Find acting classes in Chicago, IL

Q: 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.

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Find acting classes in Chicago, IL

Share a few details and we'll show you the best acting classes in your area.

Zip code

Top 10 acting classes in Chicago, IL

Students agree: these Chicago acting classes are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.

Your Acting Classes questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.

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 Chicago acting classes

Recent success stories from people in the Chicago area.

Maurice D.

Karen is very personal and in tuned with actors she works with. She’s detailed and focused on bringing out the best with those she works with.

Karen Vaccaro Acting Coach

Lori K.

Late in life, and during the pandemic, I decided to take one-on-one acting lessons. I've been working with David on Zoom for over a year and have learned so incredibly much! I was very nervous our first session but he very quickly put me at ease. He asked me lots of questions to learn the medium I want to focus on, find the right scenes for me to work on and how best to work together. He taught me how to come at a scene and character from multiple perspectives, always offering fantastic advice to achieve the intention, whether the intention I come up with or the challenge he's given me. If I'm struggling with something, he's great at shifting the angle to come at the challenge in a different way that will work better for me. He's a professional who is very patient, creative and fun to work with!

David August coaching

Jennifer L.

I had my first session with BEKA and she was amazing. She worked with me on two monologues and she was able to quickly and expertly dissect the material, and was able to help me try out various ways of making the performances stronger. She is kind and gentle with how she delivers notes, but at the same time has a solid opinion on how to improve. In other words, she makes you feel safe to receive criticism but isn't going to let you off the hook if you're not getting where you need to be to get the attention of your audience. I feel like working with her will help me get to where I want to be.

BEKA -- Chameleon Character Actor Private Coach

Markia M.

You taught everyone so much about theater and life, and we are all endlessly grateful.

Kevin Schwartz - Acting/Writing

Kasia P.

Tad has been wonderful! His expertise and training really shine through the lessons with my children. He has suggested specific books that will address their areas of need while also keeping in mind their song/style interests and goals. Tad provides challenging yet engaging lessons that have already expanded their skill level. Always communicative, courteous, and punctual, I would highly recommend Tad to anyone looking for piano lessons.