Becoming a theater actor is quite a bit different from acting in movies, but is still a preference for some budding actors. Those with natural talent might not think they need intensive training to become employed as a theater actor. While that might be true in some rare circumstances, you still need to know a number of things in order to truly succeed for the long haul in this unpredictable career.
Instructions
Education
1. Obtain a degree in theater acting if you can, even if you think you have natural talent and don't need intensive training. Seek out getting a B.A. in theater at a major university. Going this route helps you get more experience in front of live audiences, as well as learning deeper aspects of theater.
2. Research universities on both coasts where you're more likely to find work. Consider UCLA in Los Angeles with their School of Theater, Film & Television. They offer Ph.D.s, master's and bachelor's degrees with their theater programs. For the East Coast, consider Boston University and their theater department. They offer programs for graduate and undergraduate students. New York University's Tisch School of the Arts is also a highly respected institution.
3. Look into your local community college as a cheaper alternative. Many of them have good theater programs, though only up to an associate's degree.
Skills, Employment & Auditions
4. Develop the ability to memorize scripts so you can show off your abilities in auditions once you start trying out for theater acting jobs. Take some courses in memorization so you can memorize large portions of a script. The more you memorize, the more impressive you'll be to a theater director during auditions.
5. Learn improvisation skills, either in your university course or through a local improvisation school. Improvisation always impresses theater directors during auditions, but you should never go off script too much.
6. Move to bigger cities such as Los Angeles or New York City to get better jobs working in theater. Understand that even when you get better-paying acting jobs in theater, including Broadway, the pay is going to vary, depending on your status. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, stage actors get about $14.48 an hour.
7. Find jobs in theater by going to sites such as Playbill.com's Job Listing section or Auditions.net, where you can browse casting calls in your own state or city.
8. Act professionally during your theater audition as you would in any job interview, including a firm handshake and making eye contact. Dress in a way that represents the character you're auditioning for, though still in a classy way that impresses. Choose your repertoire carefully and only do speaking or singing material that's within your range.
