If i'm only 13, should i follow my dream into an acting career or just give it up?

Question

I really want to be an actress, but I am only 13. Do you think it is a little too young? Also, I know that to be an actress, i must practice and attend acting school, drama class...and so on...but because these classes are expensive...i don't think my parent will let me. Should i just give up acting and move on? I know the chances are slim...

Omg...thank you soo much for the advice...maybe i should follow it...anyways...thank you sooo much agian for the advice!!!

Answer 1

offcourse you should

Answer 2

Rachel C has a good answer for you, because she really knows how to become an actor. Most of the answers you have are by dreamers like yourself and most of those don't know what they are talking about. There are a couple of other things to consider before deciding whether to follow your dream or not? Are you willing to work hard to become an actress? Are you the type physically that casting directors are looking for? Can you take lots of rejection and still be optimistic? Do you have any skill or effectiveness as an actor? Do you have any experience? If you are willing to work hard, then start getting some experience and let that help answer your question. Going back to Rachel C's answer, you need to be in as many plays as you possibly can all the time. So what do your think? Should you follow your dream?

Answer 3

Hey chick,

I was in your predicament when I was your age so I studied everything except drama and music at school but kept it for my spare time, school productions, operatic groups, theater groups etc. In school I took subjects from Law to Typing so I would be qualified to do a range of other things if I don't make it.

I took Drama at University and it was the best thing I ever did! I am saving up to move to London or New York and have worked in offices for the last year because I took typing, business studies and law I had a good working knowledge of lawyers offices. I am now tutoring Drama in a Youth Theater but still acting in productions as often as possible, this year I've been in 6 productions already and I've got another 3 before the new year, keeping my profile up while earning the cash huzzah!!!

Its an up hill struggle but the more effort you put into your craft the flatter the hill will become. Dreams are things to aspire to not unreachable goals. I say go for it but be sensible which you seem to be.

Good Luck xx

Answer 4

No,if its something you really want to do then take community classes and take part in school plays any experience will help. Keep trying and go to auditions, and something will turn up, it may take a while but once you get into highschool you can take drama classs and in college you can major in drama and stage dont give up on your dreams especially at such a young age, if you want it bad enough and your willing to work hard you can become an actress. Hope that helped and when you make it big send me an autograph. Good luck.

Answer 5

Now matter how slim the chances are never give up on your dreams! It's what keeps you alive and getting up every morning. There are ways to get involved in local acting companies and they are always looking for younger people to fill parts. Look around your area and see what you can find. They often have ads in the papers for productions and even auditions for local theatre. I live in a small town and we have a little theatre group and there is a regional one just a few miles away as well as in the schools. Check em all out!

Answer 6

Just absolutley go for it. You will be more dissapointed later in life if you dont try at all.
If your really worried about failing, have a back up plan, like putting some study into something else before you go to drama school.
You will have to work on the side if your parents cant fully afford to send you to these schools.
But the saying goes where theres a will theres a way.

Answer 7

DON'T GIVE UP ACTING. DON'T GIVE UP ACTING. DON'T GIVE UP ACTING!!!!!

You are seriously like, my soul sister! Except I'm 12 in 2 days! I really want to get into acting as well. I joined drama club in the 6th grade, and I plan to do the same this year (in 7th.) Oh, and before you get voice lessons or ANYTHING, join drama club at school and see if you like it. If you hate it, you're not gonna enjoy it, and if you don't enjoy it; then you're wasting your parents' money.

Anyway, back to voice lessons; I asked the best singer in my grade for recommendations for private voice teachers, and she gave me the number of her voice teacher! It's only $30 a lesson.

To make my parents agree with having voice lessons, I showed them I was serious about it. I spent my allowance on sheet music and practiced every day. Now Meg (my teacher) comes once a week (she comes today lol), and let me tell you she is THE BEST! =] Meg said that after I develop my voice a little more so it’s stronger, she'll tell me about local auditions and try to get me into some community musicals. And ta-da! I'm into acting. =]

I see you mentioned acting school; but if you can get into character & get a lot of free resources of acting tips, you really don't need it! I've never been to an acting school in my life; and I've been told I'm an excellent actress. But if you're a horrendous actor (which I doubt you are!), then get to acting class ASAP. Just keep practicing. Find monologues online, practice those. By the way, jazz/ballet helps majorly if you want to be in musicals.

"I know the chances are slim..." I think I know what you mean. The chances are slim to get into HOLLYWOOD. If all you want is to get into Hollywood, then you don't really want to act; you just want fame; and the actors that make it big have a PASSION for acting. If you don't like it, you will never make it far. But, if you truly love it it won't matter if you're performing in a retirement home; it's still acting; and if you love it, you won't mind! Understand what I'm saying?

Basically, join drama at school; and if you love, love, love it, do exactly as I said. Get voice lessons, dance classes, and acting classes if you need it. If you are serious about this and your parents aren't willing to pay, then you're gonna have to make some money. But first, show your parents it's not just a stage; and that it's what you want to do in life. If they won't help at all, then if anything; spend your earned-money on voice lessons; IMO, they help the most. I didn't think my parents would help me either, but they're actually really supportive since they’ve seen that I'm serious about it.

If you have anymore questions or ever wanna chat, e-mail me!

Answer 8

As Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" said: "Somewhere over the rainbow . . . dreams really do come true!" NEVER give up on YOUR dream. Get a part-time job somewhere to help pay for extra classes, if needs be. Participate in school acting, i.e. school pays, operettas, etc. Join an amateur dramatic society, look, listen and learn by watching as much QUALITY TV/movies/plays. Sit down with the folks and explain to them your passion and your dream - I'm sure you'll find they probably will look upon it favorably, if you handle the problem in an adult manner. Show them the answers (and especially the encouragements!) you've received here, and I'm sure they'll think twice. Good luck kiddo!

Answer 9

Don't go into acting because you want to be rich and famous. Do it because that's what you love doing. You can't expect to make a living as an actor without any formal training. Start by trying out for some school plays. Show your parents that you are committed and maybe they will pay for acting classes.

Answer 10

Yes you are correct the chances are very very slim --- there are millions of others like you and the ones with the qualifications will be put ahead of the unqualified ones -- i do drama classes and am up to my grade 8 speech and drama exam this year. There is a lot more to drama than you think --- you really need drama lessons.

Answer 11

You are one VERY smart kid! Wise well beyond your years. I say you should act. Since you know going in that you don't have a good chance at becoming famous you have a huge advantage over everyone else. You should do it for fun and if something happens it happens and if it doesn't you still got to have all the fun and at least you tried. People like you are the kind who are most likely to succeed. The ones who can figure out what's what on their own. That applies to an acting career and anything else you do. Too many people NEVER get it. You already do. If you do decide to try it I say you'd be a welcome addition to the craft. Do it, it's great!