Acting Professionally: An Essential Career Guide for the Actor

Filled with practical advice and highlighting pitfalls to avoid, Acting Professionally gives a clear understanding of how acting careers are built and sustained. Now in its 9th edition, this book has become the leading book in the field since the first edition published in 1972.

It includes an extensive new section on the industry to reflect the 21st century, including signposting new resources and insights, and considering the shifting landscape and opportunities offered by TV streaming, voiceover for gaming, internet, audiobooks, motion capture and podcasts.

Critically, this new edition reflects the vital changes in the industry as a result of the Black Lives Matter, Time's Up and Me Too movements, and the Covid-19 pandemic. It acknowledges and seeks to address the challenges of the industry often faced by actors when it comes to race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.

It includes interviews with leading industry figures, including Broadway producer Brian Moreland, Broadway director LaTonya Richardson Jackson, casting director Erica Jenson and leading actors of colour. This 9th edition speaks to the changed landscape of audition practice and best practice in the industry, ensuring that it's a book that's useful, relevant and accessible to every actor starting out today.