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EntertainmentHow to Be an Actor

How to Have a Career in Acting

Instructions

  • Step 1: Take classes Take lessons and classes in acting, voice, dance, and movement to hone and practice skills.
  • Step 2: Write your acting resume Develop a resume of acting experience. Include professional, amateur, or student productions plus degrees and acting classes.
  • Step 3: Get a head shot Get an 8-by-10 photo of yourself done by an experienced professional photographer.
  • Step 4: Prepare for auditions Practice reading scripts for stage and screen auditions, and practice singing for musical theater tryouts.
  • TIP: Learn how to handle performance anxiety. You’ll deal with nerves more effectively if you know what to expect.
  • Step 5: Gain experience Go to lots of auditions. If you haven’t acted before, start with amateur productions. Then go out for bigger roles.
  • TIP: A part-time or day job will allow you to concentrate on acting.
  • Step 6: Consider an agent Consider hiring an agent. Agents find work, book auditions, and negotiate contracts for a percentage of the actor’s pay.
  • FACT: Thespis was the first actor in Greek drama.

You Will Need

  • A passion for acting
  • Talent

Lessons in this Guide

How to Have a Jersey Accent

How to Act

How to Know If Your Child was Born to Be a Star

How to Direct Actors

How to Master Method Acting

How to Get the Best Headshot

How to Get Noticed at a Casting Call

How to Sword Fight

How to Hold an Open Casting Call

How to Hit Your Mark

How to Ace a Cold Reading

How to Put on a One-Man Show

How to Pick a Drama School

How to Project Your Voice on Stage

How to Get into a Performing Arts Camp

How to Have a Career in Acting

How to Get into a Performing Arts High School

How to Join a Theater Group

How to Nail a Broadway Audition & Get the Part

How to Practice Ventriloquism

How to Prepare a Monologue

How To Get Into the Screen Actors Guild

How to Overcome Stage Fright

How to Impress a Casting Director

How To Cry Convincingly on Stage

How to Prepare for an Acting Audition

How to Become an Extra in a Movie

How to Memorize Lines

How to Make a Small Acting Role Stand Out

How to Get a Job Doing Voice-Overs

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