How to Be a Telenovela Star

Are you currently addicted to such popular Spanish telenovelas like Cuidado Con el Angel or Fuego en la Sangre? If you are, you should know that you're not alone. It's estimated that there are over 2 billion viewers worldwide who tune into these Spanish-speaking soap operas. When you consider that the United States Hispanic population has grown to about 45 million people, it's no wonder that Spanish telenovelas are big-business in the US.

But with so many telenovelas airing on Spanish stations such as Univision and Telemundo, where do they find the actors to act in these over-emoted concoctions? Well believe it or not, there is actually a theater school that specializes in preparing young actors for like in telenovelas.

Up to 90% of the actors you see in your favorite telenovelas are pulled directly from the most prestigious entertainment school in Latin America, Centro de Educacion Artistica. Cost of tuition at this school? Zero. The catch? CEA admits only a handful of students every year out of the thousands that apply.

Here's everything you need to know about how to apply to Centro de Educacion Artistica and become the next big telenovela star:

What is CEA?

CEA stands for Centro de Educacion Artistica. This school was founded in 1978 and is the school where thousands of aspiring actors in Latin America dream of being accepted. CEA's graduates often go on to nab roles in television, movies, theater and radio.

What are the requirements to attend CEA?

Basic requirements according to the CEA website are that applicants must have good bearing, be between the ages of 17-23, high school diploma, wallet-sized certified copy of the birth certificate, photo and filled out application.

What is the application process like?

CEA conducts nationwide searches for new applicants every year. A committee of teachers, producers and excutives studies the applications and selects the best ones to come in for an audition. Those who make it through the initial admission must then go through personal interviews, screen tests and performances. Applicants are scored on each level of the application process and the selection committee cuts the list down to 35-40 of the very best.

What exactly will I learn at CEA?

CEA is normally a three year program, but each students abilities determines their starting level. Subject studied at CEA include: acting, theater, television workshop, expressions, ballet, body expression, dance, jazz, film criticism, textual criticism, history of dram performance, verbal interpretation and image. Students can expect to be in school for up to 45 hours a week.

How do I apply to CEA?

Send an email to cea@esmas.net to find out how you can get an application to CEA.

So you think you have what it takes to be the next Maite Perroni, a graduate of CEA? Well you better send that email off quick! And who knows, maybe we'll all see you in a popular telenovela in a few years. Good luck!