Acting Academically: The Best Courses for Young Actors
I can still remember the moment I realized I wanted to act. I was 14 years old and I came across an app called Scenebot. Naturally, as a young man interested in performing, I spoke about my ambitions with my mother. Like so many parents, she was supportive, but unsure of how to assist me early on in my journey. We spoke to teachers at my high school, did independent research, and even listened to an audio book titled The Hollywood Parents Guide. There was loads of helpful information on how to get started, scams to avoid, and much more. At the end of the day, my mother was uneasy about me diving fully into the industry at such a young age so I eased into it.
Now that I’m on the other side of the desk as a teacher, I see the same pattern everywhere: so much passion, but so little direction. After years of navigating the industry myself, I’ve realized that the “secret” training ground is actually right in front of us. There is a surprising number of middle and high school classes that can give young artists a massive head start on their acting careers.
The "Hidden" Acting Curriculum
While we often think of acting as something that only happens on a stage or in front of a camera, the building blocks of a great performance are hidden in your daily school schedule. If you look closely, your standard classes are essentially a multi-year training program:
English & Literature: This is where you master Script Analysis. By dissecting a protagonist’s journey or identifying the themes in a novel, you are learning how to find the "why" behind a character's actions—a skill you’ll use every time you open a script.
History: Acting is about empathy and context. Studying history allows you to perform Period Research, helping you understand how people moved, spoke, and thought in different eras, ensuring your performance feels authentic to the time.
Psychology: This is the study of Human Behavior. Understanding why people react to trauma, joy, or fear allows an actor to build a character from the inside out rather than just "mimicking" an emotion.
Public Speaking or Oral Communications: These classes are the ultimate cure for Stage Fright. They teach you vocal projection, how to hold an audience’s attention, and how to think on your feet when things don't go exactly as planned.
Physical Education: Acting is a physical craft. P.E. and sports help develop Body Awareness and coordination, which are vital for stage combat, blocking, and maintaining the physical stamina required for long days on stage and set.
Getting Your Feet Wet
Beyond the core curriculum, it is incredibly worthwhile to get involved in specialized electives if your school offers them. Courses in Acting, Drama, or Creative Writing provide a safe space to experiment, fail, and grow alongside peers who share your drive.
Most importantly, don’t overlook the school play. Participating in school theater is a fantastic way to get your feet in the water without drowning. It offers a low-stakes environment to learn the "language" of the wings, the stage, and the ensemble. You get the thrill of the performance and the discipline of the rehearsal process without the overwhelming pressure of the professional industry.
By the time you are ready to dive into the deep end of professional acting, you won’t just be a person with a passion, you’ll be a trained artist with a solid foundation.
