1 answer
Brennen
Student
Pickerington, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
670 views
Do I need to go to college in order to get into the acting career?
I am interested in going into the acting career, but wondering if I am able to go into the career right after high school or if I need to go to college & get a degree in acting/Performing Arts.
Thanks,
Brennen
Login to comment
1 answer
Michelle M.
Actress
2524
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Brennen !
Some actors do go to college for a degree in Theatre and some actors pursue acting without a college degree. It can work both ways, but I always advise taking the college route because it is daily, structured, a grounds for networking and obtaining acting experience and you'd have all the things you need at your fingertips. If you do not know how to pursue this career, it may mean that you'd need years of learning and then pursue the career when you are sure how to.
If you decide to do it on your own without college and without a college degree, there are several things you'll need to consider. It will be up to you to take acting lessons from an acting teacher who is running classes at a theatre or acting school. Acting, like every other career, requires training and experience. Regardless of what you may hear, you may have to move to the Acting Hub city of your state or move to New York City, NY or Los Angeles, CA as that is where most of the work happens and is produced. You will have to be a real go-getter, assertive in finding out where to audition and learn about the business end on your own by reading or taking lots of acting classes before you start to audition. I see this as being the more difficult path, especially if not getting a college degree is part of it and you'll have to think about what other types of jobs you can be qualified for.
If you decide to go to college for a Bachelors Degree in Theatre, you will learn everything you need to know about Acting, everyday, and meet great contacts and have lots of opportunities to learn and demonstrate your acting. You will be aware of information that can lead to possibly working on projects as an actor, have all the supports on campus that you can possibly need and start to become part of the local theatre world real fast. It's very beneficial to do it this way.
If you decide to take the academic path for Theatre/Acting, look into Bluffton University at Bluffton, Ohio in North East Ohio and Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio . You should also look into Ohio University’s School of Theater in Athens, Ohio. They all offer the four year Bachelors Program for Theatre. You could also opt to attend a two year community college for an Associates Degree in Theatre and then transfer to the four year college for your Bachelors Degree.
If you choose to not attend a college program for a degree, you will need to start making contacts right now in your community for acting teachers, places to audition - both live theatres and casting websites, and read up on things connected to Acting and the entertainment Industry. Visit in person the Pickerington Community Theatre in your town and perhaps offer to do volunteer work to get your foot in the door. You're fortunate that your school district offers Theatre classes in high school, but you'll need to continue with more acting classes at The 1st Team Actors Studio. High School acting is not enough. If you take your journey without college, you may not learn everything that will make you career ready, but every actor has a different path and all careers are unique to the person.
So, ask one of your current high school acting teachers who knows you and your work and see what the teacher says. The advice I'm giving you is in general, but you'll need to run this by someone who has seen you act and who knows you. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Some actors do go to college for a degree in Theatre and some actors pursue acting without a college degree. It can work both ways, but I always advise taking the college route because it is daily, structured, a grounds for networking and obtaining acting experience and you'd have all the things you need at your fingertips. If you do not know how to pursue this career, it may mean that you'd need years of learning and then pursue the career when you are sure how to.
If you decide to do it on your own without college and without a college degree, there are several things you'll need to consider. It will be up to you to take acting lessons from an acting teacher who is running classes at a theatre or acting school. Acting, like every other career, requires training and experience. Regardless of what you may hear, you may have to move to the Acting Hub city of your state or move to New York City, NY or Los Angeles, CA as that is where most of the work happens and is produced. You will have to be a real go-getter, assertive in finding out where to audition and learn about the business end on your own by reading or taking lots of acting classes before you start to audition. I see this as being the more difficult path, especially if not getting a college degree is part of it and you'll have to think about what other types of jobs you can be qualified for.
If you decide to go to college for a Bachelors Degree in Theatre, you will learn everything you need to know about Acting, everyday, and meet great contacts and have lots of opportunities to learn and demonstrate your acting. You will be aware of information that can lead to possibly working on projects as an actor, have all the supports on campus that you can possibly need and start to become part of the local theatre world real fast. It's very beneficial to do it this way.
If you decide to take the academic path for Theatre/Acting, look into Bluffton University at Bluffton, Ohio in North East Ohio and Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio . You should also look into Ohio University’s School of Theater in Athens, Ohio. They all offer the four year Bachelors Program for Theatre. You could also opt to attend a two year community college for an Associates Degree in Theatre and then transfer to the four year college for your Bachelors Degree.
If you choose to not attend a college program for a degree, you will need to start making contacts right now in your community for acting teachers, places to audition - both live theatres and casting websites, and read up on things connected to Acting and the entertainment Industry. Visit in person the Pickerington Community Theatre in your town and perhaps offer to do volunteer work to get your foot in the door. You're fortunate that your school district offers Theatre classes in high school, but you'll need to continue with more acting classes at The 1st Team Actors Studio. High School acting is not enough. If you take your journey without college, you may not learn everything that will make you career ready, but every actor has a different path and all careers are unique to the person.
So, ask one of your current high school acting teachers who knows you and your work and see what the teacher says. The advice I'm giving you is in general, but you'll need to run this by someone who has seen you act and who knows you. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Hey Michelle!!
Thanks for answering my question! It helps me a lot because I am doing a project for school & was just wondering what to do!!
Brennen
You're welcome ! I am glad it helped !
Michelle M.