Q&A for How to Start a Career in Acting

Acting is sometimes called the most competitive profession on the planet. Be sure to ask yourself why and if you are willing to work incredibly hard and sacrifice a lot for a chance of succeeding. However, by having respect for the field, honing your craft, building your foundational acting skills, and being careful how you handle your finances as you grow your career, it can be done.

Go to New York and study acting there. It's also a good idea to get an MFA from a really good school, but it's not necessary. Also do regional theater.

Start off by trying out for school shows and community theatre, and follow the stepsin this article.

A callback is when the casting director wants to see you again and calls you back. People don't usually get callbacks unless they are talented. A casting call is when directors send out a notice that they are looking for people to audition for their project.

There are websites like Backstage (and others) that show lots of casting calls, but this says not to pay for websites like that. You can look at the opportunities and then search them up separately to find more information about how to audition, without having to pay. It's a lot easier than it seems to find another website that has even more information on that show, for free.

You could either search for local casting agents and then audition for them, or you could audition for local plays in your area.

You can find auditions everywhere. There are a lot of of community theater shows and workshops everywhere, you just have to look.

Yes, especially if you want to be in musical theatre. It can always be a trick you have up your sleeve.

It depends on what roles you get. Sometimes, it will be very helpful but with other roles, it won't even matter. If you don't already know three languages, don't bother learning them.

You don't need a degree in anything to become an actor, but a lot of talent agencies will probably take more notice to you if you have an associate's or bachelor's in theater. Or you can just take some acting classes.

At your age, you may be able to audition for roles on popular kids' TV networks like Disney and Nickelodeon. At the very least, you should absolutely keep pursuing acting. Join community theater groups, consider making YouTube videos, and start picking up drama classes as you get into middle and high school. If you can, send emails or letters to some of your favorite actors to ask for advice.

Do an online search for a local theatrical agent and the name of the nearest large city or look in a local business directory. Obviously, there are tons of them in NYC or LA but there are agents in other parts of the world too.

You have to audition for parts.

It is never too late! As long as they see you're committed to what you're doing, you'll be okay.

Google is your best resource. Look up open call auditions in your area. Many of them will be unpaid, but this is a great way to build your resume so you can go for bigger productions.

Generally, yes. Many colleges offer acting classes themselves, but if you need to take classes at a separate place, that is fine.

Community theaters are everywhere. If you go to a school with theater, that's great, too.

Check out your local theaters and see what classes they offer. Also, just go for it and audition for plays! My first audition was terrible, but I'm glad I did it because I ended up taking classes at my local theater, and I've improved so much over the past year! Keep in mind that it will take a lot of time and effort to really improve. I haven't been cast in a show yet, but I got called back at my last audition, and that's progress!

Search for beginning acting camps, or even check if your school has a drama club. I started when I was about 6 or 7. When you find a play you think you can handle, try to find a character list. I would suggest, at your level, auditioning for a character with very few lines.

If you really love acting and are committed, you could go to a performing arts school. Half the day is spent on schoolwork, and the other half is spent acting, singing, or dancing. You could also get homeschooled instead.

Though moving to Hollywood would most certainly benefit you in your acting career, staying in Michigan would not mean you would not be able to be as wonderful of an actor and have as many wonderful TV shows and movies to participate in. Feel free to stay in Michigan.

If you have some sort of drama teacher at your school or any arts teacher, you should go talk to them. They will most likely have resources or be able to put you in touch with someone.

You can look up auditions in your area, and there should be plenty of open call auditions that you can go to.

It doesn't matter how tall you are. All kinds of roles could be suitable for you, you don't have to be defined by your height. You didn't mention your gender, so if you're a guy worried about being short, keep in mind that Tom Cruise is 5'7, and he's an action star. If you are female, you're just a little taller than average, and it really won't matter.

I happen to live in Texas and you can get lots of amateur experience here. There are so many auditions here.

Research community theaters in your area, ask them when their next audition is, and just show up.

I think applying for an acting school in the U.S., Britain or one of the other Nordic countries nearby might be your best option, they all have good acting schools and if you study in another Nordic country it is free.

It is possible that they do not have the money or jobs to move to Los Angeles. You can see if they will take you there for a few days so you can get used to it and do some auditions. Maybe they can take you back every once in a while. Once you are 18, you can move there yourself.

Absolutely, depending on your ability in all of the fields.

School plays are great places to start! You may not even know if you like to act until you try it in front of lots of people. You should do a few school plays and see if you REALLY like it. If so, and you often get the lead in the school plays, consider hiring an agent.