So you want to be an actor: Getting Professional Training

There are no formal entry requirements for becoming an actor; it is possible for untrained people to enter the profession. But the performance industry is tough and competitive and overwhelmingly the evidence proves that vocational training at Drama School is important if you want to succeed.

Quick fact: 86% of actors working in the industry have received formal professional training

With the increasingly diverse number of courses offered by universities and colleges across the uk it's also important that you pick the right course for your needs. Within the industry not all courses are considered equal as each course will have it's own philosophy, methodology and level of vocational experience.

The National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) is a partnership of employers in theatre, broadcast and media industries, employee representatives and training providers.

One of the major tasks of NCDT is to accredit drama courses in further and higher education in the UK on behalf of the performance industry.

Accreditation aims to give students confidence that the courses they choose are recognised by the drama profession as being relevant to the purposes of their employment, and that the profession has confidence that the people they employ who have completed these courses have the skills and attributes required for the continuing health of the industry.

Casting Call Pro would always advise those of you wishing to study acting to try and get on an NCDT accredited course, as these courses tend to provide you with both the acting skills and industry knowledge you'll need to succeed in this highly competitive industry. They're also very good at getting agents along to their end of year showcase.

For a full list of NCDT accredited courses and funding available, please visit The NCDT website.

Additional information about courses may be found on the The Conference of Drama School website.

If you want to know more about a particular drama school you may find it useful to get in contact with a past member and ask them about their experiences. Many of the leading drama schools and list of ex-student can be found here.

More information: The Actor's Handbook 2006/7