If you did not make it on Broadway, what is your backup career?

#1

If 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

#2

re: 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

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Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter

#3

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/27/08 at 5:34am

ummmm...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...:)

#4

re: 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.

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"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars

"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290

#5

re: 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.

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"...and in a bed."

#6

re: 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.

#7

re: 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!

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#8

re: 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

#9

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/27/08 at 9:40am

I never planned to make it in Broadway. Much less on Broadway. So I don't have a backup career.

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#10

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/27/08 at 9:42am

Stripper!

#11

re: 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.

#12

re: 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.

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"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."

#13

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/27/08 at 10:03am

Theater Critic

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"Those You've Known And Lost Still Walk Behind You"-Spring Awakening

#14

re: 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.

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"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

#15

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/27/08 at 11:22am

My 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."

#16

re: 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.

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Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#17

re: 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.

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"Bitch I don't know your life"-Andre Ward, Xanadu

#18

re: 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!

#19

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:05am

I 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.

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Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#20

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:07am

Or 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.)

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#21

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:33am

I actually would be perfectly happy with being a high school drama teacher... I am still gonna give acting a shot though!

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"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

#22

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:44am

um...i would train intensively in voice and become an opera singer. and if THAT didn't work out...house wife!!!

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"The good news is I have an excellent Tony speech. The bad news is I've had it for forty-five years."-Elaine Stritch

#23

re: 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.

#24

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/28/08 at 1:21am

I'm one of those "failure is not an option" people. If this doesn't work out, I'll die trying.

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"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

#25

re: If you did not make it in Broadway, what is your backup career?

Posted: 6/28/08 at 6:48am

Sorry 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!