How to become an actress, is it better to start young?

I want to become an actress in Boston, how do I start?

• I am 15 years old and I really want to be an actress. I live in Boston, MA and my mom isn't willing to travel to another state or anything like that. I took an acting class as an elective in freshman year, now it's summer vacation and im going into renaissance acting for sophomore year next year (I hope that counts as experience) I need an agent but I don't know what is real and what is a scam. My mom also doesnt want to pay a lot of money for an acting class. just being in a commercial sounds good for starters. thanks and if anyone has anything to help that would be aweome

• Answer:

  Hi - even the tiniest role in a small commercial is fiercely fought for by professional actors - they pay rather well. Almost everything these days in the way of auditions only comes through a good agent, and to get a good agent you'll need to have had several years of classes and loads of experience. The genuine ones are never interested in beginners, and even with the experience you've had, you're still a beginner - thousands of young actors have done more acting than you and it's so competitive you just aren't ready yet. What you've done so far is great, but at your age you'll be competing with drama school graduates who have had three years of full-time professional training, as well as dozens of stage plays and short films on their resumes. You've come so far, but you'll really need to take another step up if you're to get an agent and then get auditions. Your best bet is to get into a good class, study Drama at high school, join in anything you can locally like community theatre, and then try for a degree-level course. Good luck!