Expert: John T. Aney - 4/13/2007

Question
My name is Emmna, im 14 years old ,a freshman in High School, have always wanted to act. When I was 11 my interests were honed to the stage and I was in several musicals in schools up till 8th grade. Now I am more determined then ever to make it. However, my problem is I cant sing or dance. I love plays, however, and I think that i have the talent to be in a professional production, though I know I need some work.

I guess my question is can you tell me what the non-musical aspect of broadway is like. Is it any easier to make it? Also, what sort of training should I get to become the best non-musical actress I can be?

thank you so much!

Answer
Emma,

My first piece of advice to you is to decide what you really want.  If you really want to act and be an artist, then you should continue to work hard and get all the experience you can.  If what you really want is to be on Broadway or become famous, then I suggest you reconsider.

Acting is a very fulfilling, rewarding activity, and if you truly love acting and the theatre, that's great.  But if you want to be famous and/or be on Broadway, the chances of that happening for you are very slim, and if that is what you really want, then you will be disappointed and miserable.

If you love to act, you should continue to seek out opportunities to get more experience, and learn more about how to become a better actor, and, if your talent is great and your luck greater, you may be able to be a professional actor.  But be prepared for a difficult life of little security, lots of moving around, and very little pay, since that is what most actors experience.

I would say that no, it's not any "easier" to "make it" in the non-musical side of Broadway.  It is still a very hard life, full of lots of disappointment.

But if you love acting,  you can be an actor for the rest of your life.  You can work in local productions, in small theatres, in semi-professional houses, and still get a great deal of professional, artisitic satisfaction.  The money will be non-existent, or very little, but the rewards will be huge.  You will make great friends, work on really fun projects, learn a great deal about yourself and others, and be able to touch people's lives just as much as if you were a Broadway actor.

In terms of training, the best training you can give yourself at your age is more experience.  Look for every opportunity to be on stage, in your school productions or, if you are in a large enough city, in community and semi-pro theatres.  I wouldn't worry seriously about training until you are older.  Work hard in school, learn everything you can, get good grades so you can get into a good college program.  College is the best place for you to begin training.  There are a lot of really good colleges that have theatre programs.  Check them out, and find a college that teaches you the skills you need not only to be an actor, but also that teaches you about other aspects of theatre - set and costume design, lighting, directing, etc., because if you do truly love the theatre, you should be willing to find out where your strongest talents lie.  You may be a better designer than you are an actor, and if that is true, your chances of making good money in the professional theatre are much greater as a designer than they are as an actor.

Oh - and don't worry about not being able to sing and dance.  College will help you learn if that is really true, and there are lots of people who will work with you and help you refine all of your talents.

Good luck.

jta