4 answers
1
Question
Asked
508 views
What should I do to become an actress later in life?
I am a 13 year old girl I’ve wanted to be an actress for a while now I don’t have very much experience acting besides my schools 5th grade musical. I want to be an actress once I finish school and I want to know what I should do now to have a more successful career later in life.
Login to comment
4 answers
Updated
Mel’s Answer
Lucy! Happy Holidays & So glad to read your question!
To begin with I particularly like Michelle's answer to your question, as she offers you some area specific ideas of ways to train, grow your skills and just generally grow a great foundation for your acting career.
I'd add to this by simply telling you that acting is a tough career. It is so challenging that even after you've had loads of training and experience, you'd be smart to pursue it only if there is nothing else that you can imagine yourself doing.
Take every opportunity to gain experience (there are no small roles), and be reliable ... on time, know your lines, be adaptable and always kind to others you encounter. (That guy handling props could be a future director or producer and the janitor might also be moonlighting so he can work on his screenplay.) Remember basic terminology like upstage, downstage, stage left and right. Know what it means to slate and then practice slating so that you can do it naturally (practice in front of a mirror, or recording yourself.) Expose yourself to different types of acting ... theater, on camera, voice over, etc. (I am a voice actor.)
Understand that being an actor requires the "not as fun stuff" too. You'll have to be an entrepreneur (yes, business classes will help) so that you can be your own accountant, marketing department, record keeper and more.
Acting is a wonderful art that requires much skill and determination, however, if it is your passion, it is a fulfulling art form that connects you with many others; in a unique and powerful way!
Best Wishes!
Mel
Mel Rose VO Actor
MelRoseVO.com
To begin with I particularly like Michelle's answer to your question, as she offers you some area specific ideas of ways to train, grow your skills and just generally grow a great foundation for your acting career.
I'd add to this by simply telling you that acting is a tough career. It is so challenging that even after you've had loads of training and experience, you'd be smart to pursue it only if there is nothing else that you can imagine yourself doing.
Take every opportunity to gain experience (there are no small roles), and be reliable ... on time, know your lines, be adaptable and always kind to others you encounter. (That guy handling props could be a future director or producer and the janitor might also be moonlighting so he can work on his screenplay.) Remember basic terminology like upstage, downstage, stage left and right. Know what it means to slate and then practice slating so that you can do it naturally (practice in front of a mirror, or recording yourself.) Expose yourself to different types of acting ... theater, on camera, voice over, etc. (I am a voice actor.)
Understand that being an actor requires the "not as fun stuff" too. You'll have to be an entrepreneur (yes, business classes will help) so that you can be your own accountant, marketing department, record keeper and more.
Acting is a wonderful art that requires much skill and determination, however, if it is your passion, it is a fulfulling art form that connects you with many others; in a unique and powerful way!
Best Wishes!
Mel
Mel Rose VO Actor
MelRoseVO.com
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question
Lucy
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
I would find a acting agency and get a agent that can help my level of acting.
Updated
Ricardo’s Answer
Hi Lucy,
Sometimes it's hard to give advice to someone who wants to act because not everybody who wants to act has the same dream. To some folks, acting is a passion on itself; turning into someone else, live the moment, allowing the experience of being someone during a live play or in front of a camera is all they want to be happy. But there also those who want to be famous and acting is a vehicle to achieve fame. Sometimes, those folks settle down for being an influencer because it gives them the instant gratification of a bunch of "likes" on their social networks. If you are one of those young people who want to be famous, there's nothing wrong with it, but I cannot be of much help.
On the other hand, if you have a passion for acting as a lifestyle, maybe I can give you a tip or two.
Acting has been defined as the search for moments of truth. It may sound vague, but it's actually very profound. When you are acting, you abandon yourself and turn into someone else and that's a sublime experience. It separates you from others, allowing you a unique experience where you can live several lives for the duration of a project. The joy is in the experience itself. The more you enjoy the moment, the more truthful it will come across. If it's truthful, the audiences (live or filmed) will immediately perceive the quality of your work and professional advance in your career will come naturally.
To achieve this ability of turning yourself into someone else, there are several techniques and I would recommend that you take classes and apply what you learn. There is one tip that will help you regardless of what formal learning you approach: Be a good observer. Walk around town watching how other people act and react. Watch young and older folks, men and women, abosrbe how they talk, their gestures, their reactions. Watch documentaries where people are interviewed, because they will be themselves and not follow a script. The good thing about being an observer is that it's free. You have the whole world around you to learn from.
The good news also is that, if you like acting beyond fortune and glory, you will always find local plays or indie movies to be a part of. Get involved as much as you can, because acting is a skill that gets better with practice. You need to become comfortable and confident and that also comes with doing as much as you can and as often as possible.
I hope this helps!
Sometimes it's hard to give advice to someone who wants to act because not everybody who wants to act has the same dream. To some folks, acting is a passion on itself; turning into someone else, live the moment, allowing the experience of being someone during a live play or in front of a camera is all they want to be happy. But there also those who want to be famous and acting is a vehicle to achieve fame. Sometimes, those folks settle down for being an influencer because it gives them the instant gratification of a bunch of "likes" on their social networks. If you are one of those young people who want to be famous, there's nothing wrong with it, but I cannot be of much help.
On the other hand, if you have a passion for acting as a lifestyle, maybe I can give you a tip or two.
Acting has been defined as the search for moments of truth. It may sound vague, but it's actually very profound. When you are acting, you abandon yourself and turn into someone else and that's a sublime experience. It separates you from others, allowing you a unique experience where you can live several lives for the duration of a project. The joy is in the experience itself. The more you enjoy the moment, the more truthful it will come across. If it's truthful, the audiences (live or filmed) will immediately perceive the quality of your work and professional advance in your career will come naturally.
To achieve this ability of turning yourself into someone else, there are several techniques and I would recommend that you take classes and apply what you learn. There is one tip that will help you regardless of what formal learning you approach: Be a good observer. Walk around town watching how other people act and react. Watch young and older folks, men and women, abosrbe how they talk, their gestures, their reactions. Watch documentaries where people are interviewed, because they will be themselves and not follow a script. The good thing about being an observer is that it's free. You have the whole world around you to learn from.
The good news also is that, if you like acting beyond fortune and glory, you will always find local plays or indie movies to be a part of. Get involved as much as you can, because acting is a skill that gets better with practice. You need to become comfortable and confident and that also comes with doing as much as you can and as often as possible.
I hope this helps!
Ricardo, your contribution here is beautiful and so true ! I am the actor you've spoken of in your second sentence, so accurately described. Acting is indeed sublime - so much so that if you're injured before a performance, while on stage, you don't even feel the injury at all ! It happened to me twice thanks to a dark backstage with a flat I tripped over and during another play, hurt my arm on on a stucco wall while running to the stage for my scene. Your words reminded me of this and all that is acting, how it's changed over the years. You can always make it a true joy.
Michelle M.
Thank you for your comment, Michelle. I hope Lucy receives our comments the way they are intended, which is to help in the best and most constructive way possible. I believe your comment will certainly add up to that intention!
Ricardo Islas
Thank you. Ricardo !
Michelle M.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Lucy !
This is a wonderful question, one which should bring some insight from our advisors. I have been a professional actress for many years and went to college to take the Bachelors Degree in Theatre. You are at a great age to start the training. From your age now till you're 18 will be a great time for gaining the training and performance experience you will need to start doing acting on your own without any adult oversight and accompaniment.
Continue to be involved as a performer in all of your school's shows. You will build experience, not just for a resume, but you will learn a great deal from the direction and information through actually acting. You can also avail yourself of opportunities in your town for acting. Do a search online for the following: Columbus Children’s Theatre, Star Performance Academy (and also has a summer camp), Camp Mary Orton, Arts Programs at Lincoln Theatre. Drama Kids has a summer camp in North Columbus, and The Columbus Performing Arts Center has acting classes. Go to their websites for information or phone them.
So until you are 18 and out of school and available 24/7 for acting work, take advantage of every opportunity to learn and act. When you get to high school, talk to the guidance counselor about dual enrollment which means you can take an acting class while in high school at a local community college. You will have a great circle of contacts and opportunity to network by doing this. At the point where you are available and know you are ready to start getting paid for it, you can register at Actors Access and submit your photo and resume and reel of your work for acting work.. As you move forward in school and throughout high school, you will become familiar with the materials you will need as an actress. The process of training and performing reveals everything you need to know to begin the career.
You can also contact Pickerington Community Theatre in Pickerington as they offer classes for children. Start reading the trade website Backstage as they have articles you may find interesting and you'll get an idea about what goes into starting the career and how actors obtain work. You can also always come here to Career Village to ask specific questions about information you may need.
Although no one can tell someone if they'll be successful or not, there are the basics for the foundation. Once you learn acting and feel ready, it will depend on what you put into it. It requires strong discipline, dedication and being a people person who likes to socialize (networking). Never compare yourself to others and always let your path unfold naturally. Success cannot be predicted because it depends on what your definition of success is, depends on where you pursue acting.
It will be very important for you to participate in Theatre Festivals while you are in high school. Contact these places to learn more about them: Madlabs Young Playwright’s Festival - they need actors and classes are given there, too, Drama Kids of Columbus, and Broadway2LA in Columbus. When I was a college student, we hosted the Lenaea Festival. It was super cool to see so many high school actors performing plays and awards are also given out. Try to see if you can perform in a festival - I think it's a three day event, at least Lenaea was.
So, it's just a mater of learning and doing and learning while doing! Important: have fun and never give up ! It is truly an awesome life !
This is a wonderful question, one which should bring some insight from our advisors. I have been a professional actress for many years and went to college to take the Bachelors Degree in Theatre. You are at a great age to start the training. From your age now till you're 18 will be a great time for gaining the training and performance experience you will need to start doing acting on your own without any adult oversight and accompaniment.
Continue to be involved as a performer in all of your school's shows. You will build experience, not just for a resume, but you will learn a great deal from the direction and information through actually acting. You can also avail yourself of opportunities in your town for acting. Do a search online for the following: Columbus Children’s Theatre, Star Performance Academy (and also has a summer camp), Camp Mary Orton, Arts Programs at Lincoln Theatre. Drama Kids has a summer camp in North Columbus, and The Columbus Performing Arts Center has acting classes. Go to their websites for information or phone them.
So until you are 18 and out of school and available 24/7 for acting work, take advantage of every opportunity to learn and act. When you get to high school, talk to the guidance counselor about dual enrollment which means you can take an acting class while in high school at a local community college. You will have a great circle of contacts and opportunity to network by doing this. At the point where you are available and know you are ready to start getting paid for it, you can register at Actors Access and submit your photo and resume and reel of your work for acting work.. As you move forward in school and throughout high school, you will become familiar with the materials you will need as an actress. The process of training and performing reveals everything you need to know to begin the career.
You can also contact Pickerington Community Theatre in Pickerington as they offer classes for children. Start reading the trade website Backstage as they have articles you may find interesting and you'll get an idea about what goes into starting the career and how actors obtain work. You can also always come here to Career Village to ask specific questions about information you may need.
Although no one can tell someone if they'll be successful or not, there are the basics for the foundation. Once you learn acting and feel ready, it will depend on what you put into it. It requires strong discipline, dedication and being a people person who likes to socialize (networking). Never compare yourself to others and always let your path unfold naturally. Success cannot be predicted because it depends on what your definition of success is, depends on where you pursue acting.
It will be very important for you to participate in Theatre Festivals while you are in high school. Contact these places to learn more about them: Madlabs Young Playwright’s Festival - they need actors and classes are given there, too, Drama Kids of Columbus, and Broadway2LA in Columbus. When I was a college student, we hosted the Lenaea Festival. It was super cool to see so many high school actors performing plays and awards are also given out. Try to see if you can perform in a festival - I think it's a three day event, at least Lenaea was.
So, it's just a mater of learning and doing and learning while doing! Important: have fun and never give up ! It is truly an awesome life !
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Lucy
You're welcome, Lucy !
Michelle M.