People can get into acting by understanding the theater, film and television industry. They should see shows, read scripts, monologues and audition for roles with theater and screen as much as possible. They can take performance classes and work backstage with crew to help their chances.
Taking Classes To Become an Actor
Many beginning actors take classes during the day and often at night as many have day jobs. Classes which develop the acting technique, voice and improvisation skills are often the primary way for beginning actors to get into the industry.
Taking classes should develop an actor’s technique, expand their overall knowledge of the different kinds of performances develop and overall confidence in order to be ready to audition for local community theater or for acting schools. If an actor is wishing to audition for the top notch schools around the world they would have to develop the acting technique and have experience of the highest quality. However, we all have to begin somewhere and often taking classes is the way to go.
Community Classes for an Actor
The top classes are more likely to help beginning actors to develop their skills in breaking into acting. Related classes such as circus skills are used as examples of side hustles which help develop confidence in related fields.
- Improvisation: These classes usually have theater games at their core. The games, exercises and activities require actors to work as an ensemble and to think on the spot. The classes also encourage their imagination and confidence in expressing oneself onstage with others.
- Character Building: Actors discover and analyze a character usually from a well known play. They explore his or her psyche, intentions within the context of the play, blocks and obstacles which prevent him or her achieving their objective and well as their relationship with other characters.
- Scene Work: Rehearse and perform scenes from different genres. Learn acting techniques from Stanislavski, Hagen and Meisner for example. Understand how to create a character and bring a scene to life. Explore voice and physicality. Trust their spontaneity and imagination.
- Voice: These usually cover vocal warm-ups, breath support, resonance, freeing the voice, relaxation techniques, vocal quality and articulation. Often people read poetry, monologues and scripts within these classes.
- Sight Reading or Cold Reading: Knowing how to utilize a script, analyze it and memorize the main parts are essential. Learning techniques to use parts of scripts or sides during an onscreen camera audition or in the theater most effectively. Cold Reading techniques are becoming more and more utilized by casting directors and this class will be a good one to have under your belt if you are waiting to break into screen acting especially.
- Auditioning for commercial classes will teach you everything about commercials – from auditioning, reading scripts, to improvising, to behaving on a commercial shoot. Knowing how to best utilize the process to your advantage.
- Body and Movement Classes: The classes help to explore ways to free up and relax the body. Discovering how to best utilize limbs, torso and the head depending on the exercise. Some classes often involve the Alexander Technique, which is very popular in mainstream drama schools and classes. Many courses also involve stretching and strengthening exercises.
- Classical Acting Classes: The classes explore the They teach voice and movement techniques, reading Shakespeare and other classical literature, and how to perform according to the standards of the day and in modern day expectations. These classes are suited to those who wish to pursue The Elizabethan era style plays. In conjunction with this class, voice classes are also a must.
- Accent Classes: Because a lot of work is found in the United States, actors from outside this country often learn the standard American accent as Part of repertoire. However, there are classes for nearly every type of accent there are in the world. Classes explore at tonality, resonance, muscle movement ,vocal sounds and they often record actors reading scripts for analysis.
- Stage Combat: Stage combat classes require people to utilise bodily strength combined with acting skills to portray a particular movement in a scene or a role. These classes often cover how to punch, kick, fall from a great height, and how to utilize a variety of weapons such as knives, guns and swords. Often the detailed these types of lead into stunt work.
- Mixed Genre Courses: These classes can contain content which can have any variety of performance genres such as singing, voice, improv, body movement, musical exploration etc. The aim is for actors to expand their awareness of their talents while exploring a variety of styles of performance.
- Circus Courses: Although not directly related to acting, many actors have started out from using their circus skills. Related to the body movement genre, these classes develop the skill set needed for a variety of circus based performances. From tight-rope walking, to aerial silks, lyra, hula hooping, dance, contortion, adagio, as well as stretch and flex classes.
Knowing The Industry as an Actor
Researching the History of Theater and the different modes of performance within theater, will help the beginning actor’s overall knowledge. The more you know, the more likely you are to implement a technique or skill needed from a director or casting director. Then they more likely you will be to land a role.
Researching the differences between local theater professional theater will give an actor a good perspective of what is needed to be involved. Actors need to actively investigate and see as much theater and performances as possible.
Generally professional theater’s overall design, concept and production qualities should be higher than that of local theatre. And by that the actors the cast the crew are getting paid to put on professional productions. Community theatre on the other hand, most people are voluntarily participating. However, productions are often of high quality.
There are plenty of websites and videos online that explain how someone can get into acting and learn about theatre acting, developing the voice, movement on stage, stage business, use of props and how to deal with cast and crew.
Also understanding the different roles the crew undertake is also very important to understand. For example the stage manager; is probably the most important backstage crew person that a production has. The stage manager is in charge of the technical crew as well as the cast members. They also have to run the stage and make sure everything runs smoothly.
It is also handy to know how the technical side of things work. Knowing how the stage lighting process is done such as light plotting, alongside with the audio such as how music and or sound effects is used is also important.
Knowledge of Film and Screen Acting
The beginning actor needs to understand how to put together an acting resume and find an actor’s agent and know how to audition for the screen. The actor needs to understand that the screen acting process is completely different to that of the theatrical process. From call sheets, to makeup calls, to filming sequences within a scene. Often scenes are filmed out-of-sequence an actor has to keep up the emotional connection while knowing what scene they are entering into and out of.
Once again acting classes should come in very handy when attempting to audition and act for the screen. So taking specific classes geared for screen acting is very important.
Filming can start extremely early in the morning and go to the evening hours. The hours are often long and arduous. The waiting is even worse.That is half the battle of getting through the day is dealing with the wait time.
It has been known that some actors have begun their careers working as crew for small production teams, such as television commercials, short films and small stage plays. Many get the acting bug and want to join in as an actor and go from there. Sometimes actors move from being in front of the screen to become a director or producer of a small production which often happens.
Finding Auditions for Actors
Depending on the town or city near the actor, there could be a number of audition notices for community theater. Some can be found in your local newspaper, community notice boards, facebook pages to emails. Often auditions are notified by word of mouth. Also check the websites of your local community theater, they will often post audition notices there.
Auditions should state the time place to audition phone numbers email address and roles they are wanting actors to audition for. If Auditioning for a straight play actors may need to come with the script prepared. Or you will be handed a script to read as in cold reading or sight-reading. If auditioning for musical theatre you will need a song to sing and be prepared to dance or move. If you really want to be at your best, check out if there are any audition classes in your area nearby.
From Backstage Crew to an Actor
Another way to get into theater is to be of service. Many people begin by helping as backstage crew, such as moving stage furniture or stage sets, and helping with stage props. Other people help sourcing and fixing costumes. The roles are varied.
Also getting involved as lighting and or Sound operators can be another way to enter into the theatre. And In fact many technical crews have begun their journey into theater by wanting to be an actor and then at some stage realising that their skills were more utilised for the technical side of Theatre.
From prompts, to curtain lifters, to stage managers to lighting, there are areas in which any beginning actor might want to explore before hitting the stage floorboards.
As long as you provide a good service and have a good attitude your entry into community theatre will be probably a fair way of entering.
Developing Relationships for Actors
Most people become actors by auditioning for shows. Once you are in a show you get known which helps develop relationships with fellow actors and crew as well as musicians. This can build your connections and links with fellow colleagues. Often it is who you know not what you know, which can help you land a role. This is especially true in community theater.
Many people begin acting at high school level. They audition for school shows and participate in the drama programs. Starting at school level can give a person a great lead into what to expect with a community theater.
Many universities have drama and on-screen programs where student directors are often looking for actors to fulfil roles. This is a great opportunity to showcase your talent and learn more about the industry in a fundamental way. You can volunteer to help, or put your availability on a noticeboards or social media for filmmakers to see.
Develop Your Special Skills to Become an Actor
To get into acting it would behove you if you developed a special skill. If you are able to ride a unicycle, juggle, fire-eat, use circus skills, have a particular dance style, know martial arts, magic, do a type of sport, ride a horse, know stage combat and stunts or play a musical instrument. These are just a few skills which might help you land a role in a stage and or theatrical production. Hone in on these skills and keep developing other skills as you go along your journey.
Give It a Go
Don’t let fear get in your way. When an opportunity arises, take it. If you are asked to do a speech, do it. If someone asks your to read a eulogy, wedding speech, or speak on behalf of them, give it a go. Practice speaking your speeches on Youtube and get public feedback (if you’re brave).
Develop Your Acting Profile/Brand
Other ways to get into acting on stage and or theater are to develop your own brand. Develop your own short film or stage projects and act them out on screen. Upload to social media such as Youtube or Facebook. Put an actors page out there on Facebook or Instagram, or start a cheap blog using the free WordPress website.
In other words, begin to put yourself out there and make connections with those who are already in the industry. New talent is always welcome, especially in community theater.
Good luck with your journey.
