Should i apply for collage or should i build on an acting career?

Question

I'm really confused and i dunno weather or not i should try to pursue my dreams or do what everyone wants me to do, which is go to collage and i really dont know what to do. I mean, if i try to pursue acting and nothing happens, then i'm kinda stuck, but if i dont....i'll never know. any advice?

Answer 1

I agree, you should definitely do both! Why not have something to fall back on if your acting career doesn't pan out the way you would have liked? There's also a possibility that you may just change your mind. College is a time for you to figure out exactly what you want to do. You can major in film or theater. You can persue your dreams AND get the education that you deserve! Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it! Good luck!

Answer 2

Why don't you look for a college that has a strong drama program? It would be a good way to learn techniques and build on your craft. Also, if your acting career doesn't work out, you could always work another type of job in the entertainment industry and college will help provide those skills for you. Look into stage design and production, costume and set design, entertainment law...there are a lot of possibilities out there.

Acting is not all glamour and parties. You need more than a dream and some high school plays to become an actor. Good actors draw on sources and inspirations from a solid education. Psychology, English, and history are all useful subjects for actors.

Answer 3

Lots of actors do both...look at Jodie Foster, Natalie Portman, David Boreanaz, and Michael Keaton (went to college near mine)
Take some general courses until you find another alternative to acting that you might want to pursue a career in but nothing says you can't take an acting class or two and go on auditions.
Break a leg!

Answer 4

Maybe you can do both. There are good schools in New York City and LA where you could study acting and pursue work...even if you did one of those part time. You'd be able to make good professional connections in school while learning new things and getting experience. You'd also always haev the degree to fall back on. And if you're in NYC or LA, you'd be in the right locations to find work and take advantage of the opportunities that are available there.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Go to college. If possible, major in theater. See where that takes you.

The majority of professional actors have at least a bachelor's degree, although not always in theater. But at a minimum, they have significant training in acting. Even working actors still take class to learn new techniques, or simply to keep fresh.

Many casting directors, if they are considering two actors of approximately equal skill, will hire the one with a BA. They know that, at least then, the person has proven that they can be trained, and they'll be speaking the same language once they are working with that person.

Also, during your college years, you'll be building your theater resume, exploring different techniques and styles, and making connections. Since the vast majority of jobs in the field are found via networking (it's who you know!), these connections are going to be important in the future.

Lastly, being in college will give you access to resources, such as SETCs, that aren't available to non-students. SETCs, NETCs and the other regional auditions can help you get acting jobs.

You don't even necessarily have to go to "elite theater school". You can do very well coming from a strong, but less known, theater program, such as one which may be available at your own state college. My husband has a large group of theater friends, all of whom are doing well as professionals, some of whom you have heard of, and all of whom came out of state university with him.

The nice thing about majoring in theater at a broad university (rather than just going to "acting school") is that, if you change your mind about theater, or decide to try something unrelated, your degree will still count. It's a liberal arts degree, and you could work in marketing, or get your MBA, or... all sorts of possibilities will still be open to you.

But if you really want theater, don't play it safe. Don't major in business and minor in theater. Go for it. Major in theater, committ to it. This career takes devotion and drive. Major in theater. (but again, at a broad university). You'll be happier that you did.

Answer 6

like most everybody else says... you can have both. almost all colleges have theatre programs... and just speaking from my own experience, college is ultimately useful because you may discover something you never considered before, no matter how big of a dream you think you have. i'm also curious what you mean by "acting"... are talking classical stage or making it big in "hollywood"... if the latter, and you're absolutely sure... i'd say move out to California and start waitering.

Answer 7

Pursue your dreams, of course, but remember that acting is a very cut-throat business. I also hate to be pessimistic, but you probably won't make it in acting (sorry, I don't know how good or bad you are or how many contacts you have, but just of the top, you probably won't make it), so I would definitely suggest have a back-up in case it doesn't work out. "Everyone" just wants to make sure you have a secure future.

Answer 8

why not goto school FOR acting. lots of universities offer degrees in Drama. OR, do a specialized studies degree in which you can choose your courses based on your desired career. Even if you don't end up getting that degree, you may get in with a good contact and those sort of references could get you in the door elsewhere.

Answer 9

try to go to a school that has a theatre( minor) program and major in something like business so you could get a day job

Answer 10

For Acting, I would recommend

http://www.hollywoodnorth.com