Getting started as an actor begins with developing a foundational skill set. You may have heard the old joke about a man asking a New York City taxi drive, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” The driver responds, “Practice!” It’s not the sexy response - but it’s the true one. There is no shortcut to developing the kind of skill set that leads to a life-long career in film, TV, and theater, but There are things that are really useful to know when you’re starting out that will help you chart your path more efficiently. If you have discipline, willingness and a passionate love for acting - then you’re in for the ride of your life. The cultivation of craft through ongoing study and practice is the most joyful journey toward self-discovery, growth and transformation you can possibly imagine!
Keep in mind, acting is the only art form that - when it’s done well - is completely invisible. It looks like natural, spontaneous behavior, and this is why it’s easy to underestimate the ongoing practice involved. In contrast, we don’t watch a concert pianist or a prima ballerina perform and think “that doesn’t look too complicated, I bet I could do that easily!” The mastery of all these skills is similar though – an actor engages in daily voice, speech, movement, and text exercises in the same way a musician practices scales, arpeggios, and concertos - to stay flexible and relaxed in performance.
It begins with curiosity. Acting is the study of the human condition - actors are “professional human beings.” Seek out opportunities to study in a class and build your creative community. Acting is collaborative - not a solo pursuit. Your growth is deeply affected by those who surround you - the same way, when we work out with a trainer or attend a class at the gym, we tend to challenge ourselves more than if we’re working out alone, right?!
Study acting online on-camera and improv in person, as both skill sets will be essential when you begin auditioning. When researching Acting Studios, make sure you can watch a class for free the first time. Not all acting coaches or classes are created equal - the best ones are personally diagnostic. You need to have a connection with your coach and your community in order to feel free to explore and take risks - and the only way to discover this is by observing a class first and figuring out - does this resonate for me? Do I see the actors transform when they are coached? Do I feel inspired and motivated by what I’m learning here? If the answer is yes, then - full speed ahead!
Remember that the study of acting is an apprenticeship - so make sure your coaches are people who have manifested careers for themselves and are not only teaching in an academic setting. While it’s true that there are many schools that offer degrees in Theater or Drama - the most powerful actors are irreverent, primal anarchists - which doesn’t sit so well in the world of academia. Additionally, it’s important to explore different approaches to acting - but it’s also vital to stay in one setting for a long enough period of time that you can really gauge your growth. Too often, aspiring actors will become serial class-takers, but leave after just a couple of sessions instead of sticking around for the really transformational work that requires sustained practice. “Love takes time, and love makes time.” If becoming a skilled actor is your goal - make the time to focus on it consistently in order to experience real change. For example - set aside at least 3-5 hours per week for in-class study, reading scripts, doing physical and vocal exercises. Bonus points if you can also see a piece of theater or a classic film once every couple of weeks. Want to be part of film and theater history? It’s important to study it.
The study of acting requires both subjective and objective experience – meaning, it’s important to be coached in a class (for example, on a monologue or a scene) and also to observe others being coached, as it’s often easier to notice and understand your own blocks by watching others grapple with them. It’s important to study in a group setting because acting is a public art form, and studying in private tends to drive us further into our own heads. Finally - Acting requires Action. Watching videos and reading about technique can introduce the craft, but acting only develops when breath, body, voice, and text are working together in real time, not just watching YouTube or MasterClass.com. Acting is more energetic and emotional than intellectual! Make sure you’re out there having your own unique experience and learning from it.
Committed actors keep training their whole lives. They work scenes, monologues, audition sides. They make choices. They receive direct feedback and adjust.
“Action Absorbs Anxiety”
“I convince myself I am an actor by my actions - and the world is my witness.”
At the foundational level, actors need:
- Guided scene, monologue study
- Text analysis work
- Audition technique
- Breath, Voice, and Speech training
- Movement that encourages flexibility and alignment
- Specific, personalized feedback from a coach in a group setting
- A vibrant community of dedicated peers who support and encourage you
- Practice in a group setting (acting is public, not private)
Acting is not built from observation alone. It’s built from experience, adjustment, and repetition. When you’re coached in the moment, your work becomes specific, embodied, and playable — not theoretical.
That’s where real growth begins.