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Is a career in acting right for you

Actors doing a street performanceIf you loved performing in school plays, chances are that you've considered a career in acting. Maybe you've dreamed about seeing your name in bright lights or pictured yourself on a movie cover. Perhaps you've thought about trying out for a large performance troupe or you've wondered what it would be like to get a full-time job as a theme park actor. No matter what your ambitions might be, there are a few things that you need to know about acting before you get started.

Will it make you happy
First off, remember that your happiness is what matters. You'll experience negativity from people who don't understand your goals or who think that a career in acting is worthless. Be ready to field questions from well-meaning friends and relatives who ask what your future career plans are going to be, especially if they don't think that you stand a chance at being an actor. If you believe in yourself and you're willing to take the steps necessary to become a well-rounded, experienced actor, you'll do fine.

A dose of reality
Next, make sure that you're comfortable with the average income of performers. According to Salary.com, most actors and performers can expect to make a median income of around $50,000. This is no chump change. Even if you don't want to become a television or movie actor, you can expect to make a livable wage with a regular performance gig. Keep in mind, however, that you'll need to seek out acting jobs that are regular and that offer solid pay. Theme parks are always hiring actors to play characters throughout the park, including Disney World and Silver Dollar City. Local museums often need actors. You can even work as a freelance private actor for parties. Other possible jobs include dinner theater acting jobs and murder mystery theaters. And finally, yes there is always the chance of making it big on Broadway or in Hollywood if that is your goal, however this should never be your only motivation for taking on an acting career.

Will it suit you
Finally, understand that acting is something that takes time. Unlike most jobs, you won't simply turn in your resume and expect to get an interview. When you want an acting job, you'll need to audition. This means that you're going to be performing for the director and you're going to have to do it multiple times. If you get stage fright, you're impatient, or you don't like people looking at you, acting may not be the job for you. If, however, the opportunity to get in front of people and become your character sounds like a dream come true, you might want to start considering an acting career.

Copyright © Gotter on NiceAnswers.com 2017

Editor's Note: Here are some additional resource links you may find useful in determining whether an acting career is right for you;
- A self evaluation quiz to determine if acting is right for you
- Some further acting career information
- Some tips on how to become an actor
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