Looking to find the best audiobooks for actors? You’ve come to the right place. Being an aspiring actor can be hard, but the more knowledge you arm yourself with the better chance you have for success…
The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide
Jenna Fischer
Jenna Fischer is a successful actress known for her iconic role in the TV series The Office, but it took her nearly 10 years after coming to Los Angeles before she landed that role. Now, she has gathered dozens of tips for people who wish to be actors, but aren’t sure how to get started, and this is practical information that all would-be actors can use. If you desire is to be an actor, but you don’t know quite what to expect or what to do first, this is the audiobook for you.
The Actor’s Art and Craft: William Esper Teaches the Meisner Technique
William Esper
If you want to be an actor, you have to hone your craft and learn all you can about it, and this audiobook can teach you how to do just that. Whether you’re interested in Shakespeare or soap operas, the book gives instructions on how to be the best actor possible, and it provides you with a step-by-step approach that both beginners and experienced actors can benefit from. You can easily follow these steps and become better at your acting skills regardless of the type of acting you intend on doing, which is why this audiobook is such a great addition to your collection.
Working Actor: Breaking In, Making a Living, and Making a Life in the Fabulous Trenches of Show Business
David Dean Bottrell
If you want to get started in acting, it’s best if you get a little help from those who have been there, and this audiobook provides just that. Topics include how to get a great headshot, the do’s and don’ts of auditions, self-promotion advice, and picking the perfect agent. As you can tell, the book covers all of the nitty-gritty details of the career of acting, and these details are both practical and easy to follow. It is a must for all would-be actors out there.
The Audition Bible: Secrets Every Actor Needs to Know
Holly Powell
Powell was a casting director for more than 20 years and, therefore, knows what the powers-that-be are looking for when they audition people. She answers a lot of your questions about auditions and even helps you learn the proper protocol. Broken down into several parts, each section gives you practical advice regarding what directors look for and how you can hone your craft even better so that in the end, you can finally land the role of your dreams.
Drama: An Actor’s Education
John Lithgow
John Lithgow is a prolific actor, director, and producer, and he has worked in the acting field for many decades. He now shares his experiences – and his advice – with the audience, so listeners can get a first-hand glimpse into this career and improve their own chances of getting into the business. He reminisces about his years as an actor and provides a tale that is both poignant and harrowing, but above all else, he gives you a rare and personalized look into one of the world’s most challenging jobs.
The Film Actor’s Handbook
Jesse Vint
Jesse Vint is a veteran actor who has appeared in more than 100 films and has a lot of experience to share with the listeners of this audiobook. It is filled with detailed information on preparing for stress-free auditions, getting into character before the director says “action,” what it takes to become a star, and analyzing a script properly so that you’ll know which ones are the best. These and other tips provide would-be actors with valuable information they’ll need if they ever want to make it in the business, including the tips you need to make sure your roles always come from the heart.
On the Stage … and Off: The Brief Career of a Would-Be Actor
Jerome K. Jerome
A pre-1923 book that is still relevant today, the audiobook has been curated for quality and, therefore, can be relied on to be accurate. The book has always been considered culturally significant, which is why it has been brought back into existence. From a historical perspective, the book is considered to be very important, and it makes for a great addition to any would-be actor’s collection.
Tips for Actors
Fergus Craig
Although this audiobook provides you with a lot of practical advice on becoming an actor, it is also a funny parody that includes advice such as, “when you have sex with the casting director, fake your orgasm well so he knows what a good actress you are.” It also tells you what to wear to a rehearsal, how to upstage your colleagues, and the recommendation that you not actually read your script – after all, “would your character read it? No, of course not.” For any would-be actor, this is a great book to add to your list of essential acting tools, and it’ll give you a good laugh as well.
The Aspiring Actor’s Handbook: What Seasoned Actors Wish They Had Known
Molly Cheek, et al.
Written by two veteran actors, this audiobook was made to help people make informed decisions about becoming an actor. It contains numerous personal stories and helps people get their foot in the door, become a union member, deal with disappointment, and most of all, know what to expect from the acting profession. If you want to make it in show business, you already know your odds are slim, but this is one book that can increase those odds and make it much more likely that you’ll be a successful actor one day.
To Be or Wanna Be: The Top Ten Differences Between a Successful Actor and a Starving Artist
Sean Pratt
This book is often considered a primer for anyone who wants to get into the acting business, and it starts at the very beginning so that even people who have never acted before can get something out of it. The topics covered include finding the right day job, how to network properly, and how to market to the right niche. It also includes “how to” sections in each of the categories, and it covers both simple and more-complex aspects of becoming an actor.
Breaking and Entering: From Auditions to Agents to a Career
Philip Carlson
Philip Carlson is an agent who has signed up such notable actors as Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Idris Elba, Paul Giamatti, and Claire Danes, among others. In the audiobook, he discusses important topics such as auditions, which coast to work in, the business itself, staying real through it all, and which genre you will fit into the best. The secrets he shares are invaluable, and if you really want to get into show business, this audiobook is a must-have.
Actor. Writer. Whatever.: Essays on My Rise to the Top of the Bottom of the Entertainment Industry
Mellini Kantayya
If you want to pursue an acting career but want an honest, no-holds-barred view of what the profession is really like, this audiobook is for you. It is a collection of essays that describes the ups and downs of being an actor, and her brutally honest writing style may just prepare you for your dream a lot better than more serious books. It is both educational and entertaining, and it is one book you will never regret purchasing.
An Actor’s Business: How to Market Yourself as an Actor No Matter Where You Live
Andrew Reilly
This comprehensive and very detailed audiobook tells you everything you need to know about becoming an actor because it is very thorough and well-written. Regardless of where you live, your chances of making it as an actor will go up dramatically if you follow the tips and suggestions mentioned in this book. The information includes details on unions, acting in commercials, finding the right agent, and so much more. Even if you live in a small town out in the middle of nowhere but wish to become an actor, you need this audiobook.
All in All: An Actor’s Life On and Off the Stage
Stacy Keach
Stacy Keach is a top-notch actor who has worked alongside many other great actors, so he knows more than just a few things about the acting business. This book tells a little about his life before becoming an actor and includes priceless behind-the-scenes looks into a profession that most people know little about. He talks about both his professional and his personal life, and it will make you respect his career even more after listening to this book.
#SOBLESSED: The Annoying Actor Friend’s Guide to Werking in Show Business
@Actor_Friend
This is the essential “how to” guide that can help you enter the cutthroat world of acting. With the proceeds from the book going towards helping those with AIDS, it can actually give you a heads-up on what to do and what not to do to become a successful actor. Whether you’re in college studying acting or you’re getting ready for your first stint on Broadway, the book gives you tips on how to handle your social media accounts the entire way so that they can increase your odds of being successful in the end.
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