Expert: Phil Nemy - 12/10/2007

Question
Ok, my name is Claire, i am 14 and all i want to do is act.  The problem is my parents hate the idea of it.  I try to make them understand but they just can't.  they want me to be a physical therapist and that's ok but its not my true passion.  i am going to a local theater and I always get the lead or supporting role.  my teacher has voluntarily said "i have what it takes" but still no go with my parents.  I have read all the online acting and auditioning tips that i can find (e.g. have a monologue prepared,& how to present yourself...) i do have a monologue prepared in case they change their minds.  I don't care about being famous, i just wanna do it! I know you might think 14 is a little young but, i have this unexplained and uncontrollable  desire to act and i don't know why!!!I really don't know what els to do.  please help me !!! I really need your advice, or comfort, or anything!!!

Answer
Claire,

Thanks for writing. I appreciate your yearning and desire to be an actress. And I also appreciate your parents hesitancy to encourage you to pursue it. The reality is this - you may think you have talent, and you may ACTUALLY have talent, but that doesn't mean you'll ever be able to make a career, support yourself solely from acting work. It's an incredibly difficult industry in which to make a living. 95% of all members of the Screen Actors Guild (the union that represents actors) are unemployed at any given moment. That means only 5% are actually working. Those are not very good statistics. So that's why your parents wish you to pursue another career. I'm sure they have no problem with your appearing in theater for fun, just not as a serious career.

I don't know what advice I can offer you other than this - if you love it, really, really love it, and you cannot think of doing anything else with your life other than being an actress, then I would begin researching now the colleges and universities across the country that have reputable drama schools. Find out what it will take to audition and be accepted into their actor training programs. Then when it comes time to consider schools, explain to your parents that you'd like to attend college and enroll in a theater program to develop your talent. And see what they say.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil