Acting is a challenging yet rewarding field to pursue. While some individuals may have a natural talent for acting, it requires hard work and dedication to succeed in this industry.
If you’ve always wanted to enhance your acting skills but haven’t been able to attend local classes, there are numerous excellent online resources available for actors at every skill level.
The main objective of studying acting is to improve as an actor. To achieve this, it’s important to train extensively with other talented individuals who can push you to your limits.
This can involve joining an acting class or taking private lessons from a reputable teacher or coach outside of your local area.
If you’re unable to find an acting class that suits your schedule or budget, there are increasingly popular options for studying acting from the comfort of your home.
Just like any other art form, becoming a successful actor requires years of practice and dedication.
With a growing number of aspiring actors seeking online acting classes, it has become more challenging for students to find high-quality training from professional instructors with enough time to dedicate to one-on-one teaching.
Thankfully, there are many great options available for online acting courses that can help individuals enhance their skills, regardless of their location or availability.
Before enrolling in an online program, it’s important to research the company offering the course. Ensure that the classes are taught by reputable instructors or staff members with extensive experience working with actors.
If you’re not sure where to begin your search, here are some of the best online acting courses available today:
10 Best Online Acting Courses In 2024
 1. Helen Mirren Teaches Acting
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Helen Mirren | Course length: 26 lessons totalling 6 hours and 25 minutes
In today’s acting world, Helen Mirren is a household name. Mirren began her career in the theatre, where she starred in Shakespeare’s plays.
Her work portraying historical figures, including Elizabeth I and II, won her two Golden Globe Awards.
You’ll learn to:
- Scripts need to be broken down and interpreted
- Research best suited to your role
- Developing acting techniques for film and television
- Utilize and understand the concept of naturalism
- Rehearse a scene and prepare for it
Pros:
- Take a lesson from a critically acclaimed actress
- Contains extensive and detailed lesson content
- There are lots of tips for improving your acting
- An excellent and informative workbook
- Having access to a community forum
Cons
- There is sometimes vague/abstract advice included
- Acting workshops for groups are not included
Who it’s for:Â
The course is for anyone who would like to learn more about the art of acting and improve their performance skills.
Learn the basics as well as advanced skills in this beginner-friendly course. Mirren does not pay any attention to drama school at all as she is not interested in it.
Overall:Â
A course that is highly in-depth and engaging, examining every aspect of acting, from wardrobe to diction.
Helen’s 6-hour course covers a lot of ground and goes straight to the basics of acting. With every MasterClass, you’ll be able to hear a renowned actor share their acting philosophy.
2. Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Samuel L. Jackson | Course length: 21 lessons totalling 4 hours and 47 minutes
One of the best-known actors in America is Samuel L. Jackson. Known for roles in Pulp Fiction and Die Hard, he has appeared in more than 100 films to date. As a result, he has established himself as a Hollywood icon.
You’ll learn to:
- Write memorable and well-thought-out characters
- Emotions can be expressed through voice and body
- Create a voice and character that is uniquely yours
- Work effectively with directors, cast members, and crew members
Pros:
- Learn from America’s most beloved actor
- Films and presentations from student sessions provide practical examples
- Workbook materials that are useful and strong
Cons
- Understanding and following instructions may not always be easy
- Lacks technical theory sometimes
Who it’s for:Â
Starting their careers as actors and auditioning for their first roles. This class focuses on elevating your performance and being professional. This course may not be suitable for those looking for more theory-based training.
Overall:Â
You will learn how to hone your craft and build upon your foundational skills. We will discuss how to prepare for auditions, explore different aspects of a character, and behave on set. Jackson himself will conduct an acting workshop.
3. Professional 10-Hour Acting MasterClass
Platform: Udemy | Teacher(s): The Actors Academy | Course length: 32 lessons totalling 10 hours and 13 minutes
Known for his videos on how to perform and coach people, the Actors Academy is a professional actor and YouTube creator.
The e-learning expert has more than 200k subscribers. You’ve likely seen his acting videos on YouTube if you’ve ever searched for a video.
You’ll learn to:
- Improve your stage and screen acting skills
- Create believable and compelling characters
- Prepare for roles by practising, rehearsing, and auditioning
- Be professional and confident
Pros:
- Excellent advice on how to break into acting
- Acting is explained, and how it can be practised
- Filming with a personal touch
- Unlike YouTube, they have unique content
- Easy access to in-depth content
Cons:
- Tangential or repetitive at times
- Less theory-based courses
Who it’s for:Â
Actors and those seeking to make a career out of acting. There is a lot of layman’s language in the course, so it is beginner-friendly. This class is less suited to advanced acting students since it covers a lot of fundamentals.
Overall:Â
It covers a variety of subtopics. Classes teach how to get an agent, prepare for auditions, and more, and are especially helpful for those interested in professional acting.
4. Natalie Portman Acting MasterClass
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Natalie Portman | Course length: 20 lessons totalling 2 hours and 30 minutes
One of America’s best-loved actresses is Natalie Portman, a prolific child star (and filmmaker).
As an actress, she has won Academy Awards for Best Actress (Black Swan) and Best Supporting Actress (Closer). Her most memorable roles are in Star Wars, V for Vendetta, and Jackie, a biopic.
You’ll learn to:
- Improvisation and truth-telling are two key acting skills
- Sets, props, and cameras should be handled professionally
- Face the green screen realistically
- Learn how to act the part of a character.
Pros:
- Take notes from a highly successful actress
- Diverse and rich lesson content
- Great assignments and suggestions for viewing/reading
- An excellent understanding of specific techniques
- A case study and a scene example that are informative
Cons:
- Less focused on becoming an actor
- Online courses are shorter than others
Who it’s for:Â
Those who have a basic understanding of film-acting and wish to advance their abilities. Students will learn how to emote as well as the physical side of acting in this course. Portman’s style fans will enjoy her examples as they are mostly her own.
Overall:Â
With almost a lifetime of experience under her belt, this course is a concise MasterClass in acting. As well as going into great detail about acting techniques, Portman also explains them in a way that appeals to a broad audience.
5. Acting Techniques MasterClassÂ
Platform: SkillShare | Teacher: Leon Clingman | Course length: 13 videos totalling 40 minutes
Leonard Clingman has over 28 years of experience as an actor and acting coach. Clingman studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in New York before working in film, theatre, and television.
The Vagrant Queen, Tutankhamun, and The Mauritanian are among his most recent appearances.
You’ll learn to:
- Acting techniques should be understood and applied
- Develop a range of acting techniques
- Acting theory and its application
Pros:
- An excellent look at acting techniques
- Exercises and examples that are practical and strong
- Beginners and those looking to refresh their knowledge will find it useful
Cons:
- Acting styles are less important
- Acting methods outlined as a starting point
Who it’s for:Â
Is anyone interested in the Strasberg Method or The Adler Technique (such as Strasberg’s and Adler’s). Perfect for beginners as well as those who wish to refresh their skills.
Overall:Â
You will learn the foundations of established acting techniques in this short and snappy acting class. Even though it’s long, it provides many interesting insights to explore further. Other actors can also learn a lot from it.
6. Aaron Jackson’s Acting 101 for Adults
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Aaron Jackson | Course length: 17 videos totalling 6 hours and 52 minutes
You’ll learn to:
- Successful actors use master techniques
- From resumes to auditions, find your way around the business
- Create a “toolbox” for acting
- Understanding your marketability and type
- Characters for each role should be broken down
- Preparation of monologues and audition material
Pros:
- Take advantage of the experience of a seasoned professional
- An actor who is strongly devoted to his career
- A coaching style that engages
- Teaching that is comprehensive and detailed
Cons:
- Some additional resources cannot be accessed
- Acting as a business
Who it’s for:Â
Those who are interested in pursuing acting as a career. Excellent for actors who are just starting out on the business side. Using easy-to-understand language, this course covers the practical aspects of auditioning, finding an agent, etc.
Overall:Â
You will gain a thorough understanding of how acting works by taking Jackson’s class. In addition to teaching you how to find agents, prepare monologues, and audition, he also teaches you how to navigate the acting world.
Beginners will benefit from this course as it covers a lot of the basics of acting.
7. Acting For Everyone
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Serena Greenslade | Course length: 23 videos totaling 2 hours
In 1994, Serena Greenslade began teaching speech and drama. Her pupils have excelled at prestigious drama schools and achieved success in theater, television, and film.Â
You’ll learn to:
- Character and emotion can be conveyed through body language, voice, and face
- As an actor, you need to carry yourself with confidence in any situation
- Techniques to create feelings and atmosphere
- Prepare for acting auditions and exams successfully
Pros:
- Contains plenty of highly practical exercises
- Engaging presentation and attitude
- A well-structured course layout
- It’s perfect for beginners/amateurs
Cons:
- Acting’s academic/theoretical side is less developed
- Acting classes online are generally shorter
Who it’s for:Â
Anybody who understands English and wants to act. This course is suitable for beginners and amateurs of all ages.
Overall:Â
Basic and hands-on acting classes with no complex jargon for beginners. Classes are interactive and fun, with class exercises and further resources to help you actively participate in the learning process.
8. Nancy Cartwright Acting MasterClass
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Nancy Cartwright | Course length: 14 lessons totaling 2 hours and 43 minutes
Nancy Cartwright is known by voice, even if she isn’t known by name. Cartwright is best known for her role as Bart in The Simpsons, but she is also one of the most widely recognized voices in the country.
She has been a voice actress for over 40 years and has been tutored by premier voice actor Daws Butler.
You’ll learn to:
- Become proficient in voice acting and refine your skills
- Identify your unique voice type
- Get your acting career off to a flying start
- Perfect recordings and auditions for roles
- Study the range of emotions and vocalizations of characters
Pros:
- Learn from a renowned voice actress
- Demonstrations and examples with strong visuals
- Footage from the set that can be helpful
- Lessons that are concise and well-structured
Cons:
- There is not always an explanation of specific terms
- It is sometimes distracting to watch visual effects
Who it’s for:Â
Beginning voice actors are looking to develop their emotive range, and beginners are interested in voice acting.
In addition, the course emphasizes Cartwright’s specialization – cartoon voices. Therefore, it’s less suitable for those who enjoy other kinds of voice acting.
Overall:Â
If you are interested in becoming a voice actor or learning more about auditioning, this course can provide insight into the audition/agent-finding process.
This book includes a lot of technical tidbits about voice acting, but it’s written in an easy-to-digest manner.
9. Acting Made Easy: Perfecting Your Audition Speech
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Dave Lovatt | Course length: 6 videos totalling 39 minutes
Dove Lovatt has been teaching acting classes for 18 years and has studied at Rose Bruford Drama School.
It is no surprise that his course is one of Udemy’s most popular acting courses. As a notable director, he believes that everyone should have access to his acting knowledge.
You’ll learn to:
- Acting brings written words to life
- Prepare effective audition speeches
- Any role can benefit from key methods and techniques
- The “want” principle can induce emotions
Pros:
- Take advantage of the expertise of a professional trainer and director
- A personable and straightforward approach to acting
- Theories and methods rooted in strong foundations
- Keen insight into monologue preparation
- (More accessible!) Without complex jargon
Cons:
- Studies of actual cases receive less attention
- Actors with advanced skills may not find it useful
Who it’s for:Â
Anyone can enjoy the performing arts. College students looking to improve their audition skills will find this course useful. Public speakers can also benefit from this course.
Overall:Â
Beginners and experienced actors alike will find this course useful. Teachers Lovatt are personable, and their lessons are concise. In addition, you can practice speeches and lines at your leisure.
10. The Complete Voice Acting & Voice Overs Course
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Richard Andersone | Course length: 18 videos totaling 44 minutes
In addition to running AllTalk Global, Richard Anderson is an instructor, a broadcaster, and a podcast producer. Among his teaching responsibilities are voice-acting and recording. He has even created his shows!
You’ll learn to:
- Scripts for recording should be read and interpreted
- Recording equipment to suit your needs
- Find out what makes you unique
- Marketing yourself successfully
Pros:Â
- An excellent introduction to voice acting for aspiring actors
- Demonstrations and examples are excellent
- Excellent information and encouragement
- Beginners are welcome
Cons:
- Focus on the technical aspects of recording
- Suitable for less advanced learners
Who it’s for:Â
Voice-over and voice-acting beginners. People who want to progress in their voice-acting careers should enroll in this course.
Overall:Â
This is an excellent overview of voice acting basics and a few important technical points. Even though it is beginner-friendly, there is an assumption that you are interested in becoming a voice actor.
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Conclusion: Best Online Acting Classes 2024
You need to consider reputable companies and instructors with extensive experience when looking for online acting classes.
This collection of 10 online acting classes is a valuable resource for anyone interested in continuing their studies of acting, no matter where they are in their careers.
Join today to take charge of your acting career and build a better future.
