So, you want to act? The idea of being on stage or in front of a camera is thrilling to you and you just have to do it!? Well, it may surprise you to find out that if you live in or near a major city there are abundant opportunities for learning the craft of acting and advancing onto the stage or screen. And with the right commitment and course of action, you may find the lights sooner than you thought!
For this piece I will focus primarily on theatre acting and on two concrete steps you can take to begin your journey onto the stage. While in most communities the theatre and film world is made up of the same cast of characters (and familiarity with one will only help you with the other), it is my belief that live theatre is where you find the people most dedicated to and trained in the pure art of acting.
These are the two things I highly recommend to begin the exploration of your up-to-now hidden talent:
1) Find the best community-based acting school in your town. Though top-level classes are offered at local universities, many small acting studios are staffed by university trained and highly regarded instructors. Where I live, (Seattle) the University of Washington has one of the best acting programs in the country, but I took all my classes at a small studio that has a faculty made up primarily of UW graduates. So, even though my classes cost a fraction of what they would cost at the University, the instruction is just as solid and the class sizes are smaller, which allows for greater interaction with teachers. In most cities you can find at least one well-staffed acting studio with beginner classes offered in the $250 - $500 range.
When selecting an acting studio or class, be sure to research the biography of the instructor(s) and pay close attention to where they were trained, how long they have been performing and who they have worked and studied with. It may seem counter-intuitive, but if their bio lists a bunch of household names (well known Hollywood stars) it may be a sign that they are less interested in craft than in career. Many of the best teachers I know studied under people that are widely regarded in the field as pioneers and innovators—people less interested in advancing their own careers than in sharing their art. The key here is research: take the time to know the talent that is the engine of the school or studio. Again, small does not mean bad—it may mean the opposite.
2) Volunteer at a local theatre, again with an eye on selecting the one with the best reputation among actors and theatre professionals. Many small theatres have wonderful directors and production teams and are very open to “hiring” people with an enthusiasm for theatre, regardless of experience level. Ushering at a local theatre is a great way to begin as it offers the immediate benefit of making you known to theatre staff (and it will get you into shows for free). In addition, you will become familiar with the quality acting schools in the area.
Beyond ushering, you can inquire as to whether the theatre is in need of an assistant stage manager, a technical volunteer (sound, lights, set construction), or, if they are very small and accessible, even an assistant director. Be clear about your interest and candid about your experience level at the start. There are many common sense jobs that need to be done for each production, but the theatre needs to know exactly what you are prepared to do in order to fit you in the best spot. And don’t forget that the quality most helpful to any theatre professional (especially actors) is a thick skin…or at least the awareness that if they say ‘thanks but no thanks,’ DON’T take it personally. Just move on to the next opportunity and consider the rejection preparation for your first round of auditions.
This is where you begin your journey onto the stage: in small, local theatres and studios. It may surprise you how quickly you can learn the in’s and out’s of the local theatre world while you develop basic acting skills; I have seen many people move very quickly from theatre novice to semi-professional (myself included). That does not mean it is easy, it requires great dedication and tons of work.
It is my firm belief that acting is a learned art. There are some “naturals,” but this craft is one that must be studied and absorbed. See as much theatre as you can—professional and fringe. Read the backstories of actors that interest you (and playwrights). Read plays and screenplays and professional reviews. Most of all, enjoy the adventure—there is nothing quite like acting for the stage. It is a tremendously challenging yet hugely rewarding and exciting adventure. Or, as David Mamet famously warned and promised the student actor:
"If you intend to follow the truth you feel in yourself - to follow your common sense and force your will to serve you in the quest for discipline and simplicity - you will subject yourself to profound despair, loneliness and constant self-doubt. And if you persevere, the Theatre, which you are learning to serve, will grace you, now and then, with the greatest exhilaration it is possible to know.”
