How to Find Acting Auditions When You’re a Beginning Actor

Tips from a Drama Teacher for Students and Beginner Performers

(Note for Drama Teachers: Feel free to share this with your students who are looking into how to find auditions)

Whether you’ve just taken a few acting classes or you’ve already graduated and know you want to pursue acting as a career, finding auditions is one of the biggest early steps you'll take.

When I was first starting out, I spend hours researching auditions—learning what worked, what didn’t, and how to distinguish the real opportunities from the scams.

If you’re wondering how to find local auditions and start building your acting experience, here’s what I recommend:

🚨First, a Word of Caution

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
You’ve likely heard stories of people being approached at malls with lines like:

“You have the perfect face for modeling—take my card. I want to represent you.”

What those people often want is for you to pay them for headshots or expensive workshops, not to get you work. They’re not real talent agents, and they won’t build your career.

So:

• Trust your gut
  

• Research every opportunity
  

• Ask other actors or teachers
  

• Look up company names on trusted forums or websites
  

  Okay, now to the real auditions...

1. Start With the Most Accessible Audition Opportunities

When you’re just getting started, your goal should be gaining experience, not making money (yet!).

Great starting points:

• Your school’s theater program – Watch for audition announcements!
  

• Youth theaters – Some may charge a fee but offer fantastic training and stage experience.
  

• Community theaters – Usually free to audition, often welcoming to beginners.
  

• Acting classes – Bonus if they include performance opportunities.

These spaces are perfect for practicing your craft, making connections, and building confidence on stage.

2. Consider Professional Training or Theatre Conservatory Programs

If you’re ready to take acting seriously as a career, look into:

• BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) programs
  

• Conservatory-style training programs
  

• Theater-focused college degrees or summer intensives
  

These programs often:

• Help you build a network in the industry
  

• Let you earn professional credits before graduating
  

• Provide coaching and showcase opportunities to get seen by casting agents
  

Many conservatories are directly connected to local or regional theaters—so it’s a great stepping stone into the professional world.

These programs are not easy to get accepted into, so if you really want to attend, be prepared for a lot of work upfront in the application and audition process. If you know it's the route you want to take, by all means, go for it! Just know upfront that it's a ton of work.

3. Explore Semi-Professional Theater

If a conservatory path isn’t quite right (or you want to start sooner), look for non-equity or semi-professional productions.

These might include:

• Dinner theaters
  

• Shakespeare in the Park
  

• Educational touring shows
  

• Seasonal productions or community opera houses
  

You won’t make a full-time income here, but you’ll start building a professional resume, getting paid stipends, and working with experienced directors.

Pro tip: Always keep your materials (headshot, résumé, reel) up to date—even if you’re starting out!

4. Attend Open Calls for Professional Productions

Equity shows (through Actors’ Equity Association) sometimes hire both union and non-union performers, but Equity actors get audition priority. That said, open calls are still a great way to break in.

Look for:

• “Equity Membership Candidate (EMC)” opportunities
  

• “Non-union actors welcome” notices
  

• Theme park auditions (like Disney or Universal), which often accept open applications
  

Disney World entertainment, for example, is part of Equity, but they host open auditions for performers regularly.

Final Thoughts: Be Realistic, Stay Hopeful

You’ve chosen a competitive career path—but you’ve also chosen something you love. And that passion is what will keep you going.

So remember:

• Auditioning is part of the job
  

• Every “no” is a step toward your next “yes”
  

• Experience and networking take time—but they pay off
  

Stay positive, stay prepared, and keep learning. You have every chance to make your dream a reality.

If you're interested in more support in your audition process, check out my FREE Audition Material Guide. This simple Ebook will guide you through selecting the right material and having it ready to go for ANY theatre audition! You'll then also be signed up for my newsletter and receive weekly ideas and updates to keep improving as an actor.

Happy auditioning and break a leg!