Career Advice for an Actor

Actors play characters in the film, theatre, television, theatre, and other performing arts media. In this role, you may also work at theme parks or live events. You will entertain or inform an audience, following a writer’s script.

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How to Become an Actor

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become an Actor

Should you wish to work as an Actor you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Actor

  • At least one A level
  • A foundation degree or postgraduate diploma in drama, acting, or musical theatre
  • Technical certificate in performing arts

Key Responsibilities for an Actor

  • Assisting application selection by taking part in casting calls
  • Studying and memorising scripts
  • Becoming familiar with the script through participating in table readings
  • Attending dress rehearsals and group meetings before the final show
  • Memorising lyrics and choreographed dance moves
  • Performing in the final show
  • Following the acting instruction from directors
  • Communicating with fans and maintaining a presence with the audience
  • Pitching ideas that may be relevant to the show
  • Attending and representing the show at press events

What to expect as an Actor

Actors are responsible for performing in shows at live events or for TV or film. An actor will need to understand their character, study lines, and take direction from the director and show production team. Actors perform during the production's final stages and will represent the show at promotional and casting events. To find success, you will need to produce a moving and realistic performance.

Recommended Actor Jobs

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How to get Actor Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Actor job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Actor application. If you have not held an Actor position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Actor role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Actor CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Actor application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Actor in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Actor 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Actor and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Actor experience.

How to get Actor Experience

What does it take to be an Actor? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Actor jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Actor through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Actor Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Actor part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Actor or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Actor freelance work

If you have impressive Actor qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.