Becoming an Actor – Tips
Many people dream about becoming an actor/actress, but only few achieve their goals. A successful acting career means learning to succeed both on- and off- stage and overcoming numerous hurdles. How do you gain real acting experience? Is it necessary to earn a formal degree to become an actor? Do you need to obtain the service of a manager or agent? We’ve asked creators of Acting Plan to give us answers to these difficult questions and help aspiring young talents follow their dreams easier.
Even though a college education is not essential to succeed as a professional actor, at least in the U.S. you can surely benefit greatly from a university or formal college drama degree program. These programs will allow you to develop performance skills through classes in dance, music, acting theory, stage production, theater history and, of course, acting. What’s more, even a college production provides an aspiring professional a chance to be seen by producers and agents looking for a promising new acting talent.
Let’s face it, the acting is probably one of the most competitive professions and it can take years (even a decade) before a very talented makes a living in the chosen profession. So, what to do in the meantime? It’s crucial not to lose your faith and to continue to develop your craft. For example, you can gain real experience by performing in local theater groups for free. Also, you should attend acting workshops and classes as often as possible. In fact, for most performers, this is where the real professional training starts. Although you cannot earn money, acting in small theater companies and workshops will keep you in top form and provide you very effective networking opportunities.
What about an agent? Although it’s not necessary, being represented by a reputable and experienced agent might increase the odds of professional success. Good agents know what parts are being cast at the moment; they work closely with casting directors and industry professionals. In addition, they handle many of those daunting business tasks, giving you an opportunity to concentrate strictly on your actual job – acting. Nevertheless, a bad agent will undoubtedly hurt your career.
