How do I become a professional actor?

How do you become a professional actor?

• I've dreamed about becoming an actor for the last few years now. I'm 23 and I live in Dublin, Ireland. I've been to an acting school and been part of several productions ...show more

• Answer:

  Basically, to make a start as an actor, you'd need to - 1) Have loads of natural talent. 2) Get a few years of training at a good, accredited acting school, going from the basic classes to advanced ones. 3) Get experience in a wide range of stage plays and shows – not regular high school stuff 4) Learn to sing and dance if possible. 5) Train for a good ordinary job as well, one you can work free-lance, as you’ll need it. Almost all actors work at least one other job just to survive. 6) Ideally study Drama at degree-level at drama school or university. If you plan on getting any work in the UK, you HAVE to get into drama school – agents won’t even consider you if you don’t. 7) After all the above, try to find an agent who will accept you. 8) When you get an agent, which is how you find auditions, try to win a few auditions out of the hundreds you'll have to apply for. Just bear in mind that all that hard work isn't enough - you also need huge talent, dedication, determination, resilience and luck. And sadly, the best that almost all actors will ever get is 2 or 3 weeks paid acting work a year - that's the average - and will never get more than a few minor roles in small productions.