It’s easy to understand why acting is such a compelling career path: You get to step into someone else’s shoes, bring stories to life and contribute to the magic of performance. But while many people dream of becoming actors, some hesitate to take the leap, worried they’ll never stand out or gain traction in such a competitive field.
The truth is, it is possible to build a career as an actor. It takes skill, study, persistence — and, yes, a little bit of luck. To break down everything you need to know, USC Online spoke with experts from the USC School of Dramatic Arts: Debi Manwiller, director of the school’s Professional Development Center, and faculty member Paul Urcioli.
How Hard Is It to Become an Actor?
There’s no denying that acting is a competitive field. There are far more aspiring actors than there are roles, but by focusing on your craft and building your connections, you increase the odds of landing a successful audition. Simply put, you can’t be afraid of hard work if you want a career as an actor, said Debi Manwiller.
“It’s an entrepreneurial gig,” Manwiller told USC Online. “Even once you sign with someone, you’ve got to be hustling. You always have to be aware of what’s happening — reading the trades, networking, sending notes to casting offices, finding your community.”
What Are the First Steps for Becoming an Actor?
Like any career, acting requires training.
“If you decide you want to be an actor, go find some place that will train you — hopefully conservatory style — so you learn not only the nuts and bolts of acting, but also train your voice and body,” advised Paul Urcioli, a veteran actor and professor who leads USC’s online certificate course “The Art of Auditioning: Acting Techniques for Stage and Screen.”
By building skills through classes, practice and mentorship, you will be better prepared for auditions. From there, you’ll also need a resume and professional headshots, access to casting calls and websites and an agent to help submit you for roles.
But don’t be discouraged if you don’t immediately land a gig. It can take time to break through, so perseverance is key.
“Sometimes you can do everything right and still not get the job. … You have to make your peace with that and just keep going. The best you can do is prepare well, show them what you’ve got and hope it links up one time,” Urcioli said.
Do You Need to Take Acting Classes to Become an Actor?
Not every successful actor has formal training — some are discovered by chance. But for most, classes are the best way to develop craft and expand networks.
“Even once they graduate, I tell students they need to be taking a class. It’s like you’re an athlete — athletes have to exercise, musicians have to practice. With actors, it’s about constantly improving your craft and expanding your range,” Manwiller said.
Urcioli echoed the importance of constant practice: “Wouldn’t you want your heart surgeon to be someone who really cared in school and took it seriously? That’s how I feel about acting: It’s a profession, and I want people around me who respect it as much as I do.”
Can You Take Acting Classes Online?
Of course, it’s not always easy to find acting classes in your area, or you may find your ideal program is too far away. If you don’t have access to in-person training, online programs offer excellent alternatives.
“There are all kinds of programs across the country. USC has terrific undergraduate and graduate programs, with professors who are working professionals: actors, producers, writers and casting directors,” Manwiller explained.
Options include the online certificate course, “The Art of Auditioning: Acting Techniques for Stage and Screen,” which equips students with essential audition techniques for theater, film and television. From monologues to self-tapes and commercial auditions, students learn from industry experts, analyze scripts and practice strategies to hone their craft.
The Bottom Line
Becoming an actor is like any other career: You need the right training to succeed. If acting is your dream, you have to commit to classes, practice regularly and learn from professionals who can guide you. It’s also an evolving process — there is always more to discover and room to grow.
“You have to be willing to fail, to try things that don’t work, because that’s how you grow and find your own voice,” Manwiller said.
Once you begin pursuing roles, it’s important to recognize that rejection is inevitable. You won’t land every audition, no matter how prepared you are. What matters most is showing up consistently, putting yourself out there and refusing to let setbacks slow you down. Every experience, even the unsuccessful ones, builds resilience and helps you grow as an actor.
“The hardest part is just showing up and saying yes to the opportunity,” Urcioli said. “You don’t have to be perfect at first — just take the first step and learn as you go.”
Learn more about the online “The Art of Auditioning: Acting Techniques for Stage and Screen” certificate course from the USC School of Dramatic Arts today.