Actors and actresses perform, creating new worlds on the stage or in front of a camera. Actors and actresses can be the celebrities you see walking the red carpet at the Oscars, or the people who perform in a small independent play at a community center. For this job you have a lot of different work environments, and no two will be the same. You might be on a sitcom working with other actors and actresses to make people laugh, or you might do a small modern performance giving monologues by yourself. Even more varied are the roles you portray. Just like any of your favorite movie stars, you might spend six months on a movie playing a famous pilot from history, and then on your next job play the villain in a futuristic world.
Who you’re supposed to be will change with where you’re working, so you need to make sure you get the training you need to keep up with your role’s demands. An actress studies the script to understand her role — who the character is, what she wants, and how she fits into the story. She works with directors, other actors, and production teams to rehearse scenes and deliver authentic performances on stage or on camera. Using voice, movement, and facial expressions, she communicates feelings and intentions that engage the audience.
