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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Becoming a succesful actress.
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Question
Hello,
My name is Haley and I am 13 years old. For a while now, I've been wanting
to become better in acting and singing. I did singing lessons durng my whole
school year and stopped suring the summer. I am going to be doing them
again once school starts. I am a very good singer and I know that comes in
handy with acting also. I'm my years, I have done my elementary's opereta for
6 years and did an acting camp. I would like to focus real hard on acting once
my 8th grade starts. But the thing is, I have no idea where to start. Like,
where is the best way to find acting school, performing theatres, and to get
more experience. My dream would be able to become a successful actress
and possible even get a job on Disney Channel. I was wondering if you can
help me out. Also, is there anyway I can find auditions for tv shows and such.
Thank you in advance.!
Sincerly,
Haley.
Hi Haley,
Good to hear you are taking singing lessons. That's a good start!
Next comes the acting lessons!
You can find acting lessons on the internet, like you found me. You can also try Craigslist and of course, the "old school" way, by talking to theatres in your town and asking them who is a good teacher. They would know!
The real "old school" way is to look in the yellow pages....
Once you get a year of acting classes under your belt you can try finding an agent. Check out my previous answers for more on that!
Best,
Taylor
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Taylor Sheppard
Expertise
I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.
Experience
I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.
Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).
Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.
Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).
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