I really need HELP!?

Question

I love to sing and act! I totally want to become in Broadway and I just have joy when i sing and act. Well, I'm in Jr. High. I think I have looks and personality. (Have Braces tho) So im taking musical theatre classes. I asked my parents if i could act and sing for a living and my parents said NO! they said because you have no relatives that are famous. I was so bummed and I cried a little because i really wanted to do that. I convinced my Mom if i could get an agent. She said we dont have that much money and about if we get robbed by an agent who juz wants our money. So i stayed quiet. I just sing for fun now. and have no place to act just in my classes. What do I do?? I really need help! Musical theatre is my passion. I love acting more than singing tho, but im pretty good at both! Please anyone out there to help poor me!

Answer 1

Your parents are right, sad to say. Do you watch "American Idol"? Did you see how many people want to sing, and how few made it? There are some crooks who will take your money to "promote" you. They prey on all of those hopeful people. They will take all you give them and ask for more.

There is probably a community theater in your county, if not your town. Look it up. See if they have an audition for a young person's role. Your musical theater teaches should have a bulletin board with audition notices.

Your high school, when you get there, will put on a term play once a semester. If it is a musical, try out.

Your church, if you go, should have a choir. Join it.

There may be a children's choir in your community.

None of these places are Broadway; they are the minor leagues. They will give you a chance to get noticed, however. If you are good enough, sooner or later an agent will approach you with offers of money, not the other way around.

Answer 2

If you want to be an actor, I think that is great.

But I can also see your parents' point of view. Why not compromise?

Finish high school, then go to college. Take acting and theater and music classes to help learn the profession. Then when you get your degree, you can go to New York or Hollywood and take a shot at stardom. Then, if things don't work out, you will at least have a degree, and the training you need to make a living, teaching music if nothing else.

Good luck and don't be too rough on your parents, they are just trying to look out for what they see as your best interests.

In the mean time, there is probably a local theater company who would be glad to have you.

Doc, currently in rehearsal for Mousetrap

Answer 3

you need an education and experience. I can see where your parents are coming from, but if this is what you want to do, then you should. You just have to know that it's a hell of a lot more dificult than you think it could be. and DONT LOOK AT IT IN A "I WANT TO BE FAMOUS" WAY. Just do what you love b/c what is life if you dont? If you love to sing and act, start there. join a community theatre. join a school choir. audition for the plays and musicals in your school. get exposure to the industry, and if you dont change your mind in a few years and you still want to do this, go on. If you're parents still don't want to cooperate, then work and pay for your own agent and stuff. dont rush it though. You're still in junior high. your parents shouldnt be responsable for paying for an agent and getting you to auditions and stuff... most parents are not that suportive. their job is to love and protect you and they think the easiest way for them to do that is for you not to act.

Remember that most famous people where at one point completely unknowns. you need luck to get where they are so you never know.

I know a lot of people have pointed it out, but sag.com is the best place to start to find an agent!

Answer 4

Your parents have probably only heard bad storied about people getting ripped off by bad people because it happens way too often. It doesn't happen when you do things the right way. An agent does not get paid until they get you a job and you get paid, then they get 10%. Unfortunately, if you're parents do not supprt you going into the business, you'll have to wait until you are an adult and can support yourself because you'll have to be able to pay for pictures, classes, workshops, transportation and many other living expenses!

Until then, stay active in theatre as much as you can. At least your parents haven't cut you off from that. Remember that they're just looking out for you. This is a rough business and you face a lot of rejection and people who just want your money. You really have to know your way around so you don't get taken!

Now, if and when you want to find a legitimate agent to represent you for commercials, TV & film go to Sag.org. Use the dropdown menu on the right labeled 'resources' and choose 'agent information'. On the next screen, on the left choose 'Find a SAG franchised agent' and follow the directions. You can look up agents all over the US, but there are higher concentrations where the work is (Los Angeles, NY, IL, FL, GA etc.)

Then you can send them your headshot, resume, and a cover letter stating that you are seeking representation and wait to see if they call you in for an interview.

Once you have an agent, they will get you the auditions, but until then you can check out actorsaccess.com. For theatre, you can go to backstage.com or http://www.actorsequity.org/castingcall/... If you find the audition on the Equity site, you still may be able to go, as long as their not taking appointments from equity actor's only :-) On backstage.com you have to pay to get all of the info, but the initial search is free and you may be able to see enough info to find out the rest on your own without paying OR you can go to your local bookstore or newsstand and look at their print publication (new every Thursday) for free. Good luck!

Answer 5

Tell your mom not to worry about agents making you pay because they dont. They dont make you pay until they start finding jobs for you or getting you parts. But some do so just research agents on the internet.
Go to sag.com (incase sag sounds wierd to you because it does to me seeing as how im the same age it stands for Screen Actors Guild). I think you might have join the website to search for agents though. And make sure your mom and dad come with you to anything because their are wierdos out their who might try to harm you. Also try kidsmanagement.com (i think they charge though im not sure but some one recomended it).

Anyway good luck!!

Answer 6

Follow your dream try and do more theater and music in school and prefect your art and who knows you might be able to get into a good arts school (Try Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond one of the best art school in the nation) if you follow your dream then your parents will come around.

By the By I am a visual artist. My mother told me four years ago, starting high school, that my future was in Computers and refused to let me apply for the school for the arts at my school; I had to join a technology based program. Two years later I dropped out of the program and took as many art classes as I could fit. I am now going to Virginia Commonwealth University to study fashion design and merchandising. I am living proof that if you stick to your guns and have the talent parents will eventually come around :)

Answer 7

UMMM YOU HAVE A PROBLEM
but you could always join a local communtity theater for free before making it big time and work your way up and once youve had some experience and hear about your fellow actors and the problems theyve had and learn from them then become equity(YOU GET PAID) and from there slowly go through college for acting and reach your way into hollywood but you need to take it on step at a time!!!

Answer 8

Well, keep participating in local theatres or your high school shows. When you're 18, you can do whatever you want for your career. Your parents are not in charge of you anymore, so your pretty much free!

Answer 9

you have no relatives who are famous, therefore you can't be? that's a load of crap, if i ever heard it.

you need to be the one who researches agents, etc. don't ask your parents. you are still young (11/12), so just keep auditioning for school plays, etc. you have years to do things, and just take voice lessons. i see no reason why your parents can't pay for it, or just ask your music teacher if she gives lessons. don't let your dream die because of your parents.