Actors training Part 2

Yesterday I was talking about options for actors without much professional experience to create an acting CV for themselves and get noticed by casting agents and directors. The following are by no means to be taken for fact, they are only my own musings about what I think is right for me. It might be different for you. So, as far as I'm concerned there are several options.


Wishing and hoping: I'm just going to leave it at that.

Roughing it: This is basically what I have been doing for a while now. I have taken evening class, and have acted in unpaid productions. While this is a lot of fun and can teach you a lot, creating a CV in this fashion is time consuming and really only allows you to do acting as a hobby. Unless you are planning to or have roughed it for some years or are lucky and get a break, I am not so sure if you will be taken seriously. Studying theatre and film will also get you a great education but I don't know if it will get you noticed as an actor.

Formal acting training: Another way of getting on the map of casting agents and casting directors is to get formal acting training. While night classes and part-time training are also highly beneficial (and sooo fun!), the formal acting training everyone seems to be looking for is full time and over a longer period of time. See for example the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) at Toi Whakaari or programmes at such places as The Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York.

So, being 27, a mother and already having two unrelated university degrees, have I completely lost my mind for wanting to sign up for 3 years of actors training? I don't think so. It's never to late to get an education and unless physically impossible it's never too late to start following a dream. I know it is hard work, I know there are no guarantees.

If I want to be serious about being a professional actor, getting formal training is something I have to do. Not simply because there is little chance of making it otherwise but because I want to learn acting as a craft, I want to learn about the business and I want to learn about what else is out there in the industry that I am passionate about, that will let me tell stories and create.

I want my son to know that if he has a dream, there is no reason not to try. I want him to know that he has to work hard and can't rely on luck alone. And I want to lead him by example.