Where do i go from here??????

Question

alright so i am an aspiring actress

at the age of 14 and i want to know

how to break out into the business?

I have taken theater workshops in school

and i go to the community theater for

summer camp. I have been in the drama

club since about sixth grade and i have landed

some major roles such as jasmine in aladdin.

Now i want to go mainstreammmm...

what are some tips or any advice from

other more successful actors/actresses out ther?

any piece of info will help alot

thank you and god bless

Answer 1

You have so much time, and you are already on a roll.

Basically these are your choices:

1. Move to NYC and have your parents get you an agent. As a child actress, your choice in roles is extremely limited, and it would not be a great use of your time to just go to a lot of auditions.

2.Sell your soul to Disney or Nickelodean. Once you join these networks, it is difficult (but not impossible) to ever break out and make it in the "real world"

3. OR you can be patient and be content to work your way up. Keep doing everything you can in high school, participating in school plays as well as community theatre. Don't be afraid to audition at the smaller of your local professional theatres like dinner theatres--sometimes they need younger actors. After high school, I highly recommend going to college for theatre. This, of course, is not necessary, but it gives you a solid education (important for getting jobs that pay), it gives you the opportunity to learn from a lot of different professors who have all been in the business, you get the opportunity to not only be in quite a few productions, but direct your own, and you get to take classes that will tell you the best ways to break into the business

While in college (whether you major in theatre or not), attend auditions like UPTA, MWTA, and SETC. These are unified auditions where directors from whole regions of the states come to cast their shows both for summers and normal seasons. You have the chance to get anywhere from 1-30 offers to choose from for the summer.

After college, move to: NYC (for musical theatre, modern straight plays, or avant-garde theatre) Chicago (for improv or classical theatre) or LA (for film/TV). Be willing to be the poor starving artist with 3 jobs for a while. Get headshots, go to as many auditions you can every day, and build up your resume! The best way to get in to the business it to work up a name for yourself by being in a lot of shows, being reliable, and keeping a positive attitude.

I know this is probably not the answer you were looking for, but as a 14-year-old, there are not a ton of professional roles for you. The great thing about theatre is that you can enjoy it at any age, and you'll get the most fun roles if you are acting with people in your age group. If you are in high school or college plays, you have a chance to play roles of all ages. However if you are in professional theatre you will be limited to roles at or around your age (because they can find 20 and 30 year-olds to play the 16-40 year-olds in the shows)

Anyhow, good luck on your journey to being "in the business" I hope some of this has helped.