Useful tips for wannabe actors / actresses

So, you want to be an actor / actress… Well, if you are unclear on how exactly to become one, don’t fear, I’m here to give you some useful tips to steer you in the right direction.

Contrary to popular belief, being an actor or actress is hard work. In South Africa it’s highly recommended that you study drama at a private college, university or technikon. You can enroll for a drama course at University of Pretoria, Rhodes University (in Grahamstown), the Tshwane University of Technology, University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, The Stage School, University of Stellenbosch, the University of Cape Town and various other public and private tertiary institutions.

Acting

If you’re a natural actor / actress you can venture into acting without studying drama, but then you’ll probably have to wing it without an agent. Take note that most agents will only take on an actor / actress who has a drama degree / diploma or other relevant qualifications though.

Once you start working, chances are that you won’t get famous and you won’t start earning a Hollywood A-list salary overnight. You need to pay your dues. Remember that there are thousands (if not millions) of people out there who all you want to famous, just like you. It takes years of practice and a lot of hard work to perfect your art and to reach your full potential.

You need to have a thick skin. Chances are that you’ll go to hundreds of auditions and get lots of casting calls before  you get the part that puts you on the map. You need to be able to deal with rejection, which means that you need to be mentally and emotionally strong. The industry is pretty saturated in South Africa, so make sure that being an actor / actress is what you really want to do before you attempt it.

We recently spoke to Zetske van Pletzen (of 7de laan fame) and Althus Theart (of Bakgat fame) and asked them for some advice for all you wannabe actors and actresses out there, check out the video below to see what they had to say in the second installment of our #youwantmyjob series of blog posts and videos.

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You can follow Zetske via @zetskevpletzen and you can follow Altus via @AltusTheart on Twitter.

So, do you want to become an actor or not? Leave a comment and let us know what your thoughts are. Feedback is appreciated and welcome here. If you found this to be informative and useful information, feel free to share this article with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Remember: Sharing is Caring. Feel free to check out our previous installment in this series featuring 3 useful tips on how to become a front-end developer.

Remember to keep your CV updated and watch this space for regular updates for job seekers on the Job Mail Blog.

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49 Responses

  1. snethemba thabede says:

    yes i wanna be an actress,cant afford school and i’ve spent money on 2 agents already but they not helpful at all,now i dont know wat to do all i know is im a born actress…id also love to know how to get auditions

  2. zweloxolo says:

    Hy u knw I wnt 2 be an acter bt cnt afford school fees at university nw I dnt knw wat 2 do cn u plz help me 2 mke my dream cme true

  3. james says:

    Hi I born to act but I can’t afford to pay fees. But it hard see every one will be impressed just a look on my face but I’m trapped

  4. patrick hurley says:

    I wanna be an actor but have no formal qualifications.

  5. prescilla singh says:

    MY gr8est wish was 2 b an actor n d closest I came was 2being an xtra on 7de laan. It was AMAZING’;’. However,I didn’t pursue anything further as I am in d SAPS n didn’t think I wud even b considered as a full tym actress. It wud b a dream come true tho. N yeah…it comes naturally as I’ve xperienced on d show. Thanx 4dis opportunity. Priss

  6. Mzamo Myeni says:

    I don’t have a degree but it is in ma soul. Acting, writing and directiong is my ever dream but for now I wanna start with acting, I’m confident and I knw God will lift me up. Acting is in my blood, person with Diploma or Degree can never intimidate me. God bless me and the one who will give me a chance.

  7. Jay-kay de Villiers says:

    Yes I would like to be an actor even if it will take time to get but dat is 1 of my biggest dreams, I don’t want to do it for da fam&glam but for da passion I have for it. The only thing I want to know is that is there any age restriction in getting into acting or U can start it even at any age???

    • Henno Kruger says:

      There isn’t really an age that you can start at. Some of the best actors / actress started when they were still kids.

      • Nqobile says:

        Hi I’m Nqobile I want to actress for the long time I’m interested I will work hard I need to pay my fees even though I could get some part time

  8. simoné says:

    I also realy want to become an actress. I went to Brumilda’5 drama acadamy. Would like to hear back from you and be send for auditions.

  9. Lucas Thabo Mnisi says:

    Yes i wanna be an Actor i am an Actor am a very talented actor’Dancer’Singer i have participated in different Thearter groups perfoming art.i dont have miney to go to school for Atrs so please help me to get auditions send me auditions information i know thst i will make it am a natural Actor thanks

  10. Tebogo hlako says:

    I would love to be an actress,buh I’m studing fashion. I am passionate about art.I am good in writing poetry aswel.

  11. ntombi mayisela says:

    yes I want to be an actress, cant afford school.

  12. wellington says:

    Yes I would like you to give me more info how to go to be an actor

    thank you

    • Henno Kruger says:

      Hi Wellington – This is the basic info that we can provide you with, remember, Google is your friend.

  13. Gilbert Shiba says:

    Acting was and is still one of my goal in life and I believe in myself and have what it takes to be one, the only stumbling block in me is that I cant afford to go to the University or College, but I really have a passion for acting.

  14. Pauline Heath says:

    I am interested in acting. I don’t know the first thing about getting in, but this post give me some insights. Really helps, thanks. I have also read an article like this here http://goo.gl/GUgNmd. Try to check it guys, for additional tips.

  15. seitebaleng Evelyn forekanne says:

    hi, my name is Evelyn forekanne…I don’t have any Qualifications also matric I am working as cleaner to make money to go back to school.but what I know about my self is i will make a good actorsome time I even act alone.when it come to cry angry I know I am able to do it when it comes to acting.I want to be an actor because is what I know that God blessed me to do it.please hepl

  16. i also really want to become an actress,i cant afford school fees.

  17. Siseko says:

    I would like to study Drama but at the moment i am doing ND Civil Engineering in cape peninsula university of technology I am a first year but I want to do them Both. Is that possible ? what can i do please help here

  18. buhle says:

    I really wanna be an actress,I’m 18 years and have matric.I obtained a drama certificate while I was in high school,I was the best actress of the that year.

  19. lundy says:

    Hi Iam a natural born to be an actor but it seems like acting is a long process but am willing to do what ever it takes to make my dreamz come throu…but tell any info on auditions

  20. Abigail says:

    Hi sir I’m Abigail van rooyen 21years old…sorry for disturb I really really want to became an actor but I don’t have matric I leave school in grate9 I’m from worcester in the western cape its my dream to be an actor and I don’t have money to study pleasse I really need this I hope you can help me

    • Henno Kruger says:

      Unfortunately you’ll need to study Abigail and we don’t offer bursaries / internships for acting. We are a job portal, not an agency

  21. Constance says:

    I have a talent on becoming an actor but I don’t have a metric nor qualifications but I know I was born to become an actor,I’m an orphan who wish to try to better those I love, I wish I could get help and make my dreams come true

  22. Lindelwa Lily Tengwa says:

    Dear Henno Kruger
    I’m from RR in Midrand. I just saw a post on the internet which was updated this year. I don’t have matrix I just dropped school this year June in grade 11 but I would really love to be an actress and I’d really appreciate if you can help. I know I can make it but I just need help.

    • Henno Kruger says:

      Hi Lindelwa – Take note that we don’t offer any courses / internships in the industry

  23. Ntombodidi says:

    Hi my name is Ntombodidi from cape town I want to be an actor, I was doing assistan manager bt now I realise that its not the job that I love and dream of all I want is acting but I don’t how I can apply for it because I don’t knw whch subject do they want for this course so please help me with that .

  24. christal Jocelyn pillay says:

    Hi I’m going to be in matric in 2017 and i would really like to become an actress thereafter however I am not do dramatic arts at school so what can I do to become an actress once I finish matric

  25. Tercia Mohlala says:

    I found this information very useful becoz I loved acting wholeheartedly but had never do any dramas @ my high school…now I have courage bcz of this information

  26. Thando says:

    I am Thando stay at daveryton (Barcelona) .I am 14 year.I am be dreaming of actor since when I was young. I have Passion on acting. I am fast learn. At home we I living with the money of sasa .So I wanted to help me achieved my dream. Plz help me.
    I want my mom out of poor life. Help me achieved my dream of acting.
    Hala me at 0631917367.
    Help me….
    I am a boy..
    I am doing grade 9 at Lekamoso second art schools.

  27. Mpho Tanki says:

    I am a mosotho girl,I have this talent of acting and writing, I didn’t really go to university. But I play 2 stories in national TV LTV channel 292…please have me,I can do wonders

  28. Amogelang says:

    Yes I wanna be an actress and I wanna learn more but for the fact that I cannot afford the course fee…that I the reason I have been looking for an opportunity to prove myself n learn more about the industry

  29. Please reply my email
    I really want to be an actor

  30. Vuyisani says:

    Sorry I’m a guy I’m 24 years and I don’t have matric. Can I study to be an actor if yes where.

  31. Boitshepo.Hlabana says:

    Thank you very much
    I feel encouraged and inspired
    Here’s my story,I just dropped out of school in grade10,there’s enough money to get me to school but I just wanna act!I’ve acted since preschool and with the help of all the complimantes I’ve gotten through the years I believe I am naturally dramatic!I am willing to do anything and everything just to see myself in the industry!

  32. Yea I really want to be an actress I’ve been passionate about this career since I was young,im recently in grade 12 and thinking of studying drama at Boston media college next year.

  33. Emihle Mtendeni says:

    I have the love for acting I grew up with this talent . so I want to be an actress

  34. Vuyolwethu says:

    Yes I really want to be actress because is my everyday dream and is my career but now I’m currently studying marketing at college but I suppose to study media next on July

  35. Lydia says:

    Acting is my everyday dream but I don’t have any qualification for it..is there any acting academy in Durban,plz can I have information if there is 1

  36. SLINDELO says:

    i want to be an actor please assist me

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