Comments on: 7 Reasons Why Professional Acting Programs Are Simply Not Worth It http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/ The Acting Room is a place by actors for actors. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:56:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Kirsten Tretbar http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-414 Kirsten Tretbar Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:35:20 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-414 Thanks so much Jonna! - Kirsten :-) Thanks so much Jonna! - Kirsten :-)

]]> By: jonna http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-412 jonna Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:00:11 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-412 I was a child actor and by the time I got to college I was already in SAG and Equity. I started off as a theatre major and was pretty shocked at how little they prepared you for the real world of acting--the business side of it. Many of the classes that they offered were definitely things that I could have taken at less cost somewhere else. The teachers were pretty much as described in this article and it is a big waste of time in the sense that auditions are about having the right look at the right time-period. The more time you are spending in a program that doesn't let you audition--the less time you are getting out there to be at the right place at the right time! They DO train for stage and not film--which requires a completely different technique. On the bright side--I think it gave budding actors a great opportunity to build a close network of actors that they could collaborate or commiserate with post graduation. Plus you could get guidance from teachers regarding general industry questions so that you wouldn't fall prey to the many scams that surround the industry. And in terms of the showcase--many did find representation as a result--so I think that depends on the school's connection. If you are set on an acting degree--do it exactly the way the author did. Either double major in college or pick a non-theatre related major for a BA. Then get an MFA later if you feel the benefits outweigh the cost. You can teach with the MFA and if you get to a point in your career that you want to stop acting--you have something to fall back on. I'm so glad I double majored!! Well written article--I'm glad there's someone who's telling it like it is. This whole site is a gem. I was a child actor and by the time I got to college I was already in SAG and Equity. I started off as a theatre major and was pretty shocked at how little they prepared you for the real world of acting–the business side of it. Many of the classes that they offered were definitely things that I could have taken at less cost somewhere else. The teachers were pretty much as described in this article and it is a big waste of time in the sense that auditions are about having the right look at the right time-period. The more time you are spending in a program that doesn’t let you audition–the less time you are getting out there to be at the right place at the right time! They DO train for stage and not film–which requires a completely different technique. On the bright side–I think it gave budding actors a great opportunity to build a close network of actors that they could collaborate or commiserate with post graduation. Plus you could get guidance from teachers regarding general industry questions so that you wouldn’t fall prey to the many scams that surround the industry. And in terms of the showcase–many did find representation as a result–so I think that depends on the school’s connection. If you are set on an acting degree–do it exactly the way the author did. Either double major in college or pick a non-theatre related major for a BA. Then get an MFA later if you feel the benefits outweigh the cost. You can teach with the MFA and if you get to a point in your career that you want to stop acting–you have something to fall back on. I’m so glad I double majored!! Well written article–I’m glad there’s someone who’s telling it like it is. This whole site is a gem.

]]> By: jonna http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-413 jonna Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:00:11 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-413 I was a child actor and by the time I got to college I was already in SAG and Equity. I started off as a theatre major and was pretty shocked at how little they prepared you for the real world of acting--the business side of it. Many of the classes that they offered were definitely things that I could have taken at less cost somewhere else. The teachers were pretty much as described in this article and it is a big waste of time in the sense that auditions are about having the right look at the right time-period. The more time you are spending in a program that doesn't let you audition--the less time you are getting out there to be at the right place at the right time! They DO train for stage and not film--which requires a completely different technique. On the bright side--I think it gave budding actors a great opportunity to build a close network of actors that they could collaborate or commiserate with post graduation. Plus you could get guidance from teachers regarding general industry questions so that you wouldn't fall prey to the many scams that surround the industry. And in terms of the showcase--many did find representation as a result--so I think that depends on the school's connection. If you are set on an acting degree--do it exactly the way the author did. Either double major in college or pick a non-theatre related major for a BA. Then get an MFA later if you feel the benefits outweigh the cost. You can teach with the MFA and if you get to a point in your career that you want to stop acting--you have something to fall back on. I'm so glad I double majored!! Well written article--I'm glad there's someone who's telling it like it is. This whole site is a gem. I was a child actor and by the time I got to college I was already in SAG and Equity. I started off as a theatre major and was pretty shocked at how little they prepared you for the real world of acting–the business side of it. Many of the classes that they offered were definitely things that I could have taken at less cost somewhere else. The teachers were pretty much as described in this article and it is a big waste of time in the sense that auditions are about having the right look at the right time-period. The more time you are spending in a program that doesn’t let you audition–the less time you are getting out there to be at the right place at the right time! They DO train for stage and not film–which requires a completely different technique. On the bright side–I think it gave budding actors a great opportunity to build a close network of actors that they could collaborate or commiserate with post graduation. Plus you could get guidance from teachers regarding general industry questions so that you wouldn’t fall prey to the many scams that surround the industry. And in terms of the showcase–many did find representation as a result–so I think that depends on the school’s connection. If you are set on an acting degree–do it exactly the way the author did. Either double major in college or pick a non-theatre related major for a BA. Then get an MFA later if you feel the benefits outweigh the cost. You can teach with the MFA and if you get to a point in your career that you want to stop acting–you have something to fall back on. I’m so glad I double majored!! Well written article–I’m glad there’s someone who’s telling it like it is. This whole site is a gem.

]]> By: Kirsten Tretbar http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-410 Kirsten Tretbar Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:27:31 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-410 Dear Ann, Thank you so much for your kind comment. I write/wrote this blog/site exactly for people like you. Although everyone does not agree with what I say, I only say it to help others and from the kindness of my heart. Everyone must follow their own path, but I still feel that talented young people should get a BA over a BFA, if they want to study theatre/acting. The studies will be more comprehensive, and they'll end up learning so much more about themselves, and the world in which they live, if they study more than just acting. You are obviously a wonderful mom, and care deeply about your daughter. Young artists and actors need all the help and support they can get from loving insightful parents like you! Thanks again, and it really means so much to me! Kirsten Dear Ann,
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I write/wrote this blog/site exactly for people like you. Although everyone does not agree with what I say, I only say it to help others and from the kindness of my heart. Everyone must follow their own path, but I still feel that talented young people should get a BA over a BFA, if they want to study theatre/acting. The studies will be more comprehensive, and they’ll end up learning so much more about themselves, and the world in which they live, if they study more than just acting. You are obviously a wonderful mom, and care deeply about your daughter. Young artists and actors need all the help and support they can get from loving insightful parents like you! Thanks again, and it really means so much to me!
Kirsten

]]> By: Ann http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-409 Ann Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:30:47 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-409 Hi Kristen, I wanted to thank you for all your time and dedication thru the years to this Blog. Despite the age of some of the posting I found them insightful and overall helpful. I am a working Mom with little knowledge on this topic, but am trying to help my 16 year old who loves acting and creative writing start selecting college programs to help her on this difficult road she has selected. She is talented and academically at the top of her class. After reading all this one thing is for sure I am going to have a long talk with her about going for a BA instead of trying to get into one of these four year acting programs. Again, thank you. Hi Kristen,
I wanted to thank you for all your time and dedication thru the years to this Blog. Despite the age of some of the posting I found them insightful and overall helpful.

I am a working Mom with little knowledge on this topic, but am trying to help my 16 year old who loves acting and creative writing start selecting college programs to help her on this difficult road she has selected. She is talented and academically at the top of her class. After reading all this one thing is for sure I am going to have a long talk with her about going for a BA instead of trying to get into one of these four year acting programs.

Again, thank you.

]]> By: jack http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-406 jack Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:08:56 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-406 "all I needed to do was be myself, it was a revelation to me" spot on. “all I needed to do was be myself, it was a revelation to me”

spot on.

]]> By: jack http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-405 jack Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:04:42 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-405 that is the biggest load of tosh anyone has ever written. depends on the student, the course, the school, the teaching staff, the connections the school have. im a drama student at central in london and find this article ridiculous. that is the biggest load of tosh anyone has ever written. depends on the student, the course, the school, the teaching staff, the connections the school have. im a drama student at central in london and find this article ridiculous.

]]> By: Ciaran http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-402 Ciaran Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:14:54 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-402 Hi Kirsten, Thanks for the reply ;-) Again thanks for this wonderful article Ciaran Hi Kirsten,

Thanks for the reply ;-)

Again thanks for this wonderful article

Ciaran

]]> By: Kirsten Tretbar http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-401 Kirsten Tretbar Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:55:34 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-401 H Ciaran, I no longer write long personal letters back to my readers because it's more of a consultancy thing I do now for a fee. I was just giving way too much free advice and it took too much of my time and energy, I hope you understand... But if you want to write your questions as a reply on the site, maybe others will give their input, and if I have time, I can say a few words, but I have a feeling most of your questions will be answered if you go through the whole site and read all the other articles I've written -- and all the comments of the other readers/actors etc...Hope this helps, and thanks for reading my blog, and break a leg and all with your acting career! With gratitude and respect, Kirsten H Ciaran,
I no longer write long personal letters back to my readers because it’s more of a consultancy thing I do now for a fee. I was just giving way too much free advice and it took too much of my time and energy, I hope you understand… But if you want to write your questions as a reply on the site, maybe others will give their input, and if I have time, I can say a few words, but I have a feeling most of your questions will be answered if you go through the whole site and read all the other articles I’ve written — and all the comments of the other readers/actors etc…Hope this helps, and thanks for reading my blog, and break a leg and all with your acting career! With gratitude and respect, Kirsten

]]> By: Ciaran http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-400 Ciaran Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:44:22 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/01/16/7-reasons-why-professional-acting-programs-are-simply-not-worth-it/#comment-400 Hi Kirsten, I would just like to thank you for this wonderful article. I myself have been accepted into Drama school in the UK this year and have many concerns; can I run these by you? I’m not sure if you are still updating this post? Looking forward to hearing from you Ciaran Hi Kirsten,

I would just like to thank you for this wonderful article. I myself have been accepted into Drama school in the UK this year and have many concerns; can I run these by you? I’m not sure if you are still updating this post?

Looking forward to hearing from you

Ciaran

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