Best Acting Classes In The Detroit Area

The Midwest is a particularly good area for the aspiring actor to find a place in the limelight because there is a high concentration of both community and professional theatre in this region. If your ultimate goal is to work as an actor in New York or Hollywood, then you will need to be a member of Actor's Equity Association, now celebrating its 100th birthday. To obtain your Equity credentials, you must be cast in a showin an Equity theater. In the Detroit area, that mostly means Meadow Brook, the Detroit Repertory Theater, the Jewish Ensemble Theater, Purple Rose, Performance Network, Williamston Theater or Tipping Point. If community theatre is where you want to perform (always on a volunteer basis) then the best training is to apprentice with the theatre itself because it's free. There are also free acting classes through Meetup. Whatever your intention, check out these great acting classes throughout the Detroit area, sure to get you on the right path.Related: Best Places To See Ballet In The Detroit Area

On Our Own Productions
Fraser Performing Arts Center
34270 Garfield Road
Fraser, MI 48026
(313) 213-2711
onourownproductions.com<

On Our Own Productions is a great place to develop the art of acting without having to pay lots of money. Participants learn directing, choreography, set construction and stage acting under the apprentice model. Executive Director Jerome Pokorney runs the program as a labor of love and patrons can see show performances for only $4.99. There is no tuition nor union dues, no prior experience required and no casting fee.

The Acting Workshop Program at Detroit Repertory Theatre
13103 Woodrow Wilson St
Detroit, MI 48238
(313) 868-1347
detroitreptheatre.com

The Acting Workshop Program at the Detroit Repertory Theatre typically offers classes twice per season, in late September and again in January. Workshops run for 10 weeks and cost $150 for tuition. Residents of Detroit can apply for free tuition and anyone can audition for parts in upcoming shows. However, getting cast in a show is difficult since this is an Equity theatre, meaning you are competing against experienced professionals.

Detroit Actor's Workshop
1602 Rochester Road
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 398-7744
theactorsworkshopdetroit.com

Detroit Actor's Workshop has been in business since 1984 and has high aesthetic standards. It is the training ground for people who view themselves as artists. There is a two-part program with the first six weeks being a crash course covering the fundamentals of drama. This would be perfect for someone testing the water, like a screenwriter seeking exposure to the acting process. After completing the basic course, there are ongoing courses where you roll up your sleeves and study in a highly detailed way, focusing on character preparation and execution.  The Workshop also offers film classes; students can participate in film projects to build up their resumes under the direction of Brian Lawrence.

Michigan Actors Studio 
648 E 9 Mile Road
Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 462-3350
michiganactorsstudio.com

This studio offers eight-week classes based on primary, secondary and tertiary levels, additionally running workshops in the summer. Acting I runs on your choice of Monday evenings or Thursdays during the day. It touches on a wide range of topics but focuses on how to study and break down a script. The Studio also offers film classes but requires Acting I as a prerequisite. Classes cost $230 for eight-week sessions. A specialized class called Blueprint for Success helps students transition into professional acting where instructors guide students to open auditions. A certificate program is also available.

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