If you have a flair for comedy or drama, and you’ve found satisfaction in rounding up the applause from your peers based on your performances, then acting may be a profession worth pursuing. There’s no shortage of competition in this career field, however, getting started early and making the right educational decisions from the get-go is paramount. This article will discuss some of the methods you can take to ensure that when it’s time for the casting couch, you won’t be overlooked.

1. High School

While some may look back on their high school careers with disdain, it can serve as your first jumping board into acting. At the very least, it can start to hone your skills and give you ample practice to define who you are as an actor and locate where your strengths exist. Signing up for as many theatre gigs as you can be a wise step towards achieving your acting dreams. Even if you don’t land the lead part, any bit of experience will help. You may even find that you like the other side of a production, too.

2. Experience

With the outlook of acting looking to grow by 12% in the upcoming years due to an increased demand of films and TV shows, you’ll want to garner as much experience as you can to get your foot in the door. This can be achieved by signing up for shows at your local theatres. Again, even if you don’t get the lead part, you’re still gaining experience and growing throughout the production.

This may be ample time to examine acting programs, too. There’s a multitude of them out there that seek to aid aspiring actors to hone their craft and make the connections they need to land themselves in the spotlight. By finding an accredited program that has an excellent reputation and successful turn-out, you can add to your resume as well as your skills.

3. Secondary School

While not every great actor attended college or University, you’ll find that most did. Colleges provide a rich avenue of different aspects of acting. They can challenge and prepare you for the tough road ahead. They can instruct you on the basics and help you build a foundation that you can add to, the more experience you gain. Dependent upon what degree you’re aiming for, you’ll receive all the tools you could possibly need to add your name to the billing list for a feature film or theatre production.

4. Find an Agent

Even if you gain a ton of experience and have a long list of successful productions or short films behind your name, none of that is going to matter if you can’t make the right connections. That’s where an agent comes into play. If you’re happy with the small-time stuff, then you may not need an agent, but if you’re looking to make it big and have your very own red-carpet experience, agents are usually a must. They can help you to find the right people to talk to as well as ensure you’re not making the wrong selection of films to make. After all, one wrong movie can ruin a career forever. Relying on their experience can help you succeed.