If you've decided that acting is what you want to do, and you really want to make a living at it, and not have to take in other kinds of workas well, its quite likely that you are going to need an acting agent to represent you and assist you in finding work.

In the beginning of course you may find your own jobs, but as you get a little busier, then you're gong to be working, while your agent is handling future work for you. Thats when having an agent, or an agency working for your benefit is going to come in handy.

When seeking an agent, try to find out what kind of actors that the agency or agent represents and what the type is, as some agencies specialise in primary types of actors, such as the girl next door, tough guy, business man type actors, while others may represent a completely different type.

When selecting an agent, be sure to find out the types of actors and actresses that agency primarily represents or has a lot of. There is avery good reason for this. If the agency you're looking at represents a whole lot of girl next door types, then you, as one of many of those, probably won't get looked at for a while for those parts, with so many of that type in the agency. In your case it migt be better to select an agency that primarily handles tough guys, so that if the casting director is searching for a girl next door type, you're going to be one of just a few clients like that that your agency handles..

The most common way to find an agent is probably word of mouth. Find out who represents someone that you admire, then ask them to speak with their agent or to put in a good word for you so that you get a foot in the door.

The second most common way of getting your agent will be by being seen, so each time yo'ure in a production, if there is an agent you'd particularly like to work with, send them a small postcard version of your ehadshot, or send a postcard from the actual show.

Plan to attend some talent agency seminars or check out the back stage papers to find out where those seminars are being held.

Send out blind mailings to the agencies you'd like to work with, that include a headshot, resume and a cover letter.