BLOG #009 How to Become an Actor with No Experience
Embarking on an acting career with no experience can feel daunting, but the truth is, every actor starts somewhere. Acting is not about where you begin; it’s about your willingness to explore, grow, and uncover the depth of who you are. The journey to becoming an actor is as much about self-discovery as it is about honing a craft, and the first step is to embrace the person you are today.
1. Build Your Confidence: Embrace Who You Are
Acting requires a deep understanding and acceptance of yourself. Before stepping into the spotlight, take the time to work through any insecurities that may hold you back. You cannot embody someone else’s truth until you fully embrace your own.
When I first began acting, my height felt like a barrier. I wanted so desperately to be a leading lady, but I felt “too tall,” towering over the leading men. Every audition seemed to amplify my insecurity as comments about my height left me questioning my place in this world. It took years, but I eventually learned to celebrate my height as a unique strength rather than a weakness. That shift in perspective not only improved my acting but also my life.
Ask yourself: What stories am I telling myself about who I am? Whether it’s your appearance, your voice, or something else entirely, let go of those doubts. Acting demands vulnerability and courage—and it starts with self-love.
2. Practice: Become a Student of Your Craft
Acting isn’t just about talent; it’s about empathy, discipline, and practice. Begin with the fundamentals: the words. Acting often involves speaking the words of another—writers who have crafted stories that demand truth and authenticity. One way to prepare is to read aloud daily for 10–20 minutes. This simple habit strengthens your voice, improves your articulation, and helps you develop a natural rhythm with words.
Take it a step further by layering emotions onto your reading. Explore what happiness, sadness, anger, or grief feel like in your body. How does your posture shift? What happens to your voice? Acting is about creating genuine emotional connections, so record yourself reading passages with different emotions and play them back. Ask yourself, Do I believe what I’m hearing?
Next, explore scripts. You can find short monologues or scenes online. Memorize a piece and perform it with different intentions—playful, desperate, confident—and see how it evolves. This practice will not only sharpen your skills but will also help you decide if acting is something you want to pursue professionally.
3. Prepare for Auditions: Test Your Commitment
Auditions are a gateway into the industry, and they demand preparation, focus, and resilience. Casting directors may ask you to memorize sides—short excerpts of a script—in just 1–3 days. This can range from 2 to 8 pages, and you’ll need to show up ready to embody the character.
Try practicing with sides to see if this is something you enjoy. The process of auditioning can be exhilarating but also challenging. Remember, you won’t book every role—and that’s okay. Each audition is an opportunity to learn, refine your skills, and build confidence.
4. Invest in Training: Learn From Experts
Once you’ve decided to pursue acting, seek out professional training. Acting classes, whether in-person or online, provide a space to grow under the guidance of experienced instructors. A good acting coach will help you refine your technique, expand your emotional range, and give you the tools to navigate the industry with confidence.
Beyond technical skills, acting classes also connect you with a community of like-minded individuals. The relationships you build can be a source of encouragement and inspiration throughout your journey.
5. Stay Resilient: Embrace the Process
Acting is a lifelong pursuit, one that requires patience, perseverance, and a deep connection to yourself and the world around you. There will be rejections, long hours, and moments of doubt, but there will also be breakthroughs, connections, and triumphs.
Each step—whether it’s practicing a monologue, attending a class, or going to an audition—adds to your growth. Acting is about discovering the human experience in all its complexity. The more you invest in yourself, the richer your performances will become.
Above all, remember that your journey is uniquely yours. Take it one step at a time. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and trust that if this dream is in your heart, it’s there for a reason. Acting has the power to transform not only your life but the lives of those who witness your work.
The path may not always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
xoxo
Jamie Ann Burke
