answersLogoWhite

0

Actresses are female performers who work in film, theater and television. They memorize lines and portray characters from scripts and screenplays. They may also perform other talents, depending on the role they are playing. For example, actresses in Broadway musical productions typically sing and dance in addition to acting. Travel or even relocation to work sites may be required. Acting jobs are often part-time and sporadic. Many actresses struggle to find work and may never find a 'big break' into this competitive industry.

Formal training in acting may help an actress improve her skills and career outlook.

Common Requirements Degree Level A degree isn't required, but attending an acting program can improve skills and career outlook

Degree Field

Drama, theater arts, performing arts

Key Skills Strong reading and speaking skills, memorization skills, creativity, persistence, comfortable speaking in front of audiences,

Additional Requirements

Physical stamina, ability to travel, flexible schedule

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

SteveSteve
Knowledge is a journey, you know? We'll get there.
Chat with Steve
ProfessorProfessor
I will give you the most educated answer.
Chat with Professor
ReneRene
Change my mind. I dare you.
Chat with Rene
More answers

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the education and training required for an actor.

People who become actors, producers, and directors follow many paths to employment. The most important qualities employers look for are creative instincts, innate talent, and the intellectual capacity to perform. The best way to prepare for a career as an actor, especially in the theater, is through formal dramatic training, preferably obtained as part of a bachelor's degree program. Producers and especially directors need experience in the field, either as actors or in other related jobs.

Education and training. Formal dramatic training, either through an acting conservatory or a university program, generally is necessary for these jobs, but some people successfully enter the field without it. Most people studying for a bachelor's degree take courses in radio and television broadcasting, communications, film, theater, drama, or dramatic literature. Many stage actors continue their academic training and receive a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. Advanced curricula may include courses in stage speech and movement, directing, playwriting, and design, as well as intensive acting workshops. The National Association of Schools of Theatre accredits 150 programs in theater arts.

Most aspiring actors participate in high school and college plays, work in college radio or television stations, or perform with local community theater groups. Local and regional theater experience and work in summer stock, on cruise lines, or in theme parks helps many young actors hone their skills. Membership in one of the actors' unions and work experience in smaller communities may lead to work in larger cities, notably New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. In television and film, actors and directors typically start in smaller television markets or with independent movie production companies and then work their way up to larger media markets and major studio productions. A few people go into acting after successful careers in other fields, such as broadcasting or announcing.

Actors, regardless of experience level, may pursue workshop training through acting conservatories or mentoring by a drama coach. Sometimes actors learn a foreign language or train with a dialect coach to develop an accent to make their characters more realistic.

There are no specific training requirements for producers. They come from many different backgrounds. Actors, writers, film editors, and business managers commonly enter the field. Producers often start in a theatrical management office, working for a press agent, managing director, or business manager. Some start in a performing arts union or service organization. Others work Behind the Scenes with successful directors, serve on the boards of art companies, or promote their own projects. Although there are no formal training programs for producers, a number of colleges and universities offer degree programs in arts management and in managing nonprofit organizations.

Directors often start out as actors. Many also have formal training in directing. The Directors Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers jointly sponsor the Assistant Directors Training Program. To be accepted to this highly competitive program, an individual must have either a bachelor's or associate degree or 2 years of experience and must complete a written exam and other assessments. Program graduates are eligible to become a member of the Directors Guild and typically find employment as a second assistant director.

Other qualifications. Actors need talent and creativity that will enable them to portray different characters. Because competition for parts is fierce, versatility and a wide range of related performance skills, such as singing, dancing, skating, juggling, acrobatics, or miming are especially useful. Experience in horseback riding, fencing, linguistics, or stage combat also can lift some actors above the average and get them noticed by producers and directors. Actors must have poise, stage presence, the ability to affect an audience, and the ability to follow direction. Modeling experience also may be helpful. Physical appearance, such as having certain features and being the specified size and weight, often is a deciding factor in who gets a particular role.

Many professional actors rely on agents or managers to find work, negotiate contracts, and plan their careers. Agents generally earn a percentage of the pay specified in an actor's contract. Other actors rely solely on attending open auditions for parts. Trade publications list the times, dates, and locations of these auditions.

Some actors begin as movie extras. To become an extra, one usually must be listed by casting agencies that supply extras to the major movie studios in Hollywood. Applicants are accepted only when the numbers of people of a particular type on the list, for example, athletic young women, old men, or small children, falls below what is needed. In recent years, only a very small proportion of applicants have succeeded in being listed.

Like actors, directors and producers need talent and creativity. They also need business acumen.

Advancement. As the reputations and box-office draw of actors, producers, and directors grow, they might work on bigger budget productions, on network or syndicated broadcasts, or in more prestigious theaters. Actors may advance to lead roles and receive star billing. A few actors move into acting-related jobs, such as drama coaches or directors of stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions. Some teach drama privately or in colleges and universities.

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
User Avatar

It depends on what kind of actor you'd like to be. TV actor, theatre/stage actor, film actor, commercial actor and so on.

Generally actors are recommended to have at least one (sometimes two) of the following, depending on what area of acting you want to get into:

  • Theatre Arts Education
  • Performing Arts
  • Theatre History
  • Acting Theory
  • Drama

Actors are also advised to have a good knowledge of English (or whatever their native language is), so they can read scripts and understand what makes a good story. And posses the skills to improvise their script when things go wrong, especially in theatrical/stage acting where a lot of mistakes do happen (and cannot just be cut out unlike in movies).

Some positions will also require you to know how to dance or sing. Though most movie studios will provide this education if you are selected to appear in their production (though they are more likely to select someone who already has those skills for cost-cutting reasons).

The education will also train you for dealing with being in the presence of large audiences. Even if you are not interested in theatre/stage acting, TV and film actors still act in front of a large audience as films are often made in public places. Stage fright is very common and you won't know if it affects you until you actually stand in front of a real audience. Education will help you combat stage fright.

See an advisor in your school or college for advice.
User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
User Avatar

I dont think that you need any... maybe a high school diploma at the most

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago
User Avatar

You need to be able to act. There are theatre degrees, but there are plenty of actors who learned how to act by being in plays and that kind of thing.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
User Avatar

There is no set educational standard for being an actor. Some have gone to acting school, but many have been discovered without the benefit of higher education. (i.e. Lindsay Lohan)

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
User Avatar

abb

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What type of education is required for actors?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp