Young Adult Actors, Theater/Drama Degrees, and Pilot Season 2019

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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Hello again.

In 2017 and 2018, I posted information that I had gathered about the educational and training backgrounds of young adult actors who booked leads and series regular roles in pilots and straight-to-series orders during Pilot Season grouped into the most common paths. I decided to do it again this year maintaining the age range of roughly 23-33 and once again, the numbers of those who majored in Theatre/Drama in college dominated the other categories. I also kept close track of diversity and nationality in these castings since they have been such big topics of conversation the past few years and will post that information on request.

Now, realizing that I’m talking to a lot of kids and parents who might not know what Pilot Season is, it’s the period that roughly takes place between January and May of each year during which the television networks cast and shoot sample episodes of programs from which they will choose for their fall lineups. Most of these shows will never see the light of day and booking one does not necessarily a sustained acting career make. However, being cast in one is definitely considerd to be an auspicious sign and I will posit that these bookings signify a trend now being seen in young adult working screen actors.

So kids and parents, I have now provided you with three years worth of truth bomb to be dropped on the pointy little heads of those who may try to hand you all the tired b/s that I that I had to suffer when I was coming along like “college training sucks, it’s a waste of time and money, it’s just for theatre, you will be squandering the four most marketable years of your life, you would be better off majoring in Business and then just showing up in LA to take once-a-week classes, David Mamet said, Jennifer Lawrence never trained, blah, blah, blah, and blah.” Use it ruthlessly.

HERE ARE THE NUMBERS

202 Actors - 134 American

77 Undergraduate Acting - 52 American

2 Graduate Acting - 2 American

15 Non-degree conservatories - 5 American

26 Majored in something besides Acting - 18 American

37 Began careers with high school education or foreign equivalent - 22 American

42 Former Child Stars/Began Careers as Minors - 33 American

3 Unknown Education, Training Background, or Starting Age - 2 American

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HERE ARE THE ACTORS

77 Undergraduate Acting - 52 American

Chanté Adams - Lead - Beast Mode - BFA Carnegie Mellon University.

Raphael Acloque - Series regular - Surveillance - French. BA LAMDA.

Elizabeth Alderfer - Series regular - Super Simple Love Story - BFA NYU/Tisch.

Ben Aldridge - Lead - Pennyworth - Brit. BA LAMDA preceded by National Youth Theatre.

Kirby Howell-Baptiste - Lead - Why Women Kill - Brit. BA East 15 Acting School. Also studied at Anna Scher Acting School in high school and at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCB, John Kirby Studios, and G. Charles Wright’s Audition Technique Studio since moving to LA.

Jonny Beauchamp - Lead - Katy Keene - BA Marymount Manhattan College with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies preceded by New York’s Professional Performing Arts School.

Stony Blyden - Series regular - Bluff City Law - Icelander. BA Reykjavík School of the Arts. Also has a degree in Jazz Drumming and Music Theory from Reykjavík College of Music.

Tiffany Boone - Series regular - The Hunt - BFA CalArts.

Joel Kim Booster - Series regular - Sunnyside - BA Millikin University with a minor in English.

J. Alex Brinson - Series regular -Courthouse - BFA Juilliard preceded by Philadelphia Creative Performing Arts High School.

Marcus Callender - Lead - Wu-Tang: An American Saga - BFA SUNY Purchase preceded by MCC Youth Theatre Company. Has also studied at the Shakespeare Theatre Lab at The Public Theatre.

Elizabeth Cappuccino - Series regular - neXT - BFA NYU/Tisch.

Charlie Carver - Series regular - Ratched. BFA USC preceded by Interlochen Arts Academy. Has also studied at American Conservatory Theater.

Bryce Charles - Series regular - Woman Up - BFA Musical Theatre AMDA and UCLA/USPA Musical Theatre Conservatory.

Ismael Cruz Córdova - Series regular - The Undoing - BFA NYU/Tisch.

Corey Cott - Series regular - Filthy Rich - BFA Carnegie Mellon University.

Taylor Dearden - Series regular - To Whom It May Concern - BA USC. Bryan Cranston’s daughter.

Laysla de Oliveira - Series regular - Locke & Key - Canadian. Undisclosed theatre school. Has also studied at LB Acting Studio.

Mitchell Edwards - Series regular - Spinning Out - BFA Carnegie Mellon University.

Jessie Ennis - Series regular - Apple comedy series - BA Sarah Lawrence College with two summers at BADA.

Cynthia Erivo - Series regular - The Outsider - Brit. BA RADA.

Belissa Escobedo - Series regular - The Baker and the Beauty - BFA The New School preceded by Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

Willa Fitzgerald - Lead - Dare Me - BA Yale University. Theatre internships at The Wooster Group and The Builders Association. Attended Cherubs summer program at Northwestern University in high school.

Fabien Frankel - Lead - NYPD Blue sequel - Brit. BA LAMDA following Foundation Course at RADA.

Shalom Brune-Franklin - Series regular - Cursed - Aussie. BA WAAPA.

Annie Funke - Series regular - The Republic of Sarah - BFA Musical Theatre, University of Oklahoma.

Hyo-Joo Han - Series regular - Bourne - South Korean - Studied Theatre and Film at Dongguk University.

Jee Young Han - Lead - Like Magic - Theatre degree from The New School via transfer credits from AMDA.

Briga Heelan - Lead - To Whom It May Concern - BA USC. Transfer from CCM Musical Theatre BFA. Attended high school at Walnut Hill School for the Arts.

Remy Hii - Lead - Jane the Novela - Aussie. BA NIDA.

Jessy Hodges - Series regular - Uninsured - BFA NYU/Tisch. Continued study at John Rosenfeld Studios.

Dan J. Johnson - Series regular - P-Valley - BFA DePaul University.

Finn Jones - Lead - Prodigal Son - Brit. BA Arts Educational Schools London.

Nicole Kang - Lead - Untitled CW Drama - BFA NYU/Tisch. Previously did summer intensives at The Performing Arts Project and has since studied with Lyle Kessler.

Tunji Kasim - Lead - CW Nancy Drew drama - Scottish. BA Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Elliot Knight - Series regular - Happy Accident - Brit. BA Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre.

Ashleigh LaThrop - Lead - Utopia - BFA University of Illinois and continued study at Steppenwolf in Chicago.

Katrina Law - Series regular - Alive - BA Richard Stockton College. Has also studied with Shari Shaw and with undisclosed teachers in New York and Philadelphia.

Jay Lee - Series regular - Looking for Alaska - South Korean. BA Case Western Reserve University with a semester at RADA.

Sarah Levy - Series regular - Best Intentions - Canadian. BA Dalhousie University. Has also studied at or with Professional Actors Lab, Saxon Trainor, Chad McCord, Second City, UCB, Lesly Kahn, and John Rosenfeld.

Taylor Louderman - Lead - The Emperor of Malibu - Studied Musical Theatre at University of Michigan before dropping out after sophomore year to take the leading role in “Bring It On: The Musical” on tour and then Broadway.

Denny Love - Series regular - Looking for Alaska - BFA DePaul University.

Britt Lower - Lead - Until the Wedding - BA Northwestern University. Has also studied with Barbara Marchant at William Esper Studio as well as at Improv Olympic and UCB.

Michael Luwoye - Series regular - Bluff City Law - BA Musical Theatre, University of Alabama with apprenticeship at the Flat Rock Playhouse.

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Shane Paul McGhie - Series regular - Deputy - BFA USC. Transfer from Cal State Northridge.

Olivia Macklin - Series regular - Filthy Rich - BA Fordham University.

Jacob McCarthy - Series regular - (Future) Cult Classic - Irish. BA LAMDA.

Caitlin McGee - Lead - Bluff City Law - BA Wagner College with a semester abroad at I.E.S. London Theatre Studies program. Has also trained with Wynn Handman for scene study, Maggie Flanigan in a Meisner intensive, and Brooke Thomas and Mary Callahan for commercial auditions.

Kennedy McMann - Lead - CW Nancy Drew drama - BFA Carnegie Mellon University.

Sydney Morton - Series regular - Cifer - BFA Musical Theatre, University of Michigan with a semester at RADA. Has also studied at Broadway Theatre Project and UCB.

Lily Newmark - Series regular - Cursed - Brit. BA East 15 Acting School. Former member of the National Youth Theatre.

Johnathan Nieves - Series regular - Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - Studied Acting at Western Michigan University for 2-3 years. Has also studied at DePaul, Actors Studio Chicago, Second City, Steppenwolf, and coached with Xavier Custodio.

Emma Paetz - Series regular - Pennyworth - Brit. BA Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Amanda Payton - Series regular - Code 404. BFA Carnegie Mellon University preceded by Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Has also studied with Tony Greco, at Lesly Kahn and Co., and with unnamed on-camera coaches.

Ashley Park - Series regular - ABC Jessica Gau comedy - BFA Musical Theatre, University of Michigan.

Kate Phillips - Lead - Miss Scarlet and The Duke - Brit. BA Guildhall School of Music and Drama after three years at Manchester University.

Jessie Pinnick - Series regular - Happy Accident - BS Theatre, Northwestern University, BADA, and Cherubs summer program.

Medalion Rahimi - Lead - Lost Boys - BA UCLA with a minor in English.

Daniel Rashid - Series regular - Best Intentions - BA USC. Also studied at BADA midsummer program and has done four levels of improv at UCB.

Monica Raymund - Lead - Hightown - BFA Juilliard preceded by UNCSA high school and the Broadway Theatre Project in Tampa.

Brady Dalton Richards - Series regular - Glamorous - BFA Syracuse University.

Ashton Sanders - Lead - Wu-Tang: An American Saga - Three years in the DePaul University BFA program before dropping out to pursue his career.

Davi Santos - Series regular - Unrelated - Customized degree in Cognitive Philosopy and Theatre Arts from Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Lehman. Previously, Professional Performing Arts School and Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Has also studied with Rita Litton.

Siddiq Saunderson - Lead - Wu-Tang: An American Saga - BFA Carnegie Mellon University.

Daniel Sharman - Series regular - Cursed - Brit. BA LAMDA following high school at Arts Educational School, London.

Cory Michael Smith - Series regular - Utopia - BFA Musical Theate, Otterbein University.

Karla Souza - Lead - El Presidente - Mexican - BA Central School of Speech and Drama. Previously, Centro de Educación Artística as well as an undisclosed acting school in France and a summer intensive in Moscow.

Roxy Sternberg - Lead - FBI: Most Wanted spinoff - Brit. BA Drama and Theatre Studies, Royal Holloway, University of London and continued study at Identity School of Acting.

Devon Terrell - Series regular - Cursed - Dual American/Australian citizen. BA NIDA. Also studied Drama Education at Edith Cowan University.

Jessika Van - Series regular - Unrelated - BA UCLA. Has also studied with Michele Juskowitz, Deborah Aquila, Lesly Kahn, Michael Woolson. Ken Lerner, Marek Probosz, and The Groundlings.

Michelle Veintimilla - Series regular - The Baker and the Beauty - BFA Carnegie Mellon University.

Michele Weaver - Series regular - Council of Dads - BA Acting and Media Production, Pepperdine University. Has also studied with Lynnette McNeil, Sam Christensen, Impro Theatre, Eric Kline, Killian McHugh, Cameron Watson, Lesly Kahn, Phaedra Harris, UCB, and Coleen Foy/Stan Kirsch Studios.

Chloe Wepper - Series regular - Prism - BFA NYU/Tisch. Has also studied at UCB and is assistant faculty at John Rosenfeld Studios.

Madeline Wise - Lead - Fox Untitled Ensemble Dramedy - BA Bard College. Also earned a Diploma in Classical Acting from LAMDA and has studied at UCB, The Freeman Studio, and The Actors Center.

Susan Wokoma - Series regular - Super Simple Love Story - Brit. BA RADA preceded by the National Youth Theatre.

Kristina Tonteri-Young - Series regular - Warrior Nun - Brit. Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Also earned a Conservatory-level Dancer’s Degree, Bolshoi Ballet Academy/Moscow State Academy of Choreography.

Amanda Zhou - Series regular - Spinning Out - Canadian. BFA York University.

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2 Graduate Acting - 2 American

Ito Aghayere - Series regular - Carol’s Second Act - MFA Columbia University preceded by a BA in Political Science with a minor in Theatre from Duke University.

Jade Payton - Series regular - Glamorous - MFA UC Irvine. BA UNLV.

15 Non-degree conservatories - 5 American

Benjamin Levy Aguilar - Series regular - Filthy Rich - Guatamalan - New York Film Academy. Has also studied at Playhouse West, Anthony Montes Studio, Aaron Speiser Studio, Anthony Gilardi Studio, and Ivana Chubbuck Studio.

Sofia Barclay - Series regular - NYPD Blue sequel - Brit. Trained at Circle in the Square Theatre School.

Thomas Mitchell Barnet - Series regular - Locke & Key - Canadian. National Theatre School of Canada and the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre.

Lex Scott Davis - Lead - Dollface - Studied Dance Physical Therapy at Drexel University before moving to NYC to train at New York Film Academy. Has also studied with Dustin Felder in LA.

Jeremy Irvine - Series regular - Bourne - Brit. Foundation Course at LAMDA preceded by National Youth Theatre.

Maddison Jaizani - Series regular - CW Nancy Drew Drama - Brit. National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts from Bury College.

Melia Kreiling - Series regular - Filthy Rich - American. London School of Dramatic Art. Former dancer who trained at the University of Winchester and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Katherine Langford - Lead - Cursed - Aussie. Principal Academy of Dance & Theatre Arts. Also did the NIDA Advanced Actors Residency and studied at Nicholson’s Academy of Screen Acting.

Jane Levy - Lead - Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist - LA native. Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York after a semester at Goucher College. Continued study/coaching with Ron Burrus and Warner Loughlin.

Yvette Monreal - Series regular - Stargirl - Art of Acting Studio.

Ashleigh Murray - Lead - CW Riverdale spinoff - New Yok Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Also Urban Youth Theater and Berkeley Repertory Theater summer camp.

Lorenzo Richelmy - Lead - Triangle - Italian. Youngest actor to ever be admitted to Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia.

Toby Sandeman - Series regular - New York Undercover - Brit. Former model and gold medal track athlete. Trained at an undisclosed two-year Meisner-based conservatory.

Jessica Sutton - Lead - Motherland: Fort Salem - South African. Act Cape Town Film Acting Academy. Continued study with Matthew Harrison at the Actors Foundry in Vancouver.

Daniel Zovatto - Lead - Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - Costa Rican. Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York.

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26 Majored in something besides Acting - 18 American

Raymond Ablack - Series regular - To Whom It May Concern - Canadian. Studied Broadcasting at Ryerson University. Started acting in theatre at 10 falling in love with the craft and taking undisclosed acting classes.

Asif Ali - Series regular - Richard Lovely - Indian. Has an MBA from Marion College.

Ashly Burch - Series regular - Apple comedy series - BA Media Arts & Culture, Occidental College.

Ronny Chieng - Series regular - Super Simple Love Story - Malaysian. Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws, University of Melbourne. Also, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Australian National University.

Jordan Connor - Series regular - Looking for Alaska - Canadian. Studied Architecture for three years at the University of British Columbia on a football scholarship. Had been torn between football and acting and dropped out to pursue acting after a long recovery from breaking his leg in a game. Has studied at Railtown Actor Studio.

Cazzie David - Lead - Half Empty - BA in Writing for Film and Televison, Emerson College. Larry David’s daughter.

Kether Donohue - Series regular - Happy Accident. BA Communication and Media Studies with a concentration in Film, Fordham University. Attended the Professional Children’s School in New York where she received the Drama Award and has also studied with Anthony Meindl and Harold Guskin.

Anna Enger - Series regular - New York Undercover - Studied Communications at an undisclosed college. Attended high school at the Savannah Arts Academy and has studied with Robert Mello in Atlanta.

Pierson Fodé - Series regular - Glamorous - Earned an AA in Artistic & Scientific Studies from Big Bend Community College while still in high school during which time he produced over 20 short films. Also a former model. Has studied at Aquila Morong Studio, LaValle Actor’s Workshop, and Anthony Meindl Studio.

Camille Hyde - Series regular - Katy Keene - BS Environmental Science and Policy, Chapman University. Has studied with Shawn-Caulin Young and in other undisclosed classes.

Abraham D. Juste a.k.a. da’Vinchi - Series regular - (Future) Cult Classic - Degree in Criminal Justice from College of Central Florida. Instagram star. Has coached with Shari Shaw.

Jasmine Kaur - Series regular - Deputy - BS Psychology with a Theatre minor, Georgia State University. Has also studied improv at Relapse Theater and PushPush Theater as well as voiceover with Deborah Richards at Creative Studios of Atlanta.

Sean Kleier - Lead - So Close - BA History with Film minor, Boudoin College. Trained at UCB.

Paola Lázaro - Lead - Fox multi-camera ensemble comedy - BFA in Dramatic Writing, SUNY Purchase; MFA in Playwriting, Columbia University. Atlantic Theatre Company.

Kaitlyn Leeb - Series regular - Spinning Out - Canadian. Psychology degree from York University. Faculty member at Armstrong Acting Studios.

Tyler Lepley - Series regular - P-Valley - BS Criminal Justice, Kutztown University. Studies with Ivana Chubbuck.

Brent Morin - Lead - Merry Happy Whatever - BFA Cinema, Columbia College Hollywood. Standup comic.

Ki Hong Lee - Series regular - ABC Jessica Gao comedy - BA Psychology, UC Berkeley. Has studied with Robert D’Avanzo, Thomas Derrah, and Christine Nicholson as well as Ron Scarlata and Lisa Matsco/El Camino College.

Charlotte Nicdao - Series regular - Apple comedy series - Aussie. BM Performance in Voice, Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne. Has studied acting at ‘The Actor’s Coach’ screen acting course at Melbourne Acting Academy with Kevin Harrington and Shane Connor.

Octavio Pizano - Series regular - New York Undercover - Mexican. Either majored in Business or Film at San Francisco State University. Took acting classes at an undisclosed studio while in high school in Vancouver and has studied at Holy Wood Acting Studio.

Esther Povitsky - Lead - Dollface - Majored in Dance, then Journalism, then Theatre at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before dropping out on her 21st birthday. Standup comic who has studied at Second City, Improv Olympic, The Groundlings, and Lesly Kahn and Co.

Alex Saxon - Series regular - CW Nancy Drew drama - Dual degrees in Psychology and Applied Critical Thought and Inquiry with a minor in Chemistry from William Jewell College. Had been acting in theatre since he was 8.

Freddie Stroma - Lead - Like Magic - Brit. BSc Neuroscience, University College, London. Former member of the National Youth Theatre. BBC TV guest appearances while at university and took a year off to shoot Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Meagan Tandy - Lead - Untitled CW Drama - Degrees in Film Production and Business Management from Chaffey College. Also took additional Business and Marketing courses at Cal Poly Pomona after finishing her responsibilities as Miss California USA and at the Miss USA Pageant.

Johnell Young - Series regular - Wu-Tang: An American Saga - BA Early Childhood Education, Atlanta Clark University where he played basketball. Has studied acting with Isaiah John, Racquel John, Dwayne Boyd, Susan Batson, Marc John Jeffries, Victor Love, Nick Conti, and John Homa.

Ana Villafañe - Series regular - To Whom It May Concern - Started acting in Atlanta musical theatre as an after school activity at 9. Majored in Music at Loyola Marymount University and was coached in acting by the Theatre faculty when she was in musicals there.

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37 Began careers with high school education or foreign equivalent - 22 American

David Ajala - Lead - Under the Bridge - Brit. Studied at Anna Scher Acting School in high school. Also took academic classes at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College.

Lorena Andrea - Series regular - Warrior Nun - Brit. Studied at Anna Scher Acting School in high school.

Skylar Astin - Lead - Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist - NYC native. Took a leave of absence from the BFA at NYU/Tisch after his freshman year when he booked “Spring Awakening” on Broadway and never returned.

Deniz Akdeniz - Series regular - ABC single camera comedy - Aussie. Began studying with the Victoria Youth Musical Theatre at 8. Has more recently studied with Bruce Alexander at Melbourne Acting Studio.

E.J. Bonilla - Lead - Until the Wedding - NYC native. Has studied with Anthony Abeson, Diane Hill-Harding, and at The Barrow Group. Also attended Bard College for an undisclosed time.

Carolyn Braver - Series regular - P-Valley - Dropped out of Cornell College in Iowa fresman year to move to Chicago.

RJ Cyler - Lead - Dark Cargo - Started with CGTV.

Matilda De Angelis - Series regular - The Undoing - Italian. Started as a musician. Has worked with an undisclosed Strasberg coach.

Abby Elliott - Lead - Uninsured - Family in the business. SNL alum. Dropped out of Marymount Manhattan College during her first semester. Has studied improv at The Groundlings and UCB.

Katie Findlay - Lead - Heart of Life - Canadian.

Eve Harlow - Series regular - neXT - Canadian.

Amalia Holm - Series regular - Motherland: Fort Salem - Swedish.

Mallory Jansen - Series regular - Triangle - Aussie. Came to the US to take classes at Stella Adler Studio of Acting and T. Schreiber studio.

Elarica Johnson - Series regular - P-Valley - Brit. Attended The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology for Theatre.

Camrus Johnson - Lead - Untitled CW Drama - Began career in NYC. Has studied with Anthony Abeson, Gregory Berger Sobeck, Actors Connection on-camera, La Tea Theatre, Actors Project NYC, and Peoples Improv Theatre.

Marlo Kelly - Lead - Dare Me - Aussie. Has studied at or with ATYP, The Actors Station/Les Chantery, Dave Newman, Anthony Meindl, Larry Moss, Margie Haber, Lisa Robertson, and Jennifer White. Has also extensively studied singing and dance.

Bex Taylor-Klaus - Series regular - Deputy - Began performing Shakespeare in an after school program in third grade. Has studied or coached with Michael Woolson and Braden Lynch.

Sasha Lane - Lead - Utopia - Studied Psychology and Social Work at Texas State University for one year.

Chester Lockhart - Series regular - Glamorous - Social media and reality tv star.

Hayley Magnus - Lead - Like Magic - Aussie.

Otmara Marrero - Series regular - New York Undercover - Former professional dancer. Mentored by Ed Arenas.

JT Neal - Series regular - Bless This Mess - Has studied with Cathryn Sullivan, Cynthia Bain, and Scott Sedita.

Alex Newell - Lead - Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Former “Glee” kid.

Lilah Richcreek - Series regular - ABC multi-camera comedy - Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Staff faculty at Lesly Kahn and Co.

Evan Roderick - Series regular - Spinning Out - Canadian. Collegiate hockey player at University of Massachusetts-Lowell with an undisclosed major. Left after a year due to injuries and to pursue acting. Has studied at The Actor’s Foundry with Matthew Harrision.

Ruby Rose - Lead - Batwoman - Aussie. Former model. Has studied with Anthony Meindl.

Halston Sage - Series regular - Prodigal Son. LA native who began career at 18. Has studied at Cynthia Bain’s Young Actor Workshop.

Hunter Sansone - Series regular - Stargirl - Studied at Creative Actors Studio in high school. Briefly attended Arizona State University to study Entrepreneurship. Has since studied with Michael Woolson and Larry Moss.

Jeffery Self - Series regular - Lovestruck - Started performing in Shorter College theatre productions at 10 and briefly attended UNCSA. Standup comic and UCB performer in New York.

Dakota Shapiro - Lead- Lost Boys - Aussie. Attended Idyllwild Arts Academy for high school where he won the Distinguished Artist award. Attended one year of drama school at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Has also studied with Lisa Robertson in LA.

Jordin Sparks - Lead - Unrelated - Former American Idol winner. Has studied and/or coached with Bob Copper, Katelyn Nichols, and Tom Draper.

Sam Strike - Lead - The Dark Tower - Brit.

Jessica Stroup - Series regular - Heart of Life - Has studied with Scott Sedita and Eric Reis.

Olivia Thirlby - Lead - Before the Wedding - NYC native. Trained extensively in classical Shakespearian acting at the American Globe Theatre and in the RADA summer program.

Riley Voelkel - Series regular - Hightown - Former model. Has studied with John Homa.

Parker Young - Series regular - The Us Project - Former model. Studied at Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio and with Lauren Patrice Nadler.

Gigi Zumbado - Lead - Unrelated - Has studied with T.R. Durphy, Marjorie Morhaim, and at Dolphin Entertainment.

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42 Former Child Stars/Began Careers as Minors - 33 American

Michael Angarano - Lead - To Whom It May Concern - NYC native. Began career at 12.

Odette Annable - Lead - Adam & Eve - Began career at 5. Took acting classes on and off growing up and now works with an undisclosed private coach for every project.

Robert Bailey Jr. - Series regular - Emergence - Began career at 6.

Jean Luc Bilodeau - Lead - Carol’s Second Act - Canadian. Former dancer. Began career at 13. Studies with Stan Kirsch and has coached with Doug Abraham.

Cayden Boyd - Series regular - (Future) Cult Classic - Began career at 6. Has studied with Andrew Magarian.

Dan Byrd - Series regular - Utopia - Began career at 12.

Adelaide Clemens - Lead - Tommy - Aussie. Began career at 16.

Alexandra Daddario - Series regular - Why Women Kill - Began career at 16. NYC native. Attended Marymount Manhattan college for a couple of years with different majors, but kept missing semesters and dropped out. Has studied Meisner Technique “for years” at least partly with Wendy Ward. Has also studied with Anthony Meindl.

Kat Dennings - Lead - Dollface - Began career in commercials at 10 and was a series regular by 15.

Bonnie Dennison - Series regular - Carol’s Second Act - NYC native. Began career at 9. Coaches with Peter Miner and has studied at T. Schreiber Studio. Also attended NYU with an undisclosed major.

Juani Feliz - Series regular - Until the Wedding - Began career in high school. Then earned a degree in Biomedical Engineering and began working on a Master’s in Management at Harvard University before she decided to return to acting. Has studied with Anthony Abeson, Larry Moss, Anthony Meindl, Bob Krakower, Ted Sluberski, and at T. Schreiber Studio, The Barrow Group, The PIT, and Improv Asylum as well as voice with Sheri Sanders.

Kyle Gallner - Lead - Interrogation - Began career at 14. Has studied with Michael Woolson.

Imani Hakim - Series regular - Apple Comedy Series - Began career at 12. Has studied at Karamu House Theater, Alexander’s Workshop School, Young Actors Space, Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio, and with Faith Rumer.

Lucy Hale - Lead - Katy Keene - Began career in reality tv at 14. First theatrical booking at 16. Has studied with Patrick Day at Young Actors Space.

Sarah Hay - Series regular - The Lost Boys - Began career at 10. Also a second soloist with the Dresden Semperoper Ballet. Has studied with Craig Archibald.

Cheyenne Haynes - Series regular - The Lost Boys - LA native. Began career at 7. Also a professional dancer.

Zane Holtz - Series regular - CW Riverdale spinoff - Canadian. Began career at 10. Trained at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

Keisha Castle-Hughes - Lead - FBI Most Wanted spinoff - New Zealander - Began career at 10.

Connor Jessup - Series regular - Canadian. Began career at 11. Coaching with Kate Ellis.

Brie Larson - Lead - Apple Untitled CIA drama - Began career at 9. Youngest person ever admitted to the training program at American Conservatory Theater. Has also studied or coached with Andrew Magarian and John Homa.

Lucien Laviscount - Series regular - Katy Keene - Brit. Came to prominence at 15.

Logan Lerman - Series regular - The Hunt. LA native. Began career at 5.

Kris D. Lofton - Series regular - Unrelated - Began career at 12. Shows no training on his resume, but has taught kids’ classes in Chicago and Atlanta.

Bridgit Mendler - Lead - Merry Happy Whatever - Began career at 13. Earned a degree in Anthropology from USC. Has studied with Robin Lively.

Laura Marano - Series regular - Super Simple Love Story - LA native. Began career at 7. Mother owns the Augora Children’s Theatre.

Vanessa Marano - Series regular - Super Simple Love Story - LA native. Began career at 10. Mother owns the Augora Children’s Theatre.

Mae Martin - Lead - Mae & George - Canadian. Began standup career at 13 and is the youngest ever nominee for the prestigious Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award. TV debut at 16. Has studied at Second City in Toronto.

Geffri Maya - Lead - Beast Mode - Began career at 14. Also graduated from Hamilton High School Academy of Music and Atlanta Clark Univeristy with an undisclosed major.

Shameik Moore - Lead - Wu-Tang: An American Saga - Began career at 16. Has studied at The Company Acting Studio and had private coaching with Joey Paul Jensen and Cheryl Faye.

Emily Osment - Lead - Spaced Out - Began career at 6. Also studied Theatre at Occidental College.

Aurora Perrineau - Series regular - Prodigal Son - Began career at 16. Has studied at TADA! Youth Theate, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Playhouse West, and Lesly Kahn and Co.

Hunter Parrish - Lead - Jane the Novela - Began career at 15. Has studied with Cathryn Hartt and at React Film Acting Studio.

Tyler Posey - Lead - Lost Boys - Santa Monica native with parents in the business. Began career at 8. Has studied with Michael Laskin, Bernard Hiller, Steven Anderson, and Todd Thayler.

Emilia Schüle - Series regular - Bourne - German. Began career at 13.

Kaya Scodelario - Lead - Spinning Out - Brit. Began career at 14.

Rachel Skarsten - Lead - Batwoman - Canadian. Former dancer. Began career at 14. Also earned a BA in English from Queen’s University.

Brittany Snow - Lead - Sisters - Began modeling career at 3. Acting at 8. Has coached with Corinne Broskette.

Brenda Song - Lead - Dollface - Began career at “5 or 6.”

Ashley Tisdale - Lead - Merry Happy Whatever - Began career at 3. Has studied with Andrew Magarian and Cameron Thor.

Leon Thomas - Series regular - Woman Up - Began career at 10.

Sofia Vassilieva - Series regular - Looking for Alaska - Began career at 8. Started through the Barbizon modeling school. Earned a BS in Linguistics from Columbia University with a special concentration in Business Management and did a Shakespeare course at RADA.

Mark L. Young - Series regular - Filthy Rich - Began career at 12. Attended La Salle University with an undisclosed major.

3 Unknown Education, Training Background, or Starting Age - 2 American

Steven Silver - Series regular - Council of Dads -

Moses Storm - Series regular - Sunnyside - Standup comic and performer at UCB.

Rose Williams - Lead - Sanditon - Brit.

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This is so awesome. Thank you - I just love seeing all the various “paths” actors travel.

9

You’re welcome! Here are the bare links for the previous two years since I just found out that we aren’t supposed to embed them in the text.

2017 http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1975970-20-something-actors-theatre-drama-acting-degrees-and-pilot-season-p1.html

2018 http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/2067211-young-adult-actors-theatre-drama-acting-degrees-and-pilot-season-2018-p1.html

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@Gyokoren Thank you for this awesome post again this year!!

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Great work @Gyokoren! I really appreciate the effort.

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@Gyokoren another incredible year of reality!! Thank you very much!!

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Amazing and thank you @Gyokoren!

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@Gyokoren thank you so much! So interesting! What sources do you use to create this fabulous list?

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@jbtcat You’re welcome!

Pilot and straight-to-series bookings are announced on Deadline.com in the TV section. https://deadline.com/v/tv/

I follow them as they come up and do a series of targeted Google searches for those whose headshots pass the eyeball test as being in the young adult category. Sometimes it’s easy and their birthdates and complete resumes pop right up. Other times it takes more digging. Some sources that come up might be their social media accounts, IMDb Pro, Wikipedia, Famousbirthdays, Broadwayworld which may lead me to old playbills, agency website rosters, interviews, studio and college brag sheets … any number of places.

Given that, it bears repeating from last year that unless I found a complete resume or know the person and his background, the information is just what I was able to piece together and may not be complete. Just because I couldn’t find any training info for some should in no way be construed to mean that they haven’t had it. Same goes for those showing bare BFAs, MFAs, or conservatory certificates. For instance, if you knew my real name and Googled me, you would immediately see where I went to college and high school. But you would not see the places I have studied since because my online resumes are not publicly available. Even if you hacked into those, you still wouldn’t see that I have a coach with whom I usually consult when I read for movie roles that will shoot during hiatus and yet another with whom I have been working via Skype on a semi-regular basis on difficult tv material from his advanced class to stay ahead of the game and keep my chops sharp for when my show inevitably gets cancelled and I find myself back in the fray - which may be soon.

To build on that, as an example of the continued training most actors need even after coming out of top BFAs, there is a great interview on the Kahnversations podcast with Tyler Poelle who is at the top of the assistant faculty at Lesly Kahn and Co. which happens to be one of the studios that I recommend for new graduates coming to LA. He is a Carnegie Mellon graduate and likens his early days in town to wearing a superhero suit, but still flying into walls because he didn’t have a clue about what he was doing in tv auditions. He is also a self-described journeyman working actor and a wealth of information about what that life entails. He can’t talk without teaching you something, so it’s a valuable listen. The host of the podcast is Ryan Bailey who is big in the sketch comedy world and has a BA from Arizona State. I guess I should say that listener discretion is advised because f-bombs fall freely around the Kahnstitute. haha https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/ryan-bailey/kahnversations/e/49300546

While I’m at it, the heads of the four main studios that I recommend have given podcast interviews in the past year. All of them to some extent go into their own transitions into the real world of tv and film from academic training as well as what their experiences have been in helping others make that transition.

Lesly Kahn has a two-parter on “Industry Standard” with Barry Katz. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/fake-mustache-studios/industry-standard-w-barry-katz/e/56193230 https://player.fm/series/industry-standard-w-barry-katz-1792963/ep-288-lesly-kahn-part-2-of-2

John Rosenfeld on “Speak LA.” https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/speak-la-the-podcast/e/55787744?autoplay=true

Billy O’Leary on “Box Angeles.” https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mike-box-elder-2/box-angeles/e/54931118

Stan Kirsch on “Outlander Rewatched” in which he mostly talks about his time on that show but gets into detail about what he now does at his studio in the last 10-15 minutes. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/highlander-rewatched/e/50742185?autoplay=true

Sorry if I’m going overboard and throwing in the kitchen sink with hours and hours of listening material (or if links to podcasts are not allowed on this forum.) I’m always finding stuff that I wish I had when I was coming along and podcasts weren’t yet a thing. I got lots of good info from online sources that helped me get a fast start in the industry and I think it’s good to try to pay it forward. I realize that it’s mostly parents here, but those resources can be great for getting an idea of what your kids will be going through when they graduate.

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Thank you so much @Gyokoren! My D wants to focus on screen acting, so I’ll be sending the podcast recommendations to her. Like everyone else who’s posted, I really appreciate your sharing all of the information.

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@Gyokoren again thank you so much for the information! There can never be too much information shared from people who actually know what is going on, so thank you for taking the time to share. I really appreciate it!

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@MTmom2017 and @jbtcat You’re both very welcome!

I can’t believe that I recommended those podcasts without listing my personal favorite which is “That One Audition” with Alyshia Ochse. I’ve been doing this for awhile and she and some of her guests still often give me pause for thought. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/alyshia-ochse/that-one-audition

Another of which I have honestly only listened to a couple of episodes but lots of newbie actors find very useful is “Audrey Helps Actors” with Audrey Moore who is a Boston University BFA grad. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jesse-lumen/audrey-helps-actors

There is also some great stuff besides Tyler’s interview on the rest of the Kahnversations podcast. I think Ryan records it on his phone and the sound quality isn’t always great, but look down the list and you will probably see some actors you know depending on how much tv you watch. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/ryan-bailey/kahnversations

So all that should make for a year or so of hardcore binging for somebody! haha

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@Gyokoren - another big THANK YOU. I sent podcasts to my D (a 2018 Tisch grad) and she is already in LOVE

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@Gyokoren Amazing work! Thanks especially for the podcast tips.