From the Mickey Mouse–shaped power line pylon to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando is nothing if not performative—which makes it a great place to break into the industry. If you’re an aspiring actor hoping to make a name for yourself in the land of theme parks, alligators, and humidity so dense you’ll never be dry again, this seven-step guide is for you.
1. Acquaint yourself with Orlando’s entertainment landscape.
O-Town’s acting scene differs from other major entertainment markets due to its blend of theme parks (more than a dozen!), regional theaters, and growing production studios. With Walt Disney World and Universal Studios as anchors, the city offers year-round employment options that many other markets can’t match—not to mention that you can find local legends (and not just Florida Man) in the region’s every nook and cranny.
2. Study up.
Refine your capabilities by taking classes at one of Orlando’s top acting studios:
- Truthful Acting Studios
- ClassAct Studios
- The Actor’s Group Orlando
- Art’s Sake Acting Studio
- CAST Studio
- The Studio Orlando
3. Get your materials Disney-ready.
Give your best prince(ss) charming with a professional headshot, acting résumé, and demo reel to send to top Orlando casting directors:
- Heather Heinz
- Mark Mullen and Associates Casting
- John Peros Casting
- Frontrunner Casting
4. Network with other performers in Orlando.
Whether bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young actors arriving for the Disney College Program or seasoned performers diving into the hustle and bustle of the audition process, Orlando actors come from all walks of life in search of the same (once upon a) dream. To connect with your community, check out these acting events and groups:
- Orlando Film Festival
- Orlando Fringe Festival
- OIF Studio
- Orlando Shakes
- Orlando Actors/Actresses (Facebook)
- Orlando Theater Network (Facebook)
- Big Potato Foundation
How to Become an Actor5. Find and apply to gigs.
Acting in Orlando means access to performance opportunities as diverse as the Florida Everglades:
- Film & TV: Search for acting jobs using our comprehensive Orlando casting call database.
- Theme parks: Learn how to become an amusement park cast member here.
- Disney: Check out our guide to auditioning for Disney and getting cast in a Pixar or Marvel Cinematic Universe film.
- Dinner theater: Even outside the powerhouses of entertainment, actors can perform for dinner shows like Medieval Times, The Pirates Dinner Adventure, The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, or Teatro Martini’s Variety Vaudeville Revue.
- Cruises: Just 45 miles outside of Orlando, Port Canaveral is a major cruise port, offering an ongoing stream of gigs for the artistically inclined. Read our guide to becoming a cruise ship performer to earn your sea legs.
6. Land an agent.
Talent agents have the connections and insider know-how to take your career to infinity and beyond (to paraphrase Orlando luminary Buzz Lightyear). Here are some of the top options in the City Beautiful:
- Slate Model & Talent Agency
- Level Talent Group
- 22Talent
- The Diamond Agency
- Paradym Group
- ABN Talent Agency
- Lock Talent
7. Keep growing and persevering.
Getting your start in Orlando can mean putting your career into liftoff like an EPCOT space launch. CDs nationwide will be impressed by the stamina and professionalism necessary to make it in such a major theater and entertainment hub—and if that’s not enough, they’ll surely also be amazed by your ability to withstand the scorching Florida heat.