I'm 17, have no agent and I really want to have some auditions to see if i can brek inot the acting world and if its is what I want to do with my life! The only experience I have is GCSE drama and AS drama ( hopefully, result pending!!) I did get into the musical theatre company 'songtime' but couldn't make the recall. there arn't really any drama groups in my area ( they're all for 16 and under) does anyone know how i can get auditions?? I check 'the stage' a lot but there never seems to be anything for people my age!! Please help. thanks!!,
Keeponsinging

Why don't you apply for drama college?

As already suggested, there's always drama college to provide extra training. You might also consider applying to an agency that provides extras for film and TV work. It's very much the less glamorous end of the acting profession, but it would still get you in at the sharp end and may lead to some further contacts.

Is it something that has to be decided for the end of this year as a university option?

If it's something you'd like to go for it would be worthwhile getting yourself an agent - maybe ask around the local colleges to see if they can recommend anyone? Put together a CV and get a few professional head shots done etc... to take to them.

It's always worth keeping your options open, as depending on where you live, acting jobs can be few and far between. I haven't acted for a while now but maybe I'll have a bit more luck in England. It's something I see as a bit of spare cash though rather than a career. It's always worth keeping your options open as work isn't guaranteed. In one year I managed to get a few small parts in adverts, a few small parts films for tv, and although you get paid pretty well it's far from reliable.

Be prepared for lots of boredom, hanging around all day long waiting for one scene that lasts 15 minutes, and then repeating said scene over and over from 50 different angles... glamorous it aint

The last job I had was for the N.Ireland tourist board. We huddled for warmth on a freezing beach all day with not enough on - and had to make out we were having the time of our lives Having said that the more willing you are to do things like that the more work they are likely to put your way. I just got a bit bored with it and didn't find it very challenging or stimulating.. piano is more rewarding

You're at a high standard musically so that's maybe something you could build on too. You could do work behind the scenes as well, plus there's always the option of teaching as something to fall back on.

Too many of my friends from drama school pinned their hopes on acting alone and a goof few now are waitressing and haven't had a job for over a year The more strings you can add to your bow the better

Don't worry either about not getting that recall. You'll need to be pretty thick skinned for auditions, and just keep going to as many as you possibly can. A lot of it depends on simply having the "right look" for the part, and beleive it or not, many people just cast the actors they fancy the most... so in some cases you just need to flirt like mad Sounds awful I know, but that can be the reality of it.

An audition tip would be to be confident.. but not one of those drama queen types. You want to be seen as someone who will be easy to work with, and take direction without questioning or making a fuss.

I know acting really helped my confidence so I don't regret doing it, but I don't think I'd want to rely on it solely for income. Other options you could look at are taking workships in drama. I did that for a while and it was great fun! See if there are any summer schemes running in your area as there might be an opportunity there to get some experience even as a volunteer.

It can be a case of "who you know" as well. Get a local theatre to take you on for some work experience, even backstage work, and get yourself known.

Hope your A levels go well