A successful career in acting requires equal parts talent and practice with a bit of luck thrown in. Actors at work can be seen and heard everywhere: TV, the big screen, the theater, on the Internet, in videos and on podcasts. They portray characters from the past that have impacted history, and they portray characters that are destined to impact pop culture in the future. Some dabble in a variety of entertainment mediums, while some stick to the stage, use their voice to create new worlds or dedicate their lives to the silver screen. Some make up the cast of extras that round out a production, while some achieve levels of fame that makes them a household name.
This guide serves as a starting point for anyone seriously interested in the world of professional acting. It includes a brief description of the real working life of actors and actresses, a rundown of the skills one must develop to succeed in this highly competitive field, and a list of steps to consider in pursuit of an acting career.
What Does an Actor Do?
To put it very simply, an actor works to portray a character in a movie, play, television show, theater production or any other variety of performance. But that's not all there is to this interesting job.
[dig-deeper subtitle="Actor Careers Basics" description="Actors audition forroles and, if selected, perform those roles to bring the characters to life.Their work might be on a movie or television set, in a theater, during a liveevent or any other place where performance is needed. They might work on anylevel of the profession, from being an extra in a larger cast to appearing instarring roles." panel_subtitle="Actor Careers In-Depth" ]
Much of an actor's time is spent rehearsing their part, working with directors and producers, meeting with agents or casting directors, reading scripts, attending meetings and otherwise attending to behind-the-scenes necessities. Some might spend grueling hours on set, while others might tour with a group to perform in many different cities. Some might move across the world to film on location. The work is often not steady – many actors will perform scores of characters during their careers.
[/dig-deeper]Actor Salaries & Job Growth
Actor Salaries Across the US
Where actors happen to make the most money depends greatly upon their expertise, roles and geographical location. Areas where the performing arts are a prominent typically offer higher pay than rural areas, or those far away from production facilities. This tool can help aspiring actors research average earnings by location.
Bachelor's Degrees in Acting & Theater
Bachelor's degrees in acting, drama, theater and fine arts are liberal arts programs designed for those who want to enter the performing arts. Performing arts schools tend to offer fewer general education courses than colleges or universities, but both options take about four years to complete. Students will be required to work with various productions, whether on-screen or backstage. Here are some of the more common classes taken at this level:Dramatic Techniques
Physical coordination, proper singing postures, changes in speech and intonation, voice projection, the Alexander method and other techniques are taught in this course.Skills Gained
- How to project voice in large spaces
- Inhabiting a character with physical quirks or vocal impediments
- Implementing the full spectrum of physical movement techniques that bring characters to life
Shakespeare Text
As the name implies, this course focuses on the unique demands of Shakespearean performance.Skills Gained
- Uses of rhythm, meter and rhyme
- Delivery of metaphor
- Transforming written text to spoken word
Performance Projects
These courses allow students to perform their own scripts while overseeing production, costume, makeup, set and all other elements.Skills Gained
- The ability to handle diverse responsibilities
- Connecting theory with practice
- Time management
- Casting and direction
Audition Workshops
Students will engage in professional casting calls with oversight from faculty while learning interviewing, improvisation and more.Skills Gained
- Switching point-of-view mid-scene
- Improvising based on a very small set of requirements
- Proper interview techniques with casting agents
Master's Degree in Acting & Theater
Students who choose to pursue master's degrees can expect to dive into very specialized training, depending upon their choice of major. Common options include drama, set design, playwriting, film, theater, television, acting, directing and more. Most master's degrees taken through colleges and universities take up to three years to complete; for master's degrees at performing arts schools, three to four years is standard. Some schools offer online master's degrees with the recognition that students might also be busy working actors, though they may be required to perform in a play, musical or the like.Below is a list of courses students might find in the acting track. Please note that courses will vary widely, depending upon the major.Traditions in American Theater
This courses looks at the in-depth history of theater and may include lectures and discussions with award-winning actors and playwrights.Skills Gained
- Tracing the heritage and tradition of theater
- Connecting current events with theater work
- Acting techniques that are unique to the theater medium
Bringing Scripts to Life
This course focuses on the various ways a script can be read and interpreted, the role of direction in creating a vision for the final product and storytelling techniques.Skills Gained
- Creating various approaches to the same material
- Taking direction
- The role of experimentation in defining a script
Dramatic Interpretation
Students prepare for scenes, songs, monologues and other presentations to create a well-rounded performance.Skills Gained
- Interpreting the same work in a variety of different acting mediums
- Working with others on improvisation
- Highlighting points that agents and casting directors find appealing
Practical Business of the Stage
This refresher course covers everything that happens off the stage, like casting, auditioning, producing reels, rehearsals and more.Skills Gained
- Writing resumés and cover letters
- Understanding author contracts
- Landing an agent
- Taking advantage of support systems in place for actors
PhD in Theater & Performing Arts
Acting PhD options are generally more student-driven than master's programs. Many curricula require only acting, drama or theater seminars, allowing students to select or design all remaining coursework. Each PhD program also requires a dissertation, which is fairly standard for this level of education. Many PhD programs encourage students to study a specific aspect of theater or drama that truly interests them, such as various methods, histories of cinema and theater, and cultural roles.The PhD is ideal for those who want to truly master a particular style or method of acting, those who want to teach others the ropes, or those who want to bolster their resumé before moving into behind-the-scenes work, such as that of director or producer. They usually require six years of study.Here are some common seminar themes found in PhD theater, drama or acting programs across the nation:Celebrity and Theories of Performance
This seminar combines the cognitive sciences with the world of acting, focusing on the psychology of certain pieces (such as Shakespeare) and the influence celebrity brings to the role.Skills Gained
- An understanding of what casting directors really see
- Seeing the performance through the eyes of the public
- Learning to influence and change the viewing by tapping into the psychology of the viewer
Cross-Influences of Theater
How does a Shakespearian play in China compare to the same piece in the United States or Australia? What cultural influences change the performance? These questions form the basis of this course.Skills Gained
- Understanding international aesthetics
- What "tradition" means to global societies
- Being cognizant of ethics and psychology of cultural-based performances
Cognitive Approaches to the Arts
Students will explore the research and scholarship at play in scripts and performances to develop a better understanding of strengths and weaknesses.Skills Gained
- Investigation of a work to spot weak points
- Bolstering writing with current research in mind
- An interdisciplinary approach to works that seek to speak to a broad audience on a narrow topic
The Use of Humor in Tragedy
This course shines a spotlight on the human tendency to laugh instead of cry, and how playwrights over the centuries have used that as a method to convey troublesome issues without overburdening the viewer.Skills Gained
- Walking a fine balance between tragedy and comedy in the same script
- Understanding the impact of laughter
- Making use of "mob mentality" to heighten emotion
Acting & Theater Concentrations
Working as an actor isn't the only role up for grabs. Those who choose to pursue an acting degree can turn that hard-won education into any of these potential careers, with 2015 median wages reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Acting Coach
2015 median wage: $36,691An acting coach works with actors to help them bring characters to life. The acting coach is well-versed in all areas of acting methods and techniques, and has the ability to convey them in such a way that the actors can use them on set. Acting coaches might work with performing arts schools or take on individual clients.Set Designer
2015 median wage: $49,530Set designers work closely with producers and directors to create a set that is true to the time period and feel of the script. The work requires a strong knowledge of architectural trends as well as the ability to build, paint and otherwise work with physically erecting set pieces.Actor
2015 median wage: $39,104An actor plays a role in a variety of entertaining mediums, including theater, television, movies, live performance, radio and more. Their work is not only for entertainment, but often also for information or instruction. Many actors are quite versatile and can add singing, dancing, writing and even directing to their list of talents.Director
2015 median wage: $68,440Most directors work closely with everyone on set, especially actors and producers, to create a character arc that is true to the vision of the script. Directors might work in a variety of areas, including theater, television, movies and the like.Producer
2015 median wage: $68,440Producers handle a great deal of behind-the-scenes work, including issues with casting or extras, financial flow for the production, design and sound on the set, and other creative decisions. Producers are usually weighing the needs of the production against the budget set to finance that production.Components of a Successful Career: Skills, Tools & Technology
Actors aren't usually overnight successes; they tend to go through many years of auditions, rehearsals, bit parts, and ups and downs before breaking into the acting world. Here are some of the skills that can help them succeed, and the tools and technology they might use when they get there.Skills
- Excellent communication Since much of acting is conveying emotion, setting a scene and otherwise connecting with the audience, top-notch speaking and reading skills areimperative.
- Wild creativity Actors are in a very creative profession, and they have to be able to keep up with other creative types. That means letting ideas flow like water,offering unusual points of view, and keeping their creativity going withother mediums, including writing or singing.
- Great memorization Memorizing a script in order to perform long, unbroken scenes is a must for any actor in any area of entertainment.
- Physical stamina Acting may entail being on set for many long hours or handling several hours of stage work without a break, especially during live performance. Being ingood physical condition is the key to handling it.
- Persistence There are many actors out there and far too few roles for them. It can be easy to give up when faced with near-constant rejection; the best actorslearn early on to simply keep on trying.
Tools and Technology
- Microphones
- Tripods
- Digital cameras
- Personal computers
- Video recorders
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Motion capture software
- Website development software
Credentials
Though there are no clear-cut credentials for actors, there are some options for areas that support actors, or that might enhance an acting career. For instance, the film editing certification or the digital video certification can help an actor transition to other careers in the field. Credentials should be chosen based on what actors might want to do if they choose to move behind the scenes.Related Careers at a Glance
Announcer
-11%Median Salary (2015):$30,080
Education/Training Required:On-the-job training
Producer or Director
9%Median Salary (2015):$68,440
Education/Training Required:Bachelor's degree
Musicians and Singers
3%Median Salary (2015):$50,336
Education/Training Required:On-the-job training
Multimedia Artists and Animators
6%Median Salary (2015):$63,970
Education/Training Required:Bachelor's degree
Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators
11%Median Salary (2015):$55,740
Education/Training Required:Bachelor's degree
Dancers and Choreographers
5%Median Salary (2015):$35,048
Education/Training Required:Formal training
