Ask any actress that got her start on soap operas and you will find that landing a gig as a soap actress is no easy task, but it is one that can open unlimited doors. Whether you use becoming a soap opera actress as a means to make a name for yourself and branch out, or you are looking for a lifetime role (see Victoria Lord Davidson of "One Life to Live" or Susan Lucci of "All My Children"), you will need to use your beauty, brains and acting chops.
Instructions
1. Hone your craft. Take classes on acting, especially courses that specialize in soap opera acting. Search your community for acting workshops and groups that will help you fine tune your skills as a soap opera actress. More than just a pretty face, you need to be able to show casting agents that you have what it takes to be on this soap opera, so take your craft seriously.
2. Decide which type of role you are looking for. "Contract role" actors are paid the most and they have the recurring, everyday role on these soaps. While this is ideal for those interested in spending their career on soaps, "day players" or "recurring day players" can use their role on these soaps as a jumping off point. Day players are actors that speak at least five lines on an episode. Recurring day players come back for more than one speaking role in one episode. There are also "atmosphere players," who are essentially extras. Their work is not steady and they speak less than five lines on a single soap. It is not steady, but it is a good way to network and get to know major players in the world of soap acting.
3. Get headshots taken of you. These are your calling card, so don't skimp on this aspect. Have professionally photos taken and have plenty of glossy copies to leave with casting agents and production companies.
4. Create your acting resume. Include any relevant classes, workshops and acting experience, paid or non-paid, that will demonstrate your ability. Include any special skills that might be used on a soap opera. For example, can you speak multiple languages, stage fight, do a foreign accent or juggle? Include this information on your resume along with your contact information, references, and background.
5. Move to New York City or Los Angeles. As with most television shows and movies, these are the two places where soap operas are ordinarily filmed. You need to be able to be as close to the action as possible to stand a chance at landing a role. It is extraordinarily rare that soap actresses are plucked out of small towns, so make yourself available, even if it means taking a few waitressing jobs to pay the bills.
6. Prepare a monologue. If a casting agent were to call you to come over in an hour and show them what you got, would you be ready? Practice and become extremely familiar with a monologue that demonstrates your range. Practice in front of a mirror or on video to get a clearer view of your strengths and weaknesses.
7. Search for open casting calls and attend every single one that you can. Even if you don't land the gig, leave your headshots and resume to network wherever you go. Soap operas rely on a revolving cast of characters and ever-increasing storylines and plot webs, so don't be afraid to keep auditioning for different roles.
8. Consider hiring an agent. Some popular casting agencies used by soap opera producers are Cenex and Central Casting. These agencies specialize in extras, but because soap operas are always looking for new faces it is not unlikely that you could be discovered just by being on the set. These agents can be an invaluable resource in landing a gig. They will often have insider knowledge that will help you get your feet in the door of auditions that might make or break your career.
