How can I become an actress without paying a lot?

Question

I'm a thirteen year old girl in the UK, and I know there is a LARGE multitude of teenagers who asked this, and I know there's so many who are all "Oh I want to be famous, glamourous, etcc." With me it's really not like that.

Firstly, I am really, really serious about acting. I am not in it just for the Disney Hannah Montana type roles, I want to play gritty, realistic characters as well such as Sephy from Noughts and Crosses, Ophelia and Gertrude from Hamlet, etc... I want to play SOPHISTICATED roles and not the Tracy Beaker kind of stuff.

The problem is, my family is extremely tight on money - you get the picture, single parent mum with two girls, struggling to make ends meet, council house, Benefits...you know all that.

Most acting opportunities are paid for.

There are rarely auditions advertised in my area for teenagers (I live in Gloucestershire - practically NO acting roles for teens whatsoever.)

What shall I do? Please help.

Thank you so much.

Answer 1

Start off small by auditioning in theatres and such places. When you finally get a role, there's usually talent scouts that go to the plays to see if there is any actors/actresses that would succeed in the acting world. And maybe if you're as good as you say you are you'll get picked.

Good luck with it all !

Answer 2

Try singing randomly in the public, if you're lucky, an agent might spot you and next thing you know, you might become a rich and famous actress!

Answer 3

I think the UK has some great opportunities to polish your acting skills first hand. Maybe try starting off small, find a local players group for amateur dramatics, they'll put on all sorts of panto's etc. which would be a great way to not only learn and practice things yourself, but watch others in action and have a friendly bunch of people to ask advice from. Even if you just start off with a tiny part in the chorus it'll still be a great exercise in learning lines, following direction and getting over stage fright. Panto's are also great for helping to get over your fear of embarrassing yourself in public, since the point of them is to be silly to get a laugh. You can always apply what you learn there to screen acting later. You may also want to seriously discuss with your parent the possibility of changing to a school that has a strong focus on drama, or at least the possibility of attending summer classes at one of the drama academies in London. If money is an issue, do some research in to scholarship programmes and work your butt off to get in to one!

Dont give up on your dream and good luck! :)

Try links and see if they help :)

http://www.soglos.com/theatre-comedy/the...

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index....

http://www.rada.org/

http://www.ravenscourt.net/

http://www.dramastudiolondon.co.uk/index...

Schools with scholarships programmes (this is not an exhaustive list, there are more out there if you look hard for them):

http://www.gsmd.ac.uk/school/introductio...

http://www.oundleschool.org.uk/academic/...

Answer 4

do some reserch online, there are plenty of drama groups that let teenagers audition for roles.

Answer 5

Audition at your local community theatre! It's free and the shows are a step above school shows. You meet adults who love acting and work at a community theatre and learn about how much work it takes.

Answer 6

Ok, this is an expense - but get a copy of Contacts. You might be able to borrow an up to date one from a library.

Look through the agents, and write to them, asking to audition for them. You have youth on your side - a 13 year old who can actually act is a valuable thing, and there should be at least some who are interested in seeing you.

I'm afraid it does cost to get ahead. You'll need photos and stamps, then probably train fares too. The industry is unfortunately biased towards those who have money.

Answer 7

post them on youtube.com

and make advertising symbols/banners and post them on very popular sites.

Answer 8

I suggest that you write to a TV company and ask them if they consider you to act in one of their TV soap operas,and say thast you have the talent and ability to act, and that drama is in your heart.,

Answer 9

get classes at school do plays. get experience build up yur resume. and then get an agent. you have to work ur way up the success ladder. for more info go to actinginfo.blogspot.com and talentagents.blogspot.com

you ahve to search around the site to get your answer it wont just pop up infront of u

Answer 10

if your in school, try to preform big parts in your drama class. if your very good, your drama teacher will recognize you and maybe refer you

Answer 11

The best thing to start with is get yourself involved in a local theatre group, or even better the National Youth Theatre.

Then at 18 you will be old enough to audition for NCDT (national council for drama training) accredited Drama Schools; the best of which include RADA, LAMDA, Webber Douglas, Bristol Old Vic and Guildhall. You will probably have to apply for a grant from your local authority or a bursary from the school itself if you are successful, considering your circumstances.

This is the best way to begin a career in a very tough business if you're genuinely serious about doing so.

Answer 12

[quote]Most acting opportunities are paid for.[/quote]

Yes, they certainly are.  Paid for with hard work.

Hollywood's glamorization of child stars not withstanding, most professional actors did not get to where they are today because their parents paid their way.  They got there because they worked hard, developed their skills and made their own opportunities.

You may not be able to work as a professional actor while you are still a teenager living in Gloucestershire, but you can find many opportunities to develop your craft now which will help you in your quest to live your dream as an adult.

1. Get involved in as many community and school theatre projects as you can find.  Participation in these should cost you little to no money.  Accept any part you are offered (unless it is physically or morally dangerous).  Do not turn down a part because it is too small or too campy.  At this stage in your career all acting experience can help you to develop your craft.

2. If there is a production in your area with no suitable roles for teenaged girls or if you audition for a production and are not cast in it, ask if you can help out with the crew.  Even though you are not onstage yourself, you will be able to learn many valuable things about acting and the world of actors by working backstage.  Plus, you will make contacts which may help you to get cast in the next production.

3. If there is truly no theatre going on in your community, make some happen yourself.  Ask at your school for whatever resources the school can provide to help you.  (A performance space, the ability to advertise to fellow students to get them involved, materials to build a set, perhaps a teacher who is willing to advise the project.)  Since you are a writer, you may even want to craft one of your stories into a play and produce and act in that.  You do not need a large budget to mount an amateur theatrical production.

4. Get a job.  (Or, if you already have one, start saving your money from that job.)  No more shopping sprees in the local mall.  You will need your money to pay for acting training and to pay your bills once you move out of your mother's house and into a (probably expensive) community in which professional theatre and film is produced.  The vast majority of actors start out washing dishes, waiting tables, selling shoes... whatever they can do to earn their keep, while they audition and audition and audition again in the hope of one day being able to work full time as a professional actor.

5. Ask your family to help you in whatever ways they can.  They may not be able to offer you money to pay for training, but they can support you in other ways.  For instance, being involved in a play is very time consuming.  Maybe your sister would be willing to do some of your chores around the house for you while you are involved in a  production.  You would, of course, do the same for her and offer to do some of her chores now while you are not involved in a play and have more time!  Talk is cheap, but if you show your family through your actions that you are serious about pursuing a career as an actor, they will most likely want to help you.

I have worked professionally in the theatre and a little bit in film production as well.  It is wonderful, rewarding work, but it is hard work.  Be prepared for long, often emotionally and physically exhausting days.  Be prepared to do a LOT of auditions.  Understand that very few people enjoy a quick ticket to fame and that talent, hard work, perseverance and sacrifice will be required to achieve your dream.  But understand that your dream CAN be achieved and that your current situation is no hindrance to future success.

Break a leg!