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How to become an Actor

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Actor courses

Career progression and salary expectations for an Actor

The average starting salary for an Actor can vary.

The role of an Actor

What does an Actor do?

Are you a bit of an extrovert? Do you think all the world’s a stage (and actually know where that line comes from)? Then you could become an Actor.

There are various different types of jobs for people looking to break into the acting industry, from live theatre and touring productions to television radio and feature films.An Actor's day-to-day activities will vary widely, but typical responsibilities will include:

Learning lines and attending auditions
Meeting with agents to discuss prospective parts
Rehearsing parts once they have been secured
Performing
Recording voice-overs for non-live roles

Is a career as an Actor right for me?

To become a successful Actor, dedication and resilience are absolutely essential. Lots of Actors spend a good deal of their time between jobs, so you may need alternative employment to support yourself until your next role comes up.

You will often also need to be confident, especially when attending so many auditions. And in order to seek acting as a profession, having an agent is almost a pre-requisite.

A good Actor will be:

Great at communicating with all kinds of people
Punctual and reliable
Excellent at working in a team
Thick-skinned to deal with all the criticism
Determined

What's it like to be an Actor?

"Being an actor can be tough, as I feel like I'm constantly trying to line up more work and there isn't the same job security you might get in other roles. Having said that, the buzz of winning a part is fantastic. I also love being able to pretend to be other people and getting the chance to express a range of emotions when I inhabit that character. Meeting lots of interesting fellow Actors is another highlight, as is spending nearly every day working at a craft I truly love."

Get qualified as an Actor

You may not need any qualifications to become an Actor, but going to drama school or getting a degree in this discipline could be an advantage, especially when it comes to learning some of the fundamentals of the industry.

Recommended Acting courses

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Voiceovers is Voice Acting. Learn how to become a voice actor. Ever wanted to use your Voice as a Career? From commercials to audio books, voice acting to the technical side, this course unpacks the entire toolkit for what it takes to be a successful freelance Voiceover Artist (V …
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