Q: Should I take acting lessons? How do I decide if this is something I need to do to succeed in the competitive acting world?

A: Whether you should take acting lessons depends on many things, including your available time and money, your priorities, and the importance of your acting career relative to other things on your life. First, to clarify, the phrase "acting lessons" can mean a wide variety of things, ranging from one-day workshops and personal coaching to intensive courses of study that can take years and cost many thousands of dollars. Many actors credit their acting instruction with their success and say they would never have become famous without it. Many fine career actors continue to receive instruction even though they are well into a successful career. Others become stars without ever taking a single acting lesson.

As you think about acting lessons, ask yourself what you are trying to achieve. There are many benefits. The right acting program can undoubtedly improve your skills. It can teach you professionalism and it can look good on your resume. On top of that you'll be joining a supportive community of other actors, and you can make lifelong friends and professional supporters, including your instructor.

But acting classes are not for everybody. They can be expensive, time consuming, and energy draining. In some ways, getting absorbed in too many classes can distract you from what may be your core mission: to apply for parts, attend auditions, and get cast! In the end, it comes down to your own plan for success: if your ultimate goal is to stand at the podium receiving an Oscar alongside Meryl Streep then instruction will likely help you towards that goal. But if your real dream is to appear on a reality show or walk the runway, then acting lessons may hold some benefits. Keep in mind, however, they could also prove to be a costly distraction. In either case, give it a shot. You never know until you try.

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