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What tips do you recommend me if I wanna be an actor?
I want to study theatre but my family is hesitant about the working space and they tell me that is not a good choice, but I wanna prove them that this is my passion and that this is my dream
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6 answers
Updated
Rhea Dominique’s Answer
Transitioning from high school to a career in acting requires a strategic and disciplined approach that balances artistic development with business savvy. The foundation of any successful acting career is unwavering commitment to the craft; therefore, you must prioritize consistent training through reputable acting classes focusing on various techniques and specialties like on-camera work, voice, and movement. Simultaneously, you must gain real-world experience by actively participating in student films, community theatre, and local short projects, which helps you practice and hone your skills while building a resume and gathering footage for your essential demo reel. Beyond the art, you must treat acting like a small business: invest in professional headshots, maintain an up-to-date resume, and learn to network with directors, writers, and fellow actors, as your community will be your greatest source of future opportunities. Finally, adopt a resilient mindset: because rejection is constant, develop a thick skin, maintain flexibility by securing a parallel career or flexible work for financial stability, and remain persistent, remembering that showing up consistently is the biggest difference between an aspiring actor and a working professional.
Thank you very much, Rhea! I will consider this useful advice. Thanks for your time to respond! Wishing you the best
Huitzil
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hello Huitzil. Acting takes a lot of hard work and practice, but it can be an exciting and rewarding career if you truly love it. It's normal for your family to worry because acting can be a tough job, but you can show them that you are serious by learning, practicing, and working hard to reach your goals.
You can start by joining acting or theatre classes at your school or in your community. Try to take part in plays, drama clubs, or small performances. Every chance to act helps you get better and more confident. Watch plays and movies to study how professional actors use their voice, face, and body to show emotion. This can help you understand how to make your own performances stronger.
Practice a little every day. Read scripts, act out short scenes, and try different emotions. You can even record yourself to see what you can improve.
It's also a good idea to meet other people who like acting. Join groups, go to workshops, or audition for local plays. You'll learn from others and make friends who share your dream. Networking can also help you find new opportunities. Good luck!
You can start by joining acting or theatre classes at your school or in your community. Try to take part in plays, drama clubs, or small performances. Every chance to act helps you get better and more confident. Watch plays and movies to study how professional actors use their voice, face, and body to show emotion. This can help you understand how to make your own performances stronger.
Practice a little every day. Read scripts, act out short scenes, and try different emotions. You can even record yourself to see what you can improve.
It's also a good idea to meet other people who like acting. Join groups, go to workshops, or audition for local plays. You'll learn from others and make friends who share your dream. Networking can also help you find new opportunities. Good luck!
Thank you very much, Wong! I'll definitely start searching networking spaces, this was very helpful. Thanks for your response! Wishing you the best!
Huitzil
You are most welcome!
Wong Loke Yuen
Updated
Jace’s Answer
Hi, Huitzil!
Good on you for sticking to your passions! I grew up performing and have a degree in theatre, so I absolutely understand where you're coming from! Although my degree is in directing and I work professionally on the business side of theatre, when I was in high school I originally intended to go on for a degree in musical theatre. I spent my time performing in my high school's drama club, and volunteered at my local middle school with their drama club.
Additionally, if you can find a group outside of school to get involved with, whether that be volunteering or performing, I highly recommend it! Investing in lessons or classes was a great help while I was in high school, as was finding independent ways to study and learn all I could on what it takes to be a professional in the theatre industry. Clearly you're already there and taking the initiative to try to learn all you can and get ahead!
Hopefully doing the research and finding local spaces where you can pursue your passion will prove to your parents that you're serious about making a go at this, and convinces them to let you pursue your passions! Along with showing my parents how serious I was and how passionate I was about performing, I reminded my parents that as a young adult, I was allowed to make mistakes and try to find my own path in life. Finding success can be an uphill battle, and sometimes parents are so focused on protecting their children they forget to let them try new things, even if it ultimately ends up in failure. But remind them that your passions can provide workable skills, like confidence in public speaking and creative thinking! These are marketable skills that work both in the arts and in the traditional workforce!
Wishing you all the best and so much luck in your next steps! Hopefully my rambling answer provides some help!
Good on you for sticking to your passions! I grew up performing and have a degree in theatre, so I absolutely understand where you're coming from! Although my degree is in directing and I work professionally on the business side of theatre, when I was in high school I originally intended to go on for a degree in musical theatre. I spent my time performing in my high school's drama club, and volunteered at my local middle school with their drama club.
Additionally, if you can find a group outside of school to get involved with, whether that be volunteering or performing, I highly recommend it! Investing in lessons or classes was a great help while I was in high school, as was finding independent ways to study and learn all I could on what it takes to be a professional in the theatre industry. Clearly you're already there and taking the initiative to try to learn all you can and get ahead!
Hopefully doing the research and finding local spaces where you can pursue your passion will prove to your parents that you're serious about making a go at this, and convinces them to let you pursue your passions! Along with showing my parents how serious I was and how passionate I was about performing, I reminded my parents that as a young adult, I was allowed to make mistakes and try to find my own path in life. Finding success can be an uphill battle, and sometimes parents are so focused on protecting their children they forget to let them try new things, even if it ultimately ends up in failure. But remind them that your passions can provide workable skills, like confidence in public speaking and creative thinking! These are marketable skills that work both in the arts and in the traditional workforce!
Wishing you all the best and so much luck in your next steps! Hopefully my rambling answer provides some help!
Thank you so very much, Jace! I'm glad we can share the same interest in theatre and I'll start getting involved in some local classes near my neighborhood. I'm glad you're already in the industry. Thanks for your helpful response and I wish you all the best!
Huitzil
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Huitzil !
As an actress myself, I am unfamiliar with the Mexican theatre and Acting world, however, I did take one year of Chicano Teatro in College from a former member of El Teatro Campesino which is known in America, so I have some foundational historical knowledge of it.
From what I understand, Mexico City is indeed the hub and a key filming location for international productions, including major projects by Netflix, Amazon Studios, and others, so you are already living in an acting community city. That being said, here is the bottom line. If your parents would be paying for your training or paying for your going to University for a Degree in Theatre, there may be issues. One way to do it is to finance your training on your own.
I had a Pilipino foreign student classmate that had a physical disability in our college Theatre Department when I was a college student. His parents found out he was Majoring in Theatre and told him that if he didn't change his Major, they would stop sending him money for support. The student decided to continue to Major in Theatre and found a way to do it himself without his parents financial support (I never asked him how he did it). Each person in this situation has their own circumstances and it will be based on what you can manage to do on your own.
Something to consider is that your parents are telling you that a career in Theatre is wrong when they have never had a career in theatre and are not speaking from first hand experience, rather assumptions and hearsay. That doesn't carry enough weight for you to decide not to go into your dream career. Acting is very much an unknown, mythical thing and foreign to many people who have never had the career, so you may hear many things that aren't necessarily real about the filed of work. You should never give up pursuing your dream career.
Start by being involved in any shows that your school does. Seek community based acting lessons - save up your money and pay for them yourself. Limit how much you discuss acting with your parents - don't make it a conflict. Start doing volunteer work at theatres and that way you'll be aware of auditions and get experience behind the scenes, too, before college. Check out Cineteca Nacional de México, Teatro Julio Prieto Xola, Teatro Telcel, Centro Cultural Teatro 1 y 2, Cultural Center Theater 1, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Teatro de los Insurgentes, Metropolitan Theatre, National Auditorium (El Auditorio Nacional) at Campo Marte, Sala Nezahualcoyotl, Shakespeare Forum, El Galeón Theater, Ángela Peralta Theater, and Esperanza Iris City Theater.
The only way to make it real is to start getting involved, either through your school or in the community. Many times, if parents see that you're actually doing it, it becomes real to them but if you just think and talk about it, it can easily be an argument. Become active as soon as you can. You can accomplish this and my advice is to not let what people say determine your path. We actresses and actors will hear just about everything when we're starting out.
So you'll have to start becoming active, give it time and see what is doable after you graduate High School. Definitely return here for specific advice along the way and I wish you all the best in all you do !
As an actress myself, I am unfamiliar with the Mexican theatre and Acting world, however, I did take one year of Chicano Teatro in College from a former member of El Teatro Campesino which is known in America, so I have some foundational historical knowledge of it.
From what I understand, Mexico City is indeed the hub and a key filming location for international productions, including major projects by Netflix, Amazon Studios, and others, so you are already living in an acting community city. That being said, here is the bottom line. If your parents would be paying for your training or paying for your going to University for a Degree in Theatre, there may be issues. One way to do it is to finance your training on your own.
I had a Pilipino foreign student classmate that had a physical disability in our college Theatre Department when I was a college student. His parents found out he was Majoring in Theatre and told him that if he didn't change his Major, they would stop sending him money for support. The student decided to continue to Major in Theatre and found a way to do it himself without his parents financial support (I never asked him how he did it). Each person in this situation has their own circumstances and it will be based on what you can manage to do on your own.
Something to consider is that your parents are telling you that a career in Theatre is wrong when they have never had a career in theatre and are not speaking from first hand experience, rather assumptions and hearsay. That doesn't carry enough weight for you to decide not to go into your dream career. Acting is very much an unknown, mythical thing and foreign to many people who have never had the career, so you may hear many things that aren't necessarily real about the filed of work. You should never give up pursuing your dream career.
Start by being involved in any shows that your school does. Seek community based acting lessons - save up your money and pay for them yourself. Limit how much you discuss acting with your parents - don't make it a conflict. Start doing volunteer work at theatres and that way you'll be aware of auditions and get experience behind the scenes, too, before college. Check out Cineteca Nacional de México, Teatro Julio Prieto Xola, Teatro Telcel, Centro Cultural Teatro 1 y 2, Cultural Center Theater 1, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Teatro de los Insurgentes, Metropolitan Theatre, National Auditorium (El Auditorio Nacional) at Campo Marte, Sala Nezahualcoyotl, Shakespeare Forum, El Galeón Theater, Ángela Peralta Theater, and Esperanza Iris City Theater.
The only way to make it real is to start getting involved, either through your school or in the community. Many times, if parents see that you're actually doing it, it becomes real to them but if you just think and talk about it, it can easily be an argument. Become active as soon as you can. You can accomplish this and my advice is to not let what people say determine your path. We actresses and actors will hear just about everything when we're starting out.
So you'll have to start becoming active, give it time and see what is doable after you graduate High School. Definitely return here for specific advice along the way and I wish you all the best in all you do !
Thank you do very much for your time to respond me! I really appreciate the advice and I'll start involving me in theatre activities in my city and raising some money for the career. Your advice was very helpful! Thanks, Michelle! Wishing the best for you too
Huitzil
You are welcome for the advice !
Michelle M.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Appreciate your passion on.performing arts.
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are many different kinds of actors, eg TV or movie actor, drama actor, musical arts, etc. you can find out more determine what you have interest
2. Do some research on the courses and training available and the entry criteria
3. Explore the career path of an actor
4. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, etc.
5. Have open discussion with your family on your plan
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are many different kinds of actors, eg TV or movie actor, drama actor, musical arts, etc. you can find out more determine what you have interest
2. Do some research on the courses and training available and the entry criteria
3. Explore the career path of an actor
4. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, etc.
5. Have open discussion with your family on your plan
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Thank you very much, Rebecca! This is really helpful and I appreciate your response a lot, I will follow the tips. Thanks! I wish you the best. Blessings!
Huitzil
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Huitzil,
It is good that you have ambition and want to become an actor. Focus on what you can control and work hard to make this a reality even if people doubt or have concern over your choice. In terms of tips that I can give you about acting, I will create a list for to think about. Hope this helps!
List:
-Practice different roles/characters
-Memorize your lines/ways to memorize your lines
-Have confidence in yourself/give your best effort
-Be well prepared/stand out from other people
-Work hard
-Build connections with other actors etc.
-Get advice from people with more experience
It is good that you have ambition and want to become an actor. Focus on what you can control and work hard to make this a reality even if people doubt or have concern over your choice. In terms of tips that I can give you about acting, I will create a list for to think about. Hope this helps!
List:
-Practice different roles/characters
-Memorize your lines/ways to memorize your lines
-Have confidence in yourself/give your best effort
-Be well prepared/stand out from other people
-Work hard
-Build connections with other actors etc.
-Get advice from people with more experience
Thank you so much, Don!I will consider your tips and I'll continue working hard to make this dream a reality thank you for your response. Wishing you the best!
Huitzil