When an actor is starting out, she can find avenues by which to receive acting training at any level in many communities. Children still in school or beginning actors who have yet to move to the big city to pursue their dreams can sign up for acting training classes at a community theater. Many theaters offer training to both kids and adults, ranging from beginning acting classes to advanced scene study. Getting feedback from an instructor and a group of peers helps actors improve.
An actor who is serious about pursuing performance as a vocation may wish to attend a university and receive a degree in acting or theatrical performance. Universities provide a comprehensive program of training in everything from acting to stage combat to dance and music. This helps an actor to become well-rounded and to gain a skill level that allows him to be prepared for any acting opportunity that comes his way, whether it is a physically demanding action movie or a period piece with vocal dialects.
One of the most important ways an actor can improve is to perform, perform, perform at every opportunity. Check local audition boards online or at a community theater for auditions. Acting on stage in front of an audience provides unbeatable experience in handling nerves and the pressure of performing. Getting involved in a local theater exposes an actor to a wide variety of roles and theater styles. You can also volunteer for student or low-budget films being shot in the area and get experience performing on camera.
Many metropolitan areas have acting groups that actors can join. An actor who moves to a large market such as Los Angeles or New York needs a way to meet people and get involved in her new community. Networking and meeting the right people are important parts of launching an acting career. Many acting groups hold rehearsals and stage readings as well as open mic scene performance nights so their members can stay fresh and continue to hone their skills. Seek out a an acting group and stay involved and always working to improve.