Teenage DS (17) interested in acting- where to start?

[localschmocal]

Hello all, popping this into chat as don't know where else it should go.
DS has been talking about drama/acting for a long time but has recently said he'd really like to give it a go.
We've looked at all the usual classes and they seem to be for much younger children, or probably too advanced for him to join at this point. Has anyone had a similar situation? What did you do if so?
We're really keen to help him find something as he's been ill for ages with a more recent 2 year battle with OCD- the time's right to get him back out there

Would be grateful for any suggestions. TIA

Off topic really but if he's interested in drama maybe also talk to him about other jobs in the theatre/in television so that he's making a more informed choice. There are so many fantastic jobs going there that most children perhaps don't think about.

Actors are usually encouraged to have another skill so that they can earn money while they're not working, too.

Wouldn’t he need to go to one of the stage schools

local am dram group? I'm sure they would be delighted to see him when times are normal again, and nothing to stop him getting in touch beforehand. no experience needed and of course no cost.

Look for your local youth theatres. Acting classes at local colleges. Local am dram productions

If you're in the SE have a look and see if there's a British Theatre Academy near you. They're in a good few areas now and my niece has been going since she was about 12. Think they go up to 21.

Hi, it depends where about you are based and what theatres you have locally to you, that may run youth theatre classes or workshops.
You could also see if the NYT has anything that may interest him?
www.nyt.org.uk/
Or his school/college may have connections?

I read that only 1% of actors are employed at any one time, so I think HollowTalk's advice is excellent.

As pp have said, local youth theatre groups and/or am dram groups. Dd started with local youth theatre, then was able to do a community programme in the summer, then got teenage part in a local am dram production with adults, did some filming with the local university, performed at a local fair.

Acting doesn't mean he has to make it his career: it helps to develop all sorts of skills. Dd who had been struggling with her physical and mental health found it really helped to get her back on her feet and provide her with a support group.

Dd is now at drama school training for a career in the industry. From what she tells me most of her fellow students, at her school and other schools, went to ordinary schools and primarily pursued their interests outside of school.

Hello everyone, thank you very much for the great ideas in this thread- we'll looking them all.

*we'll look into them all (can't type today!)

Some drama schools are doing online lessons at the moment. Italia Conti I think.

It depends where you are but there are colleges that do level 2/3 so he’d still qualify for free tuition until 19 (I think?!) so maybe search “drama course level 2” or “3”
This one is level 2 Oxford
www.jcc.ac.uk/courses/16-18/level-2-performing-arts/
Level 3 London
www.lsec.ac.uk/courses/dance/334-level-3/1849-performing-arts-acting-level-3-extended-diploma-direct-entry-to-year-2