Personal life of a Broadway performer- Page 2

[BrookeTansley]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 6:29pm

snowskittle, I think it is glamorous, at least what I think of as glamorous. It just isn't rich.

Any of us could have gone to business school, gotten an office job, climbed the ladder of some company, and made a bundle - but we didn't. No doubt about it - being on Broadway rocks.

[workmanarts]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 6:38pm

I echo and agree with what Brooke says, having worked with her she is always honest, and on point with her information and willing to share. I have never been on Broadway, never really dreamt it, but have a lot friends and colleagues who have and have moved onto other things.

Let me also add to her advice from my work with young, aspiring performers how important EDUCATION is and truly understanding the business and your own personal goals. Can you have money, fame and fortune? Sure....but those can all go away in a BLINK of an eye...

An education, and something outside of theatre that you can do or simply have to fall back on is never a bad thing, and in many cases may make you better craft at the same time!

Just my two cents....

PM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 6:48pm

I'd just like to add that nobody chooses to pursue a career in the theater for the money, glamour, or light schedule. If you do, you're 100% wrong and will most likely not make it, because the only legitimate reason to choose such a career path is a shear passion for the art and the lack of a desire to do anything else. I personally do plan on pursuing a career as a performer, and to tell you the truth, it doesn't really matter if I never make it to Broadway- as long as I work relatively steadily and am able to adequately support myself, I'll be happy. Of course, Broadway would be the ultimate dream, but one has to be somewhat realistic when pursuing such an unrealistic career.

[Greatwhiteway3]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 6:50pm

It's always amazes me when BOTH people are actors and have kids eg, Chris Fitzgerald and his wife. How the hell do you sleep at night not knowing if or when your next paycheck is coming???? I'd have an ulcer

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 6:55pm

I actually saw Christopher Fitzgerald's wife in the Huntington Theatre's production of She Loves Me, and was under the impression that she worked fairly steadily in regional theatre. I think actors who are able to work in larger regional houses frequently are better off.

[christian_drake]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 6:58pm

Patash,
Why would I not single out actors? I'm interested in this profession, and I want to learn more about it. Why do I need to know about different jobs with similar work hours?? I would like to know about directors, crew, etc., but I was asking this original question because I am interested in this profession!

Say I was interested in being a store manager who works 9-5. Would I research a cashier who works 9-5? No, because I'm interested in the MANAGING position.

-------------------

I agree that the things that Brooke is talking about should be discussed a little more in high school drama classes. Probably Rep Theatre classes or AVID. Unfortunately, my school (I am currently a junior) does not have those classes. My school is a small magnet school (about 600 students) and we only have Drama 1-4, and it's all in the same class. My drama teacher tried so hard to get rep theatre for next year, but they wouldn't approve it. Also, the Board of Education is considering cutting the budget for theater, which saddens me deeply. There is more to life than History, English, and Math.

In January, I attended the Kansas Thespian Conference, which is where many International Thespian Society Troupes from Kansas come together. There are many workshops to take from industry professionals, whether it be acting, directing, auditioning, etc. I met some really cool people there! I had pretty much known before attending that any actor's life is not Fame and Fortune. At the conference, I learned a little bit more of the specifics, but Brooke, I think you've pretty much nailed it for me!

I am not aiming for Broadway. I am aiming for acting jobs, whether it be Broadway or not. I plan to major in Music Theatre and have been super busy trying to find schools, scholarships, audition dates, etc., but in the end, I'm just looking for work. I somewhat have the personality that fits Broadway. You are never in the same place for too long (maybe just a year or two, or a bit longer) and you're always busy. I REALLY like that. Traveling is great, too. Much more misc. stuff too.

Thank you, everyone, for your responses!

[BrookeTansley]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 7:01pm

bwaylvsong, I don't think that Broadway is an unrealistic career. I think that a lot of people blame the business for not making it because they find it too painful to claim responsibility for their role in not having met their goals.

I think a mistake that a lot of people make when looking at folks in entertainment is assuming to know their dreams. Everyone has their own definition of success and their own set of dreams. You can't look at an actor and claim to know whether or not they are successful. It is just not for you to say. That actor may be achieving all of their dreams. But they are probably not achieving your dreams, or what you assume their dreams to be.

Some people choose a career for money. My brother loves money. When he was in kindergarten he brought brownies to school and sold them for 3 bucks each. He got busted by the nuns in first grade for running a poker ring. Now he's a financial advisor, a REALLY good one, and he loves his life.

Hello, and many thank yous, workmanarts! That was very sweet and much appreciated. I think I can guess who you are. PM me?

[christian_drake]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 7:01pm

Also, I never was in this for the money. In fact, it kind of irritates me when people say, "You're going to be rich and be on Broadway!" The chances of that happening are about .0001%, and I understand that. I have a passion for music theater, whether it pays well or not. I understand and accept that most actors, quite frankly, don't make much!

[BrookeTansley]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 7:07pm

christian -

Unfortunately, most of the folks teaching theatre don't have access to the information that the Broadway folks have. Yes it should be taught, but I don't know how that can happen, logistically.

For now, don't be shy about asking questions on the board. You'll get 50% ridicule (water off a ducks back), 40% well meaning but inaccurate info, and 10% the real deal. That 10% is valuable info.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 7:16pm

"You're going to be rich and be on Broadway!"

If you are getting into theatre for the money, then you are sadly mistaken.

I have done theatre my whole life. I remember my family going on vactions that I couldn't go on because I had a show to do.

It's a lifestyle, for sure. But I do it because I love it, not because I ever thought I was going to be rich.

I did a lot of film and TV work that paid GREAT money, but I always go back to theatre, because I love it.

[BrookeTansley]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 7:35pm

Another note on the personal lives of Broadway folk -

I've read this board off and on since 2002. I have NEVER read an accurate telling of any backstage or personal drama on this board. NOT ONCE. No matter how inside the person claims to be.

Take that into consideration when reading those threads. Everyone here knows much less than they think they do when it comes to the personal lives of B'way folk.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 7:54pm

""You're going to be rich and be on Broadway!"

"If you are getting into theatre for the money, then you are sadly mistaken".

Kind of a nonsequitor, since drake has already said: "Also, I never was in this for the money". Maybe you cross-posted.

Smart of you, drake, to do a little research before jumping in, but you sound as though you have a pretty good grasp of the lifestyle already. I'm going to go against a couple of people here who recommend Making it on Broadway as a good and helpful read. It is a very biased book, heavily slanted towards the negative. I know several actors who were interviewed for it and were appalled at the cherry-picking of their interviews. Only the negative quotes got in, and they were frequently asked leading questions in order to get negative responses. Towards the end, most of the stories were about touring companies, and an inordinate amount of time was spent on Martin Guerre, because one of the writers was affiliated with that show. Read it, sure, but take it with a huge grain of salt, and preferably get it from the library rather than buying it, if you can.

"It's always amazes me when BOTH people are actors and have kids eg, Chris Fitzgerald and his wife."

Terrence Mann and Charotte d'Amboise have young children too, and recently she was in LA with Parade while he was in Chicago with Addams Family. There are many other examples. It's a challenge sure, but it can be done.

Otherwise, I agree with what Brook Tansley and workmanart have to say. Go into it with your eyes wide open, work hard, and have something to fall back on, maybe even something related to the biz. Best of luck - sounds like you already have the right attitude.

An earlier thread about the book

Making It on Broadway Updated On: 2/28/10 at 07:54 PM

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 7:55pm

Thank you for sharing all of this, Brooke. I find it really imformative and interesting. As someone else mentioned, I highly recommend the book Making It On Broadway. I had this glamorous idea of what being on Broadway was like and that book completely shattered it, but in a good way.

[workmanarts]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 8:04pm

Very few educators, public or private....and lets focus on high school and junior college (obviously there are a few exceptions here) have NO CLUE I mean zero on what all goes into it. I have taught for 9+ years while working almost non-stop as a director/producer...it STUNS me more often than not what the "local drama teacher" knows...and how many people actually believe they understand professional regional theatre, or levels beyond that...

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[BrookeTansley]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 8:14pm

I haven't read Making it on Broadway, but I'll agree with ghostlight's caution against a negative-nelly-fest. My years on Broadway were even better than I dreamed they'd be. I just didn't get rich.

I did, about 3 months into my run in B&theB, wonder what I was going to do with the rest of my life, and it scared me. Every day of my life up to that point and every smaller achievement had been leading to Belle. I had never thought or dreamed any further. I didn't feel safe without a grand life plan. It took a year to relax into that and make new dreams that are now supported by confidence and life experience that I didn't have while pursuing my childhood dreams.

You'll be ok. Arm your dreams with real information, realize that the annoyances of life follow everyone everywhere - even to dreamland and beyond. You'll have an annoying coworker, you'll miss the train you needed to catch, you'll have that day when you don't feel 100% but go to work anyway, yada yada. Just like any other job. It's just life.

Let me be the first in line to tell you that life on Broadway rocks. Don't let anyone poop on you.

[BrookeTansley]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 8:17pm

workmanarts, you don't accept PMs. Coy!

[workmanarts]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 8:30pm

Making it on Broadway is a great book...I've given it as a gift more times than I can count to young student/actor as a graduation gift or a gift after a performance.

That and "Letters to a Young Actor" by Robert Brustein should be required reading for anyone considering the theatre.


Tansley-Try again....my settings got all screwed up.

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[BrookeTansley]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 8:35pm

Check yo' PMs, PM!

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 8:44pm

Thanks for the info, ghostlight. I didn't doubt that the people in the book love what they do. If they didn't, no one is preventing them from pursuing other careers. It just helped me realize that it's not at all as easy as it seems, and it gave me a deeper appreciation for what the actors do.

Posted: 2/27/10 at 9:51pm

Broadway sure beats the hell out of being a waitress.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 10:00pm

Tell that to the waitresses at ROCK OF AGES, Joe.

[romgitsean]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 10:46pm

What a thread-what stared out as being very snide and sarcastic became very informative and helpful.

It is a wonder what theatre teachers often know- my middle school drama teacher had never formally acted in a show, I don't think. He was just a musical theatre enthusiast with a sense of organization and a very askew sense of casting. I think that's what most theatre teachers are-theatre enthusiasts. Such as the drama club instructor I have currently. He was in a few productions and is trained in improvization, but his skills and resume vary beyond that--hell, I have more experience than him...which is why I lead the drama club, not him xD

It's quite a topic. I know a great deal about child actor's lives on Broadway--many people who I know who've been on Broadway/AEA members are under eighteen.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 11:12pm

Going on what workmanarts said about an education I was on University of Michigan's website and it has a double majoring system for people interested in also majoring in business along with MT.

[christian_drake]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 11:23pm

TheatreDiva90016,

I never said I was going to be rich and on Broadway. In a previous post, I said:
"Also, I never was in this for the money. In fact, it kind of irritates me when people say, "You're going to be rich and be on Broadway!" The chances of that happening are about .0001%, and I understand that. I have a passion for music theater, whether it pays well or not. I understand and accept that most actors, quite frankly, don't make much!

Brooke, your information is EXTREMELY helpful!!! I'm doing a research paper on the acting profession, and I haven't got very far with it, specifically for theatre. Most things I've read on acting just applied to film. By the way, this entire thread wasn't made for my paper. I really was (and still am) interested in knowing these things. Haha.

I'm really worried though. Like I said earlier, the Board of Education in Wichita is wanting to cut MANY things from the budget. Athletics, art (specifically theater), and more! this is horrible! The arts are SO important, but they don't realize it. Outside of school, there aren't many opportunities for me to do shows. If the school district gets rid of theater, then I'm really not going to impress colleges when they see no shows on my resume for senior year.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 11:42pm

"bwaylvsong, I don't think that Broadway is an unrealistic career. I think that a lot of people blame the business for not making it because they find it too painful to claim responsibility for their role in not having met their goals."

I know, I just meant that the chances of making it are so low that when I say I want to be on Broadway, people who have never seen me perform say "dream on."


"I know a great deal about child actor's lives on Broadway--many people who I know who've been on Broadway/AEA members are under eighteen."

Lucky bastards