When many actors talk about their career paths, they include years of acting experience than began with following their acting dreams in their youth. It may seem like in order to succeed in acting, one has to get started at a very young age. However, many actors aren’t able to pursue their passions until later in life. Harrison Ford, for example, was in his 30s and working as a carpenter before his role as Han Solo ignited his career. Alan Rickman, now famous for roles such as the Sherriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Hogwarts professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, worked as a successful graphic designer for years before deciding to move to a career in acting.
While it may not always be easy, a career change to acting is definitely achievable. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether a career change to acting is right for you.
Education
While your previous career may have given you plenty of experience in other fields, chances are that your experience in acting is limited, or not very recent. Changing careers to acting will likely require attaining experience or an education through an acting school or program. If your financial situation won’t allow you to leave your current career immediately, this may mean attending classes while working.
Working to Pay the Bills
As an adult aspiring actor, your first auditions and roles will likely have to work around your current full-time career in order to pay your bills. While pursuing acting while working full time is achievable, it may require great flexibility, sacrifices, and long hours on your part.
Do You Have the Time?
Speaking of long hours, you must realize that working as an actor can mean countless hours spent attending auditions, rehearsing performances, and filming or performing. In order to make a career change, you have to be willing to say goodbye to a typical nine-to-five office schedule. This is even more true if you do decide to stay on to work full time in your current career as you make the transition to acting on your nights and weekends – or whatever hours you aren’t spending at your current job – will be needed for pursuing your new career as an actor.
When deciding whether a career change in acting is right for you, these are just a few of the factors you’ll need to take into consideration. With these in mind, however, acting can provide a vibrant, exciting, and fulfilling career for those who are passionate about the craft, regardless of their career history.
Still Have More Questions?
KD Conservatory has acting, musical theatre, and film production programs to help prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry. Contact us with any of your questions, or check us out on Facebook for ongoing updates and information!
