Expert: Kitty Kavey - 9/14/2009

Question
I want my 10 year old daughter to be an actress but i need help.The problem is we live in pendleton out in the country.

Answer
When you live in a small place and are unable to commute to a larger market, there are still things that your daughter may be able to do locally while preparing for an eventual move, vacation to, or arranging something else that will allow her to be closer to available work.

Check your area for community theaters, or other opportunities for her to begin performing and building her resume.  Some schools and churches also offer drama or performance opportunities.  If you can gather a small group of other aspiring actors, there may be opportunities to perform in a community center or other such venue, or at least study together using books available in your local library, bookstore or online.

Then when you do have the means to bring your daughter to a larger market, she'll already have something on a resume as far as training and/or performances.  Check the Screen Actor's Guild list of franchised agencies, and see which are the closest to you.  Perhaps there is a way that she can get an agent and get to work even from where you live now.

http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent

But certainly in the meantime you can take advantage of any available local resources, or create your own if none are currently available.

Good luck to you both,
~Kitty