Improving your acting skills is essential to increasing your chances of landing audition roles, as well as ensuring that you have a long and successful career that you can be proud of.
That said, the importance of finding a high-quality acting school, class, teacher, or coach cannot be stressed enough. In general, the rule is that you get what you pay for. There is a big difference between a $25 acting lesson or workshop and a class that costs $200.
Chicago has many quality acting classes, schools, and studios available to students. Whether you’re looking for classes in drama, film, television, commercials, improv, or even voice acting, you can find renowned teachers who can help you get better at your craft.
When searching for the right acting program for you, be sure to thoroughly research the reviews of students who have attended there. It also helps to search for alumni on IMDb that they might have included on their own website.
If you’re interested in getting into film, television, or even voice acting, this will help you gauge the effectiveness of the show. If they’re producing a lot of successful actors and actresses, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect if you attend as well.
You should also take note of the courses that are offered as well. In order for agents and casting directors to go to the trouble of taking your resume, you’ll need to have studied in the right classes to prove you have the skills they’re looking for.
When it comes to film and television acting, it’s important that you have cold reading, audition technique, scene study, and other acting classes that show you know what you’re doing. Other useful classes include text analysis, acting for the camera, vocal training, and if you’re also interested in commercial work, you’ll also need improv and commercial classes.
Also, when industry professionals see your resume, they will want to see that you took these classes at reputable institutions. So again, check where you’re studying, because just taking any acting class might not be enough.
However, be very careful with some acting programs. There are many scams that promise that casting directors and agents will look at you or your children. If someone tries to get you to pay for travel or photography, it’s a scam. As long as you stay away from those, you’ll be fine.
With that said, here is a list of acting classes in Chicago that have proven reputations:
Chicago Acting Studio
10 West Hubbard St – #2E
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 527-4566
Studies of the first act
640 North LaSalle – Suite 535
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 787-9384
Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
777 N Green St
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 733-6000
green shirt studio
4636 N Ravenswood Ave – Ste 102
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 217-9565
iO Theater
3541 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 880-0199
second city
1616 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-3992
Steppenwolf Theater Company
1650 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 335-1650
Victory Gardens Theater
2433 N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 871-3000
