Bio's..what are they coming to? — Page 2

I saw the show when I guess she first started and read her bio and thought wow she can't be that stupid, I'm pretty sure its meant to be a joke/funny but I feel like for bway its a waist of space and just unprofessional, you can be funny and not mock it at the same time. and come off as "special", as in the short bus kind.

oh look im yet another person thats not me, way to fix a problem several moths old

My one bio pet peeve, though: when people list their "favorite production" as their child.

Yes, that's rather annoying.

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While I usually like the more traditional ones, my favorite funny was Steve Kazee's from when he was in Spamalot:

Broadway: Edrward Albee's Seascape, Choad! A Rock Opera, Llams y Llams, Goulet!, The PaLlama Game, Moosecapades, Who's Afraid of Virginia Moose? Off-Broadway: As You Like It, I Married a Moose? Regional: TV/Film: "Conviction" (NBC), "As The World Turns" (CBS), "Dial M for Moose." Education: MFA, NYU Graduate Acting ('05); BFA, Moose U. Proud member AEA, proud member Moose Friends of Sweden. Moose love to Mom, Dad, Megan, Moose Depot... Those responsible for this bio have been sacked."

It makes me laugh. And was back to normal for 110.

And personally if the actor has a music career as well and has a website, I like it when they put that in there so it's easier to find.

(Oh, and theatrediva, I know several people who are union members (not necessarily acting but in other unions) who are NOT proud to be members but didn't have a choice. If you're not in a right-to-work state, you have no choice and they take your money anyway, so you might as well join to get all the benefits. But you don't have to like it.)

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Updated On: 2/9/08 at 08:17 AM

Haven Burton's bio is written tongue-in-cheek humor and totally appropriate in the spirit of Legally Blonde.

I'm not her friend, fan, family, whatnot, and I could see that is what it is.

Oy! Being able to understand things in CONTEXT of something else seems to be another lost "art" in America!

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 09:37 AM

TheatreDiva,

I was going to say the same thing in regards to being "a proud union member."

I've seen this a lot in the past couple of years and I always question why this needs to be in the bio. If it's a Broadway show or an equity tour, aren't all the performers members of AEA?

As far as other things in bios, I like to read past credits and where they attended school.

That's true-- The unions are actively trying to get members to include union status in bios. In light of the recent strikes, union visibility is important.

I understand how people could interpret silly bios as disrespectful. But also, if you're in a silly show like legally blonde...feel free.

I think that if you've fulfilled a life-long dream to appear in a Broadway show that the itty-bitty, 25-30 word bio you have is YOURS to do with as you please.

I personally think it's VERY important to thank friends, families, partners, wives, teachers, and give "shout-outs" to those who have helped you achieve that dream.

As for a mention of the union - I think the Equity campaign has been successful. "Proudly Equity" is two words in a bio (leaving plenty of room for thank you's and credits) and it raises conversation to the average theater goer... "What's 'equity?'"

... and I think that "Legally Blond" bio was very creative.

I never got any swag... Maybe LA-area theatre doesn't count. :-P (And I do leave it off a lot, too.)

I don't know if this was mentioned or not, but sometimes the actor's don't write their own bio's. Mostly it is usually done by the press-agent, their manager or publicist. In rare cases the actor's write it, but it is mostly done by someone else.

So as before, if it is their manager or publicist or whomever, they are still considered a product. They are trying (and in most cases continuing to sell their product) so that the actor can continue to get work. The bigger awards and credits (mostly) the better the chances a producer or director or someone of knowledge to that will see that and want to bank on them (with out their resume)...it is all a biz, baby!!!

The small "personal stuff" is usually done by the actors, but like I said, I have seen many producers AND directors, look at bios and see credits and go "oh, she/he was in that or that and won that" and then turn to me and say "Bring her/him in for an audition, and I want to see a full resume".

So, again it's a biz!


The one thing that bothers me (and it not about bios but, releated to the playbill itself) is when some touring production don't include pictures of the actors. I hate it when I trying to place name with a face and can't, cause I don't know what the hell he or she looks like.

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Updated On: 2/9/08 at 12:36 PM

Thank you, jordangirl!

Thank you for the explanation of the "Proud member of Actors Equity." I get it now!

HB's bio seems totally tongue in cheek, I agree. I kind of like those bios written somewhat in character. Although I have to admit, it's so light and frothy that it's easy to think that Hank is an actual rock.

I once put in a bio that "if you're reading these bios, you got to the theater too early."