by Nicole Scott

Created on: March 04, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

It's not easy, being an actor. But of course, you've heard that before. Perhaps that doesn't scare you, perhaps it thrills you or you just think it's a load of bull. Whatever your feelings on the subject, nothing I say will deter you from pursuing your dream as an actor. So I might as well not even try and just tell you some secrets of the biz. What I'm here to glorify isn't Hollywood or television, it's community theatre. Not interested? Want your name in lights? Well, to make it in Hollywood is more a game of luck than Vegas ever was. So please, hear me out, you might find something you can use.

Maybe you starred in your Highschool Drama class. You brought down the house as Othello or Maria from West Side Story and maybe that's the extent of your acting experience. For a minute, imagine your acting resume, with only your experience on it. Then imagine three other people's acting resume's. They all look relatively the same, don't they? Highschool experience, no real world experience. That's not going to impress many talent agents or directors. So how do you get experience? And when will the big bucks start rolling in?

Sorry to break it to you, but working as an actor is rather lacking in the funds department. At least on the lower end of the spectrum. But what you need to do is look in your local paper's entertainment section, find some local community theatre's around town and go and see a few shows. After you've found a particular theatre you like, call them up, ask for an audition. Perhaps they have season auditions you can go to, or on an appointment basis. Don't worry too much about not having a headshot or a killer resume, just go into your audition with your head held high and do your very best. They might surprise you and offer you a role on the spot, or they may take time to get back to you. But either way, at least you got yourself out there. Whatever you do, make sure that you tell them that you are willing to work. And that they need to hire you right then and there because of it.

Now, they may not call. Not because you weren't any good, just because they don't have anything your talents are needed for. But I'm going to let you in on another little secret. A back-way in, so to speak. Offer to work on a show or shows backstage. If you can sew, offer to make costumes. Find a way to be involved by asking what they need help with. You'd be surprised at how grateful many of these community theatres can get. And after they see your willingness to work, it's only a matter of time before they call you up and give you a role!

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