Deciding to be an actor or actress is among the most challenging career decisions, as it can flame out before it begins. However, if an inner voice pushes you to try this career, there are numerous schools in Australia where you can nurture your talent.
Settling on a specific acting school can also be daunting. This article reviews Australia’s top acting schools. Bear in mind that some schools prey on people’s futures; therefore, if you want to be an actor, do your due diligence before settling on a school.
1. NIDA
NIDA, the National Institute of Dramatic Art, is based in Sydney, and it offers courses in playwriting, directing, properties, costume, production, design, staging, and acting. The course usually lasts three years, and actors are trained five times every week.
Some famous alumni who have been through this school include Judy Davis, Jessica Marais, Sam Washington, Hugo Weaving, Richard Roxburgh, Alex O’Loughin, Baz Luhman, Mel Gibson, and Cate Blanchett.
To audition for this school, you must perform two monologues, one modern and another Shakespearian; the school accepts one in 100 applications.
2. WAAPA
This school offers courses in stage and sound management, scenery and props, performing arts, music theatre, lighting music, design, dance, costume, arts management, acting, design and production.
WAAPA is based in Perth, and the course lasts for three years. Students are trained five times weekly and obtain a bachelor’s degree in acting. Some famous alumni in this school include Tim Minchin, Lisa McCune, Frances O’Connor, Heath Ledger, Jai Courtney, and Hugh Jackman.
To audition, one has to perform two monologues; contemporary and modern.
3. ACA
Based in Sydney, the Actors Center offers acting classes for three years. Hugh Jackman, an accomplished actor, is one of the school’s alumni.
4. VCA
This school is located in Melbourne, Australia, and it offers visual art, production, music theatre, TV and film, dance, modern music, production, and acting. Students attain a Bachelor’s degree in theatre practice once they complete their three years course. To be accepted at VCA, you must perform monologues; one is self-devised, and the other is Shakespearan.
5. AFTRS
This Sydney-based school offers courses in visual effects, sound, screenwriting, screen studies, radio, screen design, producing, and screen business. The course duration varies, and students can attain graduate certificates, diplomas, master’s or a bachelor’s degree in Arts screening and Production.
6. Sydney Drama School
This school offers students short courses in presenting, scene studies, acting techniques, voice accents, and screen acting. The course duration varies, and one of the staff is Toni Higginbotham, a casting director who cast Cate Blanchett in her first acting role.
Other Acting Schools you can Consider:
- Actors College of Television and Theater, Sydney
- Sydney Theater School, Sydney
- National Theater Drama School, Melbourne
- Queensland School of Film and Television, Brisbane
- Sydney Film School, Sydney
- Australian Theater for Young People, Sydney