How to Get Into Acting With No Experience the Right Way

So you want to act but have no experience? That’s not a dealbreaker. Every actor starts from scratch, but the ones who succeed train first. Even nepo-babies need to prove themselves, even though the doors may be more easily opened for them.

If you’re wondering how to get into acting with no experience, the answer is simple—develop real acting skills first before you start chasing acting jobs. Professional actor training not only provides you with craft and technique, it also gives you the confidence, discipline, and consistency that casting directors and industry professionals expect.

The Maggie Flanigan Studio offers the most highly regarded and most respected acting classes in NYC, helping new actors develop emotional depth, physical and vocal transformation, and the confidence that comes with knowing exactly what to do every time you get a script. Without professional acting training, even the most talented performers will struggle to build an acting resume.

This blog breaks down how to become an actor with no experience. You’ll learn how to train like a professional, developing the fundamental acting skills that will give you a consistent way of creating behavior, whether that’s in an audition, on set, or in a rehearsal room. Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• Training comes first. Real actors commit to the craft before chasing roles.

• Opportunities go to those who are prepared. Skills, not luck, build careers.

• Stop waiting and start training. Acting success starts with serious work.

Step 1: Decide If You’re Serious

Acting looks effortless when you see a great performance, but behind it are years of training, discipline, hard work, and failure. The most successful actors didn’t just type up a resume, get some headshots, and then start chasing auditions—they committed to building real acting skills first. They dedicated themselves to the art of acting and the work it requires.

If you’re in this for the pop culture superficiality of fame and celebrity, quick success, or attention, you’ll get frustrated fast and more than likely quit within five years. 

Casting directors look for actors who are well-trained, and bring truth, depth, and authenticity to a role, not those who just want to be famous. The entertainment industry is competitive, and without professional training, even talented performers struggle to book acting roles.

Ask yourself: Do you love storytelling and deep emotional work? Are you willing to train, fail, and grow? Acting is an art form, and at the highest level, it is a profession, not a hobby. If you want to gain experience and move your career forward, commit to training before chasing auditions.

What to do right now:

• Watch great performances in film, TV, and theater. Study what makes them compelling.

• Be honest: Are you willing to put in the work before seeing results?

• Shift your mindset from wanting an acting career to committing to the craft of acting.

Step 2: Get Into a Serious Acting Class

Acting is not about pretending. It is about living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. Memorizing lines will not impress casting directors. The actors who book acting roles train before they audition and have a way of creating vivid, organic, human behavior.

Student films, local theater productions, and short films provide experience, but they will not teach you how to work instinctively, connect emotionally, or bring depth to a role. Serious acting classes develop these skills and separate professionals from the amateurs and hacks that pollute this business.

At MFS, we teach the Meisner technique, which instills fundamental skills, sharpens instincts, and eliminates bad habits. Training is not optional. It is the work that develops a serious actor and a true artist.

What to do right now:

• Research top acting techniques (Meisner, Stanislavski, Method, Chekhov, etc.) and understand what makes them different.

• Invest in a professional acting class or acting studio, not just a casual workshop.

• Surround yourself with other actors who are serious about training and growth.

Step 3: Train Your Instrument (Your Body & Voice Matter)

Your body and voice are just as important as your craft, especially if you want to be a transformational artist. A strong performance is not just about feeling something—it is about fully illuminating the human condition. 

How many shoes can you step into? If your voice lacks power or your body is riddled with tension, the audience will not connect with you, no matter how deeply alive you may feel.

Actors who book acting roles know how to command space, move with purpose, and use their voices with clarity and range. Casting directors notice when an actor’s physicality matches their emotional depth. Without this training, performances can come across as unpolished, forced, and indicated.

The Maggie Flanigan Studio trains actors to use their full instrument. We are dedicated to training the complete artist. Our program includes movement training, voice classes, and breathwork so that actors can learn how to express themselves fully, with precision, grace, ease, and clarity. 

An actor who is fundamentally sound and also possesses a powerful voice and a fully engaged body, separates professionals from amateurs.

What to do right now:

• Develop vocal strength with speech and vocal training

• Work on physical awareness through yoga, the Alexander Technique, or movement classes such as Suzuki, Viewpoints, and Laban.

• Study great performances and observe how actors combine the use of their imagination, voice, and body to create vivid, compelling human behavior. 

Step 4: Learn How to Do Truthfully Under Imaginary Circumstances

Acting is not about faking emotions. Acting is the ability to do truthfully under an imaginary circumstance. You can either do it or you can’t. That said, it is absolutely learnable.

Audiences can sense when a performance feels forced, and casting directors recognize when an actor is "performing" instead of truly living in the role. This is what separates a successful actor from someone who just recites lines.

The best actors do not try to "show" an emotion. They experience it in real-time. 

Emotional fluidity is very important in acting. Most actors try to feel and want to show that to whoever is watching. We do not do this in life. Meisner training teaches actors to listen, respond, and work instinctively instead of overthinking.  

Meisner teaches you that the quality of your emotional life is far more important than the quantity. Meisner teaches you how to craft simply, personally, and specifically. 

The first year progression is rooted in learning how to truthfully do, not indicate. This makes performances truthful and unscripted, which is exactly what the acting industry demands. Your work as an actor should always feel like an improvisation happening for the first time.

At MFS, we train actors to break habits that lead to mechanical acting. Our program focuses on developing craft and training actors who are grounded in the fundamentals of acting. We graduate actors who are fully present in every moment, grounded in truth, and emotionally related. 

This is what professional actors need to be able to do. Learning to trust your instincts will make you stand out in auditions and on set.

What to do right now:

• Practice the beginning Meisner repetition exercise to get out of your head and onto your spontaneous impulses with tuned up listening.

• Work on the ability to act before you think, before you have time to edit and withhold your truth.

• Pay attention to human behavior, and be curious about how we behave. Be astute observers of the human condition.

Step 5: Develop a Strong Work Ethic

Raw talent will not carry you through an acting career—hard work and professional training will. The best actors train, rehearse, and refine their craft every day. Casting directors and industry professionals can tell who is prepared and who is just hoping to get by on potential.

If you want to become an actor, training cannot be an occasional pursuit. You need to put in the hours—developing your vocal and physical instrument, instilling the important fundamentals of the art form, and learning how to break down a script. The actors who succeed take ownership of their artistic process, push past the excuses and treat this as a profession, not a hobby.

A strong work ethic is what separates new actors from professionals. The more you commit, the more confident and capable you become.

What to do right now:

• Build a daily routine that includes voice work, physical development, and script study.

• Take on artistic challenges that push you outside your comfort zone.

• Surround yourself with serious and passionate artists who are not lazy and riddled with excuses as to why they aren’t working.

Step 6: Create Before You “Book”

A common mistake new actors make is waiting for the industry to notice them. If you want to become an actor, you cannot wait for an acting opportunity to land in your lap. Casting directors want to see actors who take their craft seriously, not those who sit around hoping for a break.

Take control of your artistic path by creating and developing your own work. Look at the critically acclaimed film Tangerine, it was filmed on an IPhone! Write and develop your own content, collaborate with other actors and filmmakers, and look for opportunities in local community theaters and student film projects. 

While building your presence, you should also be active on casting websites, where new actors can discover entry-level opportunities that match their experience and training level. If you are training seriously, dedicate your time and energy to it. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and you don’t want to start auditioning if you don’t know what to do.

The two or three years you dedicate to your development are like a drop of water in the bucket of your life. Have patience. Put the work in, get trained, and then spend your life working like a professional artist.

A successful career is based on hard work, the development of professional relationships, and a relentless need to create. Actors who spend time creating their own work not only develop their skills but also show industry professionals that they are proactive and committed to their acting careers.

What to do right now:

• Begin journaling ideas for movies, series, or theater. Narrow these ideas down to something that really interests you, a story that you feel needs to be told.

• Collaborate with filmmakers and theater artists to create short films or stage projects.

• Join a class that will help you develop your ideas.

Step 7: Build Your Professional Presence

Having little or no experience does not mean you cannot develop yourself into a serious actor. Casting directors and talent agents are not just looking for raw talent. They want to see actors who are prepared, professional, and committed to their acting careers.

A polished acting resume, professional headshots, and a clear sense of your skills will set you apart. Training is essential, but the way you present yourself matters just as much. If you show up without a résumé or submit an outdated headshot, you risk not being taken seriously.

Actors who understand the casting process and approach auditions with confidence and vivid behavior stand out. The industry values professionalism and preparation. There are only two things you can control in this business: the quality of your work and your reputation. Laying the groundwork for artistic success starts long before stepping into an audition room.

What to do right now:

• Get professional headshots that reflect your unique presence and range.

• Create an acting résumé that highlights training, skills, and any performances.

• Create a professional actor website that will hold all of your assets, such as headshots, demo reels, resume, etc.

Step 8: Learn How to Handle Rejection (And Keep Going)

Rejection is part of the job. Every actor with no experience will hear "no" far more often than "yes." Even the most accomplished actors have been passed over for roles they wanted. The ones who succeed are the ones who keep showing up, training, and refining their craft.

Casting decisions are not always about talent. Sometimes, a director has a specific look in mind. Other times, an actor's energy does not fit the character. Industry professionals make choices based on many factors outside your control. What you can control is the quality of your work and the way you handle and cope with rejection.

Instead of seeing rejection as failure, view it as part of the acting process. Every audition is a chance to improve. Every setback is an opportunity to become an actor who is sharper, more focused, and more prepared for the next acting opportunity.

What to do right now:

• Do not take rejection personally—it really has nothing to do with you.

• Use every audition as a practice to refine your skills and learn from the experience.

• Keep training so that when the right role comes, you are fully prepared.

Why Maggie Flanigan Studio?

If you want to become an actor, you need serious training. Quick-fix workshops and industry shortcuts do not create a professional experience—real work does. The actors who book roles are the ones who commit to craft, discipline, and deep emotional work. That is what we teach.

• Meisner training that builds real skill: Work moment-to-moment with honesty and emotional depth.

• A community of serious artists: Surround yourself with actors who challenge and inspire you.

• Preparation for the industry: Learn how to handle casting calls, auditions, and professional expectations with confidence.

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Acting is not just about talent. It is about skill, preparation, and work ethic. Train like a professional at MFS and build the foundation for a real acting career. Apply today.

Conclusion

You don’t need experience to start acting. You need training.

The actors who build real careers are not the ones who rely on luck or talent alone. They commit to the craft, push past their limits, and invest in real skill development. Casting calls, auditions, and industry opportunities go to those who are prepared, not those who simply hope for a break.

So the real question isn’t “How do I get into acting?” It’s “Am I willing to train like a serious actor?” If the answer is yes, the work starts now.

Need some guidance on what that work actually looks like? We’ve pulled together some key tips here to help you train smarter and stay on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you start acting without experience?

Yes, but not without training. Raw talent alone will not get you far in the acting industry. The most successful actors commit to learning the craft, refining their skills, and gaining real acting experience through classes, theater productions, and background work. 

If you want to become an actor, focus on training first because experience will follow.

How do beginners start acting?

Beginners start by building a strong foundation in acting technique. This means enrolling in professional classes, studying great performances, and practicing consistently. 

Many new actors gain experience through student films, local theater, and independent projects. The key is to take training seriously and actively seek opportunities to perform.

With so many acting schools in New York, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we put together some simple, no-fluff advice to help you figure out which one really fits your needs. [Link here]

Can you get an acting agent without experience?

It is rare but possible if you have skill and a compelling, interesting look. Talent agents look for actors who are serious about their craft, even if they have little or no experience. 

A solid acting resume with professional credits, great headshots, and quality training can help you stand out. Training first makes it easier to attract representation and audition for bigger roles. You want to know that when the opportunity presents itself, you have a way of creating vivid, organic, fully realized human behavior.