20 Best Acting Programs In Birmingham, AL (2022 Updated)

The best University in Alabama by far! Quality education in every area of the University. Great people and great events. If you are an alum and you are not participating in homecoming, shame on you. I've taken my kids to HC the last 2 years and they love it. You have to hit at least 1 football game a year with your kids, and bring your cardboard! If you don't know what I'm talking about, just trust me. It's a must! Go Dawgs!!!David Lovering

Samford is such a wonderful place to come and visit for admissions. The staff is extremely friendly, gregarious, and professional. The campus is extraordinary with unparalleled class sizes and unique degree opportunities. It was such an amazing tour and information session even with the difficulties of the pandemic. Definitely don't overlook Samford. You won't regret it!Sam Martin

One of the officers on campus was very polite, informative and helpful when I came to visit. The layout and grounds looked well taken care of. The signs on campus where easy to read and navigate around. I will recommend anyone to come experience Samford for them selves. Thanks Thomas!😊Hollie Davison

Where do I even begin? This was an OK school to attend and I DO mean OK. The dean was WONDERFUL and became a good friend while I was there. My advisor was amazing and I had some absolutely tops professors. The campus is small and self contained but gorgeous nonetheless. Campus police are all really good guys and there are just really good people here from the friendly caf ladies to admin. THAT SAID, there are a LOT of negatives and I do mean a LOT. The whole campus manages to be uphill in some form or fashion which is really difficult if you end up injured or disabled. There are a lot of professors with really strict attendance policies so you better have your mental and physical health in order or you're going to have a hard time. A lot of people here act like they're Ivy League so the workload is absolutely insane. God rest your soul if you're a music major. The most difficult part of my experience here was the extremely limited accessibility as a disabled individual, most notably the soulless provost. When I had to take part of a semester off due to a medical emergency, my credits weren't applied properly forcing me to take an extra semester to make up for it. We as students were never notified when elevators were out or being maintenanced and I ended up missing classes because I couldn't use the stairs. The professors with the strictest attendance policies only cared that I wasn't in class, not why. While I was there, the college couldn't keep a president longer than two years at a time so it wasn't like we the student body saw any point in getting to know the president. When Krulak was in charge, he knew us all by name and our personal issues. He made sure I never had any accessibility issues. But as soon as he was gone, it was like a totally different school. The semester I was in a wheelchair was a soul crushing hell in and of itself. This also isn't a place you want to go if you're queer. I fought one professor for a whole semester to call me by my name instead of what was on the roster. This led to a LOT of students using the wrong name which led to unspeakable dysphoria. It was a war just to get people to use that name so I just stopped trying when it came to pronouns. The best departments for fellow trans students are anything arts related like English, Studio Art, and theater. I changed my major because the science department was so transphobic. While the theater department is the best for this, it has its own issues. Then, there's the neighborhood. There's a drinking game we like to play called "gunshots or fireworks" if that gives you any idea. It's really close to Eastlake where even cops won't go. My husband was working on a roof in the area and found sniper bullets. The ER five minutes away sees a lot of stabbings and gun wounds but you should be fine if you're white. Just everyone will tell you not to turn right off campus. It's silly because the people there know who's a college kid and they aren't going to mess with any because they don't want that kind of trouble. You're safe on campus but don't park by the sorority houses unless you're cool with your car being broken into. It's a recurring problem. This is probably not a place I'm going to send my kids for a lot of reasons. I did enjoy the classes themselves and frat row knows how to party. The professors were stellar and the campus was gorgeous but none of that totally cancels out all the negative. So as long as you're straight, cisgender, white, mentally healthy, and able bodied you'll be fine!smjaygal

Of course I love it…I am the President of the College. I have read some of the critical comments and question how long ago they were written. BSC is a remarkable college…extremely strong academically, very student oriented, guarantees an internship for each student and, beginning in the junior year, a mentor if desired. We not only focus on developing young men and women mentally, we also focus on leadership and character development. The campus is beautiful, the faculty and staff dedicated to providing the best education and environment possible for the students, and the sense of "family" is ever present. Extracurricular activities are remarkable…great sports, arts, theater, etc. The college sits on a hilltop outside of Birmingham so you get a wonderful campus that is close to a vibrant city. I have just completed my sophomore year as President and am very happy with the direction of the college and the remarkable students who attend…they are the very best thing about BSC. If you are looking for a superb education, the ability to get the job you want upon graduation (or the grad school you want), and a place to make lifelong friends, look no further.Charles Krulak

Our son is in his sophomore year at BSC, and loving every minute. He has been fully engaged by his professors, and has made some meaningful friendships. He started taking Chinese and is thriving. He's in a fraternity and is now on the InterFraternity Council. There are some wonderful campus ministries where he is being fed spiritually. There have been concerns voiced about campus safety: he has never felt unsafe, and trusts the campus security office and the fact that the campus is secured all the way around its perimeter. It truly is an oasis of learning and relationships for our son, and we are very grateful! It should also be noted that the college recently announced the drastic reduction of tuition for students! This is great news and will hopefully have a ripple effect across many colleges.Matthew Sullivan

Learn from the best. When I was 19 years old, I was accepted to the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute. It was the highlight of my life at the time. The great teachers back then were Harv Dean and David Gideon. I went to school here part time for 9 months to learn acting at its very basic. If you can afford going to the school and want to learn acting from the aspect of the instrument, then I highly recommend going here. The most important thing I learned from this school, is that even if you attend the classes and do your scene work, you need to be out pounding the pavement and looking for work in the industry, an agent and possibly a manager. I would not call the school glamorous but it does show great pride and respect for people who walks through their doors. If you are serious about acting and show business, this is the place to be. Take a look at the names of the superstars that have graced these doors!.C H

Although I am old enough to be the GRANDmother of most of the students, I had the honor to chat with Lee Strasberg himself, one morning, years ago. He spent nearly a half hour on the phone with me – a total stranger. I had acting aspirations back then (I am a freelance writer today). And I have never forgotten his generosity, wisdom, and graciousness to me – someone he would never meet in person. I love stopping by whenever I can, to donate theatre books, costume pieces, and just sniff around who's doing what. A cool place, and a wonderful energy, carrying on the great Lee's tradition of realism, heart and acting from the soul!!!Cynthia Hawkins

So cool, in a jimmy fallon interview, lady Gaga said she went here for 10 years! As a little monster I give this institution 5 stars! A Star is born! ❤️👏James G

Parking on the street for $7 . Get there a little early. Very nice roomy clean venue. We saw "Christmas Carol". The stage was decorated,the costumes were really cool and captured the era, and the actors were believable. We really enjoyed ourselves. The theater sells liquor beverages . There's a small gift shop with novelty items. Inside the theater. There was no "bad" seat. The staff was very nice and helpful. Plenty of staff around to help. Kid friendly. There's a couple restrooms. Therefore waiting was minimal. We will definitely be back for more shows.Award Winning Caricatures in Atlanta

You must show proof of vaccination or the results of a negative Covid test no older than 6 hours to enter. A photo of the vaccine card is acceptable. I had to show my ID as well. Love the setup of the theatre. Went to see Darlin Cory and it was a great show! Nice atmosphere, nice seats. The renovations are really nice. My seats were in the left balcony and I loved my view.Tawanda Brown

Minus the parking garage confusion, we had a great time seeing Trading Places. The good ol days of gaps in seats for safety is long gone (le sigh) & everyone wasn't masked so be mindful of that if you have issues thereYogini Tee

I knew from photos that this place was gorgeous outside, but I didn't realize that it was attached to a park. It was much bigger than I expected. Everywhere I turned was a new delight, from the fountain to the beautiful doors to the statues of children climbing a tree. The play was also unique in that they played clips of interviews on old tvs from people who had been in concentration camps, but they also had actors reenacting scenes in between. Afterwards, they had a discussion about it for those who wanted to stay for that. It was a lovely experience. Well worth the $30 ticket. I can't wait to go back!mcstarbuck

Simply a phenomenal evening, well worth my time. Always a pleasure to visit. The efficient staff make all aspects run smoothly. A comfortable place in an idyllic setting. I'm not sure what the construction is out front, but it doesn't seem to intrude upon the interior. Alabama Arts was back and didn't disappoint in the slightest. Wow, at the presentation and diversity. A marvelous celebration of an eclectic group of individuals.Lenette Parris

Alabama Shakespeare Festival is a top performance, state of the art theater. The history of it's beginnings is very interesting and the plays that have premiered there over the years rivals Broadway. If you're coming to Montgomery, AL, check the performance schedule and add it to your itinerary.Stacia Robinson

Absolutely LOVE K’la and all she is doing with Getting Started! I was able to purchase her course at a VERY discounted rate thanks to catching her fb post that the course was on sale for one day! I used the skills she taught me in that course to seek work for my husband, myself, and our son during a time of job loss and financial hardships due to Covid. Thanks to what she taught me, we have all booked multiple jobs/roles in commercials, films, modeling, as background extras, and my son was offered a modeling contract with one of the top agencies in the world! K’la has been above and beyond generous in sharing her knowledge about acting and modeling. The information I’ve gained from her has given us another stream of income and I’m forever grateful!Andrea Kellum

Thank you, Miss K'la! 😊 You helped my 16 month old get signed. We got the opportunity to purchase the e-course. This was super helpful. I followed everything as instructed, sent out her submission photos, then a few hours later I started doubting my photo submission choices. I contacted K'la's team via email and was encouraged to be patient. After the Team's words of encouragement, I kept the faith and kept waiting. After 16 hrs, I got an email for an immediate offer for representation and another shortly after. After We committed to one of the agencies we received 2 more representation offers came 2 weeks later. I am super thankful for everything. K'la, thank you again for your help, guidance and your team's quick response.MLY 124

I found K'la on IG in September and right away I felt her vibes and knew she was legit. I decided to sign up for K'las VIP program on October 4th and by December 20th my daughter Cali was signed! I was very skeptical because Cincinnati is a very slow and small city so first I took her course which was just as helpful but I felt more comfortable letting her team get us started. Money well invested! K'la is very knowledgable about the industry and gives the best advice! This is just the beginning but we are so excited for what's to come. If you're thinking about modeling/acting use her as your source. You will not be disappointed!Cali Woods

John Carroll Catholic High School is one heck of a school and has been for seventy years since its founding in 1947. The school has changed over the years to sending more and more graduates to college – probably 98%+ at present. However, whatever their graduation year virtually every Carroll graduate will say that they were better off attending Carroll than most any other high school in the Birmingham area.Lawrence Karch

It has been years but I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at this school. The relationships I made while here are still great today. Best High School experience 🙂Chrissi Burrell

My daughter had her dance recital here for the past 2 years. The building is clean and has stocked, clean, spacious restrooms. I love these things and the fact that it is close to home with plenty of parking. The down side to it is that this year we were in a room with VERY UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS (not the case the first year). For someone with back problems it was miserable to sit in them for 3-4 hours. Also, at intermission we tried to gets drinks from the soda machine, but every single selection was sold out. Overall, this building is an asset to our community. However, with just a little effort it could be a truly wonderful place to be used regularly for many years to come.Jenny Cotney

Shelby County Arts Council is a fantastic place! Communities can come together, meet and experience many things. From artists nationwide and internationally SCAC is filled with concerts and different art forms from around the world. This Global environment is enriched with community. Thank you for being an awesome and very supportive environment for the Arts. For the World is art and this environment is needed for such great experiences and learning. Best! David CurtisDavid Curtis

Went to the Arts center to get the COVID19 vaccine. First shot. Everything was set up great. Moved through quickly. They did an excellent job in having Everything set up and arranged. Look forward to going back next month for second shot. Also toured other areas of the center and got info about art shows and musical shows that are put on at the center. Really nice place. Love the beautiful fountain out front.Darlene Talton

Catapult Acting Studios is a great place to take classes and tape. No matter what level of acting you are in, the coaches will guide you and provide as much support as they can, making sure you get the right tools for success. I've been taking classes and taping there for 3 years approx and I absolutely love it! Every time I walk in it feels like home, the taping rooms are equipped with everything you need to make your audition stand out, the space is VERY clean, and last but not least, the instructors and Eric are amazing at what they do, so much experience! I am very grateful for the positive, safe, and creative environment that the studio and the staff have created for us to just be. If you go to Catapult (which you should) not only you will become a better actor, but you will become a better human too. You will know what I mean!ALMENDRA

My daughter has taken classes here for about a year now and loved every session. Today’s taping session was no different. Ibanez, who my daughter knows and adores from class, met us at the door and introduced her to Jillian. This intro and setup was crucial. And the taping experience she had with Jillian was everything she needed. My daughter was able to tap into the emotions she needed to deliver a quality performance, and still have a blast. And Jillian was able to wrangle her silliness and bring her back to earth with such grace. Thank you both for being so magical.Emily Roy

Exceptional! I highly recommend to all looking for TV/film acting classes. They not only are very thorough in what goes into/what you need to know about the industry, but the staff/instructors are very patient, respectful, experienced and knowledgeable. Most importantly, they implement important life lessons applicable to being the best person you can be… the true success in life! We are grateful most of all to Erik as well as Craig and everyone here at Catapult.Summer Yehya

My family enjoyed going to the library. It's very large and spacious inside. The kids section has a great selection of books from first chapter books, board books, picture books and so on. There are toys and games to play with. You can checkout games and movies. They have a decent size large print section and audio books. The restrooms were clean and have changing stations. I got myself a new library card which was easy and fairly painless to get one. They have events and activities throughout the year so keep an eye on their website. Definitely go check it out, take your time and there are loads of things to read and look at.Melody Owen

Rating one stars due to the remote locker experience at East 59. Great idea, but both times I’ve tried to check out my holds, something glitches out and tells me I can’t complete check-out, then when I try again it tells me I have nothing to pick up. The first time I called the library and they were able to open it remotely, but it’s almost 6PM and I can’t pick them up on my way home from work and I’m sure no one is available to call at the library. I hope someone sees this and is able to fix whatever issues are keeping it from working smoothly. It’s a great idea with a currently awful user experience.Robert Brown

I’ve been coming here to study for midterms a few days now and let me tell you this is the nicest public library I’ve ever been in. The quiet area in the back is nice, but I really enjoy just finding a table in a corner and be surrounded by books. While this isn’t a “quiet” library, sound hasn’t been an issue for me, it’s just nice background noise. Thank you for providing a nice place for people to study and engage in their learning!Tyler Poe

This dance school is awesome. This is the best school in the Birmingham area. I commute with my daughter and niece to this school. Trust me. I HATE 280 traffic! That has to say something about the instruction here.Kimberly Willis

This place is Amazing!! They have the best teachers ever! I go into class everyday and always have a BIG smile on my face! I thank everyone for what they have done for me!! I love this place so much!🖤💜#thebroski Anyways

My daughter has been enrolled here for three years and really enjoys it. They’re regimented without being overbearing, which helps her keep perspective on things in life that are most important.Tony Mauro

Craving for ice cream while driving almost 7 hours from Florida on way back to Ohio. I Googled for an ice cream shop off I-65N and this comes up. It is not really off the highway as you would need to drive additional 5 miles to get to it. If you are driving night time, it will be very dark route to get to it. However, it is totally worth it!!! I don't know why it is called REAL Ice Cream and i dont know what are considered FAKE ice cream, lol. But this was the best decision we ever made! I get vanilla ice cream for the kids, my friend got strawberry cream, i got the chocolate coconut almond. They tasted so good, i wish i could have bought a whole galloon! I wish they have more locations for sure!JeJuJe Ortiz

I used to go to this ice cream shop all the time when I was a kid. I went back for the first time in years and I was pleased to see that nothing had changed. The location that I used to go to is not there anymore sadly, but the character here was the same. The ice cream was great, and the good humor of the guy who helped me (I’m sorry I can’t remember if your name was Serge or Sergei) made my day just that much better. 5 starsAvery Calvert

Wendy helped me decide on the best flavors. Graham Central Station for the win!! Wendy is the best manager I’ve ever seen, would recommend this brusters location just to see her. She knows what she’s talking about and is an ice cream guru. The most swag person I know, made the Bruster’s experience 1000000000x more fun💃Anusha Mukherjee

When I take my 6 and 8 year old to the "children's theater" I do not expect to be answering questions about why men were acting like women. Alice in Wonderland is the production we went to and it was filled with obvious attempts to confuse traditional gender roles. The Queen and Duchess were played by men, the king by a woman, and many of the smaller characters were not called by the pronoun that fit their gender. There was even a reference to referring to the mouse as "mice", to be politically correct. This production went out of its way to highlight transgenderism and gender dysmorphia. A playhouse geared towards entertaining young kids, is not the place for these social issues. Fantasy Playhouse should be ashamed. My mother took me to every production as a child, this should be an opportunity to share innocent fun as a family, and that is certainly not what they are trying to achieve at this point.kailey dozier

I grew up attending Fantasy Playhouse and have wonderful memories of it but I just took my daughter and couldn't believe how bad it was. Maybe it was just Alice in Wonderland is a difficult play to pull off well but it was just BAD. I appreciate the ASL for the hearing impaired but having so many people on stage was distracting. I think having one show for the hearing impaired would be better or just having one ASL for the entire show. On top of that I didn't appreciate males playing female roles and vice versa and don't appreciate that pushed on my children. That was really the nail in the coffin for me and I won't be returning with my children for that reason alone.Courtney Hamby

Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater performances are engaging and delightful for viewers of all ages! The educational programs and camps are exemplary and led by professional & caring instructors. Our 5 year old daughter had so much fun at summer camp on the first day that she told us she "wanted to hug the whole building!" We've registered her for a second camp session this summer! FPCT is an enriching asset to the Huntsville/Madison County community and North Alabama. Thank you for all that you do!N. Vaughn

The Karar Performance Arts Class with Essence Was Horrible!!!! She put my daughter out the group because of an Adult situation we had to handle she blocked me and wouldn't respond to any of my calls. before recital took my money wouldn't do a refund or nothingqueen issa

I’m responding to the comment about Karar Performing Arts We are not affiliated with the dance foundation and this matter has been dealt with , to The Dance Foundation we sincerely apologize for this being posted on your page.Essence Young

My daughter has been apart of this organization for 2 years, and the experience and atmosphere is amazing. I love this place and the great opportunities it has provided my daughter.Ebony Peak Campbell

Great experience! I can’t wait to go back and enjoy another show put on by Shoals Theatre. They worked hard and put on a fabulous production. Highly recommend. They have a concession area that accepts cash and cards, serving popcorn, candy, drinks, beer, and wine. The bathrooms are located downstairs by the concessions and upstairs in the back. Elizabeth Ragsdale did fabulous! Edit to add: The Swampers event was amazing!Samantha Pote

Small town charm. The group that volunteers to keep this place active and functioning are a stellar group. They have a variety of performances every year and each is well worth the price of admission. Costumes, lighting, and sets work hand in hand with the acting to provide memorable experiences for the whole family. Go – you won't regret it.Tressy Hart

I absolutely love coming here and watching plays. The atmosphere is so inviting and the ticket prices and concessions are affordable. The plays and actors are always great. It's such a fun, charming environment. My only complaint is that I do wish the seating were a little more comfortable but it's not bad enough to keep me from coming back.Dana Aycock

Whether they are seasoned actors or new to the theater, this a wonderful place for kids and teens to to participate in musicals. great productions! parking is scarce so that can be a pain if you have to park further away and walk.. particularly when the weather is bad. but for the experiences, it's worth it. the staff that helps make these productions come to life really do a fantastic job!Katie A.

The musical we saw was so fun. It really was the perfect thing to get you in the holiday spirit. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was funny and heart-warming. The kids did an excellent job! The theater was built in 1927. It's so cool inside. Loved the whole experience! No seat is a bad seat.Ashley Dickey

What a cute and quaint theater. The programs are wonderful and professional and the kids seem to have a great time. The quality of performances was top notch. I will definitely be coming back to see more Projects.Lindi Pearson

Last night, I attended the play, Grown Man Issues at Encore Theatre and Gallery with my friend. I was low-key excited to see Willie Taylor because I've been a fan since Making Da Band & Day 26. At the end of the show, it was announced that he was unavailable due to a medical emergency. The cast must clearly believe in "The show must go on" saying because it did just that and to the audience, without a hitch. Turns out, his stand-in was being fed lines in his earpiece and we never would have guessed it. The acting was amazing and the details of the play were unpredictable. Grown Man Issues took us on a dramatic roller-coaster with a comedic relief along for the ride. Bravo to the writers, actors/actresses, the musicians, the sound techs, the caterer of the VIP food and everyone who contributed to such an amazing experience for our Girls Night Out.D.P. Johnson

I went to see “The Best Man” and the show itself was 5 stars but I had to deduct 2 stars for the show being an hour late and we had to wait over an hour in an extremely hot and muggy hallway. Everyone was sweating and it was an unpleasant experience but the show made up for it.Jay B

The staff gave top notch service. The theatre and facilities were clean and comfortable. The production was professional and entertaining. If you are looking for a unique experience I highly recommend Encore theatre and gallery.Christy Baker

What a great theatre! We were visiting from out of town, and weren't familiar with parking in that area, so we paid for the $10 parking right at the theatre. There was a lot of street parking, and the paid lot wasn't close to full, so there must be plentiful parking nearby. We went to a 2pm Saturday performance of Kinky Boots. No one in my party had seen it before. The show itself was amazing! What a fantastic group of actors! Meg Young as Lauren was so funny, and Cecil Washington as Lola – holy cow that guy is talented!!! What a fabulous voice!! The theatre itself is beautiful. There's beer, wine, bottled water and candy for sale. (You can also get cheddar goldfish for free, which we were inordinately excited about.) The theatre space is fairly small. We sat on the left side, 5th row back, and had a great viewpoint, but I don't think there's a bad seat in the house. If I ever visit Birmingham again I will definitely try to see another show here!Mary Crisman

We saw the daytime show of Once this weekend. The show was outstanding – we loved it! The singing and acting were excellent and the venue is just as great. It is clean with polite staff and great seating along with some unique offerings. Free goldfish are available to eat during the show and drinks are available to take in the theater with the purchase of a reusable cup. We loved the show and our experience so much and can't wait to go back!Emily R.

The new theatre is beautiful! The staff are always helpful and respectful. There is a bar with some snacks and drinks. The performances are always well thought out and presented by talented and passionate performers. Well worth the cost of a season membership. I recommend the paid parking as well unless you arrive very early or enjoy walking several blocks.Bri Wright

Merrimack Hall has been an absolute life saver for our family during the pandemic. Our daughter has been able to stay engaged with her Merrimack Family, safely, throughout the pandemic by participating in the large variety of virtual classes that Merrimack Hall has offered. My husband and I both work from home and spend the day in meetings on our computers. Our daughter has her own slate of meetings each day, giving her purpose and meaning to her day. Her whole daily schedule is arranged around her Merrimack classes. I don't know how we would have survived without Merrimack!jmatus4

Merrimack Hall has been a saving grace for our special needs child. The staff is amazing. Our daughter has made so many friends. She has had social opportunities that she would never otherwise have. She is so excited to get to go to classes and the day program at Merrimack Hall. It has also become a place for parents with similar challenges to share and meet each other. I cannot emphasize enough what a blessing Merrimack Hall has been for our family.Patrick OHare

Merrimack Hall has been a God-Sent to us. I drive my Daughter 45 minutes one-way twice per week, because she deserves the BEST. And that’s what Merrimack provides to her. They create the most giving community for each student. Their professionalism, humility and service goes above and beyond. When I drop her off for her sessions, as I drive away, my heart smiles.Sharon Shoulders

Short experimental plays by local playwrights. Some were just OK, but at least 2 were very entertaining. The idea is to give them audience response so their work can be improved, discarded, or expanded for production. A very enjoyable evening, and free, too, although contributions were solicited, and we were most happy to help with this excellent program. Afterwards there was a meet and greet with the authors and actors. I would recommend this the next time it is presented by the Birmingham Village Players.Michael Anspach

I saw moonlight and magnolias last night. Extremely entertaining and well acted. Made my long overdue return to see live theatre, and it was AWESOME! Kudos to all those involved, especially clean up!! (If you saw the set, you'd understand)Mike Marmorstein

It was a different night out and everyone was having fun. It was just a little warm inside until they turned on the ac. Would do it again. Now that we know the layout of the seating we'll do better on the raised area.Deborah Rollins