Dear K8,
My name is Casey, and I am a 7th grade actress who LOVES Broadway, singing, acting, dancing and being onstage in general. I see all these shows where there are kids my age in them but... I can't seem to find any auditions. I feel like I am stuck in community theater and there are so many other opportunities that I could be pursuing! I know that community theater isn't a BAD thing but... I just want to find auditions somewhere bigger. I know everyone "starts" somewhere but I "started" a while ago and I haven't left that somewhere. Any suggestions?

Thanx!
Casey


Dear Casey,

I did a lot of community theater as well when I was your age, and I remember feeling similar frustration when I heard a young person’s voice on a Broadway soundtrack, or saw a picture of a girl my age on a show poster or in Playbill. How did they get there??

When we figure out what it is that we love to do, most of us want to do it at the highest level – immediately!

You did not specify in your letter where you live, so some of the suggestions I make may not be applicable to your situation, but here are some thoughts:

1. Find out if there are any regional theaters in your area. While many regional theaters cast out of New York, they often hold local auditions, especially for young actors. I just returned from Dallas, Texas, where I did a show with seven other actors, six of whom were from New York. The seventh actor was an incredibly talented 12-year-old boy who lives just outside of Dallas. He didn’t have to fly to New York to audition; the show’s director held auditions locally.

2. Get a subscription to Backstage. This is a fantastic resource for performers, and it posts upcoming auditions. If you see that a show is casting young people, maybe you and your family can plan a special trip to New York, giving you a chance to see what auditioning in New York is like.

3. Sign up for one of the many theater intensive programs that are offered here in New York (A Class Act NY, Broadway Artists Alliance, ACTeen, and Camp Broadway come to mind.) You can meet other aspiring actors, work with theater professionals, get a taste of the city, and probably see some theater as well. At the end of the program, by asking the right questions, you’ll have an even better idea of how to pursue theater at a higher level.

Check out Paul Canaan’s latest column here on BroadwaySpace to read about My Broadway Dreams, a workshop that might be coming to your city.

One last thought: Like I said at the beginning of my response, there were several moments growing up where I wished for bigger and ‘better’ opportunities to come my way. However, looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I learned a lot doing community theater, and I had a lot of fun. It certainly isn’t as stressful or as demanding as professional theater (thought it does require a lot of hard work.) Plus, it’s a great place to become a better actor. Remember: the entertainment industry isn’t going anywhere. It’ll still be here when you’re ready. I encourage you to let yourself enjoy the “somewhere” you seem to be “stuck in” currently – it’s actually a lovely place to be.