So I am new at this & hopefully someone's going to help me out. I am 15 and my parents have been divorced since I was 7. I use to live with my mom, but I live with my dad now because I never got along with my step dad. Me and my mom don't talk the same anymore. I now live with my dad, step mom and 5 other sibling and 2 dogs, its insane! I was brought up very neat and clean while on the other side my step mom wasn't she leaves the house a mess along with my sisters, my brother is just like me. We both clean up and want to live "clean" i mean i just feel like our house is disgusting because no-one can cleanup after themselves. And I have to share a room with my 14 year old step sister who is a slob! I'm looking at her side of the room right now and I swear you can't see the floor and it smells. I can't stand it. Besides that I have lost many friends and not a big fan of high school. I have a best friend. She's the only one who understands me. I always liked school but i feel like everyone sees through me and doesn't see who i really am. I am very shy, but when I am outside of school I am not, i guess i get uncomfortable. About my friend, she sings. She has an amazing voice and has a singing coach. She plans on touring one day, and she even said she would take me with her:] She has big dreams, like me. I recently joined drama club at my school and loved it. I don't have an amazing voice, but I LOVE to act. It is so much fun and I want to be an actress. I practice alot by copying tv shows and printing out scripts. The only problem is I cannot find ANY schools or classes in my area under $1,000. My dad tells me to just get good grades and send in head shots and maybe I will get somewhere. He's not very supportive he doesn't think I can do it, but my best friend thinks i can. The only problem is my teeth are straight, but i have a chipped one in the front. it's not bad, when I smile they're straight but you can tell when I talk and whatnot. I never had straight teeth and my family can't afford braces at the moment, so I am afraid agency's wont want me nor think i am good enough. I want to learn though and get involved. Sometimes I just feel like giving up because I won't get there. I have talked to other girls who also want to be actors and have been at it since they were young, so I am nervous that I won't get there because its been years for them, how will I get farther in less time? Basically my family complains about money too much, I want to be an actress, but I am having trouble and no one seems to understand me or care. I feel invisible, and I want that to change and I want to be an actress and have straight teeth and live my life and love it. Can it happen?
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Answers
Don't worry about the tooth; if you got a role in something big like a movie, they'd have it fixed for you. But first you need to get some practice in. Everyone starts with local productions. Start first auditioning for shows at your school. Most places also have community theatre productions that often offer roles for younger people. Check for theatres in your area and phone them about when auditions are held. But really most people get their start acting at school. It sounds as if sharing a room is difficult, but it's hard to make people do things they don't want to do. You may just have to keep your half clean and practice letting go of the rest for a while.
I agree with Mattie. Practice does make perfect. Your dad does sound a little supportive to me. He does mention for you to send in head shots...I feel that is better than not wanting you to do things at all.
You have to start small to get anywhere. NO one makes it to the top immediately. Find small acting things first. Start with your local community college, or theater guild, or somesuch.
I also agree with Mattie, you may just have to keep your part clean and try to let go of the other part--who knows, perhaps she will try to be just like you!
Best,
Clyde