Acting work tends to follow a fairly steady cycle—go out for auditions, land a part, prepare, perform, and repeat—and each successful gig contributes to a young actor’s résumé, reputation, and professional network, enabling the actor to audition for better parts, work with higher profile directors, and negotiate higher pay. At a certain point in the career, most actors partner with an agent in order to get access to high-profile gigs. Actors might go on to become directors, producers, playwrights, or drama therapists. Many also work as voice actors.
