3 answers
Unity
Student
Lenoir City, Tennessee
1
Question
Asked
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What should be my first steps towards pursuing my acting career?
I'm already doing high-school theatre, but a lot of people after my last show have told me that they think I'm ready for the next step. What should I do to be able to take that next step? Also, my parent's wont help, so when is a good time for me to begin trying?
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Unity !
Wow, it's great to receive such positive feedback after a show and I am happy for you about that ! I would like to give you some sound advice about your next step as an actor and hopefully let you know what would be the beneficial steps.
Since you're still in high school, my advice is to venture out into community theatre as that would be the most logical step. For you to take a professional leap you would need to relocate to a major city and secure an agent that could get you work. Since this is not doable as you would also need a hefty bit of financial savings to live on until you get settled, community theatre can be a stepping stone for many reasons. Acting outside of high school carries more weight than your high school shows and will be a bit more rigorous and you will have new directors and co-actors to work with. You need variety to hone your skills. Perhaps you can form a theatre troop and perform original plays at some local venues so you don't have to worry about traveling very far. Right now in your state, Nashville is growing as an entertainment mecca for actors. By forming a group of players and writers in your local area, you will also practice your leadership skills as well which will help you for college.
I would suggest that you graduate high school and go to college. You can major in anything but take Acting every semester. You'll want that degree to be marketable for work in either theatre or another field of work.
You are in a remote area for acting opportunities, however you can register with the website Actors Access. When something is being cast near you, you can audition for it. College acting classes will be instrumental in teaching you the audition process and even open some doors for you for acting opportunities. Even if you don't start auditioning, prepare your photos and resume and keep them on hand. You never know what you may want to send your photo to so you should be prepared with the materials you'll need. Never ever pay any person or agency for the opportunity to act. The only people you should expect to have to pay would be acting teachers for the training and education they offer and when you join the actors union.
Sometimes acting jobs do happen in very remote areas so I would suggest to look into background extra work in films, too. You can indicate on Actors Access that you're interested in extra work. That is always an exciting experience and exposes you to a movie set and you will learn from the experience.
It's difficult that your parents can't be involved because for this type of career you need an unusually strong support system. You need the financial means for transportation and other things that come up. Do not discount the positive feedback you're already getting, but realize that it's a good thing to reassure you while you build towards a support system and viable contacts in the business. Once you become independent and live on your own, that would be the time to begin seriously auditioning for paid acting work.
I would suggest that you are right at the very successful beginning of the training phase for a career. Try not to rush things until you complete each step in your education and know that whatever you do now with your acting will benefit you in the future. If you were to strive for professional work right at this point, you may be hearing that you do not have enough experience. Just like so many other things, nothing is set in stone and you should take advantage of any opportunity that arises.
So, your next steps are to do community theatre or any films that come up in your area, graduate high school, go to college for a Bachelors Degree in a subject of your choice and relocate at the time you can afford it so that you will have more access to acting work. And most of all : Don't give up ! The more life experience you get will help you to grow as an actor !
I wish you all the best in your journey towards a satisfying acting career !
Wow, it's great to receive such positive feedback after a show and I am happy for you about that ! I would like to give you some sound advice about your next step as an actor and hopefully let you know what would be the beneficial steps.
Since you're still in high school, my advice is to venture out into community theatre as that would be the most logical step. For you to take a professional leap you would need to relocate to a major city and secure an agent that could get you work. Since this is not doable as you would also need a hefty bit of financial savings to live on until you get settled, community theatre can be a stepping stone for many reasons. Acting outside of high school carries more weight than your high school shows and will be a bit more rigorous and you will have new directors and co-actors to work with. You need variety to hone your skills. Perhaps you can form a theatre troop and perform original plays at some local venues so you don't have to worry about traveling very far. Right now in your state, Nashville is growing as an entertainment mecca for actors. By forming a group of players and writers in your local area, you will also practice your leadership skills as well which will help you for college.
I would suggest that you graduate high school and go to college. You can major in anything but take Acting every semester. You'll want that degree to be marketable for work in either theatre or another field of work.
You are in a remote area for acting opportunities, however you can register with the website Actors Access. When something is being cast near you, you can audition for it. College acting classes will be instrumental in teaching you the audition process and even open some doors for you for acting opportunities. Even if you don't start auditioning, prepare your photos and resume and keep them on hand. You never know what you may want to send your photo to so you should be prepared with the materials you'll need. Never ever pay any person or agency for the opportunity to act. The only people you should expect to have to pay would be acting teachers for the training and education they offer and when you join the actors union.
Sometimes acting jobs do happen in very remote areas so I would suggest to look into background extra work in films, too. You can indicate on Actors Access that you're interested in extra work. That is always an exciting experience and exposes you to a movie set and you will learn from the experience.
It's difficult that your parents can't be involved because for this type of career you need an unusually strong support system. You need the financial means for transportation and other things that come up. Do not discount the positive feedback you're already getting, but realize that it's a good thing to reassure you while you build towards a support system and viable contacts in the business. Once you become independent and live on your own, that would be the time to begin seriously auditioning for paid acting work.
I would suggest that you are right at the very successful beginning of the training phase for a career. Try not to rush things until you complete each step in your education and know that whatever you do now with your acting will benefit you in the future. If you were to strive for professional work right at this point, you may be hearing that you do not have enough experience. Just like so many other things, nothing is set in stone and you should take advantage of any opportunity that arises.
So, your next steps are to do community theatre or any films that come up in your area, graduate high school, go to college for a Bachelors Degree in a subject of your choice and relocate at the time you can afford it so that you will have more access to acting work. And most of all : Don't give up ! The more life experience you get will help you to grow as an actor !
I wish you all the best in your journey towards a satisfying acting career !
Sandra Carr
Systems Engineer
6
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Sandra’s Answer
That is great you are getting such good feedback! It will really depend what your 'next step' is. Are you loving musical theatre and want to move to Broadway, or are you interested in expanding to Filming? There are a lot of local theatres and acting schools that help improve your skills. Could be your local city theatre, local acting school. You would need help from your parents to pay for acting school or possibly drive you to city theatre unless you have a car. Although you could get creative with carpool. City theatre or children's theatre are great for exposure. There are groups like 'Broadway Dreams' that also provide great summer training and sometimes scholarships. You can also start joining some social media groups to get insights on local auditions or also to showcase your skills. "Backstage" can be used for free to search for opportunities. Obviously when using social media tools, or even tools like Backstage, do your research to validate the opportunity and make sure its not a scam.
You could try online classes too. Sometimes NYFA or AMDA provide scholarships for online or in-person classes.
The sky is the limit. Wishing you a bright future in the world of theatre!
You could try online classes too. Sometimes NYFA or AMDA provide scholarships for online or in-person classes.
The sky is the limit. Wishing you a bright future in the world of theatre!
Sofia Namuye
Film director and Digital marketer
1
Answer
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Sofia’s Answer
When it comes to acting start now. It's like a singer, go for as many auditions as possible however small. With these auditions you get better at them. While your going for these auditions build a portfolio of your own. Create a page may it be on Instagram, TikTok and even YouTube. It helps you reach a broader audience as you get to practice your craft on the daily. On these social media pages market yourself as an actor upload projects you have done before because you never know whose watching. With that note you have all the tools to start now. I hope this helps. Wishing you all the best in your acting career.