Are you a young actor looking to gain the skills that will set you apart from other performers and push your career forward?
Today, the performing arts are competitive, and it's essential to have a well-rounded skill set to stand out. Knowing which skills can be beneficial in taking your talent further can be helpful. We've identified five essential skills every young actor should develop before pursuing their dream of becoming a professional performer.
Strengthen Your Voice with Vocal Exercises
As actors we speak of our voice and body as ‘the Actor’s Instrument’. Strengthening your voice is an actor is essential, whether you are performing on stage or screen. Developing a regular vocal practice to work on projection, articulation, breath capacity and the resonance of your voice will help. Investing in vocal exercises a few times a week will improve your voice over time - it’s just like going to the gym for your voice. While all our programs have some element of vocal development, you can study units on Voice in our 10915NAT Certificate IV in Acting and 11017NAT Advanced Diploma of Performance.
Learn How to Read a Script and Analyse the Text
Learning to read a script and analyse the text is essential for people working in the entertainment industry, but it can often be intimidating. Script analysis helps you understand where your character is coming from and gives you ideas on how to embody your character on stage or screen. You can develop specific techniques by studying one of our acting qualifications.
Explore Different Acting Techniques
Exploring different acting techniques can open up a world of possibilities to help you hone your craft and become the best actor you can be. Whether it's studying the ideas of Meisner, Spolin, Bogart, Laban or any others among the great theorists, you’ll learn to build your confidence and creativity as an actor. You can even go further as an actor, looking at performance styles that interest you - such as circus arts or improv, which can add additional skills to your resume as a performer.Â
Develop Your On-Camera Performance Skills
Developing on-camera skills is an integral part of success in the arts and entertainment industry. Knowledge of the screen industry is key to building a career as an actor. This means knowing the expectations on you as an actor when on set, knowing how to adjust your performance for different shot sizes, and understanding the processes involved during filming. In the Young Professionals program you’ll gain experience in front of the camera so you feel equipped to step into any role. Even if theatre is your favourite medium as a performer, knowing the ins and outs of screen performance will mean you can take on screen roles that come your way, whether it’s as brief a job as a TV commercial, or a feature film shooting over weeks or months. Check out our short courses and holiday programs to see whether there's a screen course coming up with Perform Australia.