At my audition this weekend...

[WJR2]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 5:11pm

So I am transferring schools and I had an audition at the University of Michigan today.

We were in a small group and had to go around saying our name and whatever show we were working on. This girl near the back said her name was Keaton and she just wrapped Carrie, and that she was from Seattle.

Afterwards, I checked out the list of people auditioning and, sure enough, it was Keaton Whittaker! Is it normal for people who have done some serious work on Broadway/regional theatre to go back to school?

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 5:20pm

It's not uncommon, especially given her age. Keaton Whittaker is what, 19 or 20 at the most? She has limited credits--definitely not a major name. She wants to improve her craft and skill, which I think think is great.

I studied dance at a fairly well known school. It was not uncommon at all to see people in any of our BFA programs coming in as Equity members with regional or even bigger credits. I think it happens frequently at bigger schools.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 5:52pm

"Is it normal for people who have done some serious work on Broadway/regional theatre to go back to school?"

Yes I think it is, especially if they are young. She may want the extra training, she may want the degree behind her name, or she may just want the college experience.

Jodie Foster, after a successful childhood career, went to college before continuing in acting.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 6:20pm

It's pretty common actually. I went to school with a few people who already had Broadway credits to their name. Speaking of U of M, Andrew Keenan Bolger had already been on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast and Suessical as well as doing Disney voice over work before going to Michigan.

A good friend of mine had done some national tours then went and got a BFA in Musical Theater after one of the tours ended. She now is starring in a Broadway musical.

[WJR2]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 6:28pm

Hmmm good to know. Thanks for your input everyone!!

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/24/14 at 8:40pm

I taught at UCLA and the student body was full of former and current juvenile stars, famous and not-so-famous. Many of my students worked even while taking classes (and, yes, there were conflicts).

[suttonfoster]

Posted: 1/25/14 at 11:15am

Yes. Marissa O'Donnell who was the teen Fiona in Shrek the musical and starred as Annie in the national tour is actually at Pace right now.

[StickIt]

Posted: 1/25/14 at 2:58pm

It's kind of rude to post this here. These people deserve their privacy. I doubt this girl wants everybody on some theatre message board to know what schools she's applying to and where she is at any given time.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 1/26/14 at 12:26am

^ I was kind of thinking that, but I feel like the poster doesn't have even a speck of ill-will so I don't know. It's a legitimate question, and example.

[Alioschmitz]

Posted: 1/26/14 at 9:06am

Updated On: 2/14/16 at 09:06 AM

[Patash]

Posted: 1/26/14 at 9:10am

regarding the idea of personal privacy, couldn't the question have been asked just as successfully without giving a specific example? I mean does it make any difference at all exactly WHO the person auditioning was -- as opposed to just saying "someone who has done a national tour" or something like that?

[WJR2]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 1:07pm

To all who think I am invading privacy -- I didn't really think about it... I mean, it's not as if I'm displaying her SSN or something.. she did mention on her public twitter account that she would be at Unifieds. I don't think it's a huge deal... ?

[StickIt]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 1:53pm

That's great that you don't think it's a huge deal, but it's not really your call on what someone who you don't know does or doesn't want posted on BroadwayWorld. I think posting her name and what school the audition was for is over the line.

[newintown]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 2:29pm

WJR2, don't sweat it, you did absolutely nothing wrong.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 3:28pm

Isn't a big part of an actor's job to be a public personality? Isn't exposure kind of the point? I don't think there's anything invasive being discussed here.

[WJR2]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 4:16pm

Thanks newintown/twinbelters! :)

[figaroindy]

Posted: 1/28/14 at 1:42pm

And to be fair, it's not your place to berate someone for their actions, or be the "what can be posted police" on Broadway World. I think the person above who said they sensed no ill will is the correct one here.

[StickIt]

Posted: 1/28/14 at 2:23pm

I'm pretty sure if someone posts something on a public message board, they're opening themselves up to whatever kind of criticism or reaction people have. I find it pretty weird in this day and age that people find privacy to be such a thin and fluid concept, but to each their own. I never said I sensed any ill will, but you can make mistakes or overstep boundaries without meaning to as well.