Can you Learn to be an Actor Online?

If we can throw one positive the way of our post-COVID, perpetually-online era of human existence, it’s that information is more accessible than ever. This access afforts us opportunities to pursue concepts, skills and careers that we may never have thought possible—perhaps because they were previously gatekept by exclusive institutions, financial factors and our own social and geographic circumstances. Knowledge is limitless and learning is democratised! The question is: does this apply to acting? Can you learn to be an actor online? Jack in and read on…

With the right attitude, appropriate efforts and understanding of the internet’s limitations, you can absolutely learn to be an actor online. You can take classes, work remotely with a coach and explore resources vital to an actor’s development such as textbooks and filmed examples. However, online spaces have their limitations for acting training—especially given the art form’s focus on direct human connection. Wherever possible, try to supplement solo development of skills with community-driven projects and development.

As purveyors of online acting training, we here at StageMilk are big believers in what can be done remotely and independently by students. Our incredible community of members are testament to exactly this. However, as much as we extol the virtues of learning to be an actor online, we’d only be doing half a job if we didn’t acknowledge the limitations. So this article will aim to be as neutral as possible by examining the advantages and disadvantages of this increasingly popular path to learning.

Where Can I Learn to be an Actor Online?

Let’s simplify the answer to this question by identifying four key avenues for study: independent research, online classes, private coaching and communities.

Independent research refers to the wealth of material avialable online to would-be actors. Textbooks, videos of acting classes, practice scripts, acting websites—much like this one—offering advice from working industry professionals. It’s all there to be found, provided you know what to look for (and what information can be trusted.) It’s likely how you found this very article you’re reading.

Much of what you’ll find online in independent research will be free, or at least very reasonably priced. The disadvantage of this is that you need to sift through what’s there and apply the information to the practice of acting. This is where online classes come in handy. These are much more of a fixture in the post-pandemic world, but offer reputable drama schools a chance to reach a far wider, sometimes-international audience. For students in these spaces, they can develop their skills knowing they’re backed by institutional knowledge in a structured and accessible format.

However, as we’ll come to discover down the page, online classes are still relatively rare due to the limitations placed on communication between participants. So much of the acting training online will be one-on-one with an acting coach. Working with an acting coach is probably the best way to learn to be an actor online, as you have direct and personalised feedback in private, curates sessions.

Finally, your development as an actor in online spaces can be well supplemented by engaging with an online community. These are groups of actors on social media who can offer up advice, resources such as reading partners for auditions, and perhaps even a pathway to meeting in person and taking part in, say, scene study.

Reliability and Reputation

One more important topic before we dive in:

No matter where, or how, you learn to be an actor online, approach everything you discover and do with caution. The internet is as big as it is unreliable. And everybody you encounter is going to have The Perfect Solution To Your Problem/s for just the right amount of money. Perform research and seek out testimonials before you commit to any online acting training. Look for people who have experienced the course, or ideally spaces (such as our Scene Club here at StageMilk) that offer free intro sesssions. Free trial classes should always be taken advantage of. Worst case scenario, you’ve blown an hour of your time.

And please be safe when interacting with others online. Never give out private information; mistrust everyone and then be pleasantly surprised when they reveal themselves to be on the level.

Advantages

There is plenty that the internet does well in the training of actors. Let’s start with the positive:

• Accessibility Study anywhere, any time of day. If you live in a remote area, the internet brings the training to you. The same is true these days for auditions: self-tapes and casting sites afford actors a near-international reach when going out for jobs of all levels.
• Comfort and Confidence If you struggle with nerves, you may find online learning to be safe and empowering. You can control the environment, and exactly how much you might choose to engage with the material at hand. Our only advice on this point is to keep challenging your confidence level: use this space to build confidence, rather than retreating further into the safety of isolation.
• Focus on Text Script analysis tends to be a focal point in online acting training. If you’re taking a remote class, spend time developing your understanding of how to break down a script. Explore given circumstances, subtext, objective and action. You’ll likely put a lot of time into monologues and soliloquies; these are perfect spaces to develop realistic and compelling characters.
• Focus on You When you study with an acting coach, their attention is focused solely on you. They’ll come to know your goals, your habits both good and bad. It’s the difference between hiring a personal trainer and going to the free pilates class next to your local dog park.
• Accountability An online course requires planning, preparation and a financial commitment. And because it’s piped directly into your house, it’s harder to duck than the improv classes you were gifted by a relative for your last birthday. Hold yourself accountable, honour the investment you’ve made in your career (or simply your art). You’ll be a far better actor for it.

Disadvantages

• Community Acting is never a solo expedition. While it is possible to find wonderful, supportive spaces online to support your journey, it is best to supplement these with in-person connections if possible. If you wish to enter the industry, you will need to be able to play with others and develop a support network of colleagues and peers. Without this, your best efforts as an individual will be wasted.
• Communication Even if you study online with others, your ability to communicate in scene work will be limited. Connection problems, eyeline issues, delays between lines: all problems that melt away when you work face-to-face. Communication is everything in acting. If audiences don’t see you connect with your scene partner, they won’t believe a word you say.
• Bad Habits Bad acting habits aren’t an online-only problem. However, they are much easier to slip by a teacher when you aren’t face to face. To counter this, be horifically honest with yourself. Make your weaknesses a point of contention in scene work, classes or coaching sessions. Just because somebody fails to notice when you’re sneakily reading lines off-camera doesn’t mean it’s something you don’t need to fix. (Bad example, actually: we coaches can always tell…)
• Physicality and Embodiment Most of your online acting training will take place seated before a monitor. This great for script analysis, but not so good when you’re trying to work on posture, physicality or movement. You can technically work on these things remotely. But it won’t be a focus of your teacher/coach unless you specify. Try asking for some exercises you can do in your own time outside of class to help with physicality and embodiment.

Conclusion

So there you have it: our warts-and-all appraisal of learning to be an actor online! As with any avenue of study, or any aspect of the actor’s journey, there is no set path you should or shouldn’t take. Don’t judge yourself on the decisions of those around you, and definitely not the actors you look up to on film or tv. It’s about what works best for you—and what you can comfortably and healthily sustain. One of the reasons we’re seeing so many more actors undertake online training is that it’s kinder on the work-life balance. Will it get you all of the way to a lasting career? Probably not—but the same can be said for three years of concentrated drama school with no follow-up efforts.

So find the path of study as an actor that suits you best. And once you’re feeling good and supported, look for ways to diversify your means of training. If you start online, search out in-person opportunities. If you’re a traditionally-trained thespian, see what a quick Google search might teach you.

Acting is something you can study for the rest of your days and never know everything about. There will always be more to discover. Always new ways to learn and grow. What a beautiful problem to face…

Good luck!