AboutKenneth D. Plonkey Expertise Questions about acting and directing. Questions about getting started in a careeer. Questions about training and schooling for actors.
Experience I am a retired film actor. I am a retired university theatre program director and professor. I am the author of "The Tao of Acting, Mentoring for the Aspiring Actor" to be published this summer.
Organizations SAG
Education/Credentials BA, MA, PhD in Theatre
Post graduate study with certificate in Media Acting
Awards and Honors John Golden Traveling Fellowship
Question Hello and good day. First off I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little about me. My name is Rico Dall, Im 15 years old and a sophmore in high school (home schooled that is) but I participate in my local high schools drama club and swim on the swim team. I live in a city in Florida that is within an easy 2 hour drive of tampa, orlando, and miami so traveling is not an issue for me (especially since i have more free time than normal high schoolers being home schooled and all) for future auditions. I have always admired acting ever since i was young but have never fully participated or pursued this career as much as i am now, seeing as how this upcoming year of being a sophmore will be my first year in drama club. i have also had a minor experience with singing as i took vocal lessons for a year and a half when i was 13 and performed about 3 times at various locations. i also have learned the basics of playing guitar and am constantly trying to improve on that skill. my parents are also enrolling me in modeling lessons and trying to get me modeling gigs. i do have a slight fear of performing in front of audiences though for some reason even though i am very crazy and outgoing with my friends as we constantly sing for fun at karaoke bars. i hope joining drama club will defeat this fear. even though i am a novice right now i seriously want to pursue the career of acting and will stop at nothing until i reach my goal. in the future years to come i would really hope to almost be at the stage of performing on tv shows but i don't know how possible that dream of mine is of coming true. i would definately like to hear your opinion on the reality of my own dream coming true: becoming an actor for the disney channel. if i could have anything i wanted out of the whole universe that is what i would want, but i feel as if a clock is ticking and my time is running out of that dream becoming a reality. i would definately like to hear your opinion on this matter the most! lastly, i just wanted to mention a little about my parents. my parents are supportive on every decision i make and everything i do. they have no problem with traveling with me to auditions no matter where they be, getting me a talent agent, and helping me in any way shape or form of fufilling my goals and dreams.
Well that's pretty much every bit of info about my acting career hopes, dreams, and goals. i would greatly appreciate any information and advice you could give me and steps to take for helping my caree.
Thank you and have an excellent day.
-Rico Dall
Answer HI Rico. Well, I think your instincts are correct. Your time is running out as far as Disney is concerned unless you have a very youthful look as they often hire older actors to play teens. Now, just because you will not be a teen Disney actor, doesn't mean that your acting world has collapsed. That is an immature and fantasy goal, anyway. You need to view being an actor as a lifetime journey, not just a slot you want to fill. You are in a good position to prepare for becoming an actor, and if that is what you want to do, I would be happy to offer you my advice in how to do that. Contact me at kencosp@aol.com and I will answer all of your questions regarding acting and becoming an actor. Best wishes, Doc
