Find a acting coach in Washington, DC

Find acting classes in Washington, DC

Find acting classes in Washington, DC

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Find acting classes in Washington, DC

Confirm your location to see the best acting classes near you.
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Top 10 acting classes in Washington, DC

Students agree: these Washington acting classes are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
DC Media Academy

DC Media Academy

11+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC & Online
Ready to turn your passion for media into a profession? At DC Media Academy, we bridge the gap between theory and practice. Our courses are taught by working media professionals who bring real-world experience directly to you. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build a foundation or a seasoned creator aiming to refine your skills, our curriculum focuses on modern, in-demand topics like video editing, podcasting, social media strategy, and more. Our mission is to equip you with a portfolio of work and the confidence to launch or advance your career in the dynamic world of media.
Chelsea Thaler Acting Lessons And Audition Coaching

Chelsea Thaler Acting Lessons And Audition Coaching

5.0(2)
6 hires on Lessons.com
12+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC & Online
Emily F. says, "Chelsea is highly knowledgeable and I am enjoying working with her! She is helping me make progress towards my specific goals and has helped me find some good resources to continue my studies and practice between lessons." Read more
Acting And Performance Coaching

Acting And Performance Coaching

5.0(2)
13 hires on Lessons.com
8+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC & Online
Christina C. says, "Ty (Christian) is wonderful with my daughter and has taught her many useful tools she’ll need in order to pursue her dream of voice acting. He has helped her to gain the confidence to reach out and audition for her first small role (which she landed!) and we’re hoping it will lead to many more! I can’t say enough good things about him and I’m so thankful we found him!!" Read more
Kevin Sockwell - Actor And Acting Teacher

Kevin Sockwell - Actor And Acting Teacher

1 hire on Lessons.com
Serves Washington, DC
I have worked as an actor, director, filmmaker and acting teacher for young people and adults for over 40 years. People that come to me get hired, have fun and are challeneged at the same time. I have studied with several known acting teachers in NYC and konmw a thing or two about acting. I LOVE seeing people grow and learn. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!
Parisa Bayenat : Acting Instructor/Actor/Director/ Play Wright

Parisa Bayenat : Acting Instructor/Actor/Director/ Play Wright

5.0Exceptional(17)
7 hires on Lessons.com
6+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC & Online
Ankita C. says, "She is amazing. You won’t regret. " Read more
2B Actor Training

2B Actor Training

1 hire on Lessons.com
4+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC & Online
During this enforced pause in our performance time, it makes sense to hone our skills. And once we can all gather in community again, we'll have lots of stories to share. Let me help you develop and polish your skills, so you can help share these stories. I have been studying, performing and teaching theater for 45 years. I've performed in 49 of the 50 states. I have taught students from 5 to 91. I have a deep, well considered, philosophically based love for the craft of acting, a love I am happy to share. My approach to the work is a synthesis of the masters I've studied, the teachers I've studied under, and my life in the theater. I offer ...
Ottley Music School, Inc.

Ottley Music School, Inc.

5.0Exceptional(7)
10 hires on Lessons.com
52+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC & Online
Charlotte .. says, " I think Ann started around the holiday season, she’s had about one academic semester of once per week classes. She was still 2 years old when she started at Ottley’s Music School. Now she can find middle C, identify A, B or C anywhere on the keyboard, read notations like piano meaning play softly, fortissimo meaning play loudly, and quarter rest. She has been introduced to half and full notes and rests, but doesn’t yet consistently apply them. She can play simple 3-note sequences with either the left or right hand but sometimes prefers to play all notes with either her thumb or index finger rather than following the assigned fingers for each key. It’s really an extraordinary amount of progress for her age. I’ve been surprised" Read more
Silas Gordon Brigham, PRA         (Patsy Rodenburg Associate) Voice, Speech, Presence

Silas Gordon Brigham, PRA (Patsy Rodenburg Associate) Voice, Speech, Presence

7+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC & Online
Hello! I am an actor, and Voice Coach certified as a Patsy Rodenberg Associate. I teach the Rodenburg Presence and Second Circle Method. I see my coaching through the lens of social justice education, informed by my study of martial arts and meditation, and shaped by my own acting experience. I coach actors both privately and in production. I am also passionate about working with non-actors and can help a wide range of students and professionals to uncover their most effective and authentic presence and voice. This work is useful for anyone who uses their voice and presence in their work and daily life. I have led group workshops designed
Alina's Voice Studio

Alina's Voice Studio

5.0Exceptional(15)
8+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC & Online
Keith R. says, "First time trying voice lessons, and I'm already learning so much. She is an amazing teacher and really helps me find out how to understand what I sing." Read more
Allison Frisch - Private Acting Coach

Allison Frisch - Private Acting Coach

5.0(3)
Serves Washington, DC & Online
Lily K. says, "I came to Allison for help with a monologue that I'd worked with a few other people, and it just hadn't been clicking the way I wanted it to. She had an excellent intuitive sense of what the monologue needed to soar: what was already working, what needed to be added, what needed to be replaced. I felt 1000% more confident leaving than I did when I arrived. She's also just a pleasure to work with. She has a great supportive, welcoming energy. Her studio is cozy, neat, and conveniently located in an area with good street parking." Read more

Your Acting Classes questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.com.

How much do acting classes cost?

Acting classes cost $25 to $65 per hour on average for group classes or $50 to $150+ per hour to hire a private acting coach. Prices vary depending on where you live and the instructor's experience and reputation. Acting studios that offer ongoing weekly classes typically charge $150 to $350 per month.

Acting courses and workshops can cost as little as $200 to as much as $2,800+, depending on the content, number of sessions, and the instructor's demand. Some acting workshops are short, 1- or 2-day intensive classes focusing on one aspect of the industry, while other programs last 4 to 8 weeks and cover several topics, methods, and techniques.

Most studios offer a free trial class so you can get a feel for the teaching style and decide if it's right for you.

Are online acting classes worth it?

Online acting classes are worth it if you want to pursue acting and are unable to attend acting classes in person. With online video calling platforms like Zoom and Skype, you can now study acting with the best in the industry from the comfort of your own home! Many reputable acting coaches—including those right here on Lessons—now offer online acting classes and teach the same methods and techniques that they teach in the studio. 

Do you need acting classes to become an actor?

You technically don't need acting classes to become an actor. However, acting classes can help you gain confidence, learn new methods and techniques, analyze scenes and scripts, and build new industry connections and relationships. Acting classes can also teach you about the business side of acting, which is as important as acting itself.

How long do acting classes take?

Acting class length varies depending on the studio and the type of class. Some studios have 2-hour classes, while others have classes lasting 3 to 5 hours. Depending on the location, acting classes may be offered in several formats, such as ongoing weekly classes, weekend intensive workshops, and training programs that can run anywhere from 2 to 8+ weeks.

What skills do you need to be an actor?

While the necessary skillset varies depending on the type of acting you pursue (think Broadway theater vs. TV commercials vs. film), all actors need a broad range of skills to portray the expressions and emotions of a character so effectively that they temporarily transport the audience to a world where the actor is indeed that character. This often involves:

  • Memorizing lines and stage cues
  • Analyzing scripts and scenes
  • Developing a character's emotions and physical expressions
  • Working with other actors, directors, and production crews
  • Adapting to unexpected changes and situations
  • Speaking clearly and adjusting one's voice to align with the character
  • Learning and developing different acting methods and techniques
  • Being comfortable in front of an audience or camera

Reviews for Washington acting classes

Recent success stories from people in the Washington area.
Nick C.
It has been a phenomenal experience since the start. Chelsea is a great teacher and has been incredibly helpful and understanding throughout each lesson.
Chelsea Thaler Acting Lessons and Audition Coaching
Lucille S.
Christion Ty Edwards is professional, kind and a courteous instructor. I also appreciate his flexibility, patience and his willingness to help in any area needed.
Acting and Performance Coaching
Kyle T.
Parisa was a real joy and pleasure to work with and I would recommend her to anyone.
Parisa Bayenat : Acting Instructor/Actor/Director/ Play wright
Laura M.
The Ottley Music School has been instrumental in helping my daughter learn to read music and perform appropriate but challenging pieces. The teachers encourage each child to reach their potential while providing top notch instruction. We are happy with the quality of instruction and performance opportunities our child has received at Ottley Music School.
Ottley Music School, Inc.
Molly M.
Ms. Alina is so wonderful! My children took lessons from her and one is still taking lessons from her. It was amazing to see how she was able to improve my son’s voice during his first lesson with her. She knows what she is doing. She is kind and patient. I recommend her in a heart beat!
Alina's Voice Studio
Shravan A.
I signed up for an audition prep session with Allison. The audition was for a role in a show at a major Equity theatre in the DC area. Going into the session, I had a very general idea on how I wanted the scenes to go. Allison helped me hone in on my objective and actions, moment by moment. She also helped me define my characters much more specifically, as I was going in for a part with multiple roles. I felt confident in my scene as if I were ready to perform it for a real audience. The audition went great. You could tell from the director and producer in the room that they really were impressed with what I showed them that day. Since then, I have received several more audition invites from the same theatre. I'll definitely look to Allison if I need some help preparing for a major audition.
Allison Frisch - Private Acting Coach
Silas T.
Ankh Rep approaches theatre from an emotional point of view. I’ve been trained technically, but there’s something about approaching a character, a play, a line from an emotional aspect. I find myself enjoying the hidden monologues that a moment of silence gives. I know how to translate all of the trials and tribulations of my life into art. I’ve become more aware of the humanity of a character.
Konveyed Thought
George M.
I'm learned so much in just my first class!
viaJ studios
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