Why is it EASY to get acting roles?

Question

I'm sorry, but so many people on here say it's hard to get roles in acting. But I work as a tour guide, and so many of my co-workers come in bragging they just got a new acting role in some theater play downtown. Come again? I thought it was difficult to get roles, and you had to really audition alot, and have an agent, and so forth. Every other week, without fail, a fellow tour guide will come in saying "Yep finished a show, and about to start another one." It boggles me- Im an actor, have no agent, and admit have only auditioned for roles a few times- didn't get anything. These guys seem to get them left and right. I work with well over 30 of them who say this. Im also more of a film actor then theater actor, and in Chicago I find it tough to find auditions for FILM versus THEATER. But can someone explain why all my coworkers keep getting theater acting gigs- when its apparently so HARD to get roles.

Answer 1

I'm afraid you need to spend some time studying what it takes to be an actor.  Read "Audition:  Everything an Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part" by Micheal Shurtleff adn Bob Fosse.  It should answer most of your questions.  And if it doesn't deopress you and scare you off from the business completely....well, maybe you have a chance of someday actually becoming a professional actor.

It's *not*  easy to get acting roles.  It is especially hard to get paying work.  It sounds like you haven't done very many auditions -- you admit you;'ve only auditioned a few times.  Odds are your colleagues have auditioned many more times,. and have built up a reputation within the theatrical community.

You need to spend some time learning about the business of acting.  Talk to your colleagues...find out what they ar edoing.  Odds are that they aren't getting paid for the work they do,.  And....sorry to disappoint you ... but very few actors are famous.  Very few actors even make a living at it.

And, by the way, if you're not getting work, how do you know you're "more of a film actor than a theatre actor"?

And as to how they work and do shows -- they do it by working hard, not sleeping as much as they should, and working lousy, low paying jobs because the hours are flexible enough to allow them to act.

Some of this sounds harsh, but I've spent the better part of forty years working in this business, and I take it very seriously.

Oh, and don't pay any attention to what one of the other posters said -- Chicago is NOT on the east coast.  

Answer 2

I assure you if your friends are getting lot's of acting roles there is no need to be jealous. The reason they may be getting it is because of some terribly theatre politics where a particular director is casting them in everything. If it's amaetur theatre (Meaning no one gets payed) then i really wouldn't worry about it at all, it's almost always the cast in most amaeutur theatres that you will find people who will always get the leads. This isn't because they're talented but because they get along well with the people, Amdram is less about making money and more about making fun!

My advice for you would be to only take on what you feel comfortable doing, acting is NOT an easy proffesion to get into and if your friends where so lucky they'd be doing it proffesionally and would not be travel agents. So only take on things that you know wont get in the way of your work or school.

And don't take your friend's success's to heart, they are probably getting parts purely because they know the casting director or other actors, not on talent.

Answer 3

I would say film is a lot harder than theater to get into.  Everyone sees everyone in film as being "rich and famous," and really dont want to try their time in theater.  They see film as their ticket to being rich and famous so you see A TON of people who are just trying out just because they want to be a "star."  They arent in because they enjoy it but rather because they want to be known. Not to mention everyone is scared to get infront of a ton of people like they have to do in theater and they are afraid of messing up.  Everyone thinks in film if you mess up they keep doing take after take for you.  That is wrong and a lot of directors will get fed up about it.  I know Spike Lee goes into his movies saying "this will be the only shot whether you do it good or not."  You dont have time to mess up.  You know it or you dont for his movies.  They also could be bragging or saying they got a role when they really just signed up to be an extra.  Its easy to walk into some movie and get put in the background rather than being put in one of the main roles.

I would say acting itself is easy if you have the ability to come up with a unique character that no one has seen before and make it believable.  The hard part about acting is standing out when half the world wants to get into it because they know there is a potential to get filthy rich off of it.  What they dont know is that the majority of actors make almost nothing.

Answer 4

It is never easy to get a GOOD acting job.  Your co-workers may be getting jobs and experience, but theater in small productions is far easier than finding jobs in film.  Continue acting when you can and learning about your craft and jobs will come.  

Answer 5

This isn't going to be an answer you like.

You are working as a TOUR GUIDE?

Your co-workers are doing this as fill in. It's not a 'job'. The chances are they are doing the roles they do for no pay.

Get out there, put yourself about a bit - take the risk.

Saying you are 'more a film actor than a theater actor' is something that won't help you get work at this stage in your career.

If you want to do it skip school or work, beg if you have to, just do it.

Stop whining.

[Most screen actors have some stage experience or tuition before they go into film - Lana Turner is the only exception that springs to mind.]

Answer 6

Hey Pete,

   Okay, let me break it down for you.

Theatre...

Local Theatre...

Community Theatre... is EASY to break into.

MY EXPERIENCE:     I am 15, and I started around in theatre about... say two years ago. My first production was "Fiddler on the Roof" at the current school I was attending. Looking back on it, I see, now, that it basically stunk. I was a villager and part of the background; I was glad of that because then nobody would associate me with the performances. At the end of eighth grade, I decided that I wanted to audition for a local arts school. I didn't even want to do it really, but the private school I attended made me feel the urge to escape. So..........

I auditioned and made it into the Choral & Musical Theatre departments. I chose Musical Theatre, because I fail at dance and wanted to learn. This school really rocks and prepares/ will prepare/ prepared me for so much in the world of theatre I never knew. Now, I have passion for once in my life of what I want to do with my life....... BROADWAY. Broadway to me know is so inspirational that, now, it isn't a chance, possibility, opportunity, or free-ride... IT IS A MUST!!! -it just is... And I WILL make it! Failure is not an option and I feel so strongly about that. Back to business.

EXPLANATION: In just a year, I got more experience than I have in my whole entire lifetime. I got to be an asst. stage manager ("Start. Here,Start. Now"), spot op. ("Ain't Misbehavin' "), and got tons of experience in run, paint, build, fly, and light crew. I played in "Alice in Wonderland" (Cheshire Cat) &" Bugsy Malone Jr." (Louella) & "All Shook Up" (ensemble), Currently, I will be starting off in "Anne of Green Gables - the musical". I have been busy with all this back-to-back since December 2007.

The key is to get to know all the directors, partners/ fellow actors & techies, producers, theatres, and history of your trade. Oh and a little talent... +passion. Know when all auditions are at all times, and even if you can't make all the rehearsals, AUDITION ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have not had time for all these different groups, but if they really want you, know you, and trust that you will know your part and deliver at performance time..... YOU WILL GET A PART --- if not the one you wanted. Also, on your own you must discover yourself. See what works with your singing, with your acting, with your dance. Even if you hurt yourself, continue to explore. I have learned so much about my singing mechanism and others as well. Apparently people like my work ethic, because they consistantly cast me. I have also apperared in the newspaper. It was great --- MY FACE LOOKED HORRIBLE - drugged. ***Note to self: ALWAYS SMILE.

If you have the will to go all the way, then why prevent yourself by saying I CAN'T. THEY DON'T WANT ME. I'M NOT AT THAT LEVEL YET. Well, when will you be at that level if you don't even take the first step. Start out small; then determine what you want.

SO YES........

Theatre...................

Local Theatre......... is easy to crack into.

Getting paid for it is a different story...

Darn volunteer acting community theatre roles that get you public attention but no cash for your time and talent and your polite attitude even though there is something else on your mind that you would really like to say...

OH WELL!!! I love it all.

hope this helped.

---bye

Answer 7

You have a very nice point here!

but no, it isn't easy to get acting roles.

Here are the ethics involved.

-In Chicago, your film opportunities will be scarce and rare. Go to the west coast

-Since Chicago is on the east coast, opportunites for theatre will be in greater number

- It is really quite possible that your friends are getting roles in small community theaters where many parts are available for casting.

-Your friends are most likely CONSTANTLY auditioning in their free time.

-You could totally do this as well. Just find a community theatre in your area and go out for an audition.

-Also, to increase your chances for actually getting a role, you should STUDY up!

get a couple monologue books, take a refresher course on acting at a local college, or even read up on some new methods.

I hope all goes well for you! ^.^