I was wondering what some really good summer intensive programs are? The summer conservatories who teach alot of technique/other stuff in 3-5 weeks, yknow? If you want me to be specific about what I need to work on, everything! I'd at least like a list of some.

And how do you know if an acting teacher is real and not just doing it to get your money and not really concerned about you and not only stealing your money, but scarring your acting ability. I'm a little concerned. I've researched some places and they sound great but I don't know if it's just a really well done hoax.

Thanks!

Hello,

Some questions to consider:

Does the school have a faculty with solid training and teaching resumés? Performing credits are less important than training credentials and the theories and methodologies of the teachers.

Does the school teach a modern, comprehensive approach to actor training?

Does the school have testimonials from working actors?

Can you speak with faculty and make a connection with them and take a class before making any long-term commitments? For example, I interview all potential students personally at our school. Potential students get a very good feel for me even on the phone.

The scammers in NY are well known and spoken about rather openly this board. You have to sift through the threads and read with a critical eye. It takes research, but that research pays off.

And of course beware. Anyone can come on here and anonymously spout of completely nonsensical opinions. Sometimes people get burned in training and then have vendettas. I know I have some baggage still from some of my early abusive teachers.

It's a very personal decision. The perfect teacher for one person might be an awful teacher for another person. Don't pass up any school that looks legitimate until you make a connection with the faculty.

But the subject of this post makes it seem like there is an "epidemic" of "scammers" in NY. There aren't. There are a few scams, certainly, at least in my opinion. But mostly there is just a lot of average training...it isn't a scam, it just isn't great training.

- Jason

What coast are you on?

If you are staying in Houston, I'd check out the local universities and see what they offer for the summer.

Thanks for the info JB!

rfan, I am from Houston, but I am going to save up my money and try to go to the best summer intensive I can get to.

Not sure what you mean by "real"--after all, acting teachers deserve to be paid--don't know how they could eat otherwise. If you read through the board, you'll find quite few recommended. I can think of Michael Howard, T Schreiber HB Larry Singer and there are lots of others. If you list the names probably someone on the board has studied there if it's not a scam.

I would suggest that you comb through these boards and see what people have said over time. You'll find lots of info that might not crop up in the answer to one post.