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[centerstage873]

Posted: 12/22/03 at 10:01am

See, here's my problem:

I've wanted to be a veterinarian since I could walk. However, in 8th grade, I got involved in the theatre program at my High School and I feel in love. I can't imagine my life withoit theatre, and I've decided to major in musical theatre in college. Problem? My parents and upset about it. They are dead certain that I'm going to end up homeless and begging for money ten years down the road. Basically, I don't have support from my family, but my "theatre family" at school is thrilled that I'm going into professional theatre. My question is this: What are some of the best musical theatre schools? And how do I get my parents to undserstand? I know I've got what it takes... I've been to my state Thespian Competition for three years in a row and I've gottne three Superior ratings.... I recently got the lead in our musical, I'm taking voice lessons, etc..... My parents just don't get it...... This is my passion!

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 12/22/03 at 11:27am

That's difficult. My parents are the same way. They think it's a pipe dream. I just shrug it off, because in my heart I know that's what I want, and that's all that matters. As for colleges, the way I look at it is, go for the best. You only live once.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 12/22/03 at 1:18pm

I'll I have to say is you have probably heard the saying. "If you can possibly see yourself doing anything else than theatre then do that, don't got into theatre." If you honestly can't see yourself anywhere else then you need to go with theatre with all your heart. But remember, a lot of time probably won't be spent actually acting for a living. I believe Mister MAtt is doing Real Estate right now to get his income. If you haven't already talk to someone who is an actor for a living before you fully decide, some people don't realize what they're getting themselves into, but if you know you love it then go for it like nothing else before in your life.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/22/03 at 1:43pm

You must do it! If this is where your passion lies, then this is where you are meant to be. It will not be easy going against your parents' wishes, but if you don't do it, you will always have the regret of thinking "what if I HAD tried."

As far as being penniless and homeless is concerned - I went through some of that myself. We don't do it for the money. And those who say they do are either lying or deluding themselves. I am a professional singer and actor and I have been for most of my life. I had to fight against monstrous family obstacles in order to achieve my dream of being a performer, but I did it - I'm here, and you can be too. Just don't take your eyes off your goal - not even for a second!

If you have any specific questions, drop me a PM and I'll be glad to help where I can. As the line in Applause goes, "Welcome to the theatre! You'll love it so!"

Best of luck to you. Oops... BREAK A LEG!!!

[jeffman87]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:14am

When u say Mr. Matt is selling real estate do you mean Matt Morrisson!!?? Do many Broadway leads and chorus have to have other jobs? or if your on Broadway u should have enough to pay the rent...maybe commercials or soap opera gigs?

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:19am

The best advice I can give you is to follow your heart.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:20am

"The best advice I can give you is to follow your heart."

This true.. if i did what my parents wanted, I would be a breeder boi athlete going to the local community college whiel working for a construction company and sleeping with numerous "bitches and whoes"...

stay true to you above all else

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:34am

It's not what your parents want, it is what YOU want. If you know you want to be a professional actor and are extremely serious about it, than you will make it there. Now, the road there might be long and rough, but you got to follow your dreams and use them for strength.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:36am

Jeffman, I was referring to Mister Matt here on the board. Thats his board name. From what I know of him on the boards he is an actor who's in chicago right now doing real estate to make money. While someone is on Broadway they do have enough money to pay the rent, but as you probably know there is often so much time between finding work that they need to budget their money if they aren't a big star, and have to take other jobs between shows to make it. Someone else could expain itbetter than me, but no I wasn't referring to Matt Morrison unless Mister Matt is Matt Morrison in real life:) Haha if youre reading this mister matt are you? haha. Sounds like you've got a fan. Its ok jeffman, youre new to the board, I myslef think I've only been postin on the board for a week or two, even though I've been a member since november.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:41am

.. and you are a welcome addition Son Updated On: 12/23/03 at 12:41 AM

[PennyLou]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:33am

Yea I have the same problem, I want nothing more then to work in Theater the rest of my life because it's what I love more then anythnig, but my parents said the only way they would pay for college is if went for a career more stable then Acting. Well we kind of met in the middle I'm double majoring one of which is theater, but of course I'm at a school I hate with a theater program that I feel is wores then the one at my high school. SO I have made up my mind that someday I will got to a college for the arts and I will at some point be happy with what I'm doing hopefully involving theater.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 11:10am

I have just approached Rob about doing an interview -type article with a few board members who are working in the theater industry.
Not necessarily those with extensive credits or even Equity actors, perhaps not even actors, but theater majors who are apprenticing for sound, lighting, directing, etc., young, 20's who have been where a lot of you want to go and how they got there. You know the REAL steps, the ups the downs, the reality.

I'd like to pick three and do a Q&A with some bios and suggestions and advice for all the younger people (16-20) looking for direction.

Tell me what you thing about this idea? PM me, if you like. I'll approach Rob again after the holiday.

Updated On: 12/23/03 at 11:10 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:09pm

Sorry, I'm not Matt Morrison. But I am talented, too! Just look at my pic. Isn't that the face of an awesomely talented individual?

[bernadette88]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:25pm

I feel in love with theater when I was 8...After that, I had caught the "theatre bug" as they call it...My parents were always very supportive of me...taking me to voice lessons, dance lessons, and acting coaches...But I guess the missed the part that this was my life-long dream, and that I was gonna do anything to make it to Broadway! My mom and I spent countless days arguing over this matter...She still supported me in all that I did in and around Virginia, but she couldn't accept that I wanted to turn this into a career...anyways...I think it was about 2 years ago, I had gotten the lead role in the Music Man...My family was so happy for me, as they always were. but after the show ended, my mom truly realized that I was meant to be on stage...
She had always told me that I needed to do what made me happy, because that would make her the happiest...she just didn't want to see me struggle...I am sure it is the same way your parents are...They love you so much they just don't want anything bad come to you! But one day there gonna realize how much talent you really have, and there gonna be so proud of you there gonna be speechless...I never thought my mom would tell me that, but we talk about Theatre Schools all the time, and how she is gonna help me as much as I am...It will all come together sooner or later...Whatever you do though...NEVER EVER GIVE UP, ALWAYS REACH FOR YOUR GOAL AND DON'T LET IT GO...It's the people that are the strongest that truly make it some where! Good-luck!!!

[BroadwayBaby3]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 4:28pm

I know how you feel. I've dreamed about being on Broadway since I was 4 years old. I'm 18 now so I'll be going to NYC soon to pursue my dream. My parents are worried about the whole poverty thing too. The trick is to really show them how much you want this. What parent doesn't want to see their kid happy? I talk about my love of theatre all the time. They know this is not just what I want to do, this is what I'm going to do. They'll give up the fight once they're convinced they can't win. Good luck!

[WOSQ]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 4:46pm

Even if you don't go "pro" there is a whole lot that a theatre degree prepares you for not the least of which is speaking in front of groups.

Corporate training for example. Teaching, Benefits Administrator, Group faciltator. Social workers have to assess people right away and actors have to analyze characters.

If you are dancing with a partner and you're not there to catch her, she falls down. This is called reliability.

A favorite story: a fellow drama major of mine, a sorority girl, from the early 1970s joined the US Army. This was a time when there were very few women in the Army, and she was welcomed with open arms and stayed for 25 years!

Her drama training came in handy when she was told she had to speak in front of 600 ROTC candidates. However she was not given the topic (which turned out to be "The Role of Women in the Contemporary Army" or some such) until a few minutes before she had to face this crowd. Without notes she extemporized a 30 presentation that had the audience in the palm of her hand.

She said that she concentrated on getting her points across and never had to worry that she was speaking in public. This is true of every theatre major who I have spoken with.

Theatre is just plays and musicals and it is a tranferable skill.

[PJ]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 9:31pm

In all seriousness: Would it be better to just move to NYC and pursue a career in acting/directing, or go to college and get a degree first?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 9:55pm

Both Tony Kushner and Terrence McNally told my good friend that he's wasting his time in school. They believe the real learning comes from working with people in rehearsals/the creative process/delegation/etc. However, some schools offer both formal training (which undoubtedly helps in all disciplines, whether you think it will or not), and frequent opportunities to participate in what many call the real learning experience. Many colleges also offer amazing connections. As much as you can hate it, this is very much an industry where who you know can make or break a career.

And now to sound terribly biased and shill-ish, I think Fordham offers the best possible solution: A degree and all areas of learning. As I told you ages ago, PJ, Fordham requires directing majors to direct their own projects (including a one act their junior year and at least one full length their senior year, though many do two). That provides hands-on learning. You also learn theory and about the other disciplines, which makes you a more well-rounded director. And you make invaluable connections, if with no one else, then with the Fordham faculty (people who have been on Broadway, won OBIE awards, work exclusively with Edward Albee, etc). It also looks pretty damn nice on a resume to say you've trained here under this person and there under that person.

However, you also have to consider the program. Fordham is amazing, there are also very strong programs within the city (ie: NYU, though I have my own personal qualms with that school, Juilliard). But if you're going to go to the University of Rhode Island and pursue a degree in theatre, you may as well get a BA in French and be fluent in German. You can be the greatest director/actor/writer since Stanislavski/Barrymore/Williams, but if you don't go anywhere and you don't know anyone, what good does it do you? Go somewhere where the programs are fulfilling and the theatre is rife.

[shermanslave]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 10:02pm

It is a tough call. I have always known that I wanted to be an actor too ever since I was 10 years old. I did all the community theater I could in my small town and then went to college to get a BFA in Musical Theater. Ten years ago I moved to NYC to pursue the dream. I am 36 years old now and still want nothing more than to make a living as an actor. Over the years I have had some work, but never enough to quit my restaurant job for very long. I have done enough work to allow me to join Equity and SAG; I get called back for the occasional B'way show and there are always plenty of Equity showcases one can work on (no pay, except for travel reimbursement.) It is hard though. Being an actor is so tough. No matter how talented one is, it is no guarantee of success. That is one thing I have learned. I have many really talented friends who work very seldom and also friends who I think are moderately talented who are on Broadway or a soap.

My parents are very supportive of my choice and I am still happy to keep trying. I realize that there is something to be said for a 36 year old who even remembers what is his passion is. I once told my mom that I would rather work in McDonald's and do theater at night if that is what I have to do. When I am down or depressed about the state of my "career" my mom will often remind me of that day I told her that. I told her that 15 years ago.

Bottom line: if you really want this to be your life, you have to go for it. However, if there is anything else in your life that you love too, it may be easier to take the surer path.

I am rambling and this is by far the longest post I have ever made, but it really strikes a chord with me.

Updated On: 12/23/03 at 10:02 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 10:18pm

I also know a lot of people (myself included) who double major at college in theatre and something else (particularly English). If you can handle that in school, it pays off enormously well. By no means does it defer your passion for your art, but it also allows you to have a solid base so that when you get out of school you can work a day job that doesn't involve temping or waiting or tending bar.

Also, learn how to hang and cable lights. Easiest hundred bucks I ever made was by helping a show hang and cable lights.

[shermanslave]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 10:21pm

yes, the real money in theater is backstage. those stagehands do great. in college I remember the tech director told us if you really want to work in theater, you should major in technical theater.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/24/03 at 12:48am

Shermanslave~ I sent you an email via your website. Please reply. Thanks.

Pati b

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/24/03 at 10:06am

There is absolutely no shame in being homeless and begging for money.

If we've learned nothing from musicals and Hollywood and these boards, if you have a dream, go for it and you WILL get exactly what you want. If you don't, you didn't really believe in yourself and you didn't go for it hard enough.