Expert: Kitty Kavey - 4/2/2007

Question
Hello.  I am 42 years old and live in Delaware, OH.  In high school I performed as the lead in two musicals, “Bye-Bye Birdie”, (Albert), and “The Music Man”, (Harold Hill).  I also did a short two person skit, “Who’s On First”.  At the time of my graduation I was, as most 18 year olds are, very impressionable and insecure.  The drama teacher there gave me some personal history that discouraged me from pursuing my dream.  I quickly and regretfully moved on.  I have never had an acting lesson before or since.  Twenty-four years and two divorces later, here I am!  I believe that I have a natural talent that merely needs guidance and instruction to be successful as an actor.  I’m sure that my confidence will come with training and experience.  There are so many different choices out there.  I am waiting for my son to turn 18 next August before quitting my job to pursue acting full time.  I am researching my options in the meantime.  I have looked at schools in NYC, Miami, Dallas and here in Columbus.  I am trying to decide if I can start here while still working.  Do I then go to one of the other schools after completing training here?  My head is spinning trying to figure this out!  Any advice you may have would be appreciated.  I told you the Reader’s Digest version of my life to give you something to go on.  I have a passion for acting.  I’m really not so much interested in stage at this point, but would love to do anything in film, television or industrial.  I am also interested in voice over  and modeling work.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read my ramblings.

Answer
If you have the resources and ability to go to NYC, or LA I would suggest doing that.  There's more choices available as far as training, agencies, and work.  NYC has more modeling work, but there is more film work in LA.  
Chicago is only about 5 hours from you - and they also have quite a bit going on over there with a plethora of agencies to choose from.  
Certainly you can check into what is available where you are now, and start getting back into becoming comfortable with auditioning and performing before you move to a larger market.  It'll also help add more to your resume, and possibly give you material for a demo reel.  It is the opinion of a lot of people in acting that one can't have too much training - so if you take a class in auditioning in OH, and attend the New York Film Academy, and move on to the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, all while working in commercials, films, student projects, etc., it's probably going to be a good thing.  In any case, after such a long time away, to be immersed in everything acting can allow to build contacts and resources that can carry over as you work full-time in the industry.
Good luck to you,
~Kitty