If you did not make it on Broadway, what is your backup career?
If you did not make it on Broadway, what is your backup career?
bwaybabe2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/08
#1If you did not make it on Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 5:29am
They posed this question in the Today show (wanted to add that it had a Bway connection...they were talking about how dancers' bodies went through so much, and they had a short window of time to make it) and I thought it would be interesting to hear the answears, here, and perhaps educating.
First, I think "failure is not an option" is the way you should approach ANY career, especially Broadway or show business...
But, I also think it is a wise thing to have something else in ANY career as a plan B. Sometimes, even after you "make it', life "happens" and we are stirred away from our original dream...
What would you do?
Updated On: 6/28/08 at 05:29 AM
#2re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 5:31am
My life plan is to make it as a working stiff actor for as long as it's viable, then either sneak backstage into production, or do like so many of my friends and become a teacher.
It's... not going well so far. XD
bwaybabe2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/08
#2re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 5:34amummmm...well Weez, teaching does seem to be a popular solution in MANY careers (those who can do, those who can't, teach...) so you are on the right track...:)
#3re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 5:37am
Not an option.
But I also enjoy directing, stage managing, dialect coaching, writing, and teaching, so I feel pretty good.
"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars
"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290
-best12bars
"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290
#4re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 5:51am
Well, clearly I'll be making it...
but anyway, I've always secretly wanted to be a TV weatherman. Like seriously.
I don't know why.
"...and in a bed."
#5re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 8:27am
Probably a career in theatre NOT on Broadway. 
#6re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 8:28am
Well
I spend my life accounting
With figures and such
To what is my life amounting
It figures, not much
I have a secret desire
Hiding deep in my soul
It sets my heart afire
To see me in this role
I wanna be a producer
With a hit show on Broadway
I wanna be a producer
Lunch at Sardi's every day
I wanna be a producer
Sport a top hat and a cane
I wanna be a producer
And drive those chorus girls insane!
I wanna be a producer
And sleep until half-past two
I wanna be a producer
And say, "You, you, you, not you"
I wanna be a producer
Wear a tux on op'ning nights!
I wanna be a producer
And see my name "Musicalmaster" in lights!
#7re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 8:55am
I always thought about being a hotel maid named Maria.
Hahahahahahahaha
#8re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 9:40amI never planned to make it in Broadway. Much less on Broadway. So I don't have a backup career.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#9re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 9:42amStripper!
#10re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 9:44am
Broadway IS my backup career in case my current one doesn't work out.
#11re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 10:02am
Very cute musicalmaster703.
I know MANY people who double major in college, just in case theatre/musical theatre doesn't work out.
"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."
Zeitoujo
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/3/06
#12re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 10:03am
Theater Critic 
"Those You've Known And Lost Still Walk Behind You"-Spring Awakening
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#13re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 11:16am
I've come to learn about myself that i don't care so much about Broadway. I want to do great theater, wherever that may be. I want to create, inspire, and challenge myself and others. I haven't got a fall back. I just spent years getting a degree in musical theater and now the reality is I have a diploma that will absolutely help me get no jobs. It's scary, but I know others have done it too.
I used to think of myself as never wanting to teach, but by watching my mentor inspire young people and share his passion for theater, I have grown to respect his choice. And who knows what lies ahead, but I want to be willing to take risks.
"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL
#14re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 11:22amMy goal is just to be a working actor and if that means Broadway or Off-Off-Broadway or commercials or industrial films then I'll be happy. I've heard sooo many of my teachers say "If you have a solid plan B then you will fail in making it in the business. Having a backup plan allows you the option to fail. If you don't have a backup then you know you NEED to do everything possible to make it, beacuse you don't have a safety net."
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#15re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 12:03pm
Didn't Carolee Carmello go to business school?
Anyway, I'm not planning to be in the theatre biz, though incidentally my hopefully future career is ridiculously competitive, as well.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
broadwayfan3
Stand-by Joined: 1/18/07
#16re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 12:18pm
Either being a voice/acting teacher, critic, director or stage manager
or if I want to completly get out of the theater (which I will not want to) I would be a therapist.
"Bitch I don't know your life"-Andre Ward, Xanadu
philly03
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/07
#17re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/27/08 at 12:46pm
"Didn't Carolee Carmello go to business school? "
I believe she did...and if I'm not mistaken she went to the same school as Robert Cuciolli. Maybe I'm wrong or mixing names though.
Rob Evan (Jekyll & HYDE, Tarzan, etc.) I believe went to school for business, and was a varsity collegiate football player!
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#18re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:05amI wouldn't plan being a therapist as a backup career. You have to have dedication to even get into a program. They can sense when your heart's not fully in it.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
#19re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:07amOr you could be a physical therapist for performing artists. My sister wanted to be a professional dancer until the whole "unstable career/retire at 26" thing dawned on her while she was in middle school. She decided to become a physical therapist for dancers, and, as far as I know, really enjoys it -- although right now she's mostly working with the elderly, not performers. (She's only 26.)
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#20re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:33amI actually would be perfectly happy with being a high school drama teacher... I am still gonna give acting a shot though!
"If we don't live happily ever after at least we survive until the end of the week!" -Kermit the frog "I need the money... it costs a lot to look this cheap!" -Dolly P. "Oh please, Over at 'Gypsy' Patti LuPone hasn't even alienated her first daughter yet!" Mary Testa in "Xanadu" "...Like a drunk Chita Rivera!" Robin de Jesus in "In the Heights"
"B*tch, I don't know your life." -Xanadu After that if he still doesn't understand why you were uncomfortable and are now infuriated, kick him again but this time with Jazz Hands!!! -KillerTofu
#21re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:44amum...i would train intensively in voice and become an opera singer. and if THAT didn't work out...house wife!!!
"The good news is I have an excellent Tony speech. The bad news is I've had it for forty-five years."-Elaine Stritch
Boq101
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/20/06
#22re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:57am
I'd love just being involved. I'd want to stage manage or even usher. Maybe work backstage. I just like the idea of putting on a show.
At this point Oprah is supposed to give me a hug and her crowd has to cheer like crazy.
#23re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/28/08 at 1:21amI'm one of those "failure is not an option" people. If this doesn't work out, I'll die trying.
"You have two kinds of shows on Broadway – revivals and the same kind of musicals over and over again, all spectacles. You get your tickets for The Lion King a year in advance, and essentially a family... pass on to their children the idea that that's what the theater is – a spectacular musical you see once a year, a stage version of a movie. It has nothing to do with theater at all. It has to do with seeing what is familiar.... I don't think the theatre will die per se, but it's never going to be what it was.... It's a tourist attraction." Stephen Sondheim
Bwayfan4
Broadway Star Joined: 10/11/06
#24re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?
Posted: 6/28/08 at 6:48amSorry to threadjack, but bwaybabe2, Id watch the use of the "those who can't...teach" quote. It's a quote that easily offends those of us who already teach!
Videos