Edinburgh has long been a launchpad for acting careers. With its year-round creative energy and world-renowned arts festivals, the city is home to a broad range of acting classes that cater to all levels of experience. Whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or just looking to try a new skill, there are plenty of classes to choose from. From weekly drama workshops to screen training to audition preparation, here are some of the best acting classes in Edinburgh.
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Specialism: Acting and public speaking
Best for: Adults looking to build confidence and presence onstage or in everyday life
Price: One term on the Advanced Acting Course costs £499
If you’re looking to train in acting and also take some public speaking classes, Acting Out is the perfect place to do it. There are lots of programmes to choose from, including part-time professional acting courses, screen acting, and beginner, intermediate, and advanced weekly drama sessions. The school also runs online acting courses for those who prefer to learn from the comfort of their own home. With a focus on building industry contacts, Acting Out could help you jump head-first into a professional acting career.
“I’d recommend Acting Out, mainly because you can have training that is suited toward you,” says Acting Out student Darcie Lyon.
Specialism: Stage and screen acting, improvisation, character development
Best for: Career-focused performers
Price: From £125 per session
Edinburgh Acting School (EAS) has many courses on offer, including Acting for TV and Screen, the Actor’s Gym, and Foundations of Stage Combat. Most of them run on a weekly basis, and prices start at £125 per session. First launched in 1982 with classes for a range of ages and abilities, EAS courses are a favourite among Edinburgh locals. “We consider everyone part of the family,” according to the EAS website, and there’s a lot of team spirit at the school. EAS also runs summer camps and puts on full-scale shows.
“I’ve just signed up for yet another term of the Actor’s Gym at Edinburgh Acting School due to this being brilliant for inspiration, fun, and skills practice, as well as learning, sharing, and networking,” says EAS student Danielle Farrow. “Beautifully led and incredibly useful for CPD and new skills (including for creating your own work and applying for funds), the Actor’s Gym also includes having a great time with peers. I love it!”
Specialism: Acting skills and shows for young adults
Best for: Young emerging performers looking for professional training
Price: £130 per term to be part of a show
Strange Town is dedicated to developing acting skills in children between ages 5 and 18. If you’re interested in coming along to one of their sessions, there’s lots of stuff to choose from. Attendees can either sign up to a skills workshop every term or be part of a full-scale show (in the past, they have been staged at the likes of the Traverse Theatre). Classes are led by trained industry professionals, and Strange Town also has an acting agency branch called Strange Town Agency that you can sign up to.
“[Strange Town provides] such a high-quality group in Leith, and my daughter is getting a lot out of it,” says one parent of a Strange Town participant. “It’s great to have opportunities like this in our own neighbourhood.”
Specialism: Drama games, voice work, movement
Best for: Actors who want all-round training in drama
Price: Beginner courses cost £150 per 10 sessions
Melodramatic Theatre offers opportunities for both beginners and more experienced actors. The company runs weekly courses that dig into the nitty-gritty of voice, movement, character work, and creativity. There’ll be opportunities to work directly with scripts – you’ll get the chance to analyse them and perform them in class – as well as lots of improvisation sessions.
“[Course tutor] Serena got right down to character work quickly, which I absolutely loved, along with practical warm-ups and useful games,” says Jeni Bond, an alumna of the course. “I had done some other beginner acting courses, which just really scratched the surface with games and felt too playful. Serena’s approach is by far my favourite.”
Specialism: A practical course highlighting ways into the theatre industry
Best for: People ages 15 to 25 seriously considering a career in theatre
Price: Free
Capital Theatre Creative Pathways runs a variety of workshops and courses throughout the year, led by industry professionals. They range from one-off networking sessions to informal coffee mornings. The theatre also offers a more structured programme for secondary school students called How Theatre Works, which runs over six weeks. Participants dive into all aspects of theatre, exploring everything from technical skills to performance techniques to experiencing live performance. “There’s something for everyone,” the website promises.
Specialism: Musical theatre training for children
Best for: Students who want to develop their singing, dancing, and acting skills
Price: Classes are £260 per term
SJM Creative Performance Academy runs weekly musical theatre classes for teens taught by professionals with years of experience. Each term, attendees work toward a live performance. There’s the option to sign up for extra LAMDA exams, too, which can help students build confidence, improve communication skills, and strengthen their CVs for professional work.
“We strive to be a space where perfection is not demanded, but where being the best that you can be is celebrated,” says principal Stephen Graham-Martin.
Whether you’re looking to strike out as a professional actor or continue to develop your skills, Edinburgh’s acting classes offer something for everyone. The city’s reputation as a cultural hub, especially with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at its heart, make it the perfect place to grow as an actor.
