Step Seven: Research Local Community for Experience

You want to gain some experience while you have none. Audition and participate where you can! It's all about the simple research (that you can do all online).

• Local Community Theaters: Research your area and find a few that may suit your needs (distance, people, atmosphere). Just google "community theater" or "local acting classes" for your area. You can participate in theater productions, acting groups, and start developing a network, which is very important in the business. In my area (about an hour-away radius), i found several theaters and schools: 
• Shelton: Center Stage
• Ridgefield: The Ridgefield Theater Barn 
• Ridgefield: The Ridgefield Playhouse
• New Canaan: The Studio: A School for Performing Arts
• Trumbull: PACC: Performing Arts Center of Connecticut 
• Fairfield: Next Stop NY!: Acting for TV, Film, Stage
• Stamford: Curtain Call 
• Newtown: Sabrina's Encore Productions
• Westport: Center Stage Theatre Company
• Broookfield: Brookfield School of Performing Arts
• Local Classes: many times your local community theaters will have classes available for you to enroll that may run 6-8 weeks per season. Check them out. They tend to range from $200-$500. There may also be classes and workshops available locally at a nearby university. Your library may also know of the current happenings in the acting community, so be sure to ask your librarian and check the website!


• the class i wanted to do but it had already started was at the Ridgefield Theater Barn and the class was called "Developing Your Acting Career" taught by Susan Grace Cohen (NYC Tisch (resume))
• though, i found out it was taught Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm and went at the end and waited to talk to her. i couldn't get into the class but...*
• Private Sessions: You're area may have talented and experienced acting teachers available for private sessions. Usually they are an hour long and are $100/hour. For the coaching you get, it could be well worth it. Check their credentials and make sure they have the background necessary to teach you well. Remember, "great actor" does not always mean "great teacher."
• *.... she (Susan Grace Cohen) offered to do private sessions. after looking up her credentials(my fave of her students is Karen Allen - Raiders of the Lost Ark, Starmann, The Sandlot) and such, she looks like a great teacher. i emailed her and we will work together at least a few times before I go back to school! it'll probably end up being $300 or more, but that could be something invaluable to my acting career.