The end of the year is full of things to do, people to see, and places to be. But it’s also a great time to stay still, breathe, and work on something meaningful from home. For actors wanting to build their skills, the slower pace of the holidays opens up space to keep learning without the pressure. That’s where virtual acting classes come in. At Michelle Danner Acting Studio, our online acting classes are live and interactive, with top Hollywood acting coaches working with small groups in real time.

They let you keep showing up, even when travel or other plans make it tough to get to a studio. Whether you’re in Los Angeles, California, or out visiting family somewhere else, all you need is an internet connection and a little time. Here’s how to make the most of those classes during the winter season and keep your acting muscles warm.

Set Up a Space That Helps You Focus

Your location doesn’t need to be impressive or big. What matters most is that you have a space where you feel like you can really show up. Even setting up in a quiet corner of a bedroom or living room works fine. The goal is to carve out a spot that feels like your own acting space, even if it’s part of a larger, shared home.

To help make that small area supportive and easy to focus in, we recommend keeping these ideas in mind:

• Turn off anything noisy around you, like TVs, phones, or music in the background
• Try to sit somewhere with good lighting so you can see your space and your camera easily
• Have water nearby and a notebook in case you want to jot something down or reflect between scenes

It doesn’t take a lot to create a space with energy and purpose. Just making the simple choice to step into that spot with intention shifts your mindset.

Stick With a Simple Routine

The holidays sometimes feel unpredictable, with schedules changing last minute. That’s why having a small routine tied to your virtual class helps you feel stable. It doesn’t need to be long or complicated. Just showing up for class at the same time each week gives your brain a helpful rhythm.

Some actors find that a quick personal warm-up before logging on helps them drop into the right mental space. That might mean:

• Taking three deep breaths while standing still
• Doing a short body stretch to shake off tension
• Reviewing your lines softly to help settle your focus

Even five minutes of preparation can help you feel more grounded. When the rest of your day is filled with errands and events, having that one thing that stays the same brings balance.

Make Time for Reflection

During the holidays, emotional moments tend to surface. That makes it a great season to slow down and think about what you’re learning in class. Reflection doesn’t have to be formal. We often suggest writing a few quick thoughts after class.

Try questions like:

• What surprised me in today’s scene?
• What was the easiest moment, and what felt hard?
• Did I notice any big changes in how I reacted or responded?

These questions help track your growth over time. They also give you space to check in with yourself, which is a big part of acting. Even when you aren’t in class, those quiet minutes with your journal or thoughts help you stay connected to what you’re building emotionally. At Michelle Danner Acting Studio, these online classes support actors at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so you can keep moving at a pace that matches your experience.

Stay Connected With Scene Partners

Maybe holiday plans make it harder to meet in person, but that doesn’t mean you have to train alone. Virtual acting classes still offer ways to keep sharing ideas or feedback with others. A big part of acting is trust, and that grows when we stay connected.

Simple actions go a long way, like:

• Sending a quick message to a partner after your scene together to thank them or share a thought
• Scheduling a 10-minute check-in before class for a quick run-through of lines
• Sharing how something from their performance helped you think about your own

These small touch points help the work stay fresh. You may not be sharing a physical stage, but you’re still building relationships that matter. And during the holidays, when things can feel spread out, a bit of connection can bring the whole class closer.

Enjoy the Quiet Moments of the Season

Life doesn’t slow down for everyone, but during winter in Los Angeles, it often feels like things take a gentler pace. The cooler air and shorter daylight hours can help us turn inward a bit more. That kind of calm is useful for acting. Instead of racing through each scene, you have time to notice.

If your days are already feeling slower, we suggest leaning into that. Let a quiet morning or a cozy evening become the space where you sit with a character’s thoughts. Let winter’s stillness show up in your performance. Acting isn’t only about movement. Sometimes the quietest work is the deepest.

Keep Growing, Even in Slower Seasons

It can be tempting to wait until January to get back into routines. But steady progress through the holidays keeps the momentum strong. Virtual acting classes don’t require a full reset every time the schedule changes. They give you a way to stay in your practice, no matter what the calendar looks like. Many of our online acting programs run in four or eight-week cycles that meet once a week for two hours, which fits naturally around holiday plans.

This effort isn’t about leaps. It’s about small, honest steps. Picking up new habits. Getting a little more open in a scene. Learning to listen with more care. That kind of work adds up.

Whether or not you notice it right away, staying consistent now builds the confidence you’ll carry into future roles. It helps you feel ready when things pick back up in the new year, because you never fully stopped. You just kept showing up.

Whether you’re spending the holidays in Los Angeles, California, or traveling, now is a great time to keep building your skills through consistent practice. Our online options make it easy to stay present in class wherever the season takes you. Those looking to remain connected and focused will find that our virtual acting classes offer the flexibility to stay committed. At Michelle Danner Acting Studio, we’re here to support you through every season of growth, so use the quiet weeks ahead to stay sharp and contact us to get started.