What degree do I need to be an actor or actress?

It has been said that when you have the talent you will not need a degree to become an actor or actress, but this is only partially true, as attending acting school will provide you with the knowledge and skills you require to become more successful at auditions as well as finding your way around the industry.

Acting school helps aspiring actors and actresses hone their natural talents by providing a variety of techniques they will find useful throughout their acting career. This will allow those who are interested in becoming actors to be more versatile and adaptable to a wide variety of roles. Acting school also allows you to become connected to others within the industry and gain visibility, which in turn makes it easier to get called to audition for a role.

There are generally three different types of degrees that can help you become an actor, including associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in theater arts, and a master’s degree in fine arts. Which one you ultimately choose is simply a matter of how serious you are about pursuing an acting career and what field you want to develop your talents in.

In most cases, those who are interested in performing on stage in New York or London will choose to earn a master’s degree, as it gives them a marked advantage over less educated candidates, especially when aiming for work with a world renowned acting company. If you are looking to take part in movies and commercials, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree may be more appropriate.

Regardless of which degree you decide to pursue when you are looking to become a professional actor or actress, it is always a good idea to take singing and dancing classes, as these skills can widen your scope of action, making it likelier to find the perfect job for you. Becoming an actor takes a lot of work because of the high number of people looking to gain notoriety in the industry, so having the talent as well as a related degree will give you a good advantage over the competition.