UNPACKING HARMFUL PRACTICES IN ACTING CLASSROOMS

Our acting training is where we develop the tools and techniques that will serve us for our entire career. Classes are where we nurture our talent, hone our skills, and develop our personal approach to the work. They also provide a much needed community for us to connect with fellow actors. We grow our process while we build incredible bonds with fellow actors; and the intimacy of those classrooms can be a powerful place for growth; but unfortunately, they also can be a breeding ground predatory practices.

Learning spaces can feel uncomfortable at times, and might challenge the actor to look at their work in new ways - but they should never make the actor feel less than. And they should definitely not frame disrespect as a requirement of the learning process.

This is a big part of why I created The WholeHearted Actor in the first place. Because acting classrooms have a history of toxic practices. There are classes that create a guru / student dynamic - where the teacher can do no wrong, and the student is required to suffer through whatever they throw at them. I meet actors, so traumatized as if and if they've just left an abusive relationship. It's heartbreaking. It's become so prevalent, that sometimes, even the teacher doesn’t know they are doing it. So I’d like to unpack some of the harmful practices that can happen in acting classrooms, so that you can avoid finding yourself in an abusive environment. 

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, I wanted to share some of the red flags that sadly, do pop up in some acting classrooms. When these practices occur, it erode trusts, causes disrespect, and often leaves the actor feeling broken down - or like something is wrong with them. My hope in sharing all of this - is not to be pessimistic, rather, it is my hope that this list can validate your feelings if you are finding yourself doubting the class that you are in; and hopefully help you find a better, healthier fit in your next class.

YOU ARE DISCOURAGED YOU FROM TRAINING ANYWHERE ELSE 

Good teachers want you to learn everything you can - and know that actors deserve a well-rounded range of training. If a teacher takes offense to you training anywhere else - is creating unnecessary competition and judgment. Insightful teachers want actors to get training - and encourage actors to get in class - even if that isn’t with them.

YOUR DEDICATION IS CRITICIZED WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

The best learning environments are spaces that encourage curiosity. We need to be able to ask questions - and investigate what we don’t understand. If an instructor shames you for doing so, it means that they are not equipped to support your learning - and likely - don’t want to engage in any meaningful conversation.

YOU ARE SHAMED YOU FOR HAVING A PERSONAL LIFE

Classes do require a time commitment - and it is totally normal for an instructor to have some kind of attendance policy. That’s not what I am referring to. What I am talking about, is when you have a life emergency, or personal matter that interferes with your attendance or preparation - and the instructor refuses to hold space for your lived experience. We can hold actors accountable without judgement of why they weren’t able to show up as their best on that particular day. Teachers should meet actors with compassion, and support the actor where they are. 

THE TEACHER'S FEEDBACK DOESN’T PROVIDE SOLUTIONS 

I often see this happening in Casting Director workshops, or Agent feedback - where the person providing feedback just doesn’t have the vocabulary or time to offer helpful feedback. But if a teacher is charging you for a weekly class - they absolutely should have the skill to provide constructive criticism and redirects. Feedback like “You blink too much” or “You are too big” or “You are yelling too much” doesn’t exactly tell you what is going on and why.  And more importantly, this kind of feedback doesn’t offer you any tangible solutions or redirects. More often than not, it just leaves the actor feeling more self-conscious and at a loss of how to fix it. 

Anyone can look at a piece of art and say they don’t like it. A teacher should know how to have a meaningful conversation around interpretation, choices, and provide opportunities for further exploration - without attacking the actor as a person.

THE INSTRUCTOR ISN’T CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY

This might come down to a personal preference. But I find that if I want to be trained well, I want to work with someone who has an awareness of the industry today; what shows are being written, and what is being expected in auditions and agency relationships.  I don’t want to work with a dinosaur who hasn’t worked on anything since the 90s. I want to work with teachers who have been where I want to go - and are currently doing it.

THE TEACHER DOESN'T PROVIDE GUARDRAILS & WON’T CALL OUT DISRESPECT

This is an under-discussed issue in acting classrooms, especially around using observation and improvisation (like in Meisner). We love incorporating improv into our moment before, or as a way to allow new impulses into the rehearsal room. But often, when we are exploring ‘in character’ there are lots of things a character might do - that will step outside what is appropriate / respectful of everyone in the room. 

Monitoring the classroom space for harm is nuanced because so much of our work is about letting go of being polite - or not playing it safe.  But an excellent teacher will at the very least - have a conversation about what is acceptable and what’s not. And they should have the guts to put on the breaks when someone steps out of lines and causes harm. Instructors need to be able to help guide actors in a proper separation of character and actor - and be open to feedback if an actor brings up how something harmed them in class. 

THEY DISMISS THE VALIDITY OF OTHER TECHNIQUES 

Many acting teachers will specialize in a specific methodology. That is totally fine. It means that they are most qualified to offer techniques that live within that framework. But that doesn’t mean that this particular method is the only correct one.  As teachers, our job is to provide tools and techniques. And every actor will find some techniques more useful than others; and that is totally okay. 

What is not okay, is making an actor believe that something is wrong with them, because one particular technique doesn’t work for them. This dynamic erodes trust, and makes actors doubt their instincts.  If a teacher is using shame as a teaching tool, they are not creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

THEY GUARANTEE BOOKINGS / GETTING SIGNED

No instructor can promise you that you will book a role, or get signed with an agent. Any teacher promising either has no idea how the industry works (teachers don't hire you, and can't force agents to sign you) - or they flat out are lying in order to get your business. Either way - it is inaccurate, and unethical. Some classes may offer workshops with Casting Directors, or showcases with agencies - but neither of those situations can guarantee any kind of outcome.

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR

It can be difficult to know what you are signing up for before you invest in an acting class, so it’s important that you do your research. Whenever possible, do a consultation, or audit a class so that you can get a feel for how the instructor likes to lead a classroom. Check out their website, bio, IMDb, and social media - your gut instinct can tell you a lot about how a teacher works.   Finally, I’d recommend granting yourself permission to stick with a class for a few weeks - and if you still feel like it's not a great fit - it's okay to drop out / move forward with caution and care. 

I think because classes are so expensive and time consuming - we worry about how dropping a class might affect our reputation. And I think giving classes a fair shot is important to our learning and growth. But if you signed up for a 10 week class, and on week 5 you are still feeling like you aren’t being seen, or supported - it's okay to drop out. Life is too short to spend time in a space that degrades you. And no credit on your resume or financial investment should excuse harm. I hope for you that every class you take is full of supportive, encouraging energy - and that you leave every class inspired and excited to do the work.

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