Acting

Acting is a creative profession requiring the ability to memorize dialog and be convincing in a variety of parts. Every day in this field can bring new and exciting opportunities, definitely not a profession for those who crave routine.

Movie and television roles may be what you think of first when considering the acting profession. Those roles are at the top of the pay scale where actors can make millions of dollars and become famous. However, actors are needed for a variety of other parts in addition to movies and television. Working actors assist in many productions from appearing in company training or promotional videos to providing advertising through radio, television, and Internet.

A career in acting can require long hours during some periods, then down time in between jobs during other parts of your career. Actors are required to audition for roles that may require memorizing copy describing a commercial product or being able to recite a monologue convincingly. Actors going on auditions are actively trying out with others for work in this highly competitive field. This is a field of self-employment where you can negotiate your own wages, or have a representative negotiate for a percentage of your earnings. Many successful actors start with part-time acting classes, or chose to obtain Bachelors or Masters of Fine Arts degree in theater.