How can I be better at acting?

How can I get better and better at acting besides acting classes and joining local plays?

• I mean, is there a way that you could practice acting alone in your house everyday. Because unlike singing, sports or playing an instrument which you could practice and train everyday ...show more

• Answer:

  Seems to me that the way to become a better actor is to act -- in school productions, in local community theatre, anyplace where you get a chance to practice your craft. Not sure how you can effectively practice acting alone in your house without another actor to interact with, or an acting coach to observe your performance and offer feedback. I suppose you could video yourself doing a dramatic monologue or something, then watch the video and critique your own performance -- IF you have the capacity to be objectively critical of your own performance. Not everyone does. Of course the scope of the roles you get makes a difference, as does your personality and natural talent. But a good actor can take even a small role and create emotional depth, and a lousy actor can take a role with potential depth and make the character look like a shallow cardboard cutout.