Beginning to have some doubts...

[forni-kate]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 1:58pm

Ack, I don't know how to deal with this.
I always knew I wanted to study drama in university, but I never really considered going into any of those intense ACTING programs that a few great universities offer around here (namely York and UTM/Sheridan).

But now I'm feeling more and more that I couldn't deal with just studying theatre, I HAVE to act.

Problem is, as soon as I voiced that opinion, everyone I know begins to tell me how difficult it will be once I get it and how I'm going to be limiting myself so much and how I will have no options if I don't make it as a professional actress...blah, blah, blah.

So I'm having some serious doubts. I don't know what direction to go in. It comes down to taking a risk and me not having the confidence yet to do that.

How did you know that, dispite the high chance of failure, you're going to take risk and go into acting?

[secret-soul]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 2:00pm

*advice* if you're not ready for intense acting programs, you're not ready to be an actor. you need to be ready. period. even if it means going to another school to study history or something that will inform your acting, and then going on to an intense acting program. it's much better looking on ANYONE's resume that they made some attempt at gaining knowledge for performance.

[forni-kate]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 4:52pm

It's not that I'm not ready for intense acting programs. I'm sure that if I really prepare I can get in and I would love every minute of it! It's that I'm not sure I'm ready for the commitment that comes from going into those programs. If I get a degree in acting, I feel as though I will close so many doors and limit myself to acting. And if I fail at acting, I have nothing else.

I think this is just a normal "OMG! HAVE TO PICK A MAJOR! IS THAT WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO WITH THE REST OF MY LIFE!?" freakout.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 10:23pm

I'm really hopeful to be an actor as well, but am nervous about limiting my studies to just that. I plan on going to college and studying other things as well, and some intense acting classes on the side. Most actors actually go on regretting not studying something else as well, even successful ones. SO my plan is major ina cting and minor in either history or psychology.

[theatrebabe]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:00am

I was having this discussion with a few of my friends the other day. I can't help you much but I know exactly where you're coming from. I cannot picture myself doing anything besides theatre for the rest of my life. I just haven't found anything that makes me as happy as it does. I'm a little worried though because I know I will need another job. I don't want to spend half my life doing something I hate. I'm starting to freak out about finding something else that I love as much(or almost as much)as theatre. But then I have to worry about how much time to spend on studying theatre and studying other things?

Gah! Sometimes I don't like life.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 7:02am

"I think this is just a normal "OMG! HAVE TO PICK A MAJOR! IS THAT WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO WITH THE REST OF MY LIFE!?" freakout."

I'm currently going through that. I'm not going into theater or anything. I'm a freshman at BU and originally wanted to do journalism. Now I am taking an intro course in advertising, planning to major in advertising. At one point I considered public relations. Thoughts of going into television even crossed my mind. Also, think about it. Do you feel you need an INTENSE acting program in order to obtain a job in the future? A lot of talented Broadway performers have gotten degrees in other areas besides acting, theater, etc. Perhaps you can choose another area of study but continue to act in the university's plays or musicals.

[momtobwwannabee]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 9:56am

My daughter continues to hear "IF there is ANYTHING that you could find happiness in other than musical theatre, do that thing". I know it is a very hard career path to choose, but if you have the passion, it won't matter. AND I bet everyone at some point, no matter what field they are in, doctors, lawyers or Indian chief, not just actors, questions the career choice. That's natural.