Expert: Kitty Kavey - 6/4/2008

Question
hi Miss kitty my name is sabrina i just wanted to know how i can become an acress and an singer alyson stoner. Well at least sometimes she sings.I'll be turning 13 in september and my mom going to start me on voice lessons. but not because im a bad singer but 2 train in the basics. I want to be an actress because i am a drama queen. how old do u have to be to try out 4 show and movies.Can u help me follow my dream.

Answer
Alyson Stoner began studying dance (tap, jazz and ballet) at age 3, and was around age 6-8 years old when she and her family moved to Los Angeles and she began working in commercials, television and stage, as well as films.  She also does print and voiceover, and teaches hip hop dance.

She is also studying currently with a voice teacher, and that is something I would recommend for anyone wanting to become a singer.  You may also want to consider taking an acting and/or auditioning class as well.  

I believe that if you're under the age of around four or five, there's very few auditions available for shows and movies - usually when they use talent younger than that, it's just done with a direct booking, or the casting directors just look at (babies and toddlers) instead of holding an actual audition for available roles.

Once you turn 13, you'll be in the teen division, so you will most likely be asked for a professional actor's headshot and resume, and a singing demo tape if you choose to follow the same path as Alyson Stoner and audition for Los Angeles agents.

If you are in another area, you'll need to see where the closest market is to you, and what the agencies there are looking for from you for consideration.

There are talent agency directories available that cover the US (and a few that cover internationally) available in your local library, bookstore or online, and on newsstands in NYC and L.A.

Good luck to you,
~Kitty