small theaters in NYC open to all actors?

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 2:57pm

I'm a freshman at Pace University, and despite a lot of theater experience in HS and an insane passion for performing which i'm sure you all can relate to, I didn't major in theater in college.

It was a combination of parental discouragement (you won't get a job!) and not wanting to add auditions into my college app. I might try to make it a minor or audition in now because i miss it so much, but that's beside the point.

Is there anywhere in NYC where I can act without being professional? I'm SURE there is, but I just can't find it.

I have a great deal of experience acting for children. I am not in a union. I am not vocal trained, but can carry a tune well enough, since i'm a violinist, but i'm not gonna hold my own against professional singers.

Basically i'm looking for what would be a community theater open to people of all different experience levels, only in NYC.

Thanks!
~Lisa

[njmasquers]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:08pm

Lisa, I am a drama teacher in Northern NJ and I have several of my former students enrolled at Pace, so I can relate to what you are going through. One student is a film major, which is great but I really thought he could make it in comedy acting, because his timing and humor is out of this world.

Let me direct you in a couple of thoughts. Consider taking some classes at Pace. Even though you are not a major, you might be able to get work in some student productions. make friends in the department! Offer your services as a violinist. I know a violinist in LA 20 years ago who played a violin in "Fiddler". Now he works in commercials and films. Take workshops at professional centers, such as Actors Connection (http://actorsconnection.com/. Go to the Drama Book Store near the Port Authority and get workshop information there. There are ALOT of workshop and showcase places that might give you a break, you just have to offer them something in return. Since you are close to both NJ and LI, check out NJ.com "Theatre" forum. There are a number of Community Theatres doing shows. Jersey City and Hoboken have great companies as well.

Try these out and let me know via the forum on your progress.

Break a Leg and think positive!

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 3/12/10 at 10:33pm

thank you so much for this well informed advice!

Since posting, I volunteered my services as a stage manager for a student directed Pace production of Midsummer Night's Dream. The director is great and appreciative of my dedication, so i've gotten to actually have a lot of oppertunity within the production. It feels good to be back into things.

I will definately look into the workshops!

I'm teaching violin to pace students on the side for $20 an hour (a highly reduced rate to help them learn, but enough to fund my own lessons), hopefully I can sharpen up and try to get some bigger work.

I'm also in Acting 1 at pace because I wanted to take a class before i decide if I want to audition into the program. I've learned a lot and i like the way the program is run at Pace.

Thanks so much, again!

[BwayBaby2000]

Posted: 4/9/10 at 4:14am

A bunch of my friends do Kidz Theater. They go up to age 19 and often have a bunch of college freshman in their shows. They are really competitive though-- I haven't gotten in a show yet :/. But the shows are really good and you get excellent training. I think their website is just kidztheater.org