by Eric Goudie

Created on: May 25, 2009

There is no easy way to get to Broadway. Just like professional baseball players or the performers at the Grand Ol' Opry, the actors who are cast in Broadway shows are among the best in the world. That being said, acting is a skill that can be learned, practiced and perfected, so if you have sufficient patience, perseverance and a willingness to commit to the lifestyle of a successful actor, then the path to Broadway may be open to you.

These are the things that most successful Broadway actors do on a daily basis:

Work out. Take the time to work out every day, being sure to build muscle tone, flexibility and your cardio-vascular system. You need a strong, supple body and plenty of oxygen to get through a three-hour performance.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. It's essential that you are neither over nor under the ideal weight for your age, gender and build. Don't try to be ballerina thin unless you're a ballerina, and don't be fooled by the larger actors you might have seen onstage - most of them aren't overweight, but are actually big-boned enough to carry a lot of pounds without being awkward.

Build vocal capacity. Your vocal chords are muscles too, so your voice must be carefully and consistently exercised in order to keep it in good working order over your entire career. Develop a daily vocal warm-up routine and go through it whether you're currently in a show or not. When it comes to the strength of your vocal chords it is quite simply a matter of "use it or lose it."

Look for work. It's a common misnomer that theatre actors get work through their agents. While this might have been the case in days gone by more and more actors are finding stage work on their own. Most agents are focused on securing the more lucrative jobs (and therefore the ones with the larger commissions). These tend to be for the screen more than for the stage, most often in commercials, "industrials" (instructional/corporate/training videos etc), or Television. If you want to work onstage chances are you're going to have to find most of the auditions yourself, trolling the internet and making connections with directors, producers and other "friends of friends" and then calling and booking audition appointments for yourself.

Audition. You should take every opportunity you can to audition for work, even if it's not for the stage, or if it's a "cattle call" for mass talent. Whether through your agent, on your own or by invitation, you never know where the next

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