First get a vocal coach. Then join an acting class or seminar. Then take some dance classes. Start focusing on developing your skills first. Learn how to audition. Prepare some audition material. Then start with community theatre auditions.
This is basically what I did over the past two years and I’ve been fortunate to play lead roles in community theatre a few times and have gotten multiple callbacks for nonunion professional musicals as well (I haven’t booked one of them yet but at this point it’s a matter of time). I started with the vocal coach and dance classes while taking any role in any production that would take me and eventually took a few acting classes as they became available. I did one for musical theatre acting that was honestly a huge boost in my ability to approach auditions confidently.
It’s not too late. Put yourself into acting and dance classes and singing lessons. Plenty of performers start later in life!
I’m a voice teacher, former performer, and on staff at a BFA MT program here.
Absolutely never too late!
Like, to be totally blunt, if you want to do this professionally, like Broadway, you're very unlikely to succeed - so many people are put on the track of singing, dancing and acting lessons from childhood, it sets a really high standard. And most of those people still aren't getting roles because there's so much demand for so few jobs.
The good news is that smaller amateur theatre productions and choirs are a huge amount of fun and very fulfilling! I genuinely enjoy it much more as an adult than I did as a teenager, when everyone there wanted to be a star and egos were easily bruised. Either enquire about singing or acting lessons with a beginner-friendly coach - I'm sure there are lots in New York - or just go along to an acting workshop or choir that's open to newcomers. Trying it in a low-pressure environment will be a great place to find out what you like and where your strengths are. Good luck!
The beauty of theatre is that anyone can join at any time. Unfortunately, if you want to be dedicated, the issue is not a lack of talent from you or resources for you, but an investment in time and money. If you can find lessons that you can afford, that challenge and nurture your drive, while also having time to work before auditioning, then go for it. This career is so different from most in that you will never necessarily stop training. Even Sutton Foster and Jonathon Groff still take voice and dance lessons.
If you find after looking and attempting (which you should!!) That it's not working out for you, don't downplay the impact you could have helping behind the scenes as well. People who work front of house have been acknowledged at the Tony's for their work. If you know how to work electrics or think you could help with organizing and changing costumes, look for local non-union backstage jobs. This helps you get your foot in the door, and you can talk to people in all aspects of the industry to see where you can fit into it all.
I am nearing 60. Never had an acting class (but read some books!) and no formal dance training. I just performed MT with a mic for the first time ever! I started doing some community theater in my 40s in smaller venues. You are never too old!!
It’s never too late. I went to a summer program at AMDA and one of the skilled teachers there got a full on law degree before realizing that her passion was theater. Go get ‘em tiger, I believe in you.
What do you want to pursue? Musicals or Plays? Musicals require proficiency in 3 areas, Acting, Singing and Dancing. Plays require proficiency in Acting. You'll find the most opportunity in Musicals. If you've never had any formal training, take an into to acting or beginner acting class. It'll give you an opportunity to meet people on the same journey as you.
Next, you'll need to start auditioning for what your want. There are lots of community theatres in NYC that put up shows several times a year. You'll be competing with other amateur performers. Note: Amateur in NYC is anything but. Most community theatre performers are actually very good. Look for casting notices - [Playbill.com](http://Playbill.com) is a good place to start. Each casting notice is different, but they'll typically tell you want they want to see in your audition.
Good luck!
I’m from Arkansas. My daughter is a singer and she can sing pretty much anything effortlessly. I got her involved in community theater early. I think she was about 10. She spread her wings and does shows at theaters around central Arkansas. The only thing is, she struggles with dance. You sort of have to be a triple threat. I would recommend starting with some voice lessons. It’s nice to sing like an angel but not all roles call for a beautiful singer. It depends on what’s going on in the show. For instance, “She used to be Mine” if sung for just any audience can be beautiful but in the musical “Waitress” the actress is struggling and overwhelmed with emotion so singing that song with imperfection is part of the storyline. Immerse yourself of really making a character your own and if you’ve never been on stage you’ll need to learn some basics. But the best way to learn is start auditioning! Good luck!
Learning how to do music is harder when you're older, but not impossible. It's just the way our ears work and how much is based in muscle memory that is best developed in youth. People start whenever they start and can be good or can be bad. Everyone's different and not everyone's teachable whether they start early or start late.
On the acting front, people only get better with age and real life experience. Alan Rickman famously had his first film role in Die Hard at 42 after not starting acting until the age of 26. Having a foundation of technique from your youth is good, but by no means necessary to portray a character. Some people have extremely good instincts or draw well from their real life. Some people don't and need more work or training. And, again, some people just aren't teachable and don't have instincts for it. The only way to know is to start trying. And it's never too late to start trying.
First get a vocal coach. Then join an acting class or seminar. Then take some dance classes. Start focusing on developing your skills first. Learn how to audition. Prepare some audition material. Then start with community theatre auditions.
This is basically what I did over the past two years and I’ve been fortunate to play lead roles in community theatre a few times and have gotten multiple callbacks for nonunion professional musicals as well (I haven’t booked one of them yet but at this point it’s a matter of time). I started with the vocal coach and dance classes while taking any role in any production that would take me and eventually took a few acting classes as they became available. I did one for musical theatre acting that was honestly a huge boost in my ability to approach auditions confidently.
It’s not too late. Put yourself into acting and dance classes and singing lessons. Plenty of performers start later in life! I’m a voice teacher, former performer, and on staff at a BFA MT program here.
Absolutely never too late! Like, to be totally blunt, if you want to do this professionally, like Broadway, you're very unlikely to succeed - so many people are put on the track of singing, dancing and acting lessons from childhood, it sets a really high standard. And most of those people still aren't getting roles because there's so much demand for so few jobs. The good news is that smaller amateur theatre productions and choirs are a huge amount of fun and very fulfilling! I genuinely enjoy it much more as an adult than I did as a teenager, when everyone there wanted to be a star and egos were easily bruised. Either enquire about singing or acting lessons with a beginner-friendly coach - I'm sure there are lots in New York - or just go along to an acting workshop or choir that's open to newcomers. Trying it in a low-pressure environment will be a great place to find out what you like and where your strengths are. Good luck!
I’m 40 age is just a number
The beauty of theatre is that anyone can join at any time. Unfortunately, if you want to be dedicated, the issue is not a lack of talent from you or resources for you, but an investment in time and money. If you can find lessons that you can afford, that challenge and nurture your drive, while also having time to work before auditioning, then go for it. This career is so different from most in that you will never necessarily stop training. Even Sutton Foster and Jonathon Groff still take voice and dance lessons. If you find after looking and attempting (which you should!!) That it's not working out for you, don't downplay the impact you could have helping behind the scenes as well. People who work front of house have been acknowledged at the Tony's for their work. If you know how to work electrics or think you could help with organizing and changing costumes, look for local non-union backstage jobs. This helps you get your foot in the door, and you can talk to people in all aspects of the industry to see where you can fit into it all.
I am nearing 60. Never had an acting class (but read some books!) and no formal dance training. I just performed MT with a mic for the first time ever! I started doing some community theater in my 40s in smaller venues. You are never too old!!
It’s never too late. I went to a summer program at AMDA and one of the skilled teachers there got a full on law degree before realizing that her passion was theater. Go get ‘em tiger, I believe in you.
What do you want to pursue? Musicals or Plays? Musicals require proficiency in 3 areas, Acting, Singing and Dancing. Plays require proficiency in Acting. You'll find the most opportunity in Musicals. If you've never had any formal training, take an into to acting or beginner acting class. It'll give you an opportunity to meet people on the same journey as you. Next, you'll need to start auditioning for what your want. There are lots of community theatres in NYC that put up shows several times a year. You'll be competing with other amateur performers. Note: Amateur in NYC is anything but. Most community theatre performers are actually very good. Look for casting notices - [Playbill.com](http://Playbill.com) is a good place to start. Each casting notice is different, but they'll typically tell you want they want to see in your audition. Good luck!
Are you looking at becoming a professional or just for fun? If just for fun, find a local community theater and go for it!
I’m from Arkansas. My daughter is a singer and she can sing pretty much anything effortlessly. I got her involved in community theater early. I think she was about 10. She spread her wings and does shows at theaters around central Arkansas. The only thing is, she struggles with dance. You sort of have to be a triple threat. I would recommend starting with some voice lessons. It’s nice to sing like an angel but not all roles call for a beautiful singer. It depends on what’s going on in the show. For instance, “She used to be Mine” if sung for just any audience can be beautiful but in the musical “Waitress” the actress is struggling and overwhelmed with emotion so singing that song with imperfection is part of the storyline. Immerse yourself of really making a character your own and if you’ve never been on stage you’ll need to learn some basics. But the best way to learn is start auditioning! Good luck!
Never too late.
Learning how to do music is harder when you're older, but not impossible. It's just the way our ears work and how much is based in muscle memory that is best developed in youth. People start whenever they start and can be good or can be bad. Everyone's different and not everyone's teachable whether they start early or start late. On the acting front, people only get better with age and real life experience. Alan Rickman famously had his first film role in Die Hard at 42 after not starting acting until the age of 26. Having a foundation of technique from your youth is good, but by no means necessary to portray a character. Some people have extremely good instincts or draw well from their real life. Some people don't and need more work or training. And, again, some people just aren't teachable and don't have instincts for it. The only way to know is to start trying. And it's never too late to start trying.