Acting? I have no idea what I'm getting into!

[chesnuthillforever]

I'm super shy. It's painful for me to talk to my own friends a lot of the time. And anyone new? Haha, you'd better forget that.

I've had this much experience in plays:
*tried out for lead role in elementary school and was an understudy
*I was in a skit in which I played a rock once for a camp thing

However, I've been told many times by friends and teachers and whatnot that I should be in drama class, because I would apparently do very well. I've always secretly wanted to be in a play, and I very much enjoy watching them.

I've got a lot of people right now, drama teachers included, trying to convince me to try out for the play that we'll have this upcoming school year. This list of people includes someone we'll call M. M has done acting since she was very young, and took acting classes as a child. Evidently one of her teachers tried to convince her to go into the commercial business once. M is very talented in everything. Art, drama, singing, you name it and that girl can do it. I'm convinced that if she wants it, she can and will be famous one day. M was the star of our school play this year, and did a wonderful job both singing and acting. She said she had little kids coming up to her and telling her how much they liked her performance, as well as adults.

Here's what I'm trying to understand. Why do they all want me to do it? M and the drama teachers telling me I should do it says to me that somehow they've gotten into their heads that I have a talent for drama. Here's my other thing: I feel ready to puke thinking about even considering trying out for the play.

One of my teachers, whom I'm pretty close to, is the choir teacher. Since there's music in a play, she's involved and I believe she and the drama teacher work together on the auditions. I talked to her about this, and she's one of the ones who wants me to do it. I said maybe I'll be lucky and not even get a part. She said, "Be prepared to get one." So apparently she really really thinks I can get a part.

Got any advice? Advice on good auditions, overcoming shyness, doing well in a play, not being nervous, whatever it is, I'll take it.

[Alyssa]

I don't know how much advice I can give. Mostly because I'm the same way.

I'm in band, and get so SO nervous about anything. I get nervous about TUNING, my flute!! It's crazy. But it's also like, almost uncontrollable. For me, at least. But I'm trying to become more self-confident.

And obviously, I've learned, the only way to do that is by "facing your fears" you have to find your limits and push yourself beyond. Go outside the box. Don't go too far, or you'll scare yourself. But you HAVE to expand otherwise you'll always be cooped up inside that little box and who knows what awaits you out there.

And you HAVE to try new things, because you never know. I tried soccer, softball, dance, and then I joined band. And although I quit the first 3......I love band. It is my LIFE. And I can't even tell you where'd I'd be if I had been too nervous to try it.

Or marching this year!! That was a big choice, and I knew it'd be hard and scary and it was. But omigosh I don't regret it at ALL. It's helped me grow in music, as a person, I made a bunch of new friends.....it was SOOOO much fun I can't even put it into words.

So. I guess I would tell you too go for it. Because you never know. And I know that, if you hated it, you would be strong enough to get through it.....and then you'll KNOW and you won't ever have to do it again. But you'll know you tried, and thats all that matters. And you don't know.....you could end up LOVING it.

I think, if you can, try out for a small part. There are always small parts that'll get you on stage.....but not TOO much.

Thats not very good advice, but it's all I've got. I hope it helps a little.

I hope you tryout and if you do.....GOOD LUCK!!

[chesnuthillforever]

'm in need of some constructive criticism. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnl1ZvZTLvs This is a video of me doing a monologue. It's my first time doing a video like this, and I've only had a teeny amount of acting experience. Please and thank you.