What Does Being a Professional Actor Mean to You?

Take a moment. Ask yourself honestly - “What does being a professional actor mean to me?” Not what you think it’s supposed to mean. Not what someone once told you. But to you. If your first thoughts sound something like “If I’m talented, I’ll be discovered” or “I need to get an agent first,” you’re not alone. These ideas are everywhere. But they’re mostly myths - ones that can hold you back and keep you stuck. The truth? Being a professional actor isn’t about waiting to be chosen. It’s about taking ownership. About showing up, even when no one’s watching yet. 

Professionalism = Strategy + Consistency + Craft.

Let’s start with the talent myth. You’ve probably been told you’re talented. That’s great. But talent alone isn’t a strategy. It’s a foundation - but without structure and direction, it doesn’t take you far. The actors who build careers aren’t always the most talented in the room. They’re the ones who take action. The ones who decide where they want to go, who they want to work with, and what kind of stories they want to tell. They make a plan. You can do the same. Ask yourself: What kind of work excites me? Whose work inspires me? Where do I want to be five years from now - and what can I do this week to get closer to that?

And what about the idea that you need an agent first? That’s another delay tactic disguised as logic. An agent can be a wonderful ally, but you don’t need one to start being seen, creating work, or building relationships in the industry. Focus instead on becoming someone an agent would be excited to represent. Keep refining your craft, making bold choices, getting in rooms - virtual or otherwise - and creating your own content if opportunities aren’t knocking. Your progress doesn’t begin when you get an agent. It begins when you start moving. ‘Collaboration Is Key’ - ask people around you for help. Collaborate with other students within Mark Evans Studio so brainstorm ideas and to hold each other accountable. Community can make things SO much easier.

Then there’s social media. A student recently asked me about my thoughts on some new plans she had for increasing her profile on social media. My advice was to not make her goal to  ‘increase her profile’ but to focus on authenticity and to share what she feels she wants to and that other people would find valuable or interesting - to make them laugh, to entertain, to educate, to comfort. Let it provide something for the viewer first and as a result, it will increase your following. Social media is a powerful and complicated part of being a professional actor today. It can be a great tool. You can use it to show your personality, promote your work, and connect with like-minded artists. But it can also be a trap. You might find yourself scrolling, comparing, feeling like you’re behind. 

The truth? You’re not behind. You’re just on your path. Use social media when it supports you - but don’t let it define your worth. Let it be an extension of your artistry, not a replacement for it. At least in my opinion.

So - what does being a professional actor mean to you now? Hopefully, it feels more grounded. More within your reach. Being a professional doesn’t require fame, a big break, or someone else’s permission. It requires that you take your passion seriously. That you make clear choices. That you keep showing up for your craft, your growth, and your goals. This is your journey. You get to lead it. One thoughtful, consistent, strategic step at a time. 

Keep up the great work! :) 

Mark