How to start a acting career

It’s important that you’re prepared for the reality of this business: as an actor, there’s no guarantee of success in the traditional sense. Sure, making it big is about talent—but it’s also about having good luck and the right connections. That’s why it’s vital to make sure you’re pursuing a professional acting career for the right reasons.

“Often actors are mainly focused on questions like, ‘How do I get representation?’ or ‘How do I get work?’ but perhaps the first question to ask oneself, if one is just beginning, is ‘Why do I want to act?’” says casting director Ilene Starger. “If it’s about the work and the process, terrific; if it’s about becoming famous, that is a far more elusive goal—and one which will lead to disappointment, most likely.”

May 25, 2025 | 7:55 am