Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to spend three years at a full-time drama school in order to become a professional actor?

A: No. Learning to act is like learning to play a sport or a musical instrument. If your ambition was to become a professional football player, you wouldn't spend three years studying the game in a classroom. Once you knew the rules and had developed some basic skills, you would be better off playing competitive matches against quality opposition in a well-organised competition under the guidance of an expert coach. The same is true of acting - once you have a very basic understanding of acting theory and how to analyse a script (from an actor’s point of view) the rest is practice and playing. The best place to practice and hone your craft is out in front of an audience - not in a classroom. Another analogy is learning to drive a car. You can spend three years driving around a paddock but you won’t learn as much as if you go out on the road as soon as possible and start dealing with other traffic; hazards; pedestrians etc. Going on stage is like going out on the road – you need to start right away in order to learn everything you need to know and develop your skills as quickly as possible.

Q: What qualifications do I need to become a professional actor?

A: Securing acting work is all about what you can do in an audition and interview situation; the quality of credits on your CV; who you’ve worked with in the past and how you leverage those contacts. It’s also about marketing and selling yourself (properly) to employers; agents; casting directors and directors etc. There is a right and a wrong way to do this and we cover these issues in our 'Professional Practice' unit. Having a ‘qualification’ alone will not get you an acting job. It may help if you want to be a drama teacher or you want to study academic subjects at university but it won’t help you one bit if your primary goal is to become a professional actor.

Q: Will I get an agent and acting work at the end of the course?

A: It depends on how quickly you develop and the level of competence and professionalism you demonstrate in performance and in interviews with agents. The Course Director at STS is also an agent with Sydney Creative Management and all students will have the opportunity to be interviewed for a place with the agency. Some may be invited onto the books straight away, some after they have finished the course and have gained more experience and some will be advised on how to secure representation with other agencies. It all depends on how hard you work and how persistent you are. If you keep working and listen to the advice you are given during your time with us you’ll secure representation (and work) sooner or later.

Q: Can I continue my training with STS after completing the one-year Diploma course?

A: We also offer an advanced course in Classical Theatre Performance  for graduates. It is a one-year part-time program (6 hours per week) focusing on the vocal, physical and analytical skills required to perform in classical productions. This means that students who complete two years with us will have worked with at least five different professional directors on three full productions and three scene-work showcases, thereby enhancing their CV and maximising employment prospects.

Q: Do I have enough experience or talent to gain entry to the program?

A: The main pre-requisites for acceptance onto the program are: the ability to perform a short monologue; a positive attitude; a strong level of commitment and the determination required to pursue a professional acting career. Experience in high school drama; amateur theatre or a short beginner’s acting course is sufficient. The programme is also suitable for those with more experience who want to hone their skills and showcase their work to the industry in high-quality productions directed by working industry professionals.

Q: What are the audition criteria?

A: Auditonees are required to prepare and perform a three minute monologue of their choice. We are looking for the following qualities:

• thorough preparation
• ability to create and sustain a character within an imagined world
• evidence of thought and feeling behind the actions and words
• ability to take direction
• ability to use the voice and body freely and flexibly
• ability to express thought and feeling through movement
• focus and concentration
• imagination and creativity

The audition will be conducted in a supportive and encouraging environment and you will have every opportunity to demonstrate your ability and commitment.

Q: I am only interested in film and TV acting – will this course help?

A: Most definitely. It’s best to gain as much stage experience as possible BEFORE going into a film and television acting career. The underlying principles of both performance styles are similar, but the delivery and execution of the performance are vastly different. The demands of stage acting require a lot of work on the voice and body and this is best done as soon as possible (i.e. prior to starting a film career). Also, most actors find that they need to be as versatile as possible and open to employment opportunities across as many genres as possible. Not many are able (or willing) to say they are only interested in film and TV work. In fact, most actors derive much more satisfaction from the immediacy of stage acting and the connection with an audience than they do from working in film and television.

Q: Is there any theory involved?

A: The programme is highly practical and there is little or no 'theory' or academic work done in class. Some theoretical principles may be introduced into the practical class and rehearsal work and it’s up to each student whether or not they wish to pursue or investigate these in their own time. You cannot learn to act from a book and most 'theories' actually get in the way of an actor’s performance. According to respected writer / director David Mamet in his book - True and False: Heresey and Common Sense for the Actor (1997):

Formal education for the player is not only useless, but harmful. It stresses the academic model and denies the primacy of the interchange with the audience. The audience will teach you how to act…The classroom will teach you how to obey, and obedience in the theatre will get you nowhere…The skill of acting is finally a physical skill; it is not a mental exercise and has nothing whatever to do with the ability to pass a test.

Students are required to complete a logbook that records their experiences and allows reflection on their learning progress and also a place to document research and preparation. This is a useful and essential adjunct to the practical work as reflective evaluation is necessary for growth and development from one rehearsal to the next and from one production to the next.

Q: I already have lots of experience in amateur theatre - how will this course benefit me?

A: While some experience in amateur theatre may be a valuable asset in the early stages of your career, it will only take you so far. Amateur credits are not highly regarded in the professional arena, and often you are working with directors and fellow actors who are only doing it as a hobby. This can mean you will often pick up and reinforce bad habits that will ultimately be harmful to your career prospects. The only way to progress and take your career to the next stage is to work closely with experienced professional directors and fellow actors with the same goals and commitment as you. Sydney Theatre School is the only place to offer these experiences from the outset of the training programme.

Q: How many students are usually in each class?

A: There is a maximum of 14 students in each group (i.e. weekday or evening/weekend). The small number allows for attention to students' individual learning needs and provides sufficient numbers for casting purposes and play selection.

Q: What is the age range and background of students?

A: The ages of students accepted into the program in the past has ranged from seventeen to early fifties. The bulk of students are in their late teens and early twenties and there is always a good balance of youth and maturity. All students will have demonstrated the required skills, attitude and commitment required to successfully complete the programme requirements and embark on an acting career on completion of the programme.

Q: Do you offer any school holiday workshops; short courses or full-time training?

A: No. We currently only offer the one-year Diploma of Theatre Performance and the Graduate Course in Classical Theatre. If you are looking for a beginner’s program for fun or to develop basic skills we can offer advice on where to go for this. If you believe you must undertake full-time training then we recommend auditioning for university-based drama schools such as NIDA as they also provide a university degree in conjunction with their actor training component (and this may be useful for non-acting related purposes). Full-time actor training at private institutions is - for the most part - a waste of time and money. You are better off spending your time and energy rehearsing and performing in plays in front of an audience and developing your vocal and physical skills along the way.

Q: Can I defer my place until the following year if I am accepted?

A: Yes – provided you secure your place with a non-refundable deposit.

Q: I’m worried I’m not good enough and don’t want to waste my $25 application fee. Should I still apply?

A: If you are confident enough to perform a monologue and have the necessary desire you should definitely apply. If you are NOT accepted your $25 application fee will be refunded in full so there is nothing whatsoever to lose.