Expert: J. Spyder Isaacson - 5/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,my name is Jessica.ive alwas wanted to be a actress,singer.i can go in
m room for hours and listen to music,and act out the passions behind
the words.My Uncle has always had the same dream,Mom has always
wanted to be a singer.i love the art of all the passions.ive been in 3
talent shows,all singing and dancing.ive been in a couple of school
plays.im 16,i danced before i could walk,sing before i can talk.i always
put myself in the other persons shoes.everytime i watch a movie i always
think i could do that.im 6'2,im about to have back surgery this
summer.im afraid im to tall or not good enough.im like a girl that is so
much into god,but yet she thinks shes not good enough to be a nun.i
want to be a actress so bad.i kind of suck in school plays,but i know that
if i get enough practice ill be great on the big screen.any advice?

ANSWER: Wow! Talk about a lot of information!  Thanks, because sometimes we don't get enough. (16 and 6'2"? I repeat - WOW! Physically, you've got a lot going for you, if you keep yourself in shape - and, generally speaking, no, that's not "too tall"!)  And it certainly sounds like you have the right spirit and drive.

My best advice to you is the same advice I give everyone in your age range, and has three parts.  Whether or not you remain on the live stage or manage to break into film, the same advice is true.

First and foremost: use whatever tactics, tricks, methods and means to make sure you improve your grades.  A good education is *critical* in the theatre - you'll have to understand how, for instance, a play like "Inherit the Wind" is based on historical events and people, or what Shakespeare means when he says "And ev'n that pow'r which gave me first my oath/Provokes me to this threefold perjury" (from "Two Gentlemen of Verona").

Secondly: make sure that you get a good, thorough theatrical education.  At 16, I'm sure you're considering colleges.  Find one with a good theatre program (if you provide me your location, I might be able to suggest a few near you).

Lastly: get as much experience as you can.  And at your age, don't restrict yourself to what kind of theatre - you can get good, valuable experience in community theatres (and, in most, you're more likely to be cast).  This experience should be in as wide a range as possible - classical theatre, musicals, straight comedies, dramas, melodramas, etc.  You'll get something from all of them.

One final note: in all of this, make sure you have fun.

Break a leg, and let me know how you do!

-- Spyder


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: is there anybody that can help me be a proffessional in your appinion?im afriad i wont get to do any teenage roles.i want to be a actress so bad.i just need a proffessional to teach me.even if its a actress or actor him or herself.a celebrity that has been on the big screen or something.fam is ok.poparassi i can deal with them.money is ok.sharing my passion is what i want to show to the world.i want to show everybody and prove to myself that i can do it.thank you for listening and responding.i realyy appriciate it truelly.if someone would push me to the right direction,meet the people i need to meet.any one-on-one people you would recomend?

Answer
Thanks for the follow-up - I'm always glad to help.

Unfortunately, this is a difficult question to answer only because I don't know where you're located.  At the same time, in a way, it would be the same in most areas.

There is a lot to be said for individual coaching.  The difficulty is finding the right person, and they may not necessarily be familiar names but still may have the skills to assist you in your pursuit.  (For instance, I've worked with a professional actor locally whose name isn't well known but is a consummate professional and a superb actor and who runs a highly successful acting workshop.)

Your best bet is, as you get the experience I mentioned before, to ask around amongst your fellow actors, and especially those you judge to have truly professional attitudes.  They should be able to point you in the direction of excellent coaches and workshops in your area, and to warn you of which people to avoid.

Meanwhile, as with any profession, professional is as professional does.  Always keep yourself open to direction and constructive criticism, be ready to work when it's time to work, and always do your best.  (Which is not to say that you can't have fun, just don't let the fun become a hindrance.)

As before, break a leg and let me know how you do!

-- Spyder