List of Free Online Acting Courses, Classes, Lessons and Workshops

Learning acting without an in-person instructor can be challenging, but dedicated acting students can find free lessons, virtual workshops and acting tips online. Students can acquire basic performance skills and learn how to prepare for auditions through materials offered by Utah State University, MIT and Open University, among others.

Requirements and Information
Self-directed online acting workshops are open to students at any level of experience. Some OpenCourseWare (OCW) learning opportunities encourage students to work through modules in a certain order; others offer reading material on various acting topics that students can utilize according to their interest.

Students won't be able to receive feedback on rehearsals or performances, but in some cases they can ask questions and get personalized tips on discussion boards. Free courses may provide text for students to download, or recommend plays and books for student use. Academic credits and degrees aren't available for these courses.

List of Free Online Acting Resources
Acting Workshop Online at AWOL
This site offers text-based acting lessons, a glossary of acting terms and tips on finding agents, casting directors and community theater productions. It offers an extensive Q&A section where users can comment.

Metaphysical Acting for Supernaturally Good Performances at Ask a Healer
Designed for students who want to get in touch with the spiritual side of acting, this class addresses the body, voice, emotion and mind of an actor. The written tutorials are meant to be read progressively.

Acting Auditions 101 at Suite 101
This course takes students through aspects of the successful audition, including vocal preparation, audition research, monologues and headshots. Additional texts that students may need to purchase are recommended, but not necessary, for using course materials.

Acting Magazine
Students can access articles on preparing for roles and auditioning, plus information about basic theater terms, monologues, resumes and unions.

The Performing Arts of Theatre at Utah State University
This course material covers the performance and historical aspects of acting. Students experiment with acting and improvisational exercises, and can access selected course readingsfor free online.

Theater Arts: Suburbia at MIT
This course guides students through progressive aspects of a theater production using Eric Bogosian's play 'subUrbia'. Students may need special software to access audio and video examples of the production and download notes from rehearsals.

Approaching Plays at The Open University
In this course, students analyze selected plays to learn how actors use stage direction, create conflict and express emotion. A glossary of theater terms and a list of recommended reading is provided.

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