5 Reasons to Join an Acting Class Today!

Aside from taking part in incredible fun, and acting in some professionally filmed material, we believe that there are many reasons to join acting classes! IPM team member, Katherine, has put together this latest blog post from her perspective of a training actor to help you make that first decision of joining classes today!

'As a child, getting in-front of a camera, even for a photograph, was not my idea of fun. I was incredibly shy. My first acting class, during high school, really pushed me out of my comfort zone. My early school years were spent sat at the back of the classroom, barely uttering a word. My teachers actually told me to speak up -this I couldn’t understand, as they seemed to be so frustrated by the noisy troublemakers! The thought of performing was petrifying. Even making conversation with new people, answering a question in class, making eye contact and standing up for myself, were all things that made me unsure. So you’re probably thinking, why on earth I put myself through it?!
Some students would get up on stage, some even working on locally filmed TV programmes. ​

They looked so confident and I wanted to feel like that. I wanted to do something about my pesky nerves! I remember mustering up the courage to walk to my first acting class, having persuaded a friend to come along with me. I was shaking with nerves and curious as to what would be expected from me.
 
This is what I found by taking an acting class and what you can find too!

1. Connecting & Communicating

​The first hurdle was introducing myself. Icebreakers may seem cliche, but they work wonders. As you return to class each week, it becomes the norm to speak out and perform frequently. Even something as simple as saying your name and one thing about yourself, can start a conversation and be the start of a connection with someone.
As you progress in class, looking at scripts, or even your first performance in front of the camera, acting teachers will teach you to enunciate. They will guide you through vocal techniques and exercises, allowing you to experiment with your voice in a safe space. I was speaking with confidence in no time. I began to apply what I was learning in class, to my day to day life at school, starting conversations with people, making more friends. 

2. Become More Body Confident

I distinctly remember a presentation I did in front of the class. I had no idea what to do with my body, how to stand, what to do with my hands, where to look. The more I focused on what people were thinking about me, and the way I looked, the more awkward and nervous I undoubtably looked. It felt like an endless cycle. I was not used to having all eyes on me, but practicing speaking in front of people at acting class, I began to feel more comfortable with the spotlight on me.
 
We focused on relaxing the body. Inspired by yoga practices, we took time to feel in touch with our bodies, ready to focus and set our minds to the class or performance ahead. We would also experiment with movement exercises. This would be an opportunity to let lose, throw some energy around and have a laugh with group. When you begin to film your performances and watch yourself back on camera,  you can see how important it is to relax and be aware of how you use your body when approaching a character.

3. Expressing Creatively & Relieve Stress

I loved finishing a day at school, getting to acting class and focusing my energy on something outside the classroom. Leaving the day behind and throwing yourself into a creative practice can really lift your mood. On the other hand, drawing something from your experiences and using them to enhance your performances, injecting some true emotion into it, can be really effective.
 
Acting for screen requires tapping into deep emotions and portraying them in a naturalistic, more subtle way that you would on stage, for example. It can help to use your own experiences in these instances to deliver an authentic performance. This, consequently, brings more pleasure to your craft- watching footage of your performance and thinking- I created that! Learning to be more explorative, playful and relaxed is something I’ve taken from my years of acting, experiencing reduced stress and a more creative outlook, and have applied to my life outside of class.

4. Learning it is Okay to be Vulnerable

I mentioned I was an insufferably shy child, and I wanted to change that. I realised that pushing myself out of my comfort zone in acting class was really good for me. It was a safe space for me to experiment and tap into my emotions, directing them towards a creative goal.
Performing in an embarrassingly funny scene, a romantic storyline or an outburst of tears and terror, can feel scary. You are putting yourself in a vulnerable position, allowing yourself to express these raw feelings with all eyes on you, in front of the camera. As this became a regular exercise, I learnt that it’s ok to feel those emotions in real life. It is ok to be vulnerable. I continued acting classes throughout my entire education and beyond. As I continued to grow up and experience new things and feelings, acting has definitely made me feel more comfortable expressing my emotions - incredibly helpful as you navigate your way through life, and healthy for friendships and relationships.

5. Make New Friends & Have Fun

Working closely as a group of artists, striving for intimate connections and confidence expressing emotion, delving into your experience to bring a character to life, creates a special bond. You develop relationships on and off screen. In taking classes, they were filled with people from all walks of life, different ages, different abilities. I made some of my closest friends in class. People that make me cry with laughter. People that I may not have met otherwise. People that support each other and are proud of each other’s growth.

So, there you have it. 5 Reasons Why You Should Join an Acting Class. As you can tell, taking an acting class really did change my life around for the better. Now, I am not afraid to speak up, I can confidently express my opinions and make positive connections in social situations, and let's not forget that eye contact. My friends and co-workers today cannot believe I used to be a shy child!

Want to start Acting Classes today? Join IPM Acting Academy and find your new confidence through On-Screen Acting, find a New Career & More! Get in touch on the button below! 

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