Should I Go to Acting School? My Honest Take After Attending 3
Actors are often obsessed with the idea of going to acting school. It feels like a rite of passage — the big step that will “make” your career. I used to think that too. In fact, I went to three different acting schools, each with its own unique approach.
The first was a part-time acting school in Warsaw. It was open to all ages but didn’t treat us like kids. The teachers pushed us hard, demanded excellence, and treated us as equals. It was intense — and honestly, amazing.
Then I moved to Ireland, where I attended the Gaiety School of Acting. This school focused mainly on theatre, with classical training at its core. Finally, I studied at Bow Street, which specialized in screen acting, a very different skill set altogether.
Looking back, if I could travel back in time and give my younger self advice, I would say this:
❌ Don’t go to acting school.
Yes — I know that sounds controversial. But let me explain why.
The Cost vs. What You Could Do Instead
Most acting schools cost between £10,000 and £25,000 per year.
Let’s break that down:
That’s roughly £800 to £2,000 per month.
Imagine how much focused, flexible, and personalized training you could get if you invested that amount in short courses, private coaching, or specialized workshops instead.
With that money, you could train with multiple teachers, explore different methods, and tailor your education to your goals — rather than following a fixed curriculum.
Stage vs. Screen: Know Where You Belong
Most traditional acting schools are built on theatre training. That’s fantastic if your dream is to work on stage. But if your heart is in film and television, a lot of that training might not give you what you actually need.
In a school, you don’t get to choose your teachers. You might not click with their style, but you’re stuck with them for months or years. By choosing independent classes or coaches, you can quickly discover who brings out the best in you and build your own toolkit.
Explore Different Techniques
One of the biggest advantages of exploring classes outside of a single school is that you can study multiple techniques:
Chekhov
Meisner
Stanislavski
Chubbuck
…and many more.
You never know which technique will unlock something in you. By taking various workshops, you can pick bits and pieces from each approach and develop your own unique method — something that fits you, not a generic mold.
The Showcase Myth
Many actors are drawn to acting schools because of the final industry showcase. The idea is that casting directors and agents will watch, fall in love with your performance, and sign you immediately.
But here’s the reality:
There’s no guarantee industry professionals will attend.
There’s no guarantee the showcase will truly show off your strengths.
You’re not in control of how you’re presented.
Instead, you could invest in creating your own professional showreel, filmed exactly the way you want. You can choose the material, control the look, and present yourself in the best light possible — without waiting for anyone else’s approval.
But how do I audition?
The main thing that bothers me about acting schools is that even if they do a great job teaching you how to act, they don’t teach you how to audition. They don’t teach you how to self-tape, how to build your own self-tape studio at home, or how to actually land an acting job. They don’t explain how to find an agent or how to market yourself as an actor.
And beyond the craft, they rarely talk about how to take care of your mental health in this industry — how to handle rejection, burnout, or self-doubt. They don’t teach you how to juggle day jobs while still pursuing your dream.
You leave knowing how to perform — but not how to live as an actor.
My Final Thoughts
This is, of course, my personal experience. I don’t regret the schools I attended — each gave me something valuable. But if I had to do it all over again, I’d take a different path. I’d invest in targeted classes, workshops, and private coaching, and take control of my own training journey.
Acting schools can be a good fit for some, especially if you want a traditional theatre career. But they’re not the only way — and certainly not the only right way — to become a great actor.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on a traditional acting school to become a skilled, working actor. Build your own path, explore different techniques, and take charge of your education.
Sending you a big hug,
Natalia
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