Education · 1 of 4

The path

There is no qualification. There is training, then credits, then an agent, then a union card.

1. 1

   Perform in anything

   From now

   School plays, community theatre, student films, improv. Nobody starts by being discovered.

2. 2

   Training

   3 to 4 years

   A conservatory such as the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal, founded in 1960, or a university degree such as the Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting at Toronto Metropolitan University. Both take you by audition.

3. 3

   Get an agent

   Varies, often years

   Agents submit you for auditions you cannot access alone. They take a percentage and cost nothing up front. Anyone asking for money to represent you is a scam.

4. 4

   Build union credits

   1 to 5 years

   Work your way from background and non-union projects to union contracts.

5. 5

   Keep auditioning

   Forever

   There is no point where this ends. Working actors audition constantly between jobs.