Here’s a guide:

1. IMPROV FIRST!

Everything that is taught in improv is everything that is important in acting minus the script such as: -Listening and reacting -Getting out of your head -Putting the attention off of yourself and onto the other person -Making quick and effective choices on the spot.

What improv training applied to acting is NOT: -SNL funny. Lorne Michaels does NOT like improv on the show, he just hires improv actors because for the past 30+ years, they have shown to be some of the better actors to deal with last minute re-writes. -Trying to be funny -Battle of the wittiest

Improv -Groundlings -Improv Olympic -Second City -Upright Citizens Brigade

1. Then you can do a commercial class or simultaneously with your improv training. Why commercials? Because 1. That’s the first kind of agent that you’re more likely to get starting out. 2. Commercials are the money jobs for the “Joe-Actor”. 3. The fact that you booked a few Nationals can be used as leverage in getting a theatrical agent. 4. Commercials are also a way of bettering your chances at Guest Stars and above. Film/TV Casting directors DO go as far posting in the breakdowns stuff like “if you represent the deadpan guy in the AT&T commercials, call me!”

Commercials -Chris Game -Francine Selkirk-Akerman/Judy Kain -Hey, I Saw Your Commercial! -Killian McHugh -Stuart K. Robinson -Porter Kelly

1. Even as you initially pursue commercials, traditional training is one of the better places of building your foundation. Some commercials DO require acting.

So here are some traditional schools that will give you a solid foundation:

-Aaron Speiser -Alderson -Aquilla/Morong Studios -Alan Feinstein -Baron/Brown -Berg Studios -Beverly Hills Playhouse -Brad Heller -Diana Castle -Doug Warhit -Elizabeth Mestnik -Eric Morris -Harry Mastrogeorge -Jill Place -Joseph Pearlman -Marjorie Ballentine -Playhouse West -Robert Lyons -Ron Burrus -Ruskin School -Sanford Meisner Center -Sanford Meisner Studio -Sharon Chatten -Stella Adler School -Warner Loughlin

1. Either while you’re deep in a foundation class or honestly feel that you’re done for now, then do an audition class. The ONLY one I can recommend if you want to learn to audition ASAP is Saxon Trainor because she teaches with the assumption that most actors don’t have a lot of training before and thus gives a good foundation in her intensive. All of the other ones assume you already have training:

-Annie Grindlay -Billy O’Leary -Caryn West -Christinna Chauncey -Jamison Haase -Ken Lerner -Margie Haber (HERSELF) -Marjo-Rikka Makela -Robert D’Avanzo -Saxon Trainor -Stan Kirsch -Tess Kirsch -Tim Phillips

1. If you think you like comedy: -Lesly Kahn -Jackie Geary -Actors Comedy Studio

2. And should you not want to continue your ongoing with above schools and maybe want to apply everything you’ve learned to on camera classes or just want to practice cold reading, then:

-Amy Lyndon -Brad Greenquist -Clay Banks -David Kagen