Enhancing Your Acting Skills: A Guide to Finding the Best Acting Classes in India

But, that doesn’t mean acting classes do no good. In fact, getting professional training can upskill you beyond your wildest dreams. Whether you’re a beginner or have quite some experience in the field, learning more can never harm you. 

Moreover, you get to network, meet like-minded people, explore acting communities, and grow yourself. Learning from a well-renowned actor/instructor will only strengthen your skill set and resume.

All in all, acting classes can help you advance your acting potential. And if you have no idea where to start, here’s a definite guide to finding the best acting classes in India.

How To Find The Best Acting Classes In India?

Before jumping into comparing the top acting schools, it’s best to gauge your requirements first. What are your personal acting goals? What do you expect your ideal acting class to be like? Do you want to attend it on a daily or weekly basis?

There are tons of questions to ask yourself, but fret not. We’ve compiled and arranged them to take the weight off your shoulders. Go through these and you’ll have the complete picture  by the end of the article.

What Type of Class You Want To Major In?

A variety of acting classes exist depending on what skill they focus on. 

For example, you are a good actor but get cold feet during auditions or have no clue how to prepare for one. In such cases, getting into an Audition Technique class is the right choice.

If you usually don’t get much time to analyse and prepare the script, you can enroll for a Cold Reading class.

Some other types of acting classes are:

• Improv Class
• On-camera Class
• Scene Study Class
• Commercial Acting Class
• Body & Movement Class
• Acting Technique Class
• Vocal Class
• Classical Acting
• Voice-over Class

Acting Technique and Scene Study classes are best for newbies in the field. 

Which Acting Technique Do You Wish To Learn?

The next step is to find out which acting technique you want to study. That is, how you desire to approach acting. 

There’s no hard-and-fast rule that you can only learn one acting technique and stick to it for the rest of your life. You can always switch between different methods, depending on what works best in a particular situation/role.

Below are some of these acting techniques you might want to explore:

• Stanislavsky’s System
• Strasberg’s Technique (popularly known as “Method Acting”)
• Practical Aesthetics
• Classical Acting
• Stella Adler Technique
• Viewpoints
• Chekhov Technique
• Meisner Technique
• Grotowski Technique
• Theatre of the Oppressed
• Uta Hagen’s Technique

What Class Structure Suits You The Best?

Once you’ve finalised the technique(s) you want to learn, it’s time to consider the class structure. 

Not all acting classes follow the same teaching methodology. Hence, in one class, you might have to act for 15 minutes every time while in another class, the core focus may be on theory and building a foundation.

You must also factor in how frequently you have to partner up. It’s good to rehearse in pairs once in a while to prepare for real projects. However, avoid classes that force you to pair up every other day — your learning curve will be out of focus and your skills won’t develop properly.

Additionally, Our class size of 20-25 students is an ideal structure for an acting class for several reasons. It allows for a diverse group of individuals to come together, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. This diversity fosters creativity and enriches the learning environment, as students can learn from one another's backgrounds and insights.

Who Is The Instructor & How Good Are They?

Looking up your instructor goes a long way in deciding the quality of your acting class. 

Some classes only have professional acting coaches while others may have working/retired actors as teachers. There are also hybrid classes where experienced actors may take weekend lectures. 

Besides this, you must also see the credentials of the instructors. Find out what experience they hold and for how long they have been teaching. Do they follow the acting technique you want to learn?

Conduct thorough research on your potential instructors before finalising one.

What’s Your Budget? And When Are You Available?

Acting classes generally fall on the expensive side of the scale. Thus, if you’re a beginner and tight on budget, it’s better to go for a decent, affordable acting class rather than a star-studded one. 

Specialising in a particular skill will demand more in monetary terms. Compare your options closely to make a sound decision. 

Don’t forget to check if the class schedule aligns with your routine. There’s no downside to regular (daily) acting classes, but if you have an availability issue, better go for the ones on the weekend or those that are once/twice a week.

What Kind Of Homework And Feedback Is Provided?

If you truly want to learn acting, homework and feedback are inevitable. There’s no learning without analysing your work, identifying mistakes and rectifying them through practice.

Maybe you will have to perform a monologue every day or work in pairs weekly, which requires taking out time after your class to meet and rehearse. 

This can be challenging if you have a day job or some other commitment. Therefore, always confirm the amount and type of homework allotted in the class before enrolling for it.

Moreover, look for a class that stresses on giving regular and detailed feedback to the students. It’s better if your teacher analyses your work rather than self-criticism based on recorded tapes.

Are Online Acting Classes Better?

Online acting classes can be a viable option if you are geographically restrained. You can connect with professionals within a second, without worrying about the commute and transportation costs.

On the other hand, offline classes have a certain vigour and life in them which remains unparalleled. Away from connectivity errors and poor audio/visual quality, you can learn and perform without any disruptions.

When Should You Quit? (And Cancellation Policies)

Life is unpredictable. You may be forced to quit your acting class due to an emergency. Will your enrollment fees go down the drain? Can you take extra/make-up classes to get back on track? Do they have a refund policy?

Ensure you check this with your acting class beforehand to avoid undesirable consequences. 

When it comes to quitting an acting class, trust your gut. If you feel like there’s nothing more to absorb, it’s time you make an exit and maybe explore other classes. 

An acting class that always compels you to push yourself should be your ideal goal.

Where To Reach Out?

You’re thoroughly prepared to reach out to different acting classes and compare them now. Keep the above factors in mind and try the following to find the best acting classes in India:

Hit The Internet

Open your browser and look up “acting classes near me” or “acting classes in <city name>”. If you want to sign up for an online class, type “best online acting classes” and even pursue an international course!

Ask For Recommendations

Reach out to your acquaintances in the acting industry and ask for their suggestions. It can be a friend, relative, colleague or your agent. 

In fact, if you’re switching between acting classes, you can also get an idea from your current instructor or a fellow student.

Bottom Line

Finding the best acting classes in India or anywhere in the world is not hard. 

All you have to do is understand your needs and where you currently stand. This includes putting a finger on what you expect from your ideal acting class — type of class, technique and class structure.

Plus, always set a budget first to avoid overspending. Check your availability and prefer an online class if you are time and location bound. Don’t forget the importance of feedback and look for classes that offer valuable insights into your performance.

Finally, factor in the worst-case scenario and what will happen if you have to cancel/quit an acting class in the middle. 

With this, you’re all set to reach out and register yourself for the best acting class that channelises your skills the right way!