Below are answers to common questions acting students have when searching for the right acting class or program. These are by no means all of the questions but a representative list of the most common.

Q. Aren't all acting classes in Atlanta the same?

A. Not even close! Some places try to teach the actor by directing them and hoping they can 'put together' what it is the director is doing to get them to produce a certain result. This type of teaching will keep you in class forever trying to impress the teacher and often leaves the student unable to create a performance on their own. A TRUE acting school teaches the student through exercises and practical work how to create on their own. They give the student tools and techniques that are rooted in a PROVEN method of acting. As an actor, you want to be able to prepare a role or audition piece to a place where a director can then shape and mold you into the result they're trying to achieve.

Q. Aren't auditioning and acting the same thing?

A. Be careful of the acting classes that only focus on auditioning - they are leaving you very unprepared and giving you a false sense of confidence. It's like teaching someone how to perform surgery without teaching them medicine first. Asking someone to perform on the spot, in the moment, take direction and interpret a script and character without knowing how to intitiate those instincts or knowing how to really find what a script is about, is preparing them to fail. Sure, there are some people who can get through some simple auditions here and there, but it won't be consistent and if they happen to book somehting larger than a line or two, can they handle what comes next? Auditioning is a job interview and they are looking for the person who fits the profile and can handle the work. There is only just so much faking a person can do. Teaching someone how to interview well but not giving them the job skills necessary to perform, well...it's a recipe for a road of letdowns.

Q. What's the difference between acting on stage and acting on film?

A. The only difference is the medium you are working in. Acting is acting. The same tools and techniques apply no matter what. A trained actor can work on stage, in films, commercials or TV. As an actor you need to learn a PROVEN technique so you can then manipulate it to fit whatever medium you're working in. If you're going to be an actor wouldn't you like to act as much as possible? Give yourself as much opportunity as you can so you have more options available to you. Learning to act only "on-camera" will limit you but if you learn a real, honest technique of acting you can act in any medium you want.

Q. Is there really acting work in Atlanta?

A. YES! While Atlanta is a secondary market there is plenty of work here AND it's a great place to build your resume if you're planning on moving to a larger market like New York or Los Angeles. Actors who work in Atlanta also work in the entire southeast region and there is work in every medium -Feature and Independent Films, Television, national and regional commercials, professional and community theatre, and industrial and music video. There are 4 huge soundstages in the southeast filming current feature films and television shows - creating lots of opportunities to work in Atlanta and the southeast region as a whole.

Q.Everyone says I have "talent", why do I need to take acting classes?

A. Talent is an exceptional ability to learn. being talented is a gift- you should develop that gift to it's fullest potential and qualified acting teachers - teachers who have trained in a PROVEN technique and who have the ability to teach that technique to others can help you do just that. There is nothing more beautiful to watch than an actor with loads of talent. The possibilities are endless.

Q. I have never had any acting experience - won't I be out of place in an acting class?

A. Absolutely not. There is an acting class for every level of student from the beginner to the working professional wanting to keep their technique sharp. Every actor started by having no professional training. If you have a desire to learn the craft then you should join an acting class immediately. Find the class that has STRUCTURE and a PROVEN curriculum. This is important. You need to be able to measure your growth, to know that you are progressing in learning the craft.

Q. Can't I just audition for jobs without any training?

A. Of course. You will just be competing against actors who dedicate their lives to learning and perfecting their craft.

Q. How do I know if I've found the right acting class for me?

A. A solid acting program will result in their students booking jobs. That is probably the best way to know that you're in a school that is worth your time, energy and money. A reputable acting school will be able to tell you, or show you on their website, what their students have booked or are currently in. As an actor in training you should want to see names of productions you recognize. When you do you will know that the school teaches a technique that actors can apply to create performance - and this ability has helped them be able to book paying work.