In objective terms, your agent is your professional representative. He or she will suggest you, as appropriate, for roles that come to his or her attention and will negotiate your contract when you get the job. An acting agent also deals with the creative aspects of the business, providing networking and support services.
In subjective terms, an agent can be mother, father, shrink, salesperson, facilitator, publicist. An acting agent, says Michael Oscars is "a champion, never enough for the client, far too much for the employer." An agent is an actor's lifeline to the industry in a fifty-fifty partnership.
Agents expect honesty, loyalty and professionalism from you. An actor needs to be working as hard as his or her acting agent to achieve their common goal of getting work. Your end of the deal is to provide your agent with up-to-date photos, resumes and tapes so they have the tools that enable them to sell you to prospective employers. When you need to prepare for an audition, off script if possible, be dressed appropriately, be early and do your absolute best to show casting that you are the one for the job.