As an actor, your performances will bring characters to life in theatre, film, television and radio. You would use speech, movement and expression to act a script or improvise a role in a believable and natural way.
Performing is only a small part of the work. You would also spend a lot of time:
- researching your role
- learning lines
- rehearsing
- preparing for and attending auditions
- contacting agents and finding the next job.
In smaller theatre companies, you may also be involved in administration, publicity and staging the performance.
You might combine performing with other types of work, such as teaching or community arts work.
The working life of an actor
Most acting jobs are short-term contracts, and full-time ongoing work is rare. On average, most actors spend less than half of the year in acting jobs, so you should be prepared to find different types of work to support yourself at other times.
This needs to be flexible so that you can take time off if auditions or acting roles arise unexpectedly.
Most actors spend time training and building experience of performing before they find paid work.
Temporary employment in shops and offices, supply teaching or casual work in hospitality and catering, are just some of the possibilities.
You can also find opportunities in theatre-in-education, voice-overs, commercials and interactive role playing for museums, training courses or corporate events.
To find work, most actors sign up with an agent. Agents will put you forward for auditions and castings, but will take a fee of about 10-25 percent from your earnings. You can also list your details in casting directories such as Spotlight, and look for audition notices in The Stage.
Hours may be irregular. Most theatre performances take place in the evenings, but you may also have daytime shows, rehearsals and auditions. In film and television, days can be very long and involve a lot of waiting around between scenes.
You would need to travel to jobs and auditions, and you may spend long periods away from home if touring with a play or filming on location.
How to become an actor
Although it's possible to get an early 'lucky break' into professional acting, in practice this is quite rare. Most actors spend time training (either at full-time drama school or through part-time classes) and building experience of performing before they find paid work. Talent, determination, hard work and luck are also important.
Young people may choose to attend a stage or performing arts school, combining academic study with learning practical skills. These pupils may also have the chance to appear on stage, screen and radio. However, for most aspiring actors, their professional training begins once they have left school.
A large percentage of working actors had professional training at a specialist drama school approved by the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT). NCDT-approved courses can be an advantage when starting an acting career, as they are very practical and will give you the opportunity to “showcase” i.e. to perform in front of agents and casting directors. These courses also lead to full membership of the performers' union Equity.
Studying at drama school
At drama school you could take a full-time three-year degree or diploma in acting or musical theatre (or a one-year postgraduate diploma if you already have a degree). For three-year courses you must be at least 18 and for one-year postgraduate courses you should be at least 21.
To get into drama school, you will have to pass an audition. You may also need some formal qualifications such as A levels or a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, but this is not always essential if you show enough talent and commitment. The exact entry requirements vary between each drama school.
You need to develop your skills and get as much practical experience as possible
See the NCDT and the Conference of Drama Schools websites for a list of accredited courses. You may be able to get funding for accredited courses through the Dance and Drama Award Scheme.
Several universities offer drama degrees, although these are often more academic than practical, so make sure that the course content is right for you.
Most drama courses include some elements of singing, dancing and movement as well as different acting techniques. While it is important to be generally fit and healthy, those with disabilities and special learning needs do enter the profession. Organisations such as Shape Arts may be able to provide additional support in these circumstances.
Other routes into acting
If you choose not to go to drama school or to take a relevant degree, you will still need to develop your skills and get as much practical experience of acting as possible. Ways that you could do this include:
- amateur, community or youth theatre
- college and university drama societies,
- taking part in regional, national and international student drama festivals and competitions
- actors' workshops, summer schools and part-time classes.
A career in acting
Burlesque performance
Riz Ahmed, musician and actor
