How do I get started toward an acting career?

I've been doing community theatre for about 8 years, and I really want to move to NYC within the next year to pursue this further, but what is the best way to go about that? I'm interested in stage acting and film acting, I just want to get my foot in the door. Do I just go to auditions as much as I can? Or is there a better way that might get me better results? Get an agent?
Answer:

NYC is a highly competitve city. It's in your best interest to first find success in your own hometown. Granted not all cities have Hollywood movies and tv shows filming there, but you will probably have community/professional theaters and indy filmmakers. The best thing you can try to do is get your equity card before moving to NYC or L.A. It's really not go to as many auditions as you can. Are you landing any of them? It's get as much good experience as you can. Fine tune yourself and become a success in a smaller market. If there are agents in your hometown, def try to work with them first. I would suggest to sign up for an acting class. In class, you'll discover if you even enjoy acting and they will be able to walk you step by step on how to develop a career in acting. Make sure to find a school and teacher that has been a working actor. You need to learn from someone who has succeed in this tough business.

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