How to Become an Actor, Even Without Experience

It’s the one inquiry that floods my inbox daily: "Adam, how do I get to be an actor?"

The answer to that question: You are already. As are we all. Even the most plain and mundane librarian plays a wide range of differing characters in daily life, according to who she’s with. She sweet-talks her supervisor, disciplines her children, babies her hubby, entices her lover, and bickers with her mother or father.

But a little something says to me that was not the answer you were looking around for. I'd guess that a better inquiry would be this: "Adam, how do I get to be a employed actor? I do not have any experiences."

The solution: You just need to prove yourself.

Acting is a business venture. And people today only do business with those people that they already know, admire, and have faith in. Case in point: For what reason do you think that virtually every Christopher Guest picture has the same actors in it? Mainly because they’re all great friends, yes. But also, because he has learned that they’re talented, they’ll arrive when they're due, and they’ll be prepared to deliver results.

Now that begs the subsequent dilemma: Just how do you prove yourself? How do you prove to the powers that be that you’re dependable? Diligent? Gifted?

In reality, the bad news is that it will require a bit of your time and sweat. However, almost anything worth doing/getting/being doesn’t come to fruition overnight. Rome was not built in a day.

But the good news is that it’s 100% inside of your influence. Basically because, similar to any other enterprise, the acting industry is microscopic. So when you begin going through auditions, you will come upon the very same casting directors time and again. (You’ll likewise come across the same exact actors time and time again, but we’ll keep that for a new article.)

If you audition often, and audition well, casting directors will start to acknowledge you, call you by your name, ask how you are doing. In other words, they’ll take an interest in you (and with some luck, your professional career). And that may possibly translate to a contract. That sometimes leads to the next piece of work, and another one. And pretty soon, you’re essentially getting paid to be an actor.

As an aside, this basic principle can be applied on pretty much every tier of the business, from neighborhood theatre, to The Great White Way, to the Universal Studios. And that’s relevant. On account that, if you are 100% brand new to the realm of acting, your name more than likely will not be illuminating a marquee in Times Square in the near future. So find out how to get involved with your nearest community theater. Volunteer backstage, usher, assist with marketing promotions, anything it requires. Right after that, the next time they hold auditions, strut in there and wow them with a speech from As You Like It.

Want to learn how to become an actor? The hidden secret is out there: Audition often, and audition well.

If you want to learn more about how to become an actor, visit Adam's website: Ace Your Audition.