Actually, the real answer to this question should be, can I become an actor at a young age and still keep up my school grades?  Ah yes, I remember when I first started acting at the tender age of 8.  Probably long before most of you who are reading this were born.  You can become an actor at any age but you’ll definitely have to keep your grades up in order to work as a young person in the entertainment business.

Get good grades

Even all the young stars you see on today’s Disney Channel; all of them have to maintain good grades in order for them to work professionally.  The one good thing about being a young person and being a professional actor is you get to go to school on the set for only 3 hours a day! 

I know, I know it beats public school, huh?  Well don’t get excited so fast…what about all your friends you’ll leave behind in school?  Sorry, they won’t be able to come see you on the set shooting your big scene because they’ll be in "regular school." Or maybe not--they could play hooky for a day. But what if you get to become a "regular" on a TV series?  A “regular” role is when someone stars on a TV show and is on TV every week.  If you get a regular role, you’ll to be on TV on a more consistent basis but you’ll have to sacrifice your time with your best friends and girls…that includes your boyfriends, lol.  Is that cool with you?  Okay, so let say you're okay with that, ah but can you act though?

Attention! Young person!  Guess what?  If you've got the skills, you can get on television or in the movies!  You can make it as an actor!  But how do you know if you can act or not?  Here are some great signs that you’ve got what it takes to be a young professional actor. 

Remember, just because you think you want to act doesn’t mean you have what it takes to become a successful working actor. It is great that you have the desire, though.  That is a ‘key” characteristic in becoming successful in this business--desire.  Here’s some signs you’ve got acting skills:

1. 1. You make your friends laugh all the time.

2. 2. You do a lot of “impressions” = pretending to be someone else.

3. 3. You stare at yourself in the mirror all the time pretending to be a movie star or in a movie or TV show.

4. 4. You can recite lines verbatim or “word-for-word” from characters of your favorite show or movie.

5. 5. People always tell you or your parents that you should be on TV.

6. 6. Deep in your heart you feel that you are destined to become an actor one day.

If you've said “yes” to 3 out of the 6 statements above then you most likey have what it takes to make it as a young actor.  If you’re cute that’s good too, but not the most important thing so don't get caught up into looks. 

Keep doing what you're doing

If you can memorize lines from you favorite movie or TV show, that’s a great sign that you can act professionally at a young age. However, doing it "on camera" is another story. I encourage you to visit ActorGuru.com, my other site.

I encourage you to do good in school and learn all you can about acting.  Remember, the most important thing for you right now is to do good in school.  That’s the first thing you have to accomplish so if your grades aren’t all that great…get your grades up quickly!  Your great acting career lies ahead!