Acting classes can be taken at any skill level. Classes can take place as part of a regular school curriculum at any elementary, middle, high school, college or graduate level. Many acting students also take acting classes for fun at a local YMCA or community college, as they find it provides creativity and enrichment in their lives.

Teachers and professors in acting classes aim to demonstrate and teach fundamental, intermediate and advanced acting skills and methods to students. Introductory classes will include stage instruction and a general historical overview of acting to provide students with the foundation they need to move forward in acting.

Most acting classes will begin with a discussion of performance and theater and what it means to perform. Acting classes generally include a warm-up where stretches are performed and creativity is unleashed. Many classes also feature guest performers or speakers who are experts in their particular style of acting. Acting teachers may cover voice inflection, movement and presentation on stage, backstage sound/crew functions and different styles of acting.

Students can choose to take acting classes in varying sizes. At an educational institution, classes average slightly smaller to slightly larger than a typical class, depending on the popularity of acting at a given school. Classes taught for enrichment generally include about 20 students. Private acting lessons are also available to those wishing to seriously pursue their craft.

Different types of acting classes include standard credit classes, adult enrichment classes, after school classes and summer acting camp. Courses may include a performance--monologue, dramatic reading, or participation in a play--in lieu of a final written exam.

Actors are generally very open and accepting people. If you are wishing to pursue a new hobby but feel reluctant for any reason, acting may be a very therapeutic and beneficial choice for you. Many students also have financial considerations. Acting classes usually cost money and may also have field trips (to see performances) and books to buy, so be sure to research the fees up front.

Intermediate and advanced actors should research and practice different acting styles and techniques, finding out which is right for them and which they might like to pursue. Advanced approaches include the Meisner Technique (person to person reactionary technique), method acting (introspective and emotional), and the Chekhov Technique (using movement to guide emotions). Note that various methods and techniques can be combined and used together; they do not necessarily work in opposition of one another, and some techniques work better for some actors than for others. To get the most out of acting classes, it's always best to prepare ahead of time and have a general idea of what to expect. For more information, see the Resources below.