Why Actors Should Keep Training Even When They're Not Auditioning

Acting needs practice

Nobody expects a musician to stop practising once they've finished studying. Acting is no different.

You need opportunities to work on scenes, experiment with characters and take direction in an environment where the outcome doesn't determine whether you get a job.

Professional auditions aren't always the best place to take risks. Time is short, the stakes can feel high and you might have very little opportunity to explore.

A regular class gives you room to get things wrong. Quite often, that's how you discover something interesting.

What should actors work on between auditions?

Scene study. You need other actors to develop your listening, relationships and ability to respond to what actually happens in front of you.

Voice and movement. Physical and vocal flexibility helps you approach different characters without relying on the same habits.

Improvisation. It encourages you to stay present instead of planning every response.

Self-tapes and audition technique. Familiarity makes practical demands less distracting when a real casting arrives.

Feedback. Another actor or tutor may spot habits you've stopped noticing in yourself.

None of this requires a grand transformation every week. Progress is often a collection of small changes.

A useful scene-study exercise

Take a short scene with another actor. Decide what your character wants, but don't plan exactly how to deliver each line.

On the first run, simply listen and respond. On the second, change your objective. Instead of trying to win an argument, try to make the other person feel safe. Notice what happens to the pace and the relationship.

The exercise isn't about finding a single correct performance. It's about reminding yourself that the other person matters.

What if you're a beginner or returning to acting?

You don't need a long list of credits to benefit from regular classes.

If you haven't acted for a while, the biggest hurdle might be getting into a room again. If you've never had formal training, a supportive group can help you discover whether it's something you want to pursue.

Look for a class that balances clear standards with permission to experiment. You should feel challenged, but not made to feel you're being tested before you've even begun.

How ReAct approaches ongoing development

Our ongoing training programme is designed for actors who want to keep working on their craft, including scene work, character development and audition technique. Check the programme page for current terms and availability.

If you're still at the stage of applying to drama school, the more appropriate option may be our weekly Wednesday audition preparation class in Islington. It focuses specifically on getting ready for training applications, and offers regular individual mentoring alongside group work.

We're a small team and we care about the standard of what we put on. Our goal is that you leave a session feeling you've discovered something, improved something or simply remembered why you love acting.

See ReAct's ongoing training.
Or try the weekly drama-school preparation class.