acting schools is it worth the money?

Question

im 17 going to be 18 in few months well im intrested to go into a acitng school which i have to pay 23,000 dollers for 1 freaking year!! anyways im a highschool dropout because when you heart just is not in something you cant focus anyways its a school in newyork and you live there will acting classes like that do anything for a future acting role?

the school is hbstudio

and i do plan to get a g.e.d before starting anything

Answer 1

If you move right now, you will get eaten alive and come crawling home.

First of all, go back and get your GED. You will need a job to help support you while you pursue acting and it will be very difficult to find one with out a high school diploma. ( I see you're planning to do that, but just wanted to emphasize that)

Second of all, where did you get that HB Studios was $23,000 a year?? They're around $200 for a 12-week class!!
That's one of the most reasonable prices you're going to find!

Yes, you need training to become an actor. It is a skill. Would you expect to become a doctor without training?

You're not ready to move to NY. Do yourself a favor and stay where are you, get your GED, take some classes and do some plays in your area to actually get some experience (I gaurantee you, without any experience, you won't get into even the smallest show in NY). After you've built up your resume THEN consider moving.

** Um, I just wanted to respond to Theatre Doc's post below. HB Studio's is in no way a scam or in the business of "swindling". They are one of the best places to study acting with some great teachers (Uta Hagen taught there!) for the best price you will find in NYC.

Answer 2

Acing classes are always a good idea, even for seasoned professionals. I am a strong believer that B.A's and B.F.A's in acting are crap unless you are ever planning to teach which if you want to be a serious actor you should never plan for. Something you need to realize is that acting is not something you NEED a degree in to do. Anyone can come into this business. A very close friend/teacher of mine said that if you spend too much time working on your "back up plan" and not what you want to do then you should just do the back up plan. I recommend taking acting classes of any kind, anything to get your foot in the door is good. But don't feel the need to spend a lot of money on things like that. I went to a 2 year conservatory and learned more there then a lot of graduate students. The most important thing you can learn as an actor is the business and how to audition, because that is what you will spend most of your time doing. It amazes me how many times I've worked with people who are graduate students and don't know the difference between an agent and manager, or don't know anything about acting unions, or don't even know how to perform a professional audition.

Two good schools I can recommend are AADA and AMDA, they are both 2 year conservatories in NYC who both offer scholarships and grants.

Answer 3

Without knowing the school, it's really hard to say yay or nay. There are some fabulous schools in NY that will help you to become a great actress and they'll be worth ever penny of that $23,000 a year. I also don't know what kind of actress you plan to be. Theatre training and TV/Movie training are very different (although in my opinion all the best actors have theatre training).
To be brutally honest, it's going to be pretty hard for you to find any good roles as a high school dropout. The people who are hiring you are going to be concerned that your lack of education is going to come through in your roles. I'm surprised that you even were accepted at an acting school without a high school diploma. I know that your heart might not be in it right now, but going to school and focusing on language classes, drama club, etc. would be a great step to take for your future. You want to enter one of the most competitive industries there is, you should make sure you prepare yourself.

Answer 4

I think that it is because when you watch TV shows and movies where you see actors that CAN'T ACT, or are just not very good at it, it makes you wonder.... And you sit there thinking that you can do a better job than THAT. You wonder did they even go to school for acting. Like Tom Cruise. I think he's one of the worse actors. There's no emotion in his acting or anything. Acting school teaches you all that and more. If you go and get a career in acting, there'll be one more better actor in the world, because, lately, the actors/actresses are getting much worse; But there are plenty who are preeetty good. SO, I do think that it's worth the money, and if you don't after one year, then just quit. But it's worth the try!!

Answer 5

A community college with a theater department is a good low cost place to get some traning and experience. Generally $60 a class.

If it's a good department they'll make you take dance or pantomime before any acting classes.

Answer 6

If you think you need the direction to improve, then maybe. However, maybe you could find some cheaper classes? In the end though, you'll get parts through auditions, and if the director thinks you're a good fit for the role, not your education, or what academy you went to.

Answer 7

hb is definitely NOT worth 23 grand a year.
I have a training system for actors which will save you thousands of dollars by keeping you from being swindled by acting schools such as hb studio. Read my profile and write to me at my aol address and I will explain it to you. I have been advising students like you all over the world about how to become an actor. My advice is free.

Answer 8

Well if ur a great actress i would say go for it but it's really depends if your hearts is in it.!

Answer 9

fugetaboutit!