Expert: J. Spyder Isaacson - 10/31/2007

Question
I live in Hilo, Hawaii and I love to act,sing and be in musicals! At my high school, I get some pretty good parts. Then when I'm out in the community, I never seem to get recognized as lead material. i always try my best and take all the parts I get. I want to do acting professionally but since I keep getting turned down, I'm getting discouraged.How can i better myself as a singer and actor.

Answer
From the sound of your question, I assume you're still in high school (and I apologize if that isn't the case).  So part of my answer is to keep working at it, because (best case) you have PLENTY of time.

It's easy to get discouraged in this business.  While I've gotten plenty of professional work, I've yet to break into the Equity ranks, mostly because of the HUGE number of actors around here.  Sometimes it's because the director is looking for a particular look or style, sometimes it's because of internal political reasons (you were passed over for the mistress of the director - things like that), or sometimes just from a bad audition (I've had more than a few of those).  And sometimes the director just takes a dislike to you, for whatever reason.  I can only say that it does get easier - the longer in the business, the thicker your skin gets and the harder it is to get truly discouraged.

Also, sometimes actors are best suited for certain roles.  This doesn't mean that you are perpetually typecast, but that there is a quality about you and your acting that automatically suggests certain roles to directors.  I know how this feels - this is what I (and a HUGE number of other actors I've met) experienced early in my career.  While I didn't start in theatre until my first attempt at college, I spent many, many years taking bit parts and character roles, and in only getting one role out of 20 or so auditions.  It was a good 25 years in the business before I got a lead role.

The best way you can alter that is the same way you can get more and more (and better) roles - experience.  Continue working in school, and don't stop auditioning out in the community.  If you're not taking voice lessons, I would recommend starting - I didn't even know I needed them until I started taking them!  Eventually, your talent WILL be noticed by a larger group.  If necessary (as a large number of people here in Seattle have done), form your own theatre company with other discouraged actors.  It may take some time to build an audience, but I'm sure you'll agree that it would be worth it to do the type of theatre you want!

No matter what, try to be patient - it takes time to make it in this business.  Legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner said that it takes at least 20 years to master the craft of acting.  I can say, from my own experience, that he was right.

I hope these words help.  Let me know if I can help further, and break a leg!

-- Spyder