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To be an actress, what is the first step that I should take?
I am 14-years old in the 10th grade with no experience in acting. #acting
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Gloria’s Answer
Hi rosalina,
I think that the best way to start acting is to take an acting class. Another way is to simply start auditioning, especially at your school. I know several people who started out performing at my school simply by auditioning for something that was going on. You may want to take classes that are related to acting such as dancing or singing. Just like anything, the best way to be good at something is to start doing it. You may be awful at everything in the beginning, but everyone is awful when they are learning something new.
Gloria
I think that the best way to start acting is to take an acting class. Another way is to simply start auditioning, especially at your school. I know several people who started out performing at my school simply by auditioning for something that was going on. You may want to take classes that are related to acting such as dancing or singing. Just like anything, the best way to be good at something is to start doing it. You may be awful at everything in the beginning, but everyone is awful when they are learning something new.
Gloria
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Megan’s Answer
Speak. It is best to be too loud rather than too quiet. Unless you audition for a character you think speaks a certain way, enunciate more than usual.
Move. Use your head, shoulders, abdomen, legs, and extremities to adjust posture for character, timing, and emotion. Do not fear making a moment last to amplify the scene's tension.
Watch. Directors will remember those who memorize other parts. I have been able to take on unofficial understudy work when others were absent, which both saved me from boredom as well as said something of my character as an actress.
Work. Arrive on time, help others out, and think on your feet. You'd be surprised what could happen during a performance--onstage or backstage.
Stay Silent Backstage. I cannot tell you this enough. Those who are silent backstage are a blessing to directors. It may frustrate you that you do well and others do not; and directors may not notice that you are silent amidst a rowdy troupe. However, they will notice if you are loud. Save yourself the guilt (but also do not lord it over your troupe-mates directly or indirectly) and perhaps add positive memorability to your resume.
Go. If the director calls you to fill a spot, try to do it. If Frog #4 has lost her hair-tie, give her a spare--or even your only--hair-tie. If the music director moves you from Part A to Part B to even out the volume of both parts (despite your loving Part A), don't quarrel.
Be Humble. Although you may at some point think your tenure and goodness have afforded you a lead, and you may think others got their parts for other reasons than character and talent, take what you can. You never know who is in the audience looking for trustworthy, faithful, and talented actors!
Learn the stage directions ASAP. If you're in a children's theatre production, directors will likely reiterate them.
Learn the blocking shorthand. SL = Stage Left; SR = Stage Right; XCS = Cross to Center Stage; etcetera. Your script only needs to be legible to you, so it's better to write it down before you forget (and IN your script) than write it well.
Do without the script ASAP. It's only a requirement later in the show, but the sooner you can do without it, the sooner your hands and arms are free to season your movement--not to mention the sooner the director's socks will be knocked off!
If in a musical, you must learn to breathe properly and take care of your voice. An ensemble role is better on the off chance you get sick, as your singing time is already carried by several others. Also, for dancing, practice. If you're experienced and the show has little dancing beyond the basics for the stage, there's no need other than to stretch.
Being sociable is a plus. But beware: engage only when it is acceptable. I would proffer learning the ASL alphabet to communicate backstage, but you might not find others in the troupe who understand it.
Move. Use your head, shoulders, abdomen, legs, and extremities to adjust posture for character, timing, and emotion. Do not fear making a moment last to amplify the scene's tension.
Watch. Directors will remember those who memorize other parts. I have been able to take on unofficial understudy work when others were absent, which both saved me from boredom as well as said something of my character as an actress.
Work. Arrive on time, help others out, and think on your feet. You'd be surprised what could happen during a performance--onstage or backstage.
Stay Silent Backstage. I cannot tell you this enough. Those who are silent backstage are a blessing to directors. It may frustrate you that you do well and others do not; and directors may not notice that you are silent amidst a rowdy troupe. However, they will notice if you are loud. Save yourself the guilt (but also do not lord it over your troupe-mates directly or indirectly) and perhaps add positive memorability to your resume.
Go. If the director calls you to fill a spot, try to do it. If Frog #4 has lost her hair-tie, give her a spare--or even your only--hair-tie. If the music director moves you from Part A to Part B to even out the volume of both parts (despite your loving Part A), don't quarrel.
Be Humble. Although you may at some point think your tenure and goodness have afforded you a lead, and you may think others got their parts for other reasons than character and talent, take what you can. You never know who is in the audience looking for trustworthy, faithful, and talented actors!
Megan recommends the following next steps: