2 answers
Mohrgan
Student
Sugar Land, Texas
1
Question
Updated
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How can I build my professional acting portfolio while being active in college, what will professional companies most look for ?
I'm a seventeen year old in high school, and am going to college for theatre. More specifically live theatre. I've had experience in competitive and community plays in the past and have enjoyed both experiences thoroughly. However, I've never experienced theatre on a professional level, as there haven't been any opportunities available to me. This is concerning as I intend to become a professional actor post-college, and have currently had zero experience to put in my portfolio. What are the most important factors that casting agents look for in an applicant, how can I build those skills during college so Ill have experience in the field prior to application?
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2520
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mohrgan !
I'd be happy to answer your questions about acting before you head off to college as a Theatre Major !
Actors are not asked for a portfolio, rather photos, a resume and a reel. A reel is a collection of short clips from work you have done and if you do not have that, you can create a sample short commercial, or UGC - user generated content, portraying a variety of scenarios, but very short clips. Keep in mind that you may not be ready before college for professional (paid) theatre just yet, so no one would expect you to have the experience just yet, at 17, but do not underestimate the experience you already have. That can go on your resume. You also do not apply for acting work, you audition.
College is going to teach you everything you'll need to know to be ready for your career after you graduate college. Try not to think too far ahead. By the time you're well into your first semester, you will move forward knowing exactly how to pursue your acting career. It's just a mystery right now because it is a thought. Remember, every performance you have done so far is experience and is shown on your resume.
The most important things that a casting director looks for are - how the actor looks and how the actor sounds. Yeah, too simple, but true. They also do readings of the script with one or two other actors just to gauge the look and chemistry. It's part of the business: no one ever knows exactly what the director is looking for. You just do a good performance at an audition and wait to hear back. It's no more complicated than that.
When getting the advice of needing experience, it's not so much the skill you'll obtain in acting class, it's actual shows that will show your level of experience on your resume. Knowing how to act doesn't mean you're experienced, it means you have the knowledge, ability, creativity and identify as an actor. The experience part comes from being in a variety of types of plays, film, television and any other projects. That shows the director that you are consistent enough, good to work with, and have command of your craft.
I am not sure what you mean by opportunities were not given to you. Did you audition and not get the part ? Are you not familiar with the live theatres that do plays in Sugar Land, Texas ? There are four theatres that you will need to become familiar with this summer - Inspiration Stage, Radio Music Theatre, Arena Theatre (in Houston), and Theatre Southwest. Also, look into Company On Stage Theatre in Houston. Visit their websites and visit in person or call to ask their process for auditions. Start becoming very familiar with plays by reading a good variety of scripts. My advice is to do a couple of plays in college on campus at first, but build most of your experience in theatres off campus in the community.
You can also think about getting some actor friends together and start an acting troupe and do original plays in the community at various venues that would be receptive to having this done, say, in a park, at a landmark, faith based venues, or even create videos of stories.
I started acting so many decades ago and things were different than they are today. You may want to check this with a newer beginning theatre professional, but back then, I received the advice that plays done in the community, not affiliated with high school or college, carry more weight than high school or college plays. Because of this, I started doing all my acting at theatres and other media off campus, not affiliated with school. But ask one of your professors if this is the case in this day and age.
Getting paid work as an actor doesn't happen because we want it, it's a process and we all start out not getting paid, working in nice theatres but local. Once you graduate, you can decide to relocate for more opportunities if that's what you decide to do after college. Try not to think of the career before you start training, learn all about acting and get the experience that makes you feel ready.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
I'd be happy to answer your questions about acting before you head off to college as a Theatre Major !
Actors are not asked for a portfolio, rather photos, a resume and a reel. A reel is a collection of short clips from work you have done and if you do not have that, you can create a sample short commercial, or UGC - user generated content, portraying a variety of scenarios, but very short clips. Keep in mind that you may not be ready before college for professional (paid) theatre just yet, so no one would expect you to have the experience just yet, at 17, but do not underestimate the experience you already have. That can go on your resume. You also do not apply for acting work, you audition.
College is going to teach you everything you'll need to know to be ready for your career after you graduate college. Try not to think too far ahead. By the time you're well into your first semester, you will move forward knowing exactly how to pursue your acting career. It's just a mystery right now because it is a thought. Remember, every performance you have done so far is experience and is shown on your resume.
The most important things that a casting director looks for are - how the actor looks and how the actor sounds. Yeah, too simple, but true. They also do readings of the script with one or two other actors just to gauge the look and chemistry. It's part of the business: no one ever knows exactly what the director is looking for. You just do a good performance at an audition and wait to hear back. It's no more complicated than that.
When getting the advice of needing experience, it's not so much the skill you'll obtain in acting class, it's actual shows that will show your level of experience on your resume. Knowing how to act doesn't mean you're experienced, it means you have the knowledge, ability, creativity and identify as an actor. The experience part comes from being in a variety of types of plays, film, television and any other projects. That shows the director that you are consistent enough, good to work with, and have command of your craft.
I am not sure what you mean by opportunities were not given to you. Did you audition and not get the part ? Are you not familiar with the live theatres that do plays in Sugar Land, Texas ? There are four theatres that you will need to become familiar with this summer - Inspiration Stage, Radio Music Theatre, Arena Theatre (in Houston), and Theatre Southwest. Also, look into Company On Stage Theatre in Houston. Visit their websites and visit in person or call to ask their process for auditions. Start becoming very familiar with plays by reading a good variety of scripts. My advice is to do a couple of plays in college on campus at first, but build most of your experience in theatres off campus in the community.
You can also think about getting some actor friends together and start an acting troupe and do original plays in the community at various venues that would be receptive to having this done, say, in a park, at a landmark, faith based venues, or even create videos of stories.
I started acting so many decades ago and things were different than they are today. You may want to check this with a newer beginning theatre professional, but back then, I received the advice that plays done in the community, not affiliated with high school or college, carry more weight than high school or college plays. Because of this, I started doing all my acting at theatres and other media off campus, not affiliated with school. But ask one of your professors if this is the case in this day and age.
Getting paid work as an actor doesn't happen because we want it, it's a process and we all start out not getting paid, working in nice theatres but local. Once you graduate, you can decide to relocate for more opportunities if that's what you decide to do after college. Try not to think of the career before you start training, learn all about acting and get the experience that makes you feel ready.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Hello, Michelle!
I appreciate your thorough response, its incredible to hear such a detailed response from people actually working in the field! I was only semi- aware of how far ahead I was thinking, but Its good to be assured that, that is not a worry for me as of yet. I tend to get in my head about what exactly people look for in context of a job, or career path, so hearing how simple the process genuinely is puts me at ease. I appreciate how easily you put it, much of the advice I have gotten from other actors I've been around has made the process sound much more strenuous. I wont ramble on too long, Id just like to thank you for such a compassionate and well thought out response, your advice really settled my nerves.
Thank you for your time!
Mohrgan
You are very welcome and I am happy to help out !
Michelle M.
Alexis Camins
IT Manager at Los Angeles County - Professional Actor
40
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Alexis’s Answer
If you’re majoring in theater, that’s where you’ll get your experience right there.
Depending on the school and program, you should be able to take a variety of theater classes, including acting. Take as many different theater classes as you can. It may not seem related, but the more you know about all aspects of theater, from theater history to lighting to costume design, the better theater artist you’ll be, no matter what discipline you end up focusing on.
Audition for everything you can! In addition to the theater department, keep an eye out for opportunities with student groups or the music department or anywhere else. Every chance to perform is a chance to put what you learn into practice and meet new people. And start a resume now. It doesn’t have to be professional work. If you did a show, throw it on there.
Find the nearest professional theater near your school and see what opportunities are available. There could be audition opportunities for small parts for non-Union actors or internships for front or back of house.
And of course, soak up all the performance and art you can. Everything that feeds you as a curious human being will feed you as an artist.
Best of luck and enjoy undergrad!
Depending on the school and program, you should be able to take a variety of theater classes, including acting. Take as many different theater classes as you can. It may not seem related, but the more you know about all aspects of theater, from theater history to lighting to costume design, the better theater artist you’ll be, no matter what discipline you end up focusing on.
Audition for everything you can! In addition to the theater department, keep an eye out for opportunities with student groups or the music department or anywhere else. Every chance to perform is a chance to put what you learn into practice and meet new people. And start a resume now. It doesn’t have to be professional work. If you did a show, throw it on there.
Find the nearest professional theater near your school and see what opportunities are available. There could be audition opportunities for small parts for non-Union actors or internships for front or back of house.
And of course, soak up all the performance and art you can. Everything that feeds you as a curious human being will feed you as an artist.
Best of luck and enjoy undergrad!