How to Get a Teen Acting Job

Getting a teen acting job has become easier in today's world of reality TV. It is still crucial for a young actor to cut her teeth in the usual way: with school plays and community theater. Taking the slower road will make for better acting in the long run.

Things You'll Need

• Acting coach or drama teacher
• Good speaking skills
• Talent agent
• Reliable transportation

Instructions

1. Read aloud as often as possible. Practice your diction and enunciation while you are in various moods. An actor needs to be understood no matter what emotions the scene may call for. Taking a speech class will help with any fears of public speaking.

2. Take drama classes offered at your high school. Try out for every play and accept any parts or positions you are offered, even if they aren't for acting. Ask for advice and critiques from different people to get a well-rounded opinion of your talent. Learn as many skills as possible to add to your acting resume.

3. Hire a professional photographer to take some head shots for sending to auditions and talent agencies. These should be dressy and casual pictures.

4. Answer any teen acting audition calls for your age group. Many community theater groups run ads in free newspapers for audition calls, so look every day. Again, take any positions offered to you and ask how you can improve your acting skills.

5. Hire a professional acting coach to help improve your skills and reach the emotions needed for great acting. Check references on any coaches that are being considered.

6. Build a portfolio of acting credits to send out to future auditions. Keep all head shots current and list all accomplishments and abilities. This should include all experiences including acting camps, choir programs, set design and special awards you have received.

7. Hire an attorney to represent your interests in contract signing once you have been offered a professional acting job. A reputable attorney may refer an agent to one of your performances.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to every audition as a learning experience. Never argue with a director of a show; he knows what he is looking for in an actor and you may not be it. That's all right, there may be nothing you can do. Ask for any advice that can make you a better actor.

• Never answer an ad for an agent. If they are running ads in the paper for clients, they are not the type of agent you are looking for.

• Never pay an agent any money upfront. An acting agent is hired to line up work for you, then takes a percentage of what you will make on the work they found.

• Keep professional acting and family life as separate as possible. It is almost impossible for an inexperienced relative to understand the intricacies of the entertainment business.

Resources

• Acting Inc.