You might want to try attending Red Stitch in Chapel St, who offer weekly Sat classes. There's plenty of places around, just do a search. Off the top of my head - Swinburne Uni (Prahran) do short courses, and so do most of the other uni's who offer acting, ACOPA in Nth Melb, and Acting Up (search for Sally Mclean on this site), all do classes.

You can also try National Theatre near Acland St.

As for jumping in the deep end, try getting involved in some amateur productions; but if you want professional theatre, there is plenty of fringe and co-op productions and companies out there. Go to a lot of performances, introduce yourself.

But the classes will be the best way to start and meet others.

If you're really keen to get involved, you may also want to try volunteering to help local venues; Red Stitch, Gasworks (in Albert Park, but they're always keen for help), 45Downstairs (who are absolutely lovely!), etc. Also try volunteering for the comedy and fringe festivals - the best way to meet like-minded folk and see what is going on in our city.

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