I want to be an Actor

Think long and hard first and ask yourself ‘Do I want to act or do I need to act?’ Actors need to be able to deal with rejection, it happens to them frequently. If you really want to be an actor you will need not only talent, but also desire and to be physically and above all mentally tough. Most actors start their career by joining in amateur productions either at school or college, or in their locality. If you enjoy acting, and think you might be good enough to find work professionally, then you can audition for drama school or for a university place. Look for a place with a reputation for helping its graduates obtain work. A glance at the biographies listed in any theatre programme will usually give you a clue about which drama schools tend to feature most prominently. On graduation you should find an agent. If you are doing acting, either paid or unpaid, that you are proud of, it also helps to invite casting directors and agents to see it. Send them a free ticket. You’ll need luck, sheer persistence, and some good black-and-white photographs. Write a short letter saying why you want to work with a particular director or why you are suited to the role that interests you. Enclose your photograph together with a short CV.

Find out more about being an actor .