How to Tell Your Parents You Want to Act

Understand Your Own Decision

Ask yourself why you want to be an actor. Brainstorm your answers. In other words, write down everything that comes to mind. This could just be a phase of different interests, and that is entirely okay.

Analyze the list for good reasons, like "I'm good at it" or "My friends tell me I should try".

Be specific. Things like "It makes me happy" are great but try to ask yourself why it makes you happy. Write it down.

Edit your list on a new sheet of paper. Some reasons that are important to you, like "I have a deep psychological need for approval and appearing on a stage can meet" may be a great reason (and is), but probably not the best bet for talking to your folks.

Think about what kind of actor you want to be

It's easy to want to be the next Tom Cruise, the movies are full of young actors trying to do just that. Few if any of them will make it. There are a lot of different ways to make your living as an actor other than movie stars. For example: Stage acting. A modest living but a lot of fun. Character acting. Commercials. Acting coach or teacher. Acting as path to writing or producing.

Showing your folks that you do not have the all-too-common teenage bug about wanting to be a movie star and have instead considered your career realistically and carefully will go a long way towards their taking your choice seriously.

Develop a mature plan

Parents like to see that young adults are approaching their life choices in a mature manner and nothing will do that better than doing your homework.

Think about what other careers you may be able to do with acting skills if you don't make it as the kind of actor you wish to be. For example sales, publicity and marketing positions often require the same kinds of skills. Showing your parents you have sensibly considered an "escape route" if things don't work out should impress them with your mature sensible nature.

Research what you will need to do to achieve your goal. For example: Research and price acting schools. Each school will have its own style and, more importantly, its own placement rates in various acting careers. Find and choose the one that is right for you. Honestly evaluate your talent and find areas you are lacking. Perhaps you need to be a better dancer dancer, or singer or tell better jokes. If these skills are a part of your plan, figure out how you will learn the skills.

Tell your folks

Choose a time when they are in a good, receptive mood and not tired or distracted by other things. Parents are usually busy all the time, although it may not seem that way. Usually, the weekends are when they are the happiest.

Consider raising the subject in a public place. Eventually, you will have to have an intense private conversation, but first raising the issues in a public setting, like a cafe, can give you an idea of their initial reaction and what you may be up against.

Show them your passion and excitement about your choice.

Calmly tell them of your plans, your reasons why this is the best choice for you and your goals.

Carefully listen to what they have to say.

Do not argue with them at this stage, just listen. They are your folks, they probably have some smart things to say.

Try to compromise or find common ground. For example, you might suggest that you would like to follow the acting path but also take a different part time job "just in case".

Ask for their help in making the decision. Perhaps you need some financial help paying for acting classes? Help them discover if this is the right thing for you on their own time. Remember, you have been thinking about this for a while, but it is all new to them.