Acting Training At An Acting School - The Place Where New Stars Are Born

Do you look forward to the Oscars every year? Do you imagine what it would be like to stand in the spotlight at the gala and receive the ‘golden trophy’ for your acting performance in a film or telenovela ? You can make this dream come true. And it starts exactly where many Hollywood stars took their first steps - with acting lessons at a drama school.

What is an acting school?

An acting school is usually a privately run institution where you learn the creative craft of acting. There are currently around 70 drama schools in German-speaking countries. Private drama schools are most common but there are also some state drama schools. As part of a usually four-year course of study, you will learn everything you need as an actor for a successful career in film or on the stage. This includes acting, breathing, voice and speech exercises as well as body language and theoretical knowledge from the fields of film, theatre and television . The big difference between state and privately run drama schools is the cost. Private schools usually cost more than state run schools. However, there are also significantly fewer places at state schools for more applicants, which are allocated via a demanding entrance test.

What requirements do I need to meet to train as an actor?

If you want to start your career by training at an acting school, you need at least to have passed your minimum requirement of school exams. Whether private or state-run, drama schools set additional criteria for admission. These are checked as part of the entrance test, where you have to prove that you stand out against your competitors. Good grades in the school subjects of music, drama, literature and languages are particularly important for pre-selection. On a personal level, you should have strong strengths in self-organisation as well as creative skills, diligence and accuracy. Persistence and the ability to take criticism are also important prerequisites for professional acting lessons at a drama school.

Costs and earnings

First things first: a classic acting course at a drama school in Germany costs money. You therefore have to finance it out of your own pocket. For training at a recognised private school, you can expect to pay between 2,000€ and 3,000€ per semester. Training at state drama schools is significantly cheaper at around 300€ to 600€ per semester. However, a demanding entrance examination decides who, of the approx. 5,000 candidates each year, gets one of the 300 places. As this is a school-based training programme, you will not earn anything during this training - apart from part-time jobs and initial fees. Your final earnings as an actor depend on your skills and a large portion of luck. Without wanting to take the wind out of your sails: Most actors have a ‘bread and butter’ job that earns them the lion's share of their living. Only very few can make a good living from acting alone and rake in dream salaries of 100,000€ and more per year.

Are there alternatives to drama school?

Yes, there are. Especially if you are taking your first steps in the field of acting, private acting lessons are a much cheaper option. With a certain amount of talent , you can quickly make a name for yourself. Another option is to start out as an extra or bit-part actor, who are desperately sought after for a number of productions . After all, many an actor has been discovered in an extra role. Register now with Starboxx and start your career in film, theatre and television as an extra, bit-part actor or actor.