Behind the Curtain: How to Succeed as an Actor

"Success begins when you see beyond the spotlight"

When people ask me what I do, I usually laugh because it’s not a one-line answer. I’ve been an actress. I’ve been a talent agent. I’m a mentor and empowerment coach. I have lived a kaleidoscops of worlds that has culminated into what I do now. I’ve sat on both sides of the industry, the one waiting for the call, and the one making the call and honestly, that’s the reason I see the industry so differently.

Walking both paths has shown me truths that most actors never get to hear - the things whispered behind the curtain and if you're wondering how to succeed as an actor, these lessons are the ones that stand out!

Lesson One: Casting Directors Really Do Want You to Win

When I first started acting, it felt like casting was this brutal test. As an agent and with decades long insight into casting, I’ve seen what’s really going on. Casting directors aren’t against you. They’re not sitting there waiting for you to fail. They’re desperate for you to walk in (or appear on tape) and make their job easier.

Action- Stop performing to please. Start creating to connect. Next time you’re in an audition or self-tape, remind yourself: “They want me to succeed.” That mindset shift changes your energy instantly.

Lesson Two: Rejection Isn’t About You

I know, it feels personal. I’ve cried over it, too however from the agent side, I’ve seen that 90% of the time the decision has nothing to do with talent. It might be height, availability, hair colour, or the fact that they already cast someone who looks like you.

Action- When you hear “no,” train yourself to ask: “What’s the lesson here?” Instead of spiralling, redirect that energy into practice, outreach, or your next tape. The actors who master resilience are the ones who stay in the game long enough to succeed.

Lesson Three: Preparation Isn’t Just Lines

I’ve watched countless auditions. The difference between good and unforgettable is never about talent alone. It’s about depth. The actors who succeed are the ones who show up having thought about the layers, the archetype of the role, the emotional truth behind the lines. That’s what sticks. and stands out.

Action- Build your own prep ritual. Don’t just learn the script. Journal as the character. Explore what they’re afraid of, what they crave, what they hide. That extra work is what makes casting directors remember you. Do the work - embody the character inside amd out.

Lesson Four: Energy Speaks Louder Than Your CV

This one is huge. I’ve sat in meetings and watched the same thing happen over and over again: the person who walks in grounded, calm, present-they change the room. Energy is the secret currency of this business and if you want to know how to succeed as an actor in today’s industry, mastering your energy is non-negotiable.

Action- Before every audition, pitch, or meeting, ground yourself. Breathe. Visualise the frequency of your future self. Actors who lead with aligned energy are magnetic.

Lesson Five: You Are the CEO of You

This might be the biggest truth I’ve learned. Agents can open doors, yes- however the actors who truly succeed are the ones who stop waiting for permission and start owning their careers. They network. They build relationships. They create their own work. They treat themselves as a brand.

Action- Every week, do one thing to invest in “CEO you.” That might be sending a follow-up, writing a short film, reaching out to a director, or working on your craft. Small consistent steps compound over time.

My Closing Thoughts

Working on both sides of the industry has taught me that how to succeed as an actor isn’t about chasing everything. It’s about alignment- alignment of your craft, your energy, your strategy, and your self-belief.

I know how lonely and confusing this business can feel. I’ve lived that. But I also know that when you combine inner alignment with outer strategy, you stop surviving the industry and start thriving in it.

That’s why I do what I do now - to give actors the roadmap that blends artistry, empowerment, and strategy.

Because succeeding as an actor isn’t just about booking the role. It’s about becoming the kind of artist people want to work with, again and again.

Keep rising and keep shining

Love

Jenna ✨