The acting profession is increasingly competitive and work for actors is sporadic. Self belief, perseverance and confidence are vital, but you need to be realistic and aware of the facts.
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Actors work professionally an average of 11.3 weeks of the year
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Except for those at the top of the profession, performers earn comparatively low salaries. Most have to undertake alternative employment between engagements.
Despite the gloomy statistics, the personal rewards involved in a career in drama can be immense. How many people can claim they’re making a living doing something they really want to do?
At School?
If you’re at school and desperate to act, the advice of the industry is to stay within mainstream education before applying to drama school. Drama schools take students from the age of 18 and often have academic entry requirements. Because of the precarious nature of a career in drama, students are advised to take full advantage of their general education and obtain as high a standard of academic qualifications as possible. Maturity is also essential and it’s not unusual for schools to suggest younger applicants re-audition after a gap year.
To pursue a career in stage management or technical theatre, it’s equally advisable to complete your general education before undertaking an NCDT accredited course. The employment prospects for this are much brighter, a recent study showing an almost 100% employment rate for graduates from NCDT accredited programmes.
See Taking Part for how you can get involved with youth and amateur theatre, study drama whilst at school and build up valuable experience.
Why Train?
Untrained people can and do become actors. There are no formal entry requirements. But without a chance break, it’s very difficult to begin acting professionally. Training will give you the exposure you need to begin, and more importantly, the physical rigor and self-discipline you’ll need to continue.
Actors, stage managers and theatre technicians need professional skills. These take several years to learn and those who aspire to a lifelong career will build on this base through their subsequent experience. A report carried out by the Institute of Manpower Studies on behalf of the Arts Council of England found that:
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86% of actors working in the profession had received formal professional training.
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