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I want to become an actress and a barrister, but don't quite know how to pursue both careers at the same time and what to do to succeed in both fields.

I live in the UK and am aspiring to be an actress, which has been a dream of mine since i was younger all while becoming a barrister (which has been my parents' dream that i want to fulfil for them) Im currently 15, turning 16 and really don't know what to do.
I've taken up many school productions and have scripted and helped direct a few productions too.

#college #drama #acting #actor #barrister #law #theatre

law acting theatre actor drama barrister
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Chinwe’s Answer

Hi there! Congratulations on being multi-talented! I live in the United States and had a similar experience. I trained as and became an attorney for a bit, but I wanted to be an opera singer. So after law school, I went back to get a degree in Music. Now I work as a Training Specialist (because the law was not for me) and I pursue my creative projects on the side. If I could do it again, I probably would have gone to music school first, while I was younger, instead of trying to get into the arts as an older person. Either way is do able, but since music was my passion, I wish I had done that first. In my opinion, it is easier to became a barrister/lawyer later in life, when a person knows that is what they really want (and can possibly pay for law school by themselves)! In fact, while I was in law school, there were some people for whom the law was a second career, and they were serious about it and seemed to thrive. If you feel comfortable, talk it over with your parents and/or support network. Who knows, your parents may be willing to support your acting dream for a period of time and/or with conditions (such as getting a 4 year degree then pursuing acting etc.) Hang in there, it will all work out! :-)

Chinwe recommends the following next steps:

If comfortable, talk with your parents and/or support network
Keep on acting and learning your craft
See if there are others like you who want to pursue acting and reach out to them
Try not to get discouraged, it will all work out!
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John’s Answer

Why do you feel the need to fulfill your parents' dream for you if it's not your dream for you? You should be what you want to be, not what anyone else wants you to be. This doesn't mean you don't love your parents. But no matter how happy someone else is with your career, if YOU aren't happy with it, YOU won't be happy.
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Maria’s Answer

Having one career is difficult; having two careers can be achieved but require focus, dedication and hard work. The first advise is to talk with your school counselor or an attorney or actor to get answers to your questions. Secondly, get a good amount of training, education and exposure in the respective area. For example, go and see different types of plays; read plays and/or legal publications ; volunteer at the theaters and/or local law firms; and go on auditions. The more you are actively engaged in activities relating to the two career choices the more likely you will be exposed and the higher your chance of success.

Both career choices are demanding positions. Therefore, you will need to sit down and figure out how you see yourself in each role. Being a barrister (lawyer) requires licensing so you will have to determine when and where you want to accomplish that requirement. You will also have to figure out what area of law you want to practice. Since you are already engaging in school productions and writing and directing plays, you have some knowledge and foundation on how the theater industry works so build upon that base.

Maria recommends the following next steps:

Sit down and map out high level actions needed to become a successful actress
Sit down and map out high level actions needed to become an attorney include the area of focus
Talk to people who are currently practicing in this area; ask for recommendations and references
Take chances and experiment
Review the two careers and plans and be realistic
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Hannah’s Answer

Your two career ideas are more compatible than you think. You may have to compromise the level of achievement you reach in your dual careers though. The good thing about the performing arts is that there are both amateur and professional productions going on everywhere. I cannot speak to the amount of free time you will have as a barrister, but you can make it work if you really want to. Maybe you can research law careers that don't involve doing a lot of work at home. That would give you time for auditions and rehearsals in the evening.

I had a slightly different career combination in mind, opera singer and biochemist. I was lucky to end up at a large university where I was able to earn dual degrees in music and science. After graduating, I have focused on science and still pursue singing for fun. I take lessons, have sung in a professional choir, and I was supposed to be in an opera this spring.

I'm not sure if law school is a post-graduate degree in the UK, but if it is, that makes things even more flexible. You could study acting and take pre-law courses as well.

Whatever you choose, best of luck!
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Fiona’s Answer

It really depends what you want to do. I actually did speech and drama for 11 years (from primary school into university) as an extra curricular activity, and although i loved acting i always knew i would pursue law. As such, acting and theatre has remained a hobby only. The two are vastly different careers. I can't say about acting but law certainly requires much commitment and is very tough (studying, then work becomes even tougher). Perhaps it would help to talk to people in each of these careers and do some internships?
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ho’s Answer

I am so proud of you that have two careers want to do. Also I had this experience with you . I learn the acting about 7 years. when I was a high school student, everyday I keep to go to school and after school I will study drama in outside. This time is very memorable. Have a lot of amazing moment. also we are so tried this time. I think all roads lead to Rome. if you want to do that no one can stop you. But you need to made a big hard work and strong perseverance. I am 25 years old now. I choose the job is not any relationship with acting. But I think I always keep to use the acting skill in the life. I hope you can choose the road is you feel happy. How to be happy is more of the important things in the world.

ho recommends the following next steps:

try to understand what's the basic about the career
find someone can share with you about the now situation
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Alexis’s Answer

Firstly thank you for opening up to everyone. My name is Alexis I used to work in both at a theme park when I was younger so my advice to accomplish both of these dreams is to find a dinner and show restaurant or find a theme park that hosts live shows and also work as a barista during the times your not performing in the park or perhaps a murder mystery dinner those always help with the acting/singing portion while still earning you a living as a barista.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

-Alexis
Thank you comment icon Hi Alexis, thank you for sharing your experiences! I think you may have misinterpreted the question. The student said barrister not barista Gurpreet Lally, Admin
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