Know what you are looking for. Do you prefer an acting coach that will teach you on a one-on-one basis? Do you learn better in a class room environment with other aspiring actors? Do you want to concentrate on film and television acting or also theater acting?
Set your budget. Acting classes can get expensive, especially if you are working with a well-known acting coach. In Los Angeles, private acting lessons can cost up to $200 per hour. Know how much money you can spend on classes to stay within your spending budget.
Visit actor resource websites. Many websites are geared towards aspiring and working actors. One of these websites is backstage.com. The websites provide listings of acting schools and coaches that you can consider for classes.
Get a referral. If you have an agent or manager, ask her to refer an acting coach to you. Because the agent represents you, and will make money when you book acting jobs, she will make sure you learn from a credible acting coach. Other actors may also give you referrals to good acting coaches.
Sit in on an acting class. Many acting schools allow potential new students to sit in on a class. This way they can see if they like the way the class is taught and if it is something in which they want to participate.
Join a theater group. Many actors started out in the theater. If you cannot afford acting classes, consider joining a community theater. If you are new at acting, theater is an affordable way to gain experience before looking into the more expensive acting classes.