In school, teachers tend to teach you acting theory and methods, which are great and useful tools when becoming a working actor. However, here are an additional five things they may not have mentioned you should keep in mind while pursuing a professional performing career:

1. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

The market is competitive, and there aren’t enough hours in the day to master every skill you could potentially have to make yourself the most marketable as a performer. So, maximize your time and optimize your efforts by taking ownership of your strengths and weaknesses. Build your confidence so that it is unbreakable. Improve what you do well so that you do it better than anyone, and come to terms with what you don’t do well. Owning this will greatly relieve the stress of pounding the pavement on a daily basis, as you won’t feel the need to have to be everything for everybody.

2. Own Your Unique You

There is truly no one else like you in this world. Own this! Trust that bringing your unique you and your individual experiences to the surface in both your acting choices and audition material is enough to make you stand out and be remembered in this business. This way, when a job comes along that matches you and your talents, you will book it.

3. Diversify

Don’t just have one goal, don’t put all your eggs in one basket and don’t just plant one seed. There are so many opportunities for performers. You can up your chances of work and success by always making sure to say “Yes” to performing gigs that come your way. You never know where the next one may lead!

4. Create Your Own Work

You don’t need to sit back and wait for the next job to come your way. Instead, be a proactive performer and make your own opportunities. Whether it be web series, plays, readings, cabarets and/or writing new works and producing them, show your best talents to the world on your terms. People will be watching, and you may even develop a fan-base. Who knows? It could lead you to be hired for other projects as well.

5. Enjoy Your Unique Journey

There is no one way to achieve goals in the performing business, and your success shouldn’t be defined or compared to others. Take solace in the fact that the way you make your way in this career path will be uniquely yours. Enjoy the journey!

What have you learned from the theatre business that you wish your theatre teachers had told you? Let us know in the comments…