Meetup Acting Groups
Local in-person acting groups and networking events in your area
Overview
Meetup is a general-purpose platform for organizing local events and groups, and it hosts a vibrant ecosystem of acting-related meetups in cities around the world. Actors can find cold reading groups, improv jams, monologue workshops, and industry networking mixers in their area.
Joining a group is typically free, though individual events may charge a small fee to cover venue costs. Meetup's search tools let you filter by location, category, and date to find acting gatherings that fit your schedule.
How It Works
Acting meetups are particularly valuable for newcomers who want to practice their craft and build a local network without the cost of formal classes. Many groups are led by experienced actors or directors who offer feedback and mentorship.
Meetup accounts are free to create. Some groups require a small membership fee, and Meetup itself offers a premium tier for organizers, but attendees generally pay nothing beyond optional event charges.
Who Uses It
A great low-cost way to stay sharp between auditions and meet fellow actors in your city. Look for groups that focus on cold reading or scene work, as these tend to offer the most practical audition preparation. Many acting meetup groups also organize industry panels, casting director Q&A sessions, and collaborative short film projects that provide hands-on experience. The informal nature of these groups often fosters lasting friendships and creative partnerships that extend well beyond the meetup events themselves.
Pricing & Plans
Meetup itself is free for members who join and attend groups, with no account fees or subscription charges required. Individual acting groups on the platform may charge event fees ranging from free to approximately $10 to $20 per session to cover venue rental and materials. Meetup offers a premium subscription called Meetup Plus for approximately $4.49 per month that removes ads and adds features like the ability to RSVP for multiple events at once. Group organizers pay Meetup a subscription fee to host their groups, which sometimes gets passed along to attendees as part of event pricing. Some more established acting meetup groups charge monthly membership fees of $20 to $40 that include access to all events and workshops. Compared to formal acting classes that can cost $200 to $500 per month, even paid meetup groups represent a significant savings. There are no hidden costs, and you can always browse and RSVP to free events without paying anything.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The greatest strength of Meetup acting groups is the accessibility they provide to regular practice and networking at a fraction of the cost of formal training programs. In-person gatherings create genuine human connections that are impossible to replicate through online networking platforms, leading to more authentic and lasting professional relationships. The variety of groups available means you can find sessions tailored to your specific interests, whether that is cold reading, improv, Shakespeare, on-camera technique, or monologue work. Groups are led by a wide range of people with diverse perspectives, exposing you to approaches and techniques you might not encounter in a single acting class. The low-commitment structure means you can attend when your schedule allows without being locked into a semester-long course or monthly contract. Many actors have found their most reliable scene partners, creative collaborators, and even agents through connections made at acting meetups.
What Could Be Better
The quality of acting meetup groups varies enormously, and there is no vetting process to ensure that group leaders have any formal training or professional experience in the entertainment industry. Some groups attract hobbyists rather than serious aspiring professionals, which can lead to uneven skill levels and unfocused sessions that feel more social than educational. The informal structure means sessions can lack the rigor and structured feedback that a professional acting class would provide, potentially reinforcing bad habits rather than correcting them. Attendance can be inconsistent, making it difficult to build continuity in scene work or develop ongoing partnerships with reliable scene partners. Groups in smaller cities or suburban areas may have very limited options, and even in major markets the quality can fluctuate significantly as organizers come and go. The Meetup platform itself has faced criticism for increasing organizer fees, which has led some long-running groups to migrate to other platforms or shut down entirely.
Our Recommendation
Meetup acting groups are recommended for actors at all experience levels who want to maintain a regular practice habit and build a local network without significant financial investment. Beginning actors who are exploring whether to pursue acting seriously will find meetups to be an ideal low-risk entry point for discovering whether they enjoy the craft. Working actors between bookings benefit from staying sharp and connected through regular group sessions, especially when they are between formal classes. However, meetups should supplement rather than replace formal training with a qualified acting coach, particularly for actors serious about professional careers. If you live in a smaller city with limited meetup options, consider starting your own group, as Meetup makes it relatively straightforward to organize gatherings. For actors who prefer structured online learning, platforms like MasterClass or Stage 32 webinars may be more consistent alternatives.
Pro Tips
Before committing to a group, attend two or three different acting meetups in your area to compare the quality of facilitation, the seriousness of participants, and the overall atmosphere. Look for groups that have been active for at least a year with consistent attendance, as longevity typically indicates a well-managed community with engaged members. Arrive early to events to introduce yourself to the organizer and other attendees, since the informal networking before and after sessions is often as valuable as the exercises themselves. Volunteer to help organize or facilitate sessions, as taking a leadership role dramatically increases your visibility within the group and demonstrates your commitment to the craft. Use meetup groups to practice new techniques or audition material in a low-stakes environment before bringing them to professional auditions or formal class settings. If you find a particularly strong group, suggest collaborative projects like staged readings or short film shoots that give members tangible portfolio material beyond the practice sessions themselves.