Acting And Performing

See also: Part 2 – Drama and Theatre Studies; Part 4, Section 1 – Cinema, Film and Television

Typical questions

Considerations

In the main, queries about acting as a hobby are concerned with finding local classes or courses appropriate for children, improving acting skills or finding out about auditions. Stage schools offer young people the chance to cover all the elements of performance: drama, singing and dance. There are a lot of resources suggested in the sections referred to under ‘See also’, above. Remember to keep contacts for local drama organizations accessible and up to date. There are also some suggestions below for improving acting skills and for finding auditions.

Where to look

Contacts and auditions

Actors' Yearbook: essential contacts for stage, screen and radio, A&C Black,

Annual

Everything you'll need to know and what to do as an actor.

Contacts, Spotlight Publications, Annual

Provides lists of drama schools, contact details and names of agents. You can obtain a copy from www.spotlight.com.

Acting skills

Belli, M. L. and Lenney, D. (2006) Acting for Young Actors: ultimate teen guide, Back Stage Books

Henry, M. L. and Rogers, L. (2007) How To Be a Working Actor, 5th edition, Back Stage Books

Howl, J. (2008) 100 Exercises To Get You into Drama School: improve your acting and audition skills, A&C Black

Levy, F. (2009) Acting in Young Hollywood: a career guide for kids, teens and adults who play young too, Random House

Mayfield, K. (2007) Acting A–Z, 2nd edition, Back Stage Books

This is the one book every aspiring child actor needs, covering auditions, casting, how to find work, headshots and more.

Morrison, H. (2003) Acting Skills, A&C Black

Paterson, L. and O Connor, D. (2006) Kids Take the Stage, Back Stage Books

A practical guide to helping children from 8 to 18 years old get a show up and running.

Puppets

Baric, M. and Louhi, K. Puppet Theatre, Hawthorn Press

Offers 12 detailed, illustrated projects with all the techniques to set up a simple puppet show or full theatrical performance. It includes how to make puppets from just about anything, including twigs, create costumes, scenery, lighting and sound effects.