Start by assessing how much you really want this. Actresses are a dime a dozen. The field is overloaded with women who want to have their moment on stage or in front of the camera. The field is extremely competitive and talent alone will not get you there. To make it in show business, you first and foremost have to love acting.
Remember that, unlike most careers, acting requires you to continually audition. On average, those working in an office interview once every couple of years to land a job, but as an actress you can expect to audition for roles twice a week. Rejection and your ability to take it on the chin and keep going will play a pivotal role. If you're not pursuing acting because you love it, this rejection will catch up with you.
Train with a reputable acting coach or school. Regardless of whether you're pursuing theater or film, you need to learn what you're doing. You may have the perfect look, but if you don't know how to act, you will not last very long. Study and learn the common tasks of your craft. Classes in acting, movement for the stage, diction and play analysis, as well as focus on classics and modern works, will help.
Education doesn't mean you have to pay thousands of dollars to go to the top school in the nation. It doesn't even mean you have to go to college. But you do need to study with someone who is a pro. Options include a university, a conservatory for performing arts or studying in a group setting with a private coach. Additionally, if you're a beginner, seek out a local theater company in your area and become involved or inquire regarding auditions.
Live in a place where you will have the possibility of landing regular work. Though Omaha, Nebraska, is a lovely town, there just isn't that much film or stage work there. If you can find training in such places, or a local repertory company to work with, that is good. Sooner or later, however, you will want to spread your wings. For actresses, there are only three places in the country where you can find a great deal of work: New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Move to one of these areas, and your chances of working on a regular basis increase exponentially. These three cities serve as major hubs for the entertainment industry. Each of these cities offers multiple opportunities in theater, film, television and commercial work. Los Angeles is especially noted for television, Chicago for experimental and traditional theater and New York City for Broadway and independent film.