You’ve thought about it. dreamt about it, researched your options, weighed the pros and cons…and now you’re ready to do it: take the plunge and invest in your growth as an actor with formal training. Whether it’s a university course, online group seminar, or private one-on-one sessions with an acting coach, here is a guide to a few things you can do to be sure to get the most out of your acting training.
1. Be Prepared
While many may believe that successful actors are simply gifted with natural talent, the fact is that they spend much more time preparing for their role than the audience is ever aware of. If your coach gives you work outside of the class session (and they will), complete it. Make a schedule for practice; block out time in your calendar and set reminders if that helps.
Learn your lines, annotate your script, practice with your scene partner if applicable, do your character research, read the play–whatever applies. Preparation will help you to achieve tremendous results when you are in your training session. If you aren’t prepared, you’re wasting your coach’s time, your classmate’s time, and ultimately your own. ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity’, a quote attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca, can be easily applied to actors and acting. Be prepared; it’s a non-negotiable.
2. Ask Questions
Acting is both an art and a science: it requires study, research, and technique, but also a fair amount of creativity. Be curious. Ask why. Approach it like a child: have you ever noticed how often children ask, “why?” Use your study of acting as an opportunity for deeper exploration. Be respectful and motivation-driven in your questioning (think more, “why would my character do that?” as opposed to “why do I have to do this?”), but don’t be afraid to use the tools of inquiry to peel back the layers–that’s how you start to build a character that is believable to the audience.
3. Accept Feedback and Direction
One of the things that makes acting and performing such a challenge is the fact that it forces us to be vulnerable. However, this vulnerability can also make us actors particularly sensitive to criticism. It’s very important to keep feedback in perspective: you are in training to grow and get better as an actor. You can’t do that without honest feedback, and sometimes it can be hard to hear. Have an open mind, and be receptive.
Feedback must be specific in order to be useful: it’s not enough to tell me my scene was “good”, but tell me what was good about it, so I can do it again. Use this same model when giving feedback to others, and always come from the place of helpfulness. On the other hand, if you receive feedback that isn’t clear, don’t hesitate to ask questions (see #2 above).
4. Form Positive Alliances/Build a Support System
Actors can, on occasion, be competitive. This is understandable: but, remember that performing in a cast is a group activity, and in a performance, everyone must work together to achieve a common goal. Start building those teamwork skills in your acting training. See others in your group as alliances, not competitors. This will be particularly helpful when rehearsing scenes, running lines, or just for those times when you need a sounding board or helping hand when working on your exercises. Be the person who works well with others–it’s a very desirable quality.
If you are pursuing private training, find a support system of other actors via social media, online groups and forums, or even among your own family or social circle. It will help you during those discouraging or challenging moments (see #3 above). Everyone needs a cheering squad. Don’t worry, you’ll have ample opportunity to return the favor.
5. Go the Extra Mile on Research.
This tip refers back to #1 (Be Prepared), but asks you to take an extra step. Read more acting texts. Watch more performances. Look things up in the script if you don’t know what they mean. Dig deeper than you’ve been asked to. Your training will be richer and more rewarding for it.
I once knew an actor who was trying to launch a professional career, and he admitted to me that he had never once read a play. He simply had never been asked to do so. I suggested he should give it a try: it was not my intention to judge him, but I was pretty certain he’d benefit from it (even if that benefit meant that he didn’t particularly like the play). Don’t wait until you’re assigned an actor’s autobiography or an original stage play. Don’t wait until your coach asks you what kind of past experiences your character has had. Do the work. It’s worth it.
The Obvious: Be On Time. Stay Off Your Phone. Be Polite. Keep an Open Mind. Show Gratitude
These last few points would be, I hope, obvious. Don’t make people wait for you. Turn your phone off during class (unless you’re using your phone to connect to an online class; in that case, turn off notifications that may distract you). Reserve judgement and shun criticism, but be generous with kindness and candor. Always be courteous, no matter how comfortable you get with your coach or classmates: say please, excuse me, thank you. What do these things have to do with acting? If “acting is being”, these are ways of being and behaving that will make you stand out, and maximize the experience for you and those around you.
We hope this guide is helpful to you on your acting journey.
Break a leg!
Laura Rebecca