steps, but being able to get your foot in the door is sometimes all you need. You might have heard the saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know” before and this rings true here.

While you still need to have the commitment and experience in the industry, acting courses can connect you with the right people. This means you are ready to strike when an opportunity arises. Your teachers and other students can also share their knowledge and experience around auditions which can be an advantage.

On top of this, it can be beneficial to consider an acting agent. Agents can assist in a multitude of areas, including finding auditions, negotiating contracts as well as providing general guidance. This assistance is usually invaluable to those who are just getting started in the industry.

Our acting courses can help you land auditions and find an agent as the classes help build your resume. Building your resume is essential as agents want to see what experience you have. For auditions, casting directors will see if you’re a good fit for the actor they are looking for.

On your resume, you should include relevant experience and any awards or recognitions you have received. You may also want to include any relevant special talents (like accents, different languages and more). When it comes to auditions, it’s a good idea to personalise your resume based on the type of role you’re aiming to land.

The acting classes available here will also help you land auditions and agents as it builds your materials. This is an addition to your resume where you include a demo reel of your relevant experiences like the training you’ve undertaken and theatre or television/ film productions you’ve been involved in.

Your demo reel is not only a great way to land auditions, but it can also help you find an agent. Our acting courses can help you work on your range of skills and acting abilities, which is important to showcase in your demo reel. It is likely that the greater your range of skills, the more roles you’ll be able to audition for.

Our acting courses can also help you when it comes to your headshots, which is another important component of landing auditions and finding an agent. Your headshots should be professional and expressive, showing off your personality and what makes you stand out from the rest.

Throughout your acting career, you will likely face many different challenges. The challenges you will face as a beginner will differ from those you’ll face as a more experienced actor. If you are at the beginning of your career and have just started acting classes, there are some common challenges that you should be aware of.

Memory

Memory is a fairly common challenge as you will likely have a lot to remember in your acting classes. It’s more than just remembering your lines as well, but also remembering all the notes and other feedback you’ve been given about your performance. Learning your lines is a major part and it can be stressful going into a performance if you aren’t confident about your lines. Understanding not only your lines but the script in general can help make it easier for you to embody the character you're playing, so it becomes more like second nature. We can assist in this common challenge by providing the right tools; it’s all about time and planning. You might receive deadlines in smaller chunks, making the project as a whole not seem as daunting. Developing a sense of your strengths and weaknesses can help us to help you as well. If learning lines and memory in general aren’t your strength, let us know!

Emotion

It can be difficult for beginners to express enough of the right emotion, this means you aren’t over or under-acting. A lot of beginners want to put more emphasis on their emotions, but it shouldn’t be the end objective, we should just be open to our feelings in the performance. Trying to focus on achieving your desired emotion can take away from the story; you should let things come naturally and put effort into understanding the character. This is a much easier process if you are working together with a director or the writer. Our tutors can help you understand the character and scene, especially if you are working on a performance written by someone who isn’t available to provide notes on their intention. We use our experience to provide notes about the performance and the type of emotions that should be portrayed in each scene.

Fear

Fear can take many different forms and even the most experienced actors experience fear. Overcoming fear can lead to some of the biggest improvements you’ll see in your performances. Fears can hold you back and it is important to first identify your fear, then find the root cause. When it comes to overcoming fear, the best answer is practice. Acting classes can provide much-needed practice among peers and teachers in a safe environment. Teachers will work with you to understand your fears and can create personalised steps in place to help you overcome them.

The transition from part-time to full-time acting classes is a big decision and you must be aware of the differences before you make your choice. The biggest difference is the workload. As a full-time student, you are expected to attend more classes throughout the week and it can be difficult to also work full-time or even part-time.

If you have the time and are willing to put in the work to fast-track your acting career then transitioning from part-time to full-time can be very beneficial. It means you can finish your course faster and start building your resume and demo reel to land auditions and find an agent to represent you.

If you are currently a part-time student or considering starting part-time, it’s important to understand what your weekly full-time workload looks like. Your full-time acting classes should also realistically fit in with all your other commitments.

The full-time acting course is split into four core subjects; acting technique, scene study, character and performance technique. These four core subjects are taught each week within your course and there are two key categories of classes you are required to attend.

Firstly, Meisner classes which involve four classes each week. In these classes you will learn skills and gain experience in the following areas:

  • Acting technique
  • Scene study
  • Stage character (stage)
  • Stage performance technique

Secondly, the full-time course includes screen acting classes, which include two classes per week, covering the following areas:

  • Scene study film and TV
  • Character film and TV
  • Audition technique (self-test and in-room)
  • Screen performance technique

On top of these two areas, the full-time acting course also includes additional classes. Voice and movement classes are included and there is one class each (so two in total) each week. There is also the business of acting workshops that are included sporadically within your course.

As you can see, the full-time acting course provides a comprehensive learning experience and it is a highly demanding course. We only recommend that you make the transition from part-time to full-time if you are truly ready to commit. If you are distracted by other commitments or end up missing classes, you aren’t getting the full benefit of the course.

Our full-time course is more tightly structured compared to the part-time courses available, where you can choose the specific classes you wish to enrol in. There are five terms each year, with each term nine weeks long, so it’s important to check that the term dates coincide with your other commitments.

If you have begun with part-time classes and think you are ready to make the transition, there are a few boxes to tick, but it is certainly possible. It’s a good idea to reach out and explain your situation and we can discuss what will work best.