Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/College For Acting

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Expert: - 11/23/2007


Question
My son is a junior at a local performing arts high school in Massachusetts.  He has a passion for acting and has been involved in several performances at a local equity theatre.  He is looking at several colleges and would like like to study theatre acting.  My question is does a degree in acting make a difference in establishing a career in theatre?  Is that something that is considered or is it just based on the audition and past theatrical experience?


Answer
Hi Tom,

It certainly looks good to have have a BFA in theater, and may help get the old foot through the door, but as to getting jobs, it will still boil down to what happens when he gets inside the casting office.

I'm looking further ahead, however. What good might it do him later in life? If he decides to direct or produce, he would know a lot about what he is involved in. Kind of like a salon owner who went to beauty college. The owner will know if the employees actually need certain equipment or just want it cause it's cool. I believe life happens and desires change, so leaving avenues open or gathering broad knowledge is useful.
If he can get through college without spending too much time or getting sidetracked, it can't hurt.

Best, Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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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).

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