You are here:
Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Audition Trouble
Advertisement
Question
I'm 13. I really wanna be an actress, but it seems like I really haven't been able to act at all. My chorus teacher says I'm a really good singer, and the drama teacher likes me, but I just missed Drama 1 sign-ups in 7th grade, and auditioned for the 6 part play and the Drama 2 class and got neither. I will be in Drama 1 8th grade, but I live near (about 1 1/2 hours south) of Orlando. There seems to be no auditions. What can I do?
:), Jessi
Hi Jessica,
This is your first lesson in the world of professional acting: You will face a lot of rejections and instead of letting it get to you, you use it instead to get better!
How do you get better? talk to your parents and tell them that you didn't get the class you wanted, and you would like to sign up for a class taught by a coach outside of school so you can get better and do well the next time you audition to get in. You can check local theaters (live shows) to locate an experienced teacher. Just don't wind up with John Casablanca or some other group that promises you will get jobs or agents by taking their course and BUYING PICTURES FROM THEM OR THEIR PARTNERS. A good coach should know various photographers when the time comes that you need them, which is a way off yet. You just want to start by taking beginning acting with a teacher that only does that: promises to teach the class -no strings attached! Many people get scammed into paying thousands of dollars for these so called "schools/agencies" that don't really care, except for your money. No one can guarantee your success, it is how well you do, and many other factors, some that you have no control over, like being in the right place and luck. Training to act can improve your chances!
Best,
Taylor
Related Articles
- Vietnam War Picture - John Wayne Signs Private First Class Fonzell Wofford's Helmet
- 5 Ways To Improve Your Grades With Drama - Use Theater To Improve Grades
- Take a Class - Take a Class for Me Time
- Outrageous treatment by a teacher - Reader Stories: Bipolar Disorder and Bullying - Were You a Victim?
- Educational Clues - Dealing with Bullies
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).
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.