How do I get into the SAG (Screen Actors Guild)?
You can find out the requirements for SAG membership (or the other identical unions, Actors’ Equity and AFTRA) from their websites. You don’t qualify until you have a certain amount of experience in a union-recognized production…oh, and by the way, almost all auditions for those union productions are closed to anyone but union members. Tough noogies, huh? Look, at your age (I’m presuming early teen) you are at a disadvantage. Even if you can make it to one of the media centers and find an audition open to non-union members, you’ll be at a disadvantage. You’ll be up against a raft of early teen actors who have been doing professional shows for ten years already, and several others who are over 18 but can play your age–the directors will always want either an adult (to avoid child-labor laws–ref. the film “Juno”) or an experienced performer, and you’re neither. If you want a good long-term plan to move from Indiana to the pros, then keep doing what you’re doing: good instruction in a
SAG is easy…if you’re cast in a union job. It’s just a matter of running over there and paying your money and BAM…you’re in! So, SAG is not the problem. Your age is a hindrance unless they’re looking to cast something in your age range. An agent will also need a professionally done tape or DVD of your body of work thus far. Don’t forget, he/she also has to sell you to the people who cast everything from commercials to stage and film. I must admit, if everything you’ve said about yourself is true, you have a lot going for you at age 11 but you still have a bit to go. As you pointed out, you’re going to be taking dance and piano. That will make you more well rounded. You’re also going to need your parent’s consent for this and you must always be accompanied by an adult for your own protection and further schooling. I know how you feel right now but it may come to pass that your parents will not allow their little girl to step on stage as yet. The footlights will always be there and k
