<p>Is it possible for someone pursing a degree in acting to have an agent while in school? Better yet do any agents take college kids? Post your stories if you have any.</p>
<p>Yes, it is possible to have an agent while in school. The thing is, it is very very difficult to be available for auditions which are usually on weekdays, when a full time BFA student. Most BFA programs are very strict about attendance. Also, if you do audition and are cast, you have to think about if you want to leave school which is what would usually be required. However, through an agent, you may wish to attend auditions for summer work that doesn’t impact attending the degree program. My D is in a BFA program and has had an agent in NYC since age 10 but my D has told the agent she doesn’t want to audition while in school because my D does NOT want to leave school. She wants to continue her training and values earning the degree. She doesn’t even want to be tempted by any jobs that would pull her from school and so just doesn’t do the auditions, but even so, would be very difficult to do with the very full class schedule. Even doing an audition for summer work, can sometimes mean three different days…the initial open call or agent appointment and a series of callbacks and that is for just ONE job and often you have to audition for many things to land a job, and so the availability to do that all is difficult for a student. Many who do land jobs, have to leave college either for a year’s leave or permanently. Some WANT to do that and that is an individual decision. My D doesn’t want to do that. She feels the training is important and she doesn’t want to give it up. When she graduates will be time enough to hit the audition pavement. In her case, she’ll be 20 when she graduates. So, some in school do have agents but the agent has to be understanding if you want to put auditions on hold during the school year or for jobs that would take you out of school. But again, you can do agent submitted auditions for summer work. You do not NEED an agent while in school but it is helpful once you graduate.</p>
<p>I forgot to say, many programs, my D’s included, are not eager for students to be auditioning for work that will take them out of school. However, some do it and take a leave and the school does allow them to return. I know kids who have done that at other colleges and programs and also in my D’s own program.</p>