Most people believe that acting is all about exhibiting a natural, instinctive skill that you are born with and hold inside you. In reality, acting is actually a trait that can be stimulated and sharpened with the proper training. While there are thousands of actors working around the world on a daily basis, there are but a few exceptional people, who by exhibiting their "natural talents," have made it big in tinsel-town. Do you have what it takes to be one of these exceptional people? Do you have the determination and desire to give it your all to achieve your acting dreams, aspirations and goals? Or are you simply looking for a short cut, which will most likely lead to uncertainty and disappointment. If you are willing to stay focused and work hard, you can make it as an actor in showbiz. Read on, if you'd like to learn the practical steps you should take if you want to become an actor or actress.


It is good to have a formal education in acting and drama. There are many schools and universities where one can get trained in acting. If your quest for the theory on acting is insatiable, then there is the Master in Fine Arts for you. While such formal education in acting can teach you the fundamental acting techniques and even history, heritage, and acting traditions, nothing is more important and provides as much training as actually performing on stage in front of a live audience. Therefore, to truly complete your education, it is imperative you begin practicing and performing wherever and whenever possible.

You don't need to move to a major city to find outlets where you can practice and improve your acting proficiency. You can start acquiring your practical on-stage experience in your very own home town. There are plenty of opportunities to perform in community, school and church plays. Don't simply dismiss these plays as amateurish before you give them an honest try. You'd be surprised how many low-budget community and school plays are professionally produced. Plus, many local talent scouts regularly attend community theater productions since many will be friends with the theater's producers and directors. You'll also find it's simply great fun to part of theater or performance troop.

You may also try getting involved with your local college or universities' film or media department. You may not get paid, but you can get yourself on film which could be seen by other casting directors and talent scouts. Plus, you'll get a copy of the finished film that you can use as an audition demo video to send to talent agents.

Once you've decided to give acting in your local community theater a try, you'll of course need to know how to go about auditioning. Scan your local newspaper's entertainment or arts and leisure section for notices of open casting calls. Another simple and more direct way to track down audition information is to call the theater's ticket sales phone number and enquire about future auditions. Some other ways include searching the Internet and also trying to establish contacts in the local school or university where there may be open public auditions that are used for community outreach programs.

In spite of these efforts, if you are still not able to make it as a performer in the play, don't give up yet. Volunteer to help behind the scenes in roles like costume, set design or lighting as this may look good on your resume as creditable experience. It is interesting to note that many great actors started by working behind the scenes, so keep trying. (continued...)

(continue to part 2)

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Copyright © Sarah Bennett. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the author. Not to be reproduced or distributed.

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