Drama Colleges

How old do most actors go to acting school?

How old do you think most accomplished actors were when and if they went to acting school for a degree/diploma etc after high school? And do you think most movie star actors went to drama school at all? I am 21 and am thinking about going next year..i might be 22 by the time I go. Would I be one of the youngest people in their first year? I meant OLDEST

Public Comments

1. To hone their craft. And yes alot do
2. acting is not part of learning, so there is no limit for that
3. I think they go straight from school if they go at all. Some go to Stage school which is possibly from 11. I think many of the finest actors are born not taught.
4. G'day Rose&Ivory, Thank you for your question. Generally, just after school. Many did, many didn't. Certainly, most of the classic movie stars didn't but learned in the theatre or got in the industry some other way. Regards
5. That is tough. A lot more stage actors attend 4 year universities or acting conservatories, but movie stars have a wider range. A degree matters a lot less in the film world. Although you should always be taking classes to hone your craft. I would say if actors do attend a university they go right after high school, ya ain't gettin' any younger
6. Most actors go to a university or drama school from the age of about 18. I met someone the other night who was in his 70s when he went to a well known american school - never too late!
7. Here in Australia, the most well-known acting courses at university usually only accept people who have had a couple of years experience in the 'real world'. Many of them do this because they feel people who have just come from high school don't have the professional maturity yet, and only if you have exceptional talent will they take you straight from school. The lesser known courses tend to take high school graduates, and are considered a stepping stone into the better (or at least more well-known) courses. Most actors do take classes, at least short ones or workshops, if not a full-time three or four year course. There's no such thing as a 'born' actor, all of the ones you see on TV and film spend most of their lives undertaking accent and voice classes, take part in daily warm ups and physical conditioning, do method acting workshops, or anything else that provides to their range of skills. It is hoped that an actor is a 'triple threat' - an actor, singer and dancer - and without study it's unlikely an actor can accomplish that triple threat. As for when people undertake classes, it's a combination of: budget, time, need, and of course, the level of experience. Most actors will take long-term study early on their career, and then do refresher courses later on.