About Arlene Schulman Expertise As a professional director, dramaturg, acting coach and actor for over 25 years in the NYC/NJ area, I can help with questions on acting technique, character development, audition and rehearsal techniques, dealing with directors and stage managers, what directors are looking for, and other aspects of the acting and directing professions.
Experience A professional director, dramaturg, acting coach and actor for over 25 years in the NYC/NJ area, I have directed in professional, university and amateur theatre and have directed and acted in dramas, comedies, musicals, Shakespeare as well as collaborating closely with playwrights in the development of original plays and musicals.
Organizations SSDC associate member Advisory Board - Isle of Shoals Productions Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America associate member Shakespeare Association of America The Shakespesare Institute -
MA "Shakespeare & Theatre" candidate, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Question hi im trying to get my acting acreer started but I have tried everything but ended up with nothing. i don't have any experience and i can't fin a coach anywhere. im 13 and im wonering if there's like a certain age for each coach. can you help me ?
thankyou so much
Answer Hi Lashay,
If you are 13 you need your parents' or other adult's help in starting an acting career, should you want one. You are not old enough to sign contracts or handle other business that actors have to deal with.
You are not, at this point, with no experience, looking for a coach. You are looking for an acting class. Coaches work with actors one on one and mostly work with older, more experienced actors who have had at least basic actor training. They are extremely expensive and not what a 13 year old with no experience needs.
If you want to start acting and learn something about what acting is all about, I suggest that you find an acting class, either in school or at a local acting school (there are many all around the country). There are also many theatres, community theatres and community colleges that hold summer acting classes or camps for teens. That's another possibility you could look for. Teaching kids is different from teaching adults and there are many such facilities all over the country. Ask your parents to help you find one in your area if your school doesn't have a drama program.
As for getting experience, try auditioning for school plays and community theatre in your area. That's the best place for teens to start getting theatre experience. If you audition and don't get cast, volunteer to work backstage building or painting sets, doing props or being on the stage crew. Any experience you can get working on a play helps to teach you about putting on a play, acting, directing, stage managing, and exactly what goes into making a theatrical performance.
