We all have a list of some sort. The roles that inspired us to get into acting in the first place, the pie-in-the-sky projects, the dream script, etc.
These are the goals that keep us hustling through the bread-and-butter projects. However, waiting around for those dreams to come true can be disheartening and ultimately unproductive. But how to make your bucket list a reality? Here are some things to keep in mind.
What You’ll Find in This Article
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Don’t Wait for Permission
I truly think this is the biggest hurdle. As artists and especially actors, we are used to having to wait to be given roles and opportunities by professionals with more authority. They have the money, the scripts, the venues and the seniority; and while that is an undeniable aspect of the industry structure, it is not the only way you’ll get to play your dream role. You have the power to create your own opportunities. The first step is to decide you’re going to make it happen yourself.
Set Your Intentions
Being clear and specific about your goals will help focus your efforts to achieve them. What bucket list roles or projects are most important to you? Trying to get everything done at once will spread you too thin. Narrow down your list and pour your energy into pursuing those most essential things. I also find that when you have those specific goals clear and present in your mind, you’re more likely to see and take advantage of the right opportunities.
Banish Self-Doubt
This might be the hardest one for me. But that little voice that says you’re not being realistic, you don’t deserve it, other people will never see you in that role? Tell them to pack their bags. That inner critic will stop your dream projects before they start. I always thought it would be fun to write lyrics and a book for a musical, but I hesitated for years because my training and experience were essentially in non-musical theatre and film. But once I ignored that voice in my head, I was able to connect with like-minded people, found a project we were excited about, applied for a grant, and I just produced and directed the first iteration of a children’s musical I wrote with a friend. It never would have seen the light of day if I had listened to early doubts.
Call on Your Resources
Remember that you are not the only one who can make your dreams come true. Keeping your dream role or project secret might feel safer, but the more you talk about it with friends and colleagues, the wider the net of people who can refer you to the right opportunities. No one can help connect you with the right people or venues if no one knows you’re looking. Of course, some discretion is wise–it’s always good to be cautious of who you trust with important information. But finding those people and resources you do trust is a crucial step in the journey to creating your own opportunities.
Get Creative
Often, we get stuck thinking goals can only be accomplished in a certain way, dream roles only “count” if certain people cast you, or if you were paid a certain amount for it, or a million other qualifiers we apply when measuring success. But that mindset can be so limiting. It can close our eyes to opportunities to do the work we really care about. The way stories are told and distributed is ever-evolving. Don’t be afraid to be part of that evolution. Something that helps me sometimes is asking myself questions. Take an honest look at each obstacle that is preventing you from reaching your goal and ask what if. What if you came at it from a different angle, worked with various people, chose a different medium? If you can’t go through a roadblock, make your own path around it.
An acting career is not a test where you have to show your work. No one is going to show up at the end of your acting career and tell you whether or not you did it the “right” way. Find a way to do the work that matters to you.
Final Takeaways
Pursuing your dream roles often feels like waiting for someone else to hand you the key—but the truth is, you hold the power to unlock those doors yourself. Clarity, confidence, connection, and creativity are your greatest tools on this journey. Here are some practical steps to turn your acting bucket list into real projects you can be proud of.
- Don’t wait for permission. Create your own opportunities and take the first step toward your dream role yourself.
- Get specific about your goals; focus on a few key projects to channel your energy effectively.
- Silence your inner critic by challenging self-doubt and giving yourself permission to try new things.
- Share your dreams selectively with trusted peers to expand your network and uncover unexpected chances.
- Think outside the box. Explore alternative paths, mediums or collaborators to bring your vision to life.
