how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
#1how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 12/29/07 at 2:55am
One of my good friends who is INCREDIBLY talent is interested in auditioning for music schools. When we graduated highschool her parents sent her down a pre-med route. She has finally worked up the nerve to tell them how much she wants to pursue theater. I am fairly certain she will make it into some great theater schools.
She is wondering if she is too old to go back. She is 20 now, will be 21 when auditioning. Most freshman will be 18 so she says shee will feel somewhat out of place.
what do you think?
#2re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 12/29/07 at 3:48amNot at all! I think that it's never too late to go to school. I'm a high school senior auditioning to Juilliard, and I've heard that people usually audition to that school AFTER some college preparation and stuff (with that said, around the age of 22 or so). She should definitely go for it!
"I'm strong enough to fight and win" -Michael Arden
#2re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 12/29/07 at 11:55am
20-21 is definately not too old. If you said 24 or something, I would say there were other routes to get to the same end, but a Junior in college is definately do-able, if your friend is preparing to go to school for 4 more years!
But, that said, you don't HAVE to have a BFA to be on broadway. If you're dedicated to finding the right training wherever you are, the ends will work out the same.
Sporti2005
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/04
#3re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 12/29/07 at 12:45pm
It sounds like she already has a college degree? Is that right?
I would recommend her looking into some of the shorter programs in NYC -- Circle in the Square, Neighborhood Playhouse, AADA (straight acting) -- stuff like that. Most of those are either 1 1/2 or 2 years, and it allows her to get out in the audition market earlier. Also, she'd then be in NYC, learning to live on her own and make things work in the city as she'll need to when she graduates.
And...many of the people entering those sorts of programs come from the kind of background she does, as in they've already done an undergrad degree (some in MT/Theatre, some not).
"grace, you're stuffed in a box getting rid of ass plaque. let's face it, this evening is a bust."
#4re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 12/29/07 at 3:01pmWhat Sporti said. A lot of people in those programs have degrees in something other than theatre. She'd also be with people her age. I went to Circle in the Square this summer. And one day we had a seminar with an alumn of the school who went to college got a degree in English, then went to circle. She is now working on Broadway. She said having a degree in something other than theatre was good for her, because she has friends outside of the acting world, who can give her an outsiders perspective. She said it kind of helped her stay sane by not having to hang around actors all the time.
#5re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 12/29/07 at 7:20pmWell, I know someone who is a sophomore in a Musical Theatre program that's 40 years old... but that's seriously an extreame case. so I would say that there is hope for your friend, haha.
#6re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 12/29/07 at 11:40pmI think if she has the talent like you say it doesn't matter at all what her age is. Go for it.
#7re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 12/30/07 at 12:45amAmen, poppit. =]
WOSQ
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
#8re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 1/2/08 at 10:44am
You will be too old to go back to music school the day after you die.
'Nuf said.
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher
#9re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 1/3/08 at 1:27pm
When I went to theatre school . . . at the age of 21-years-old; we had students up to 40-years-old and everything in between. Some people don't have the time or money before they've lived some life.
When someone over 25-years-old does it, they say, it's called "continuing education" and there's also more grants and scholarships available for us 'older' students. I mean the student's, for the most part, even older than 30-years-old!
And, that said, when it comes to other college students, etc. . . . there have been people in their 60s and 70s getting their college degree's!
Thus, until you are 6-feet-under, it is NEVER TOO LATE. Well, all right, you may hit a road block if you want to be a prima ballerina or professional athlete. But, most other career's have no age limit . . . particularly theatre.
My 76-year-old mother still has a strong, beautiful mezzo soprano opera voice . . . and speaking voice! If you heard her, you'd never suspect she is in her 70s, you'd think, maybe 40s by singing or speaking voice only.
No ageism, my friends . . . follow your bliss, no matter your age!
Love and Light,
Angela Theresa
P.S. Of course, at 40-years-old you won't be playing the young leads in "Grease" or "Hairspray"; but you can play "The Drowsy Chaperone" [well, a touring cast as the Broadway show closed] or the older roles in "Hairspray". Also, 'Mama Rose' when "Gypsy" is revived again!!! There are roles for all ages.
Love and Stage Lights,
Angela Theresa
Melody2
Swing Joined: 6/30/07
#10re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 1/8/08 at 12:49pm
I just transferred into a theatre major at another school and I am 20 and considered a freshman in the program. There are quite a few people who are older than the "normal" age here.
If she wants to do it, go for it! All that matters is what she wants to do and not what the ages are of the peers.
tinkerscanne
Featured Actor Joined: 6/2/07
#11re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 1/10/08 at 2:10pmI so wish I could find a Masters in Musical Theatre near where I live! I'm 33 but look about 16 (seriously) and I have a degree in Music Education. I teach Music and Musical Theatre and do community theater. I love it and have had a chance to audition on Broadway. I would love to get an agent and I am thinking of looking into that here in Philly. So it is NEVER EVER too late! Tell your friend to go for it!
#12re: how old is too old to go back to school for musical theater??
Posted: 1/10/08 at 2:18pm
>> I so wish I could find a Masters in Musical Theatre near
>> where I live! I'm 33 but look about 16 (seriously) and I have
>> a degree in Music Education. I teach Music and Musical
>> Theatre and do community theater. I love it and have had a
>> chance to audition on Broadway. I would love to get an agent
>> and I am thinking of looking into that here in Philly. So it
>> is NEVER EVER too late! Tell your friend to go for it!
Baby, you are 100% right!!! It is never too late! You will find it if you look for it, I promise. You will attract what you truly believe you can have . . . and it exists if you can think of it.
Also, like you, at 33-years-old, I was playing 19-year-old's in shows. We're very lucky as we will work so much longer. Good genes are nice. Anywho, now I am a bit older than 33-years-old and plan to be an overnight sensation on Broadway before year's end. And sweety, you do NOT need an agent to "make-it" in show business. You can find your own opportunities and should be proactive in your own career. The agent will find you when you're working and being seen and recognized for your talent.
I work all the time and even when I have had an agent, I found most of my work without the agent! In fact, my agent found me performing in a play! And someone else had invited the agent!!!
Love and Stage Lights,
Angela Theresa
Updated On: 1/10/08 at 02:18 PM
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