What should I do?

[ariel0098]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:47pm

I'm 15 and i really want to become an actress (as in Broadway). I also want to get into a college that has a notable musical theatre department. What should I do now to prepare? I've already done a musical and this year i've done backstage work for shows i didn't make the cut for. I'm also planning to take vocal instruction pretty soon.

*Other than what i listed above I have almost no experience.
Updated On: 7/15/05 at 01:47 PM

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 2:04pm

Get on the ball. You're behind. You must realize you're competing against girls that have been singing and dancing and performing since they could speak for that spot in college.

Start auditioning for all possible productions, not to put it on your resume, but for experience, so it confirms that you could do this for the rest of your life.

Start taking dance, and work HARD. If you have the potential, you're only strengthening what you have the ability to do. Of course, dancing-wise, it's highly unrealistic that you could just do all these things because there are certain physical things that are nearly impossible unless learned at an early age.

Listen to everything your voice teacher says, hoping that you have a good one. Let them know what you plan on pursuing so they don't lead you in the wrong media.

Make sure your intentions are clear. Being a performer isn't an easy street. You have to commit hours to just perfecting one tiny thing that'll make all the difference when you're finally up on that stage. If you're in this field for things that won't last, you'll never pull through.

Money? Hardly. You'd be LUCKY to make $1400 a week. It sounds like a lot, but think about the headshots you'll have to pay for, any lessons you plan on taking, rent (if you plan on living in New York), and all those other things. If you're looking to be financially stable, go get a job that pays better...

Fame? Barely. Sure, you're known in the theatre community, but once you're on that subway out of Times Square, practically NO ONE will know who you are, or what you do. Idina Menzel might seem like a superstar to you, but she's barely known in most of households in America.

You're ahead of me, experience-wise. I've had the chance to do many productions, but I've had to turn many great roles down, unfortunately. I'm also recently starting voice lessons and starting dance next week. However, I had taken acting class this last year in school.

Be ready to work hard and deal with TONS of rejection if you plan on doing this. And do it only if you absolutely cannot see yourself doing anything else. You're about to take one of the biggest gambles of your life. And you should be prepared to deal what will hit you in this volatile field.

If you're looking for colleges, check the BWW FAQ (link up above the boards). And there are also many FAQ's on this board. Best of luck to you and if you want to talk any further, don't hesitiate to PM me.

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 8:13pm

Read "Makin It On Broadway." It will really ground your decision for this lifestyle. If you still want it after you read the book, then go for it. And also, while you're not taking lessons here and there, read other books about technique and whatnot. Get the book called "Audition"... forgetting who it's by. Work on things on your own. Since you are just starting, you're going to have to put in A LOT of time to catch up to those who who, as Aigoo says, have been preparing for these auditions their entire lives.

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 8:13pm

I've been doing random acting/singing/very little dancing since I was about 6...I love musicals, never had a voice teacher though, and just got a supporting lead in my 10th grade musical. I don't plan on getting voice lessons, but I do plan on auditioning for community theatre, yet I am too tall for my age group in my community theatre so that's a set back. I'm taking an acting/directing class in school this year and auditioning for a summer theatre program for next summer. I'm not sure if I want to be on the stage, I mean I LOVE it, but there are other people soo much better / more competitive than I am, I just don't know if I can make it, but something in the theatre should be good to achieve. As long as your dedicated, I say, don't count yourself out even if you don't have as much experience! :)

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 10:26pm

What should you do?

Be persistent. Tell every acting coach, voice teacher, dance captain and director you encounter what you're working towards. When you find people you work well with who have more experience than you, ask for their advice and feedback. The field of performing is all about never giving up. When you are not called back at auditions, practice twice as hard for the next audition.

Stay healthy!! Stay in shape, eat well, keep hydrated, don't smoke. There's nothing that will diminish the glow of your stage presence like being unhealthy. You don't need to go to extremes - don't develop an eating disorder or jump into some crazy fad diet - but take vitamins, drink water, and be responsible with your body. A concert violonist takes immaculate care of her violin - putting it in a case, making sure that its temperature and humidity conditions are favorable... and you can REPLACE a violin! Your body is your instrument, and you only get ONE!

Also, develop a support system. The field you are in can be discouraging, and sometimes positive feedback may be hard to find. Stay connected to family and friends who aren't in the theatre business who will enjoy your company and validate your skills and talent. Then, when your "big break" comes, you'll have plenty of wonderful people with whom to celebrate.

Finally, don't be so busy pursuing your dream that you don't live a full and rich life. Yes, a life as a performer does take dedication. Yes, you have to make sacrifices. But don't get burned out along the way. If you've practiced hard for a week, getting in the dance studio every day and doing vocal warm-ups 'til you're blue in the face, take a half-day off on Saturday and take a drive. Don't base your entire identity on being a performer, be spectacular at other things, too! When I'm discouraged that someone didn't like my lighting designs or I've been cut from costume design crew, I can still get into bed at night knowing that I cook a mean peanut butter brownie, that my apartment decor looks unique and homey thanks to the vines I've painted around the doors and windows, and that I can sew curtains better than anyone I know.

Buy a copy of Dr. Seuss' book "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" Read it every day. Believe every word it says:
"And will you succeed?
Yes, you will indeed!
98 3/4% guaranteed,
Kid, you'll move mountains!"

[ariel0098]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 12:43pm

Thanks for the advice. I've got that book Auditions by michael shurtiff (i think thats his name) and i love it.