There’s a reason—or rather, several reasons—Vancouver has earned the nickname “Hollywood North.” The British Columbia city boasts the Vancouver Civic Theatres’ stage performances, and is the filming location for many popular TV shows and films, including HBO’s “The Last of Us” and “Euphoria,” and A24’s “Heretic.” For an aspiring actor, this Canadian metropolis offers a perfect blend of international productions, stellar training programs, and a supportive creative community. Here’s how to become an actor there:
1. Understand Vancouver’s acting scene.
This city is a fantastic spot for actors. You’ll find tons of resources here, plus a super welcoming and collaborative acting community. And opposed to “major cities like Los Angeles or New York, where auditions can feel like a cattle call, the Vancouver acting scene tends to have a more personal, community feel,” notes the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts. “Smaller productions mean there are fewer actors competing for the same roles.”
To make the most of the scene, strive to connect with fellow thespians (more on that in a moment), and explore the City of Glass’ many performance spaces and production studios.
2. Train.
Vancouver stands among Canada’s best cities for actors partly due to its wealth of professional-level training options for performers at every stage. Here are some standouts:
- Vancouver Acting School
- Vancouver Young Actors School
- Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts
- Story Institute Acting School
- LeBlanc School of Acting
- Haven Acting Studio
- Shoreline Studios
- The Actor’s Foundry
3. Prepare your materials.
Casting directors first get to know you through your headshot (here’s a list of reputable local headshot photographers in the city), acting résumé, and demo reel—so you’ll want to make sure they’re professional, polished, and full of personality before submitting to the top CDs in Vancouver, like:
- Clark & Page Casting
- Mayrs/Brandstatter
- Castaway Productions
- Ann Forry Casting
- Kirsten Dewolfe Casting
4. Network with fellow Vancouverites.
Networking is key to making it in Vancouver’s acting scene, especially since it’s a smaller community where who you know really matters. Events and groups where you can engage with other performers in the community include:
- Vancouver International Film Festival
- Crazy8s
- Vancouver Asian Film Festival
- Vancouver Actors and Models Community
- Actors in Vancouver
- Vancouver Improv and Acting Practice
5. Submit to auditions and casting calls.
Look for acting gigs on our Vancouver casting call database—or check in with our regularly updated Canada casting calls page.
6. Seek representation.
An acting agent in Canada will have the valuable insider knowledge necessary to next-level your career. Fortunately, Vancouver has a ton of options, including:
- The Characters Talent Agency
- Connekt Creative
- da Costa Talent Management
- Lucas Talent Inc.
- Pacific Artists Management
- Performers Management
- PLAY Management
- RED Management