Whats up guys?
Ever since 7 it has been my dream to be an actor.15,Male,Living in New York, but it has been so hard getting lead into the rigth hands and the rigth people. Any word of advice people? Thanks much appericated.

hey! I'm sort of in the same boat. I'm 15 but a girl haha. Have you taken any classes outside of school? I've been to ACTeen, and i take professional voice lessons plus all the musicals and drama lessons I get in school.

What are you interested in? ACTeen is great for tv and film. I'm most interested in Broadway and theatre, ACTeen has a class for that too.

Good Luck!

Go to the Child and Teen Actors page and look for the Teens getting started thread.

Also, 15 can be a tough age because it's easier to cast people who are 18 but look younger.

Good luck!

Trust me it dosen't get any easier at 18. You become to young for the 20 something roles and to old for the 13-15 year roles. This world is tough! But you have to keep going you never know whats right around the corner. I don't know what your interested in I'm assuming acting here are several youth classes to try.

-The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute's --Saturday youth acting classes.
-New York Film Academy has youth summer programs not sure about during the school year.
-Also check out some local NYC university's theatre programs. Some might offer Saturday classes as well. And just about all have pre-college summer theatre programs that you can recieve college credit for.
look at:
-Pace University
-NYU's Tish or Stineheart(sp?)
-Purchase College
-University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA has GREAT summer theatre, dance and music programs as does
-North Carolina School of the Arts(very cool in North Carolina.
-And Northwestern in Chicago, IL. If you are interested in university summer stuff begin checking some out now, don't wait. The application deadlines are usually in March or April depending.

CONGRATS TO YOU BOTH: I started at the exact same age with my first audition with Robert De Niro and was hired.

Enough about me.

First off-GET YOUR MIND RIGHT. Dont do this be on the cover of US magizine and want all the fame and fortune. Make sure you have the HEART, PASSION and the stomach for REJECTION. If you have those three, you are on the right path. GET PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS OF COURSE.

Second-EVOLVE YOURSELF IN THE BUSINESS BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY
a) volunteer at a theatre group or film company to know the in's and out's of the business. Dont be too proud to be an usher, stage hand, intern, etc. You will learn from this and thank yourself later in life.

b) Continue to read BACKSTAGE, other trade papers and go online for acting sites for you to be seen.

c) ACTeen was just starting out when I was a teenager (I'm 31 now) and I didn't go because I was already playing lead in a indie and doing plays. Not to say I didnt need them, just didnt have the time; however talk to your parents and attend these schools.

d) If you're parents dont support you, DO IT ANYWAY. Saturdays when you're normally out with your friends, GO TO OPEN CALLS and AUDITIONS.

e) DO THEATRE-THE BEST ACTING SCHOOL EVER. This is what happend to me, I learned by watching the adults. Now people go back and forth with this issue because actors have a strong belief in going to college for acting and in my opinion, its a waste of money to pay $38,000. a year to learn common sense.

AGAIN, this is my opinion, the only profession you REALLY need a degree is Law and Medicine...ACTING?? I am an actor / filmmaker and I auditioned actors from YALE, NYU etc. and they sucked. It looks good on your resume but it doesnt guarentees nothing. I know three well known celebrity actors who never went to school and they're still working. Its all about timing and preparation. Now if you want to go to school then thats great, I'm just saying that I learned a lot by working on film sets, theatre, reading, etc. and still learning. But its up to you.

PERSISTANCE is the key. There are about half of million actors in NYC and LA and 80% of them are not good. There's that small percentage that are great and they continue to strive NO MATTER HOW MANY YEARS it takes. It took me 10 years to land a legit agent. Always keep your head up and towards your goals.

Thanks everyone much appericated!
DAMIAN - Thanks! Thats very helpfull and I will follow your advice, this has helpd me so much man and thanks again everyone!

I read Backstage weekly but dont see as many Teens wanted.
ACTeen sounds good is thier a website for it?


Thanks again.....!

Here ya go!
http://www.acteen.com