Feedback/Reviews of The Acting Corps - Actors Forum is the Community to Talk, Learn and Study Acting.

mad · 12-24-2006, 11:44 PM

Hey,

I just want to know any reviews or opinions about the classes from The Acting Corps from anyone who has attended or knows anything about it. I've done my own research, but I still have a few unanswered questions and things that need a little more elaboration.

Are the classes any good?

A bad reputation?

Reasonable prices?

Cost is probably the factor I'm most concerned with. I've read here that the cost for it is around $800+, but I'm not sure if that number has changed since then. Some were saying that $800 is pretty good, considering that the classes are five days a week. I've heard that most acting classes happen 1-2 days a week.

Any comments are much appreciated! Thanks!

Billy1970 · 01-22-2007, 01:39 AM

I attended a couple of years ago right after they moved to the N. Hollywood facility and I had no idea what I was doing at the time (regarding acting anyway.)

My two cents says 'save your money'. The whole idea of a one month 'boot camp' readying someone to be a serious professional is a mockery of the job imo. I spent close to 4 months 'studying' there before I found the Sanford Meisner Center right down the road, and while a two-year program, it literally smoked the Corp.

Yes, they did meet twice a week, but they have a 12-hour minimum rehearsal requirement between classes and you're as close to Sandy's own mouth as humanly possible.

Just so you know this isn't a 'plug'...I also think Playhouse West and The Chubbuck Studios are going to give you way more 'bang for your buck' and I just audited them AFTER I graduated from the Meisner Center. Even the audit showed far more promise and serious acting education than I ever saw at The Acting Corps (and I actually had a 'real' perspective to base it on by then.)

Hope this helps!

mad · 01-22-2007, 03:14 PM

Woooow. Thanks for replying! I didn't think anyone would.

Yeah, for some reason, the whole "one-month" thing seemed off somehow. Oh, and thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely check those places out.

Also, if it's not too much trouble, can you say what makes you think The Acting Corps isn't as good as the other acting schools you've mentioned? I just want to know what I should stay away from in terms of searching for the right acting achool.

Thanks again.

mad · 01-22-2007, 03:48 PM

Oh, and what does it mean to audit a class? I'm looking at the websites of each school you've mentioned, and they encourage students to audit a class. Does that mean to preview a class, and just observe what is happening?

Billy1970 · 01-22-2007, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Oh, and what does it mean to audit a class?

Auditing is simply sitting in on a class and watching it happen. You don't (usually) participate in them, so it allows you to get a 'feel' for what the class is like.

Quote:

Also, if it's not too much trouble, can you say what makes you think The Acting Corps isn't as good as the other acting schools you've mentioned?

As to the Acting Corps, IMHO they just are not comprehensive enough. By way of example, I studied the 'Meisner' technique there for four months and I realized after one class at the Meisner Center that the Corps had the whole thing screwed up. I literally hadn't learned a thing about acting! At least not well anyway...

You just have to understand that learning the emotional work in acting takes time. The Acting Corps to me are the equivalent of a new diet pill. They promise stuff that just ain't going to happen, everyone knows it and people still buy it anyway. If you're wondering what to look out for, ANYONE who says they can have you ready to work at a professional level in less than two years is flat out lying...well, unless you have a full time coach.

And then maybe...

What I tend to look for during an audit is a teacher that is involved, passionate about what they are doing and does not have any sort of prima donna attitude. If I even sniff a 'guru' type and I'm out the door. Admittedly, it can be pretty tough to sort out what class is what when you're first getting started. Truth be told, I wouldn't have ever found the Meisner Center had I not got my feet wet at the Acting Corps.

I just wish it didn't cost me the equivalent of an entire year at Meisner Center to figure it out!

Just, be patient and audit like crazy...you'll start meeting other auditors and get to chatting with them. You'll learn a lot from this, as most of them have been out doing the same thing (or they have friends that are.) Hope this helps, I'll keep checking back if you have anymore ??'s

mad · 01-25-2007, 02:57 PM

Oh, wow.

That really helped a lot. I really had my heart set on the corps for some reason. I guess I should've done more research. But I do like the Sanford Meisner Center and The Chubbuck Studious. I think I'll check those places out first when I get down there.

What do you mean by 'guru' type? Do you mean egotistical? If that's the case, I'd probably steer clear as well, hehe.

Thanks for asking my questions. I really appreciate it. I might have more in the future, but that wouldn't be for a while, and I don't expect you to be around for that long, hehe.

Billy1970 · 01-26-2007, 01:18 AM

Heh,

The 'guru' type being the arrogant, self-centered personality that has 'all the answers'. Humility, passion and knowledge are pretty important indicators to me when evaluating an acting teacher (any teacher really.)

No worries on answering the ??'s...I expect to be around for a bit...I like it here. =D

mad · 01-27-2007, 09:42 AM

Oh geez, I could never deal with that kind of personality. Thanks for the warning!