What do Kate Winslet, Daniel Kaluuya, Dev Patel, and Felicity Jones have in common? Besides Hollywood fame, of course? They each struck out in the business as teenagers, beginning their careers when most of us were focussed on homework and school.
Finding acting success as a teen takes talent, determination, and a lot of hard work. Still, if a career in acting is your dream, then it’s time to get started.
1. Ask yourself: Do you have what it takes?
Rocking the lead role in the school play and being a professional actor are two very different things. The latter not only requires talent, but also resilience, determination, and drive. Every famous actor started as an unknown and will have had multiple rejections before making it big.
While it will be you up on that stage or in front of a camera, if you’re under 18, you’ll need someone accompanying you to auditions, chaperoning you on set, and potentially financing transportation to and from location. When it comes to acting in your teens, teamwork really does make the dream work, and it helps if you have a support network. Remember, there are also strict rules about how much you can work.
3. Get experience.
If you want to be a teenage actor, getting experience stepping into character is the most important thing you can do to kickstart your career. Here are some ideas:
- Sign up for school plays (and any similar opportunities your school offers).
- Join local drama clubs or community theatre groups.
- Check Facebook and other social media channels for any productions in need of talent based in your area.
Being part of any production is an opportunity to work with a cast and help build a performance. You’ll gain experience learning lines, collaborating with other actors, and feeling comfortable in front of an audience. It’s also a chance to meet other young people who share your passion and drive.
Feeling self-conscious or curious how your performance looks to someone else? Try filming your performances on your phone, then watch yourself back to see if there’s anything you want to tweak.
3. Learn your craft.
Much of acting is instinctual, but it is also a craft with techniques to learn. Practice memorising and reciting monologues. You can film yourself and watch them back, or ask people you trust (like a drama teacher, family members, or friends) for their feedback.
Acting classes can be great for working on particular techniques, but they can be expensive. Fortunately, there are also lots of resources online. Take a look at the YouTube channels of the National Theatre, the Almeida, and RADA for a behind-the-scenes look at the acting process. Also consider upcoming workshops at trusted institutions like The Actors Center or Actors Studio .
4. Study the industry.
Learn as much as you can about the acting and entertainment industry. Find interviews with actors, producers, directors, and agents, so you can get a broad view of various perspectives and how each of these pieces of the puzzle fit together. Check out industry websites and publications like Variety and the Hollywood Reporter for the latest industry news.
Immerse yourself in performances of all kinds. Watch as much live theatre as you can, and learn from other actors: What do you enjoy about their performance? What makes them stand out? Widen your horizons when it comes to films and TV. Don’t just watch things you like – jobs will come on programmes you wouldn’t necessarily want to see, so it’s important to watch everything and be familiar with different genres.
Check out early performances of actors whose careers you’d like to emulate. IMDb can be your friend here, as it lists actors’ full credits – even the early embarrassing ones. Take a look at shows with a large teenage cast like Stranger Things, Sex Education, Heartstopper, and Skins.
5. Think like a professional.
Once you’ve got some experience, you’ll want to get your acting materials together. Here are three things you’ll definitely need.
- Acting CV: Your acting CV should list the productions you’ve been in and any special skills you have, like juggling or accents. Unlike the CV you might be using for part-time work, your acting CV should focus on your acting work only – no need to mention babysitting or baristas. Make sure your contact details (name, phone number, and email address) are easy to find.
- Headshot: Your headshot is a clear photo of you from the shoulders up; it’s your visual calling card. Working actors typically pay a professional to take their headshots, but if you’re starting out, a picture taken on a good quality phone camera, in bright light and against a plain backdrop, should do. Don’t go overboard with makeup or fancy clothing. The photo should look like you and will help casting directors decide if you have the right look for the role.
- Showreel: If you’ve already got some acting clips, highlight the best bits and edit them together into a showreel; this can be up to four minutes long. If you’re just getting started, you can still put together a reel: Read a couple of monologues to camera and recite a poem. Whichever clips you choose, they should show you delivering a broad range of emotions.
6. Seek representation.
An acting agent takes care of the business side of being a professional actor. They know the industry and will be able to help you navigate auditions and castings – potentially getting you seen for more roles. If you haven’t got an agent yet, don’t despair; they are as eager to find new talent as you are to get represented. Some agencies work specifically with child actors, while others dedicate a branch of the business to young talent.
Research agents to find one that’s a good fit. Look at the careers of teen actors you’d like to follow: Who is their agent? With the help of a parent or legal guardian, follow their application guidelines detailed on the agent’s website to apply.
7. Don’t forget your education.
Your acting passion might seem far more exciting than your education right now, but don’t treat school like a backup plan. Being curious and interested in the world around you is an important part of being an actor, and learning new things will only add to your abilities on and off stage. Most teenage actors are encouraged to keep up their schoolwork, whether in class or on set with a tutor.
Plus, lots of actors find their acting tribe while in education. Think of the starry alumni of the Cambridge Footlights – Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, and Olivia Colman among them – who all kickstarted their careers with the society while they earned their unrelated degrees. Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree, drama school training is a great way to dive deeper into your craft, hone your skills, and network with other rising talents. As Bruce Lee famously said: “Learning is a constant process of discovery – a process without end.” Keep at it, and good luck.