How do you become an actress if you have no experience?

Question

I'm 21, and I know nothing about acting (except from school-plays, and that was like 10 years ago). I've always loved the idea of acting, but I made the mistake of ignoring that because I was so shy. I'm still shy, but suddenly I can't think of anything I'd rather do then be on stage. What do I need to do? Where do I start?

Answer 1

go to acting school.

join acting clubs

acting camp...

what ever that will make you practice acting again.

Answer 2

Well it really is never too late...

Start out by looking for open audition notices (in the newspaper, online, etc) in your community.

Best way to do it is just to do it.  Get out there and try!

Don't worry about not having a resume full of credits or a professional headshot- most community theatres won't need it. Once you have that experience though, you can move onto more professional venues and if you want to do camera work, use some of the contacts you would have made to see what they're doing to get their feet in the door.

Break a leg!

Answer 3

some ppl r discovered in malls or public places by agents and u have to look pretty to catch their eye, which is kinda unfair, if u ask me. mayb u can just start opening up, and trying not to be so shy. and then weell u can attend open auditions in ur area

( http://www.auditionsopen.com/)

and who knows what might happen?

Answer 4

get a copy of the actors guide, there are two basic editions available. one for the new york/ east coast, and one for the west coast/ los angeles. they're both filled with valuable information for you. also look for books on stage movement, if you want to work on stage in a theater. acting before a camera is another world. join a theater group to keep in practice, audition audition, audition, get a high quality headshot 8x10 and a resume of your contact info, sizes, plays/productions you've performed in, roles played, skills like accents, languages spoken, dance expeience, instructions/courses taken, workshops attended, union affiliations, eg. sag, aftra, etc., video clips taken of performances. you are going to be running your self like a business. try researching theatrical agents/ agencies, casting calls/ auditions (cattle calls) and learning to network with those allready on the inside, who can provide info and connections. don't fall for scams that ask for money for this or that, as a requirement. any reputable agent will earn a commission, like 10% after you get paid. remember they are working for you, finding auditions and calls that you can fit in, for you to try out for, you get the job, they don't get it for you. they may help you obtain scripts and suggest monologues for you to use at your auditions. if you sing/ dance. take a suitable selection of music(sheet) and know the "key" to give any accompnyist on stage to play, while you dance/ sing. if you go for dancing tryouts, get lessons from an instructor who can teach you the terms, meanings and moves/ combinations that stage choreographers use, so you will be able to respond correctly and quickly to any instructions given in an audition., by the choreographer. go to auditions and observe the process, learn and keep learning. about the business and yourself. stay healthy, flexible, chin up always, and best of  luck !!! remember this, casting agents and directors frequently look for new talent by viewing performances in other  productions getting names, taking notes. and planning future castings, focus on your performance each time, you will get noticed, and may be contacted later. work on gaining experience/ learning first, learning to " work the room" after the show will come along as things progress. for you. the actor warren beatty started out working in a theater light crew in nyc. theaters while he and his wife barbara streisand were breaking into the "biz"in the 60's. walter matthau, a trained lawyer, overcame his shyness performing on stage, beginning a life long career. the late cyd charisse took dancing lessons to strengthen her legs after a childhood affected by polio, and became a dancing legend in films and on stage. follow your fondest dream, while you still have time. my life took a different path from those days i worked with warren above the stage on the lighting and spotlights. spent my life working in restaurant management, taking minor parts and character roles for extra money. i do regret not having given full effort to make a life for myself in the theater and films. those were the times i've felt most alive and exciting. go for it girl !!!

Answer 5

get involvd in community plays take classes and ge an agent go to talentagents.blogspot.com click table of contents and click he city nearest you.

and go to actinginfo.blogspot.com for auditions but never pay for some1 to represent you. if they ask for money theyre a scam a real agency gets only 10-20 % of what you make doin commercials etc.

Answer 6

okay you need and agent or something like that go to yahoo and look agencies at where you live you dont have to have experience the agent will find you a casting and you can go audition you need headshots too

hope i helped

good luck

bye

Answer 7

Get some experience. Find a reputable acting teacher and start there. But 'reputable' is the key.