The acting profession is one of the most visible on the planet; it can also be one of the most difficult to break into. Most actors who become successful within their chosen area possess similar qualities that enable them to create characters that entertain and inspire audiences.
Resilience
Many actors and industry professionals would agree that resilience is certainly one of the main qualities an actor can possess. Generally in most productions, the amount of available roles is considerably less than the amount of available actors. Rejection is a common part of the acting business, and actors must learn how to hear “no,” without letting it affect their dedication and enthusiasm. For most actors, success does not come overnight; before they gain any amount of recognition, they may head to hundreds or thousands of auditions. Without resilience, the constant rejection is certain to diminish an actor’s passion for acting.
Communication Skills
One of the most obvious qualities of an excellent actor is the ability to communicate. An actor must understand how to communicate for different audiences and in different roles. He must be able to switch between communication styles at the drop of a hat if a role demands it. Julian Brand actor Onstage communication is a small part of an actor’s job. On any given day, an actor might be required to network with agents, speak with casting agents, negotiate scene changes with colleagues, explain must a phase manager, and win over an audience. Strong speaking, listening, and writing skills make the work considerably easier.
Emotional Intelligence
An actor’s primary job is always to communicate the emotions of his character therefore the audience can understand his motivations. To be able to successfully develop a personality, the actor must be able to explore the character’s underlying emotional issues and find ways to help the audience create a connection. A powerful actor has a high level of emotional intelligence and can create a believable back-story, look for a person’s intrinsic motivation, and give a performance that feels true to the audience. Since they spend so long analyzing others, actors frequently have valuable insights in to the human condition.
Adaptability
Living of an actor is obviously changing. A role never lasts forever; when it ends, the actor must quickly adapt to find a new part and shift his mindset, often within the room of a week. Shows get canceled, tours are extended, and scenes are rewritten, and actors must keep pace to be able to stay afloat in the business. On a standard day, some actors head to three or four auditions, each of which require numerous shifts in behavior, performance style, and focus. A successful actor knows how to keep grounded in his personal life while adapting to rapid career shift.
Physical Capabilities
The physical demands on actors vary by production, but every role takes a certain amount of physicality. Actors who perform in musical theater productions often spend 4-6 hours rehearsing dance numbers and active scenes. Even yet in non-musical productions, an actor must always be prepared physically. He must be ready to walk, jump, and stand for hours on end. When actors are sitting still onstage, they are rarely relaxed; instead, their muscles are primed for another movement. Many actors conduct a comprehensive exercise program to keep their bodies as much as the challenges that each and every new role presents.
Confidence
Confidence is an essential quality for an actor. Every actor must put himself on the line continuously, whether it’s at an audition or facing an audience. To be able to be successful, every actor should have confidence in himself, in his skills, and in his passion for the job. Confidence comes into play during every part of the acting process, from trying to find agents to giving press interviews. And, because many actors face a lot of opposition and negativity, confidence is an essential part of self-motivation.
Commitment
For most of us, acting is a challenging career field. Actors are constantly working to cover the bills, find another job, and give a strong performance. To be successful, they have to have a high level of commitment to the craft and business of acting. Although the motivation is different for every single actor, commitment is the driving force behind each proactive step and career-building move. Some actors fall into the business, bolstered by a dramatic natural talent, but a lot more work doggedly for decades to make a successful career.