Five Places to Get Your ‘Acting On’ In Brisbane

When I tell people that I work as an actor, they often go ‘I’ve always wanted to try acting’ or ‘that sounds so fun, I wish I could do it too’.  If you are one of those people who have always wanted to get into acting, then guess what? There is a plethora of acting schools in Brisbane that offer weekly/monthly/term based acting classes for adults at both beginning, emerging and established levels of performance. Here’s five amazing independent training spaces.

The fACTORy Acting Studio

Run by Christopher Sommers, an acclaimed Brisbane actor, director and acting coach, the studio offers a space to explore your craft and if you’re a beginner, then experience your first dive into acting. This studio has such personality and charisma; with famous quotes by actors, including one Audrey Hepburn, taped to it’s walls as well as the most gorgeous pastel covered lounges in its reception area. I train at this studio quite regularly and it’s such a wonderful community to be a part of as well as to learn from.

Website | factoryactingstudio.com.au

Zen Zen Zo

Zen Zen Zo is one of the leading physical theatre companies in Australia. You might be wondering; do I have to be a dancer to go train with them? Absolutely not but as you travel through the beginners classes into the advanced, you will have to prioritise going to the gym and looking after your personal fitness a lot more.

Here’s a little personal anecdote, if you will. I first started training with Zen Zen Zo when I was fourteen. I’d just been accepted into what was then their Youth Program. Unfortunately, soon after I joined the program lost funding and I was moved up until the adult’s beginner class. I spent most of my high school years and teenage-hood growing up in Zen Zen Zo’s actors dojo and as the baby of the group, I had many mentors and ‘Zen siblings’ who I’m still quite fond of and catch up with today. One of them is Nadia Jade, the director of this platform, which I find quite wonderful.

Zen Zen Zo has their term-based beginners-intermediate dojo classes from 6pm-7:30pm at the Judith Wrights Centre.

Website | zenzenzo.com

Brisbane Arts Theatre

Similar to Zen Zen Zo, I have a very intimate connection with Brisbane Arts Theatre, grown up on its stages and currently teach the next generation of its stars. Back in my day, which was really only about six years ago, I really enjoyed attending their level one and level two acting classes which take place on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons respectively. In these classes, you have the opportunity to engage with a range of text types, characters and acting methods, culminating in various performances on the arts theatre’s stage. They’re also very affordable, which is always a bonus.

Website:  artstheatre.com.au/education

Peter Rasmussen’s Acting Classes

For those that haven’t heard the name, Peter Rasmussen is a casting director who regularly casts network television productions, major and independent films, commercials and web content. However, what not everyone knows, is that he is bloody brilliant acting teacher and runs his own term based acting programs in which you have the opportunity to delve deep into a particular acting method, to learn (and master) how to act for both screen and off screen and how to audition confidently. He is such a humble, kind-hearted educator and his classes are worth every buck.

Website | peterrasmussen.com.au/training

Arc Acting Studio – The Curators

Michael Beh’s Arc Acting Studio offers a number of different acting classes depending on your range of experience, including one on one sessions. The work the Curators produce tend to be immaculate and it’s on my bucket list to train with them for this year. I may even see you there…

Website | www.curators.com.au

So there, you have it. Five places to visit for you to get your acting on, or maybe get your acting back on. I promise that you won’t regret it for the world. There’s nothing quite like joining new acting communities and immersing yourself with like-minded creative souls and educators. Happy learning, break a leg!