How does anyone get a break?

I have a 14 year old daughter who is a great actress, has a fine singing voice, dances and loves theatre so much its her chosen career! The problem; there seems to be nothing in the way of amateur theatre for her to get any experience. All audition lisitings ask for older people or if they are looking for younsters it usually say over 16 years. Any ideas or help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Rhoda

Rhoda wrote:
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> I have a 14 year old daughter who is a great actress, has a fine
> singing voice, dances and loves theatre so much its her chosen
> career! The problem; there seems to be nothing in the way of
> amateur theatre for her to get any experience.

Nothing is a very big word.

There may not be as many opportunities for a 14 year old as are available for more chronologically challenged actors. This probably reflects the relatively few roles written for young women in this age group, not to mention the general perception that there are less roles written for women anyway.

An ability to discover constructive things to do in between employment is a necessary asset for practically everyone contemplating a career in theatre. Perhaps your daughter could start building this skill now by enrolling in (more) classes, working on audition pieces, reading plays, trying her hand at writing and seeing as much theatre as possible.

If she's as committed as you suggest, no amount of time dedicated to the above will ever prove wasted.

Cheers
Grant

Hi Rhoda & Grant,

Nothing is impossible - I still find it a total mystery that people let ME on stage. Age is a factor, but is not an absolute. I've worked with fourteen year olds (shut up, Dean) who hold themselves, and look, years older. Unfortunately, there are directors who may, when told, "I'm only 14," simply reply, "That's too young," without even considering if your daughter may pass for a 16, 18 or 20 year old.

But then again, if she looks right for a part, a canny director may cast your daughter regardless of her age. It's a matter of keeping on trying.

Every year, the ITA hosts the WA State Drama Festival - DramaFest. For the past three years, there has been a Junior Section in DramaFest, for people 18 years and younger to act and direct. Theatre groups from all over the state have been known to enter, and as such, are often looking for young actors in the lead-up to the Festival.

DramaFest is held in September of every year. People usually start auditions around July. Keep an eye on this page for audition notices from groups around June/July. Or else try contacting some groups and ask to be kept upto date with their productions. Off the top of my head, groups that have entered the Youth Festival have been Melville Theatre, Roleystone Theatre, Blak Yak Theatre, Mandurah Little Theatre, Scarp Theatre, Darlington Theatre Players, Garrick Theatre and Harbour Theatre. If you're interested, I'll put you on Blak Yak's mailing list, which will keep you upto date with our upcoming productions.

Jarrod Buttery
President
Blak Yak Theatre

Hi Rhoda

If your daughter is also interested in acting for film and TV, there are some reputable casting agencies which include young people on their books. Most also run drama classes with performances at various times during the year.

I can give you some suggestions if you'd like to contact me on 0412 224 253.

Cheers
Jenni

poor Dean!!!!....accused before he opens his mouth...

Roleystone Theatre have just finished their Junior Theatre Workshop for this year, in which we take kids that have little experience, or perhaps haven't been on stage ever before, and teach them the basics. This culminates in a two-night production of short plays, musical items etc. This years turn-out for auditions was so good, that we were forced to turn quite a few away. We did however try to make sure that those who didn't get in this year were our proven young actors, who are now ready for something more intensive than this workshop.

At the end of this year we are planning a Pantomime, which may very well have a spot on-stage for your daughter, even if it's in the chorus. I am also madly searching for a script to use for the ITA Youth Dramafest, as it appears I may well be directing Roleystone's offering (a scary thought). I will certainly be posting audition notices for both of these productions online.

If you have any queries, or would like to leave a contact number so I can call you if any positions come up, don't hesitate to call me on 9399 5276 or e-mail me at fnord@writeme.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Stagecoach Theatre Arts School , based at Currie Hall (uwa) provides training in Drama, Singing and Dance (1 hour of each ) and runs from 10am-1pm on saturday mornings. We also notify students of any auditions that they are eligible for in Perth.Contact the principal Serena Kipling on 9322 6300 for details.

Rhoda -

Picking up on Grant and Jarrod's threads - youth is no obstacle for gaining experience.

I did my first amateur theatre production when I was 15 (thank-you Mr Malcom!) and it wasn't at school, and wasn't a child's part. I'm reasonably sure Grant isn't a paedophile, and it had something to do with the fact that he thought a younger performer could hold her own with 18 plusses, but then I could be horribly, horribly deceived.

Anyhow, I've been a community theatre junkie ever since and have found incredible opportunities through the confidence I've gained as performer through these shows. She needs to go out on a limb and try for everything - she may be pleasantly surprised with what happens, and she's young enough to have the attitude, 'Oh well, they turned me down just because I was too young' not because 'I was too crap and I'm a bad person'. I'm getting into my own disturbed psyche now...

Tell her to keep up the singing and dancing and do all the acting classes she can, but to also pursue an alternative career path at the same time. Being a checkout chick sucks, and she'll probably spend more time doing that as a professional actor with no other qualifications, than doing anything else. I did occupational therapy and not only do I find part-time work easily, I play a really good cripple (that was a bit tasteless, Amanda).

All the best, good luck, and most importantly, have fun!
Amanda Chesterton

On the same line as Amanda, I'm sixteen, and started theatre when I was fourteen. I've been acting since I was rather young, and it took A LOT of nerves to ring up and inquire about community theatre.

When I first rang up about joining Blak Yak, I got the expected 'hmm..they're aren't really a lot of fourteen year old roles'. However, I rocked up to the meetings, and tried anyway. I got to know people, and got to have my 'big break' (ah, wonderful, wonderful cliches!). Also, like Amanda, I'm now a massive theatre junkie (although you DID beat me to the role I wanted, Amanda. Grrr.. *grin* Congratulations, Amanda!!!), and have received an unbelievable amount of experience which no schooling could ever offer me (I attend a specialist drama school, which was not a scratch on what I learned in community theatre). It is not only the stage experience your daughter will find beneficial, but also the social experience.

Age is no barrier, and if you're determined you shouldn't think to yourself 'I'm this old, this is all I can do'. You're only as old as you act and feel (*sigh* Jarrod...are we celebrating your ninth birthday this year then?? *grin*)! My point (yes, there IS a point in here somewhere!) is that all you can do is try; the experience of auditions are awesome in themselves.

Get in, show what you can do, and your talent will outshine your age!! (hopefully - bite your tongue Angela...)

Ange. xo