Some Kind of Wonderful
My favorite John Hughes movie is "Some Kind of Wonderful." There's a scene where the pretty, popular girl (played by Leah Thompson) explains that she's dating her jerky, popular boyfriend because she'd "rather be with someone for the wrong reasons than alone for the right ones", and our charming, dorky, perpetually single hero (played by Eric Stoltz) says, "I'd rather be right."
Lately I've been noticing that many actors follow the Leah Thompson philosophy when it comes to training, when they'd be a lot better off with Eric Stoltz. That's a roundabout way of saying that a whole lot of actors are in the wrong kind of training.
Stressing about training is one of the most popular ways for actors to hide from our careers. We say, "I should be in training," and get caught up in trying to find a class, trying to make enough money to pay for it, or spending all of our time rehearsing. We choose a class that allows us to feel like we're spending a ton of time and energy on our acting, but without the risk that comes with putting ourselves in front of people who can give us a job.
Complicating the issue, a whole lot of actors are in the wrong kind of training. They need fundamental acting skills, but they're in an audition class. They've got great acting skills, but are in a low-level acting class because they think it looks good on their resume. They want to work in comedy, but they're in a dramatic scene study class because they think they need to "stretch." Just like a screwed up actor/agent relationship, too many actors are trying to be a good match for their training, rather than the other way around.
Like every other choice in your acting career, finding the right training starts with your goals. If you want to work in scripted film, television, or theater, but lack fundamental acting training, you need a straight-up acting program. If you've got solid acting training and are auditioning regularly but not booking, go for an audition skills class. If you want to work in comedy but have never tried improv or standup, you'd be far better served by skill-specific classes in those areas. If you just want to stay inspired and exercise your creative muscles, consider jumping into something way out of your comfort zone.
I just started a musical improv class. I have no desire to be a professional improviser, and I don't foresee many professional situations in which I'll be called upon to make up a song. But you know what? It's a ton of fun, and it will help me fight the post-show blues that I know are coming, following the close of my show and the end of the shooting season for the show I've been recurring on. Right now, that's what I need from a class.
And if you've been in class for years and are feeling broke and spread too thin… take a break from training! There are a lot of people out there who say if you're not in class, you're not a real actor. Coincidentally, most of those people teach classes. Don't let anyone guilt you into spending your time, money, and energy on something that doesn't fit. Sometimes, doing a play, producing a short, or just taking a break is better for you than any class could be.
So ask yourself whether you're putting up with the wrong training just to avoid being alone, or whether you're holding out for the right fit. And if you haven't seen "Some Kind of Wonderful", skip class and watch it. It's so good.