There are many routes to becoming an actor, including gaining experience through amateur theater groups, work experience at theaters, or jobs in entertainment. Formal training is not required but can be beneficial, though a degree in acting or performing arts may improve chances primarily due to practical coursework. Successful actors come from various backgrounds, and experience in drama societies or other performing arts can supplement training. The roles of an actor include attending rehearsals, working closely with the director to understand their vision, and potentially contributing ideas for productions. Actors must collaborate with directors, writers, and audiences to effectively perform and communicate meaning. Many actors eventually pursue writing, directing, or producing their own work after gaining experience acting.

1. ACTING IN THE INDUSTRY
JACK WATERMAN
PROJECT
DATE CLIENT 25.09.14

2. ROUTES INTO
ACTING
There is no single route to becoming an actor. Experience is
an important factor and it is also impossible to discount the
importance of talent, determination, hard work and luck. It
may be beneficial to join a local amateur dramatics group,
undertake work experience at a theatre or on one of the BBC
Careers work placement schemes in order to gain a wider
understanding of how specific areas of the industry operate.
A number of noted actors entered the industry through
working as holiday camp entertainers or taking similar jobs
with a tour operator or holiday resort. Others start by joining
a local theatre group as a child and gaining small parts in
television programmes or adverts.
Although specific training may not be a formal requirement, a
very large and increasing number of actors have undertaken
formal training in acting or the performing arts.
A degree or HND in these areas may help to improve your
chances of following a career in acting, largely due to any
practical course work involved, but acting is open to all and
many successful actors do not have a drama degree.
Students of other disciplines may gain acting experience
through drama societies and actors often have links with
other performing disciplines such as Music

3. ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILI
TIES OF AN
ACTOR
AN ACTOR IS OF COURSE
EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL
REHEARSALS, BE
CONSCIENTIOUS, PREPARED
AND WORK CLOSELY WITH
THE DIRECTOR AS TO TAKE
ON BOARD THERE VISION
AND AIMS FOR A PIECE. IF
WORKING FOR A PRODUCING
HOUSE OR A DEVISING
THEATRE COMPANY AN
ACTOR WOULD BE
EXPECTED TO BRING IDEAS

4. OTHER
DEPARTMENTS
AND ROLES
THAT AN
ACTOR WORKS
CLOSELY WITH
AN ACTOR MUST WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE
DIRECTOR IN ORDER TO TAKE ON BOARD THEIR
VISION FOR THEIR ACTING AND WHAT THEY WANT
TO GET ACROSS. THE ACTOR MUST BE OBEDIENT
IN A SENSE TO THE DIRECTOR AND FOLLOW
THERE PLAN OF HOW SCENES SHOULD RUN.
AN ACTOR SOMETIMES WILL COMMUNICATE WITH
WRITERS. IN DOING THIS THEY CAN GET A BETTER
UNDERSTANDING OF THE WRITERS CHARACTERS
AND THERE MOTIVATIONS. ALSO THE CONTEXT OF
THE SCRIPT AND HOW THE WRITER INTENDED
THERE PLAY TO BE PERFORMED. IN A SENSE
ACTORS MUST ALSO WORK WITH THEIR AUDIENCE
IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE THE PLAY IN AN
EFFECTIVE WAY. IT IS THE ACTORS ROLE TO
INVOKE EMOTION IN THE AUDIENCE AND THEY

5. PROGRESSI
ON ROUTES
FROM
ACTING
MANY ACTORS GO ON INTO
WRITING OR DIRECTING
AFTER ACTING. THIS IS A
SOUND CAREER PATH
BECAUSE ACTING WOULD
GIVE ONE AN
UNDERSTANDING OF HOW
THEATRE WORKS. MANY
ACTORS MAY WANT TO
PROFUSE THERE OWN
PIECES AS OPPOSED TO
BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO.
SOME ACTORS MAY LOOK TO

6. ANY QUESTIONS?