Getting Started...

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.

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!!!

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

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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.

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.. and you are a welcome addition Son

Updated On: 12/23/03 at 12:41 AM

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.

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

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!!!

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.

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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.

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

Pati b

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