Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 6/14/2009

Question
Taylor,
I am 17 female and I want to act so badly i want to make a career of it if possible but I don't know where to begin and I can;t afford acting classes and to make it worse I am from a very small town in alabama and nothing is really offered here but I do practice at home with plays I got online from freedrama.com and I sometimes practice with friends I have signed up online at starsearchcasting.com that helps get auditions but I can't do much without experience can you please help me   thank you
kaydee

Answer
Hi Kaydee,

This is one of those situations that is hard to do anything about.

Years ago I read in a book some advice to actors in small, out of the way places. The advise was kind of blunt i thought, but years later, I believe to be spot on. He said: "If you want to work as an actor, you can't stay home and hope it comes to you."

He was actually talking about a point where you are actually working, not where you were needing to take classes, but it fits in this situation just as well. I think you are doing the things you can do, given the situation. Most people wouldn't be as resourceful, and would just wait around without trying to fill the time constructively. There are videos too, that you can watch and learn. Michael Caine has a really helpful one.

Back to your situation...I don't know if you have plans for college, but that would be an excellent opportunity for you to get out in the world and learn while possibly keeping your parents happy. You don't have to major in theatre, you could minor, and major in something stable that would pay the bills if you needed it to. That tends to make it easier with the folks. Unfortunately, especially now, many students have to pay their own way, but it is worth it. If that isn't in the cards, then just getting away to a larger city where you can have a job and take classes would be the way to go. At your age, there is usually a mix of emotions: home sweet home and family/friends, verses becoming free and being independent.

I had friends who chose to stick around town after graduation. Some did ok, but the ones I knew who ventured out into the world: school, military, etc, grew more as people. It's hard, but you can always come home later. While this doesn't take care of the fact you are 17 now, a year will pass before you know it, so start making plans!

Best, Taylor