Expert: Kitty Kavey - 9/15/2009

Question
Hi Kitty,
I am a 42 year old woman. I would like to pursue acting but have no acting experience. I am fairly good looking, very in-shape athletic person, a very young over 40 woman.I have very varied life experience. I am traveling now and I am going to be in the Las Vegas area for a short time.
My question is : should I go to acting classes to get a feel of what it is like? And would this be a good indication of whether I have any talent in this area?
I am just not sure how to proceed.
This is a dream that I have always held but just never took action mostly out of not believing in myself.
Thank you Kitty,
Susan  

Answer
Yes, and yes.  It's great that you are pursuing your dream, and there are other people who have decided much later in life (particularly after the kids leave home and/or one has retired# to take up acting, modeling or another artistic pursuit.

What helps with building confidence #and belief in oneself# can be as simple as practice.  Nearly anyone is going to be nervous at an audition - more so if they have never done one, or done only a handful.  With time and practice - something an acting/auditioning class can help with - your skills and confidence can improve.

Taking an acting class or two can also help you narrow down which roles or type of acting appeals the most to you.  Perhaps you are drawn towards comedic roles, or find commercials more fun to do than films.  Or perhaps the thrill of a live audience in a theater gives you more of a rush.

Certainly you can look for an agent and work as an actor while you take a class or course.  I always suggest using the Screen Actor's Guild list of franchised agencies #US): http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent

Find the agents closest to your location, and use your favorite search engine to find out if the agencies you are interested in have a website.  Many do, and usually the site details any agency criteria as well as submission instructions for new talent.

If you already know which type of acting you are most interested in, you can go ahead and get a headshot that suits that style/type and start working, even without an agent.  There are non-union independent and student films and productions, community theaters, and major productions that sometimes have open calls.

One good thing about acting, is that what you appear to be (to the camera/audience# may not necessarily have anything in common with what you feel or think deep inside yourself.  You can be nervous, unsure of yourself, or lack confidence and still land an audition perfectly, or deliver a stunning performance.

There are many theories and practices of acting.  What's important is that you find what works well for you personally, and you enjoy the work that you do.  Even if you decide to never take a class, that too is an option - and there are famous actors who do not #and never have# studied the craft of acting.  

I like to recommend taking at least an auditioning class, if for nothing else, just to become familiar with the lingo #like "slate your name").  But it is ultimately up to your discretion.

Good luck to you, and well done for going after your dream!
~Kitty