does everyone TRULY think they'll make it?

[stagebeauty]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:59pm

i'm still in high school, but i don't have alot of time left for choosing a college and auditioning for one.

i love musical theatre. i'm not an Idina, but i'm pretty good. i've been looking at many colleges, one being UArts. Im in love with that school, but my parents want me to get a well-rounded education, ya know, more education than just singing, dancing, and acting. MT is my passion but, my parents do have a point. they want me to be successful... but really, how often do musical theatre college graduates REALLY REALLY make it?

what else can you do with a BFA from an arts school other than trying to make it on broadway?

i hate to be such a downer, but i need everyone's opinion on this because i'm stuck in a rut and i need guidance
Updated On: 8/17/05 at 10:59 PM

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:07pm

you have to think you'll make it. i'm fine with the idea that i'll probably be waiting tables and working temp jobs forever. it just so happens that i really like waitressing and i also really like temp-type jobs (i know, i'm a weirdo).

without thinking (or at least hoping) you'll make it, what else do you really have to keep it going?

[Blair]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:21pm

You can ALWAYS persue more schooling to become a teacher after a few years of trying to "make it" if you get tired of that uncertainty.

In my opinion, the most certain way of having something to fall back on is picking one focus to start out with. If you enjoy voice more, persue a degree in Vocal Performance. If acting is your passion, try a degree in Acting/Drama. And there are always the Dance degrees as well. Then, if you know you want to do musical theatre, get your Master's in that. Wait a few years, and if you don't achieve the level of success that you want, look into getting an Education Doctorate in the area you picked for your Bachelor's. You can become very successful as a college professor.

And always remember that "making it" does not just mean on Broadway. One can make a decent living doing lots of regional theatre.

And as the wonderful Kelli O'Hara once told me, don't get too bogged down in the business stuff. Save that for after college. Have fun and find the best education for you.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 1:03am

What it really comes down to is how much you are willing yo give to acheive the dream. How bad do you want it? If you really just think it's fun and wouldn't mind doing something else then you might wanna consider that. This business is really really difficult. Physically, Emotionally, Financially, and Psychologically. But people keep at it despite the down points because they love it and nothing makes them happier. I could be doing any number of other things, including teaching, but this makes me happiest, which is why I'm still here. And as a Uarts musical theatre grad, I'd thought I'd tell ya, we're doing it. Many of as are. Even a few have been on Broadway. It can happen for even people at a school that's NOT Carnegie Mellon or CCM. This is real soul searching time for you. Don't rush into it too much. You do have a little time. I was in the same boat and a theatre teacher asked me this. Are you willing to wait tables to fulfill your dream? Is it worth it? Your answer and the amount of reservations you have in that answer will tell you what you need to know about pursuing this! Good Luck.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 7:06am

The thing is, even if you are willing to wait tables and do temp jobs your whole life, your not going to make a living. Plus, your definetly not making enought to buy headshots, take all the lessons you need, get transportation, etc. Going to a school that gives you a well rounded education is important if nothing but for those facts that if you're NOT working, you do have a job and you can save up money for when you are working in theatre and making very little (because, let's face it, it's not the best paying job in the world). Look into schools with good MT and academics. Then think about a double major. So you have both.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 9:35am

Define "making it." Jobs that incorporate musical theatre that aren't on Broadway: private voice/acting/dance teacher, junior high/high school choral/showchoir director or drama teacher, music/drama director at a church (if you're into that), activities director at a group home (either for the aging or for special-needs kids), regional theatres, good community theatre programs, dinner theatre houses, performer at a theme park (either in the shows or as a costumed character), performer on a cruise ship (I have friends who do this and LOVE it)... there's plenty of careers in instruction that immerse you in what you love, and also plenty of careers that allow you to perform. I have friends who do Beef 'n' Boards dinner theatre in Indianapolis, and are involved in a half dozen (or more!) musicals a year - stuff like Mame, Hello, Dolly!, etc., plus a holiday special each year. I've also heard great things about working cruise ships - you store your stuff, don't pay rent, and make good money, while being fed for free, getting a tan, going swimming, and singing and dancing every night. Having a satisfying career in musical theatre doesn't have to involve Broadway at all.

HOWEVER... if Broadway is your dream, GO FOR IT!!!! Then you'll never look back and wonder, "what if I'd just tried?" Try making it on Broadway, and if you don't like the life of auditioning on Broadway and waiting tables/answering phones in an office, then move on to something else - possibly one of the careers listed above, or possibly something completely different.

One more thing, because this post isn't long enough... you can obtain other job skills while in college that you can use while trying to "make it" after college. Examples: I have a friend in ballet who works as a bartender and makes pretty darn good money doing it, another friend pursuing her M.A. in Opera Performance who is a liscensed massage therapist, and another friend in theatre with me who does freelance desktop publishing for local businesses who now has quite a resume built of desktop publishing jobs. Obtain a variety of skills, live a rounded life, and you'll find that if you're ever "stuck" career-wise, it won't be for very long because you'll have lots of skills.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 10:27am

"Making it" is a very close and personal term. You have to find out what you measure success in and what you're willing to do for it. If you measure success things that won't last like money, you'll never be happy. NEVER.

People who go into this business are really insane. Why would they want to torture themselves their entire lives for stupid musicals? Because they LOVE it. Whether it's the attention or the actual action of performing or being around other people that share common interests, they love it enough to go after what they want RELENTLESSLY. And how much have they sacrificed? They can basically kiss that nice suburban home good-bye, or any spare time they might have. Spare time between shows goes to getting enough money to buy your next meal. It's ironic, isn't it? A $100,000 degree, and you'll barely have enough to buy a Big Mac.

Another question you must ask yourself is where are your intentions placed? WHY are you going into this? And will it be enough to keep you going after every rejection and every closed show and just living life in horrible conditions? Find a goal that won't fade. A goal that's so important to you, nothing will stand between you getting it.


Going into theatre is a GIGANTIC gamble. HUGE. What you have to figure out is whether the gamble is worth it. Even if you don't "make it", are you going to live life like a depressed maniac? Or are you going to pick yourself up and keep going at it or start a "new life"? You have to find out WHY you want what you want so badly and EXACTLY what you're willing to do for it. But still. Even if you don't end up exactly how you planned, chances are, you'll end up okay. So just follow what you love, until that moment where you'll either know you're going to do this forever and ever or if it's time to follow a different path. Just mosey along wherever life takes you. Best of luck.

[bwayrunner22]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 11:27am

Wow, this board helped me out as well. I am in the same boat as stagebeauty and you guys have really helped me. My parents do want me to not succeed and have nothing to fall back on. I see their point and am going to double major in English and MT. Now I just have to find a good school with payable tuition that I could go to. For me, I would, at least start, working for very cheap and then hopefully get some experience under my belt. I'm purely in it for the energy and fulfillment singing and dancing and acting gives me. I hope that is the right idea.

[actress_06]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 12:23pm

My Dad has always helped me with this. He was an Opera Major Indiana University Bloomington in the early 80's, and worked as a mechanic to pay his tuition...He helped a lot of his classmates with their cars when something would go round. The first question he would ask is "When was te last time you changed your oil?" Their response was "What oil...I just have the car to get to auditions and gigs." They were so focused they didn't even pay attention to general up-keep on their vehicles.

My dad always says that if it's really what you want to do you'll be focused on that and only that.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 2:05pm

I'm not one of those people who is like "I'm gonna make it and nohting you can say will make me think differently." I think I can make, i have the potential and I am working at improving myself, but i know that a lot of whether you make it or not is being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people. So i'm aware that I might not, and in fact that there is a very good chance I won't make it, that's why I'm also learning other skills while I'm in school so that if I don't make it, I don't become one of those unemployed actors who has to wait tables for years while trying to get my break. If i don't make it, I won't give up, I'll still act and do what ever, I'll just have a real, hopefully well paying job along the way.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 4:44pm

Updated On: 1/11/06 at 04:44 PM

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 5:42pm

Yay IUB! lol I want to do Vocal Performance there.. but anways.

A wise Stephanie J. Block wrote to me and said 'Dreaming doesn't get you anywhere, working does'. I totally agree with that. I'm also in high school, hoping for a career in Opera Performance in Italy or NYC. I have worked my ass off for the past eight years. I take voice lessons every week, practice an hour every day and pursue every opportunity I can to perform and get myself out there. I just got accepted into the Michgan State Youth Treble Ensemble, but I'm going to have to drive two hours every Monday. But y'know. It's somewhere where I get to sing.

I also heard the quote "You will be sucessful if Music has called you, instead of you calling the music" If you can't think about not singing for a single day in your life, you have found your passion and that means that you will do anything for it. I have found mine, if I couldn't sing I probably would end up killing myself. It's my life.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope to see your name on Broadway, heck maybe you'll see me headling at Carnegie Hall!

Linzy

[Elphie]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 7:47pm

Read the book Making it to Broadway.

I feel like the other actors in that book. I can't NOT do theatre. I've been hooked by theatre ever since I was five. Life without theatre is not an option for me.
I realize its going to be a bumpy road, but I'm not afraid. You just got to believe in yourself- bottom line.
Live your dream and educate yourself as much as possible! Haha.
Good luck!

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 10:10pm

you will NOT make it if you spell it "alot"

[Aigoo]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 1:28am

Nard. Be nice. If you want to get picky, YOU didn't capitalize the first word OR put a punctuation mark.

Updated On: 8/19/05 at 01:28 AM

[JayKid]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 1:59am

I'd try to be more well rounded, so you can fall back on something while still trying your hardest to get an acting career started.

I think you can definetly major in musical theatre, go for it! Just know you can't only know that... unless you don't mind doing some not so fun jobs for not geat pay along the way, for whatever amount of time... could be months, days, years, etc.

I'd suggest double major if you can handle it. Or minor in something that gives you a skill you can use to get a decent paying job. Pick up any type of skills you can so you can have many things to fall back on so you don't end up stuck without being able to realyl pick yourself up.

Also, by make it... it seems you mean Broadwya or something, well, you can still eprform and use an MT major for many other things as people said. You could get a teacher certifaction and teach musical theatre, or acting, dance, voice, etc somewhere. Maybe give voice lessons on the side,e tc.

You need to take all the skills you cana nd apply them to the real world after college so you have a lot of places to turn to while you are trying to make your dream come true.

Just keep persuing it and you can do it.

I personally am going to college and have loved singing for a very long time, more kept it to myself... but have done 2 musicals in the past few months and LOVED it. I'm alreayd going to a college without MT, but going to minor in music or voice or soemthing so I can hopefully get a lot of knowledge on music theory, voice, and composing and such... because I love it. I'll major in something for me is less a dream, but something to make money, and maybe try to pursue a musical theatre career and see what happens. That's my approach on it unless I did after doing more msuical theatre in college (there is a club) and music and acting classes deciding I NEED to transfer to get a MT major. I mean, I don't know... but you have so many options and if you try, you can definetl;y have a chance at anyhting I believe.

So just go for it... as long as you are smart about it, you'll be ok. don't give up your dream because you let reality hit you too hard. sure, in reality, it is VERY hard to make it (broadway that is), but you know what, there is always a chance, and perservance and determination can really get you far. You should never let yourself get pulled down by being too realistic, don't give up ya passion!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 2:03am

Going to a good college is not going to get you on Broadway. Your talent and determination will.

The title of this thread worries me...you need to know you will make it. You need to know you are good enough.

Oh, and Stephanie J. Block gives the BEST, extremely truthful advice I know!

Updated On: 8/19/05 at 02:03 AM

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:32am

Eh, I think it's an honest question. Ever watch American Idol, in the first few rounds, and see the bad singers, and think, "Do they have ANY idea how they sound?"

A little self-evaluation is a good thing, and while constantly seeking reassurance is unhealthy and indicitive of low self-confidence, there's a fine line between neediness and simple evaluation. Jumping into musical theatre with NO foresight and NO plan and NO evaluation will only lead to frustration and a very quick burnout.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:21pm

You should be aware of your "competition". Not only to see what people are like, but to measure yourself up (yes, whether you like it or not) to where you are and where they are. Yes, you might not like comparing yourself to others, and I've said myself that it's impossible to compare performers to each other since they're so DIFFERENT, but you have to have a general idea of where you stand.

Make sure you know someone who will be brutally honest with you in terms of your performance and skills. Don't find people who will tell you what you want to hear. Find people who will tell you the truth.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:48pm

Like me.

[cathyhyatt]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 5:07pm

sometimes I can really see it happening for me but other times I have many doubts(as I'm sure anyone does). the only thing I know is that musical theater has always been the only thing for me. I know it's going to be harder than I can imagine but there's nothing else that I can picture myself doing. Of course I hope to be on broadway but I would be so happy just to make money doing theater regionally. I just won't stop pursuing it until I get to where I want to be(which is broadway). And if I never get there no one could say I never tried.


all I know is I'm scared but extremely excited for the years ahead of me.

[WalveMalve]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 5:19pm

I don't think there's any reason that I'm necessarily going to be a big broadway star no matter how much I want it, it's too difficult to predict who will make it and who won't. So rather than auditioning for musical theatre, I auditioned for voice and have a second major.

It's good to have options.

[stagebeauty]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 9:45pm

thanks for everyone's input

it really altered my view on what colleges to attend

now i'm clueless

[cindy013]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 10:47pm

"all I know is I'm scared but extremely excited for the years ahead of me. "

Definitely know exactly what you mean!:) I'm so incredibly scared about college auditions and such, but when it comes down to it, I think it's more of a nervous excitement that I could actually be spending 4 years of my life learning about something I truly love. I've only been involved in theatre, performing-wise, for the past year myself, so I know it's not going to be easy. But, I figure if I do get into a good BFA program in college for it, maybe it was just meant to be. Everything will happen for a reason. But just to be safe, I'm definitely minoring and possibly double majoring in something:) Good luck everyone, and don't be too scared. Remember you're doing something you LOVE(hopefully!) and therefore remember to enjoy it too and not get too stressed out!

[mad4music]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 1:36am

Wow... I LOVE this site!!! You guys have no idea how much you help me out and put things into perspective for me! I don't really have hardly any friends in LOVE with theatre like me and they mostly think I am an obsessive compulsive psycho when it comes to brdway... but I LOVE IT! ...and its great to know I'm not alone!

I just went to *WICKED* in SF Thurs night (which btw was OMG!!! SO FREAKING AMAZING!!! GO SEE EDEN AND KENDRA IF YOU CAN!!!!) and anywayz... afterward at the stage door my friend and I got talking to Derrick Williams (Fyerro) and she asked him what kind of training he had. He kind of looked at her dumbfounded and said "what do you mean?" My friend replied "Well you know... what kind of schooling did you do and who did you study with?" He was like "Actually I got a scholarship in baseball and then, after doing community theatre when I was younger decided to just try this out and so far it has worked! I haven't really gotten much professional training."

Okay so first I was like "HOLY COW! THATS AMAZING!" then of course "I HATE YOU! YOU ARE SO LUCKY!" (lol) and now I am just really wondering... do you really HAVE to have a MT, voice, or drama major to be on Broadway? I mean... do the casting directors really look and say "oh well this girl is amazing but the other girl has a masters from NYU so i guess she gets the part" ....that can't honestly happen! Of course a college trained performer will be more seasoned and experienced... but is it like a major requirement??? ...Derrick didn't seem to think so!

And how many Bway performers actually have music-related majors?