Seattle acting classes

Classes open for enrollment:

Class 1010: Beginning Acting (Tuesdays)
Class 1011: Beginning Acting (Sundays)
Class 1015: Intermediate Acting
Class 1020: Let’s Make a Movie
Class 1030: Auditioning workshop
Class 1055: Beginning Stand-Up Comedy

Our Seattle acting classes meet on the University of Washington campus.
They’re co-sponsored by Classesandworkshop.com and the University of Washington’s Experimental College.
They are non-credit courses for the general community, open to everyone.
For course descriptions, dates, times and registration information, scroll down.
To sign up, click the yellow Take Class button on the class page.

Class 1010: BEGINNING ACTING

Acting is fun! In this enjoyable introductory class, you’ll learn how to create characters, memorize dialogue, and use your voice, body and emotions as acting tools. Plus, we’ll do warmups and theater games, improv and scenework, and you’ll get information about Seattle’s film and theater scenes, and opportunities in Seattle for actors . For more information about the class, CLICK HERE

You can take this class on TUESDAY NIGHTS or SUNDAY AFTERNOONS:

The TUESDAY ACTING CLASS meets from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (4 meetings)
Sign up now for the summer 2013 class: Tuesdays, July 9-July 30
To sign up for the TUESDAY BEGINNING ACTING CLASS, CLICK HERE

The SUNDAY ACTING CLASS meets from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m (4 meetings)
Sign up now for the summer 2013 class: Sundays, July 21-August 11
To sign up for the SUNDAY BEGINNING ACTING CLASS, CLICK HERE

Class 1011: BEGINNING ACTING 1

In this enjoyable introductory class, you’ll learn how to create characters, memorize dialogue, and use your voice, body and emotions as acting tools.

When: Sundays April 28-May 19, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. (4 meetings)
Where: This class is held on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.
(The exact building and room number will be send when you sign up)
Tuition: $150 - Learn more about this class »

To sign up for the Sunday Beginning Acting class, use the links below:

General Public: $150 tuition + $10 reg fee = $160
UW Students (current ID): $145 tuition + $5 reg fee = $150

Class 1015: Intermediate Acting

ACTING 2: THE NEXT STEP is a follow-up class for students in Seattle who’ve taken the instructor’s Beginning Acting class and would like to continue learning, practicing and moving toward their goals. Exercises include emotions; monologues; portraying a range of different characters; and writing, rehearsing and performing a short skit in front of the class.

When: Tuesdays 7-9:30 p.m., August 6-August 27 (four meetings)
Where: This class is held on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.
(The exact building and room number will be send when you sign up)
Tuition: $150 - More information about this class »

To SIGN UP NOW, click the TAKE CLASS icon below.

General Public: $150 tuition + $10 reg fee = $160
UW Students (current ID): $145 tuition + $5 reg fee = $150

Class 1020: Let’s Make a Movie

Seattle filmmaking classes: Let's Make a Movie: Image 1: Slate

Ever dreamed about acting in a movie, or making a movie of your own? Students will have the opportunity to do both in this class. In this fun, hands-on course, we’ll create and film a short independent movie from scratch. You can take this class independently, or as part of a Certificate Program.

When: Sat. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. (five meetings) July 20 thru August 17 (five meetings)
(Last two meetings may run past 5 p.m.)
Where: University of Washington campus (Seattle branch)
Tuition: $150 - Learn more about this class »

To SIGN UP NOW, click the TAKE CLASS icon below.

General Public: $150 tuition + $10 reg fee = $160
UW Students (current): $145 tuition + $5 reg fee = $150

Class 1030: Auditioning Workshop

In this information-packed workshop, you’ll learn where to find auditions for acting gigs in the Seattle area; how to prepare; “red flags” to watch out for; what to expect in stage or camera auditions; and more. Plus: information about headshots, actor reels, resumes, and more.

When: Thursday June 13th, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. (one meeting)
Where: University of Washington campus in Seattle – Tuition: $75
Click here for more information about this class

To SIGN UP NOW, click on the TAKE CLASS icon below.

- General Public: $75 tuition + $10 reg fee = $85
  
  UW Students (current ID): $70 tuition + $5 reg fee = $75

Class 1055: Beginning Stand-Up Comedy!

In three class sessions followed by a public performance, students will learn to learn to unleash their inner funny with confidence and skill. Seattle has a booming stand-up comedy community, so there will be lots of opportunity to continue to use what you learn even after the class has concluded.

When: Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m., July 10-July 31 (four meetings)
Where: North Seattle Community College campus
(The first three meetings of our Seattle Stand-Up Comedy class are on the NSCC campus.
The final class will meet at the Comedy Underground club in Seattle)
Tuition: $150 - Learn more about this class

To SIGN UP NOW, click on the TAKE CLASS link below:

General Public: $150 tuition + $10 reg fee = $160
UW Students (current ID): $145 tuition + $5 reg fee = $150

Student Comments

“After just 2 classes with Nils, I auditioned for an independent film against actors with many years experience and I got the part. Nils teaches confidence and he freely shares his knowledge of the acting.” - Robert C. (Hollywood)

“I’d like to thank you. After taking your (Beginning Acting and Let’s Make a Movie ) classes last year, I now have had two acting gigs. One in a movie called Sideways Japan… it was a Fox production… and I was in a commercial in Hollywood, that was a Time Warner production. The reel we made (in the Let’s Make a Movie class) was very useful helping me perform in front of camera and the fact (that I was) comfortable in front of camera got me the gigs. Thanks again, your classes are good.” – K. S. (Hollywood)

“I took it ‘just for fun’ but I was also hoping to get a handle on my stage fright. You were asking if (the beginning acting class) helped with that… I would say yes. The difference is I feel now like I don’t freeze up. I can think. I actually look forward to addressing big meetings and doing things that feel ‘scary’ because now I feel like I’m working through something…” – M.R. (Bellevue)

“I checked out all the acting schools in Seattle, found that your classes had good reviews and decided to try Beginning Acting… glad I did! I don’t know if I’ll ever act professionally but your class really did improve my public speaking and help me feel more comfortable in groups. And it was a blast.” – C.J (Seattle)

FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR CLASSES

Where are your classes held?

Most of them take place on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Some are at the University Heights Center, or Phinney Neighborhood Center (great locations with ample parking for students). You’ll be given the exact location and driving directions for your class when you sign up.

Are your acting classes sponsored by the University of Washington? Or are they just held on campus?

Our on-campus courses are co-sponsored by our program and the ASUW Experimental College (a program of the ASUW, the student government at the University of Washington, under the sponsorship of the U.W.). They are non-credit classes for personal enjoyment and enrichment. They are held on the campus, and registration fees are collected by the University of Washington. But you will not receive University of Washington credit for attending them.

Are these good classes to take if I’m brand new at acting?

Definitely.

I want to act in the movies. Will your classes help?

No one can promise you that a single acting class will get you a starring role in Hollywood. (If they do, they’re being silly.) But good acting classes can start you moving toward your goals. What our classes will do — what any good acting classes will do — is give you a solid introduction to acting, a good foundation that will help you start developing your skills and moving toward your goals.

Have you had students who’ve gone on to work in Hollywood?

Yes. We’ve have had students over the years who found work acting in movies, television and commercials (including major national commercials) in Hollywood and other places. We’ve also had students who started out in our classes and went on to act and star in independent films, locally or in other cities. (Some have even set up film production companies of their own, in Seattle and Hollywood, after taking the classes.) Succeeding as an actor takes hard work; our classes are a good place to start.

What if I want to take classes just for fun? (I’m not really into the acting career thing, just doing something fun and different!)

That is totally fine. Not everyone who takes the classes does so with career ambitions. Probably the majority do so just for fun, for personal enrichment. Whether you’re there for professional reasons, or just to do something fun and different, you’ll have fun and learn a lot, and are welcome in the classes.

I want to be able to speak in front of big audiences without freaking out. Will taking acting classes help?

Everyone is different, but many people have reported that acting classes can be helpful. Part of it is that in an acting class, you get a lot of experience getting up in front of a group, so being up in front of people in other situations starts to feel easier and more natural. We’ve had students who were shy about getting up in front of people, who told us they were much more comfortable and confident in that kind of situation after a class or two.

What’s the difference between your classes?

Beginning Acting is an overall introduction to acting, and to the acting scene in Seattle.

Let’s Make a Movie is a Seattle acting/filmmaking class that gives students an opportunity to focus on participating in, and completing, an acting project (making a short film, that the students are acting in).

Beginning Acting 2 is a follow-up class for students who’ve taken Beginning Acting and would like to keep learning and developing their foundation skills.

The Improv class is a fun introduction to script-free acting, making it up as you go along.

The Auditioning class provides a helpful overview of what’s involved in finding auditions, having fun in them and approaching them with confidence.

They’re all good classes, focusing on different parts of the acting experience. If you are interested in several classes, check out our certificate program.

Which class should I start with?

If you’re new at acting, or getting back into it after a break, start with BEGINNING ACTING. After that you can take our other courses in any order.

What will we be doing in the Beginning Acting class?

We’ll start out with some warm-ups, then do some breathing and relaxation exercises and some exercises to help us get comfortable moving and performing onstage in front of others. We’ll learn memorization techniques that make it easier to learn lines, and do both scripted and unscripted scenes. The focus will be on having fun, learning new things, and getting a lot of experience acting.

Do students need to bring anything to class?

Just bring a pen and pad to take notes. Other than that, just bring yourself, and come prepared to learn a lot, take some enjoyable risks and have fun.

What should I wear to class?
Just wear something loose and comfortable that you can move freely in. Anything is fine.

Looking for fun, affordable classes and workshops in Seattle, that offer high quality instruction without breaking the bank? Ready to move a little out of your comfort zone and have fun exploring other characters and situations, and discover what acting’s all about, in a safe supportive environment? Our Seattle acting classes can help!

Classesandworkshops.com is an art school, acting school, writing school, and film school, all rolled into one. Our classes are non-credit, so they’re open to everyone. Our Seattle acting classes are fun, accessible, and provide hands-on instruction and training in a classroom environment (most classes are held on the University of Washington campus in Seattle). And we’re doing our best to keep them affordable. You can take a class just for fun, or work toward a certificate in Acting Fundamentals. Enrollments are now open for the classes listed on this page.

Our classes cover a range of topics and approaches, related to different aspects of the acting experience. There’s an old saying that “You learn to act by acting.” Our classes are designed to reflect this, and give students in Seattle both exposure to the theory and information they need to develop their acting skills, and an opportunity to perform scenes and exercises in class, in front of other students.

DON’T LIVE IN SEATTLE? For those who live outside of Seattle, and are looking for something beyond what their local acting schools, colleges and training programs are able to offer, we’re working on developing online versions of our acting classes. Stay tuned!

Classes starting soon:

Note: Some of our Seattle dance classes may also be of interest to actors. For example, our Improvisational Dance class can help actors gain a deeper connection with their physicality. And our film classes can be useful to actors who are interested in perfecting their camera acting skills.