Take acting lessons and participate in school acting performances and classes. If you can afford to do so, locate and hire an acting coach.
Prepare copies of a resumé.
Attend a photo session with different poses and wardrobes taken by a professional photographer.
Select the photos you want to use. Make at least 100 copies of an 8 x 10 photo featuring one pose, preferably with several poses placed on the back of your photo. Order copies of your photos from professional photo duplicators such as ABC Pictures.
Audition for parts in local theater stage plays. You can find casting notices by reading “Backstage West” or “Backstage East” newspapers. These publications also list openings for actors and actresses in an online format for a nominal monthly charge.
Prepare about 100 press kits. Each kit should contain an 8 x 10 photo, news clippings in which you are mentioned as an actress, resumé, DVD of any of your performances, presentation folder, promotional materials and favorable reviews from print and video media.
Produce an acting demo DVD featuring your roles. This DVD is called a “demo reel.” You’ll need to make lots of copies.
Find a talent agent and submit your press kit by mail or via delivery. Many talent agents are now requiring that photos be submitted exclusively via email.
Submit your press kits to the appropriate casting agent listed for upcoming productions.
Join appropriate unions (fees must be paid) such as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). Most major motion pictures and television shows require membership in one or both unions.