Bio's..what are they coming to?

[massofmen]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:39am

Someone on the "other board" was commenting on how someone's bio in another show was..embarassing. I went to the bio that they spoke of and I agreed.

What are bios coming to? What were they intended for in the first place? Why do actors have bios? what is the point of them?

Is the point to "give shout out's to friends and family"?
Is it to list past credits?
Is it an acceptance speech?
Is it to market yourself (ie: websites, websites you like and support)
Is it so the audience has a closer connection with the actor?
Or is a bio just whatever you would like it to be? And is there anything wrong with that?

I have no idea what they are for, but my personal opinion is that I hate it when I see "shout out to mom and big fred for helping me pee when I was 10! Love to the DQ and the bannana split blizzards. John 5:97 all praises to Isis and Siddartha"

so can anyone tell me what bio's are for and what kinds you like or dislike? thanks.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:44am

The most annoying bios in my opinion are those that begin by listing awards won.

Beginning of bio:

Tony Awards: ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, SHENENDOAH. Tony Nominations: ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, URINETOWN, 110 IN THE SHADE.

Snooze...

The actor I have the most respect for when it comes to bios is Michael Cerveris. He just lists the shows he has been in. Doesn't say a word about any awards or nominations.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:44am

I don't know what I dislike (I've never thought of it). But in my small parts in community theatre, I usually use my limited space to list my credits in a succinct fashion, and then perhaps something quick and witty. Like when I was helping my little sister write her bio, I suggested she dedicate her performance to Artemis.

Her guinea pig.

I think in professional theatre, its mainly to tell the audience what you've done and what you're doing.

Someone on the "other board" was commenting on how someone's bio in another show was..embarassing. I went to the bio that they spoke of and I agreed.

Where was this?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:46am

Foster, he may have changed it for LoveMusik, but Cerveris' bio for Sweeney Todd does list awards.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:48am

Well, by SWEENEY, he had only won one award. His Tony for ASSASSINS.

For KING LEAR, LOVEMUSIK, and CYMBELINE, Cerveris didn't list any awards or nominations.

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:48am

The thing is, everytime I see "personal feelings" mentioned in the bio, I feel like I'm preparing to watch a high school show. There is nothing wrong with expressing emotions, but I find it much more professional to simply list shows, roles, and maybe awards.

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:51am

I think the bios are a reflection of the person, and they give interesting glimpses into the individuals behind the costumes, so I don't think there should be any one standard. I don't think there's anything wrong with someone thanking their family/friends/agent/religious deity, although when I read bios that look as though they're in secret code ("2 EHR ILU EUIORU#)($)(DJ!!") it reminds me of a high school yearbook and does seem sort of embarrassing.

The only thing that really rubs me the wrong way is when bios are overwhelmingly pompous and proclaim how wonderful the actor is, and then list every credit the person's ever done, down to their kindergarten Christmas pageant: "John Q actor triumphantly returns to the New York stage after a sold-out run in Detroit, where he made critics weep and was hailed as the best Hamlet ever...he's been turning heads ever since he appeared as the Little Drummer Boy back in 1945..."

[fetzles1490]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:51am

When I was in Noises Off at school, since the entire show is utter ridiculousness, the entire casts' bios reflected that. I filled my bio with references to my AP Environmental Science class ("Don't decrease the carrying capacity of our auditorium! Live sustainably!") and my friend Emily thanked and dedicated the show to a random Canadian Prime Minister.

But I digress. Bios, in my opinion, are really just the place for a cast member to express themselves to the audience NOT as a character, but as themselves. People may disagree with listing your Tony's or something, but if that's what the actor wanted to do, that's what they wanted to do. *shrugs*

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:53am

fetzles..but that is cute and so fine in a school show. Professionally speaking I would look at your bio and think "umm..yeah..kay."
I just think there's a huge difference.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:53am

Or when the closeted gay actors thank their boyfriends by saying:

"Love to T."

Honey, you're a flaming queen - you're not fooling anyone, and shame is such a turn off.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:53am

What, broadway actors cant be thrilled they're on broadway? Seriously, what the hell?

I LOVE when performers express emotions or have little shout outs or wink wink nudge nudge items in their Bios, it shows they appreciate what they're doing and that they're actually able to work on broadway and makes me respect them anymore. People who think bios have to be a resume and nothing else need to remove the sticks from their rectums.

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:54am

Thanks, I'll try.

[Anakela]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:54am

Where was this?

The bio mentioned on "the other board" was that of Haven Burton...she's in Legally Blonde, and I actually think it's kinda funny...then again, I also like the bios that list things like "has never been in Law & Order" as a credit, which is probably inappropriate too.
Playbill bio: Haven Burton

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:56am

"She loves animals and clouds and the color blue and smiling."


...I mean really?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:57am

Bios mainly serve the purpose of allowing the "straight" actors let the audience know they are not Homos by thanking their wives. Oh, AND GOD!

[Liverpool]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 12:58am

how does her bio even AFFECT YOU? you don't think that MAYBE you're a little too concerned by the fact that she likes smiling and loves her rock hank?

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:01am

Like I said before, it reminds me of something I would see written into a middle school/high school bio.
There is no use challenging my seemingly pretentious opinion. It is what it is. I happen to think bio's are meant as a resume. If it's written in stone somewhere that they aren't, then fine.

[Just_John]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:02am

I think that's pretty funny. I also think since it's in the Legally Blonde playbill its completely fine. I would agree that it would be embarrassing if she wrote that while doing a Sondheim show. But it's Legally Blonde. I also like to thank massofmen for posting that, because it made me laugh a lot.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:08am

I don't mind bios that list the awards an actor has won, provided its not overly pompous.

I always enjoyed Tim Rice's bio. Christopher Sieber also has that great line at the end of his bio- "Mr. Sieber has never appeared on any Law and Order."

[caitlinette]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:09am

I have no idea what they are for, but my personal opinion is that I hate it when I see "shout out to mom and big fred for helping me pee when I was 10! Love to the DQ and the bannana split blizzards. John 5:97 all praises to Isis and Siddartha"

Haha!! Great example. Actually, I really don't like reading bios that simply list training, shows, and awards. Sometimes I like to know, but I'm far, far more curious about they as people. I want to read, "All my love to Bobby -- yo, man, you still owe me $20 from college!" than, "She is a 2-time recipient of the Plaxton T. van Markerven Award".

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:24am

Haven Burton's bio is meant to be a joke, I think. Like, a "dumb blonde" bio. But if she really is that dumb, well, that's unfortunate.

Anyway, IMO bios are meant for audience members (who are interested) to find out what else the actors have been in and perhaps get a glimpse into their personal history. I personally love reading bios, and find it fascinating to see what other roles an actor has played, where he or she was trained, etc. That said, I am not a fan of reading "thank you's" in bios, especially the ever-popular "thanks to my incredibly supportive friends and family." I mean Jesus, you couldn't think of anything else to write?

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:24am

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 01:24 AM

[viola13]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:41am

If it matters, Haven Burton's bio from Rent is:

"Haven Burton is thrilled to make her Broadway debut in Rent, after touring with the Benny Company of Rent as Mrs. Cohen. She is a recent graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the ARts and a member of New York's Big Dance Theatre. All my love and thanks to my family and friends, my Big Dance family and my love Hank."

I'm assuming she was going for the "dumb blonde" bio for Legally Blonde. I personally enjoy bios that say more than an actor's resume, I think it shows a bit of their personality. And it's more fun to read.

[commasplice]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:43am

I love bios that do more than just list awards and roles and show personality too. It doesn't even need to be anything outrageous; sometimes, it's all in the diction.

(My one bio pet peeve, though: when people list their "favorite production" as their child. Something about it just rubs me the wrong way.)

[The White Half-Mask]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 1:53am

I also prefer bios with some personality in them, as they are usually more entertaining and give a better sense of the actor's personality. As long as there's no "MSN speak", it's fine by me.