Acting School & CareersHow to Become an Actor

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.

Actor Careers Basics

Actors audition for roles 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 live event or any other place where performance is needed. They might work on any level of the profession, from being an extra in a larger cast to appearing in starring roles.

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.

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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.

Actor Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that acting careers will increase by 10 percent nationally between 2014 and 2024. Though the field will still remain strongly competitive, some states may offer more roles than others. The job growth for actors is highlighted below.

Steps to Becoming an Actor

Actors often take meandering roads to their ultimate career; therefore, the steps to becoming an actor aren’t as clear cut as they might be for other professions. Here’s what most will go through to reach the pinnacle of their profession.

Acting School Programs & Concentrations

Preparing for an Acting Career

Acting Schools & Theater Degrees

Many different institutions offer actor training and theater degrees. Here are some of them.

Acting School

These dedicated schools are designed exclusively to teach aspiring actors. Students work closely with seasoned actors, theater directors, producers and others who can show them the ropes and skills they need to stand out during casting calls.

Performing Arts Schools

Performing arts schools are ideal for students who know they want to work in the performing arts, yet haven’t decided how. There are classes for actors, dancers, choreographers, singers, comedians and more.

Community Colleges & 2-Year Schools

Some community colleges offer associate degrees in theater, drama and other performing arts fields. Trade schools, meanwhile, tend to offer more specialized diploma or certificate programs in areas like set or costume design.

Universities & 4-Year Schools

A large number of colleges and universities offer bachelor’s or master’s degree in acting, theater, drama and similar areas. These programs provide a well-rounded education for students who want to make a lifelong career in the performing arts.

Types of Theater & Acting Degrees

The world of acting is large and diverse, and so are the educational backgrounds of those who work in it. Any of the following degree paths can prepare students to succeed in the acting industry. Here’s what they can expect from each program level.

Associate Degrees in Acting & Theater

Students pursuing associate degrees can expect to take two years of coursework, including general education classes along with more targeted classes for actors. This provides a firm foundation for students who want to eventually move into bachelor’s degree programs or directly into the acting world. Here are some common courses:

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:

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.

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:

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

An 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

Set 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

An 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

Most 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

Producers 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

Tools and Technology

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Acting School and Career Resources

Ace Your Audition

This site connects actors with monologue for auditions.

Actors Equity Association

This labor union for actors provides help with benefits, working conditions, contract negotiations and more.

The Actors Fund

This organization helps actors with common issues, including housing, healthcare, social services and financial assistance.

Backstage

A clearinghouse of pertinent, up-to-date information for actors, including casting calls, news, advice and resources.

National Association of Schools of Theatre

This organization of schools, colleges, universities and conservatories strives to provide a top-notch educational experience through proper accreditation.

National Endowment for the Arts

This independent federal agency offers funding for a variety of arts across the United States, including theater productions.

SAG-AFTRA

The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists brings together two powerful unions to provide important protections and information to those in the entertainment industry.

Related Careers at a Glance

Become Team

Contributing Writer

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