All across the world there are people who dream of going to California and breaking into show business as an actor. However to make these dreams come true, an individual is going to need to develop the basic skills of acting so that you can act in a professional manner. Learning to project your voice like an instrument and use your body to relay information and to sell lines are valuable skills that you need to have a handle on before you can hope for success in acting. In the acting industry just like in life, it’s often not what you know; it’s who you know that counts. Choosing to attend an acting college in California can help you build the network of contacts that will keep you working in your dream job for your entire career. The purpose of this article is to review acting colleges in California, so that an aspiring individual will have at least an inkling of knowledge in making a very difficult decision. There are literally hundreds of different options to choose from so paring down the list can be time consuming, but with such a variety to choose from you should be able to find an acting college that will perfectly fit your needs.

The UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television

When you start the list of schools for acting in California, you may as well begin at UCLA, where they have set their goals to educate future actors to enlighten, connect and look to inspire change that makes the world a better place. You will be encouraged to develop your skills as a storyteller, and to become a leader in your industry. Students at this school become a part of a highly recognized force, that has captured the imagination of the world. You can expect to be showcasing you talent along with other students and staff members at festivals and conferences all over the world.  A student receives training in all forms of acting available. Being able to compare your skills to those of the most talented individuals in the world ought to be quite a draw as well. You will receive a head start in a very competitive industry when you decide to attend the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television; because they will help you design a blueprint for success that you will be able to follow throughout your career.

You will definitely get the technical training to help make you the best entertainer you can be, but almost as importantly, you will have a built in method for building connections. First off, you will be performing in productions that will be seen by many people. That exposure adds to your credentials and allows you to build a solid reputation in the field. Who knows where those performances might take you. Secondly you will be able to plug into the very large and successful alumni network of the school. Directors and producers are going to be far more likely to hire someone who attended the same college that they did. In an industry that is as competitive as acting, every advantage you can get is a good thing.

USC School of Dramatic Arts

This school provides excellent training in a conservatory setting, combining a tremendous training ground for young actors with the overall academic experience of a research institute. You will be able to delve into your artistic passions in the safe sanctuary of the USC School of Dramatic Arts. One of the greatest ways to achieve greatness in any profession is to be allowed to try and to be allowed to fail. If you learn from every failure, it then becomes a valuable lesson in what not to do. These failures and successes will allow students to become leaders in every area of the dramatic arts.

The facilities available to this institution are really second to none, with five theatre facilities at their disposal. They have the Scene Dock Theatre, the Bing Theatre, the Massman Theatre, the Village Gate and the McClintock Theatre. This is great for students because the school is able to produce approximately twenty productions each year which allows you to really gain experience in a number of different styles of acting. All students are encouraged to gain as much experience professionally as they can, by participating in internship programs for academic credit. The college has a great partnership with one of the nation’s leading professional theatre’s the Center Theatre Group. You can intern in areas that will give you a wide range of experience from performing to gaining valuable administrative experience.

Because of it’s Unique location this college provides you with an almost unequalled opportunity to build your contacts, and make developing your career much easier. Just being able to be an active participant in the day to day workings of the productions, will allow your obvious talent to get noticed by people who may be able to help you onto the next step of your career.

Stella Adler School of Acting

If you are looking for a great acting training program that aspires to enrich our collective humanity through the dramatic arts, then the Stella Adler School is the college for you. Their location is in Los Angeles and this is a non-profit arts organization. They are motivated by the idea that as you grow as a person, so will you grow in your endeavors in the art of acting. Their Theater training is said to provide an individual with the training, tools and the discipline necessary to excel in this very competitive field. There is a real connection that is nurtured by the school between the development of the person who is studying to making the world in which they will apply those studies a much better place. Students here can expect to be involved in community outreach programs to bring the arts to those who are less fortunate then themselves. To performing in low cost productions that people from all financial backgrounds can enjoy and learn from. This help’s individuals of lesser means to reap the benefits that the arts can provide any soul.