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Ilma
Student
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Question
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What do I have to do to become an actress? ?
Can I become an actress at the age of 14?
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1849
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ilma !
Maya's advice is very good and I would like to explain about acting to you. If you pursue an acting career at age 14, your parents or trusted, committed adult will need to oversee the career. But you are not close to being in the professional phase (which means you get paid for your acting) since you are first exploring this now. It will take a lot of time and experience.
Maya is correct that a college degree is not necessary to become an actor, but I highly recommend that you go to college. I took the academic route myself with a Bachelors Degree in theatre and a minor in Social Science. This degree opened many doors for me. Being a theatre student opened a lot of doors for me, too. You will network with people at college who could be very important for your career. A degree will also open doors when you are seeking employment in other types of work, so I advise an academic route for acting. I would supplement it with community based acting classes, too.
A good way for you to begin is right there in high school. Join the theatre and video groups at your school and continue with it until you graduate. There is a lot to learn and each actor develops in different time spans and it's more than memorizing lines. In high school it will be more technical and basic (unless there is an actual acting class with a professional teaching it) but college will cover the breadth of what you'll need to know to introduce you to what is needed and sharpen your skills. It's more challenging than it seems. You will learn theory and technique, styles of acting, how to take direction, criticism and all about the physical, vocal, movement and business aspects of the professional world of acting. Do not jump into acting without extensive training. In college, if you major in film or theater for acting, it will consume your every day life. So it's a huge commitment.
When you graduate with your Bachelors Degree, you can either stay in your town to pick up more experience for a resume or relocate to Los Angeles or New York City to start your professional auditions for paid work. Most of the 14 year olds that you will see performing in TV and film or in Theatre have management and an agent representing them and child labor laws are followed by the agencies and production companies. They have the right connections and their parents had been the catalyst that made it possible to be in professional acting.
I would suggest that you seek out Summer Theatre Camps in your area, too. That will be a beneficial experience for you. See how things go, but unless you and your family can relocate for your career now, I would say get the education, training and skills and than you can decide when you are actually ready for the major commitments acting requires. In the meantime, enjoy the process and never give up ! You can do it. It may not be at age 14, but it's worth the education and training so you can be the best you can be !
Maya's advice is very good and I would like to explain about acting to you. If you pursue an acting career at age 14, your parents or trusted, committed adult will need to oversee the career. But you are not close to being in the professional phase (which means you get paid for your acting) since you are first exploring this now. It will take a lot of time and experience.
Maya is correct that a college degree is not necessary to become an actor, but I highly recommend that you go to college. I took the academic route myself with a Bachelors Degree in theatre and a minor in Social Science. This degree opened many doors for me. Being a theatre student opened a lot of doors for me, too. You will network with people at college who could be very important for your career. A degree will also open doors when you are seeking employment in other types of work, so I advise an academic route for acting. I would supplement it with community based acting classes, too.
A good way for you to begin is right there in high school. Join the theatre and video groups at your school and continue with it until you graduate. There is a lot to learn and each actor develops in different time spans and it's more than memorizing lines. In high school it will be more technical and basic (unless there is an actual acting class with a professional teaching it) but college will cover the breadth of what you'll need to know to introduce you to what is needed and sharpen your skills. It's more challenging than it seems. You will learn theory and technique, styles of acting, how to take direction, criticism and all about the physical, vocal, movement and business aspects of the professional world of acting. Do not jump into acting without extensive training. In college, if you major in film or theater for acting, it will consume your every day life. So it's a huge commitment.
When you graduate with your Bachelors Degree, you can either stay in your town to pick up more experience for a resume or relocate to Los Angeles or New York City to start your professional auditions for paid work. Most of the 14 year olds that you will see performing in TV and film or in Theatre have management and an agent representing them and child labor laws are followed by the agencies and production companies. They have the right connections and their parents had been the catalyst that made it possible to be in professional acting.
I would suggest that you seek out Summer Theatre Camps in your area, too. That will be a beneficial experience for you. See how things go, but unless you and your family can relocate for your career now, I would say get the education, training and skills and than you can decide when you are actually ready for the major commitments acting requires. In the meantime, enjoy the process and never give up ! You can do it. It may not be at age 14, but it's worth the education and training so you can be the best you can be !
maya mir
4
Answers
Updated
maya’s Answer
Consider a formal education: A degree is not a requirement to become an actress, but plenty of stars such as Viola Davis (Rhode Island College), Meryl Streep (Vassar College), and Frances McDormand (Bethany College) earned drama degrees. If acting college is a route you’re interested in, consider whether a B.A. or BFA is right for you. Even if you don't wish to commit to an acting degree, local acting classes can help you get started.
1. Get into local theater
2. Take acting classes
3. Prepare a headshot, résumé, and demo reel
4. Audition for professional acting roles
6. Get an agent
maya recommends the following next steps:
Marylou DiFilippo
Actor, Teacher
50
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marylou’s Answer
Hi Ilma,
I am a professional actor, and have been so since I was 22. But I started studying, if you will, by doing productions in my community, and in my high school. It is time consuming, but it can help you fall in love with the art and the craft.
That said, it is a craft. And it is learnable. So my advice would be to search out in your immediate area, community resources. Perhaps there is an acting class in your area that you can take. Search for community opportunities. I was involved in what was called CYO, Catholic Youth Organization. My girlfriends and I put an a cappella song and dance thing together, and we entered a competition. We won! And we even won a little bit of money!
Get involved with the school play, even if it isn’t on stage. And by that I mean, you could join the stage crew, which is also a lot of fun. And you will learn the backstage happenings.
Speaking of backstage, take a look at Backstage magazine. You can find it online. It talks about auditions, techniques, and you will even see job postings! I was interviewed by the magazine once, and it was so fun to read my words in the magazine.
And, yes, at your age your parents must be involved. I would not consider relocating until I was much older than 14. After 18 you are an adult, and your parents do not need to be involved in the business. You will know when it is time to relocate. I am from Philadelphia. After I did every play at every playhouse in Philly, then I knew it was time for me to relocate to New York City.
It is not an easy career. Not at all. You are constantly looking for your next job. But, with persistence and Hardwork, you can make that dream happen.
When one gets a roll, there is work involved in preparing it. But once prepared, we play the role. And the word PLAY is key. And I promise you will have fun playing!
I am a professional actor, and have been so since I was 22. But I started studying, if you will, by doing productions in my community, and in my high school. It is time consuming, but it can help you fall in love with the art and the craft.
That said, it is a craft. And it is learnable. So my advice would be to search out in your immediate area, community resources. Perhaps there is an acting class in your area that you can take. Search for community opportunities. I was involved in what was called CYO, Catholic Youth Organization. My girlfriends and I put an a cappella song and dance thing together, and we entered a competition. We won! And we even won a little bit of money!
Get involved with the school play, even if it isn’t on stage. And by that I mean, you could join the stage crew, which is also a lot of fun. And you will learn the backstage happenings.
Speaking of backstage, take a look at Backstage magazine. You can find it online. It talks about auditions, techniques, and you will even see job postings! I was interviewed by the magazine once, and it was so fun to read my words in the magazine.
And, yes, at your age your parents must be involved. I would not consider relocating until I was much older than 14. After 18 you are an adult, and your parents do not need to be involved in the business. You will know when it is time to relocate. I am from Philadelphia. After I did every play at every playhouse in Philly, then I knew it was time for me to relocate to New York City.
It is not an easy career. Not at all. You are constantly looking for your next job. But, with persistence and Hardwork, you can make that dream happen.
When one gets a roll, there is work involved in preparing it. But once prepared, we play the role. And the word PLAY is key. And I promise you will have fun playing!