Playbill Bios: To Thank God or not?- Page 3

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 11:22pm

I always thank Satan.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 11:24pm

Spiritual people believe (for the most part) that they thank God for everything not because he has given it to them in particular over others, but because since everythign is from him and through him, that he has helped them along the way or blessed them- not that he hasn't blessed others, but that he has indeed blessed them in some way. It's not elitist, it's just what they believe. Nothing wrong with that.

This.

/agnostic

[singtopher]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 11:40pm

The fact that anyone would be offended by an actor expressing their religious belief that they find misguided is asinine. What does it matter to you? You're just as closed minded as the right wing nut jobs.

As an actor, I hate writing bios. It always just seems like I'm supposed to brag about myself. What the hell does the audience care what i've done? Will they suddenly like my performance just because of my previous credits? If I suck, I suck. I like to make mine enjoyable to read rather than "Singtopher is ecstatic to join the cast of blah blah blah. Previous credits include..." They just get tedious to read. I'd rather they get to know me as a person. When I thank someone it's not just because they got me this job, it's because they help and inspire me day to day like my family and friends.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 11:46pm

I have to admit I roll my eyes when I see someone thanking g*d in their bio. I also get annoyed when they state anything other than a bio and maybe a thanks to a spouse or parent.

[hotjohn]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 11:55pm

I always like it when a straight person plays gay and thanks their wife/husband in the Playbill just so to stake their heterosexuality.

[Taryn]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 2:37am

I think if you're getting bent out of shape over someone mentioning God or the word "thanks" in a bio, you maybe need to get a little perspective.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 2:45am

WHat was Haven Burton's out of curiosity? I know someone asked, but nobody responded that I saw. I would check but my playbills for Shrek are 2 hours away from me and the only one I have with me is signed and in a frame...

[Helene2]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 10:40am

I guess there are a lot of different ideas about what a bio in a program is for. To me, they answer the question "have I seen this actor before?" It is interesting to read what type of education and training they have, where they grew up, what their range as an actor is as defined by what shows they have been in before. It doesn't seem like "bragging" unless the actor lists every single thing they've ever done, or talks about what great reviews they've had, etc. Publicly Thanking God is something a Religious Leader does when a war ends, or rain ends after flooding, or relief arrives for earthquake victims. To imply that God is reading the Playbill and/or guiding a career comes across as pretentious, it's as if they are saying "God has favored me, I am special."

[Greatwhiteway3]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 10:58am

Personally, I'm not so sure God reads playbill nor does he
have to in order to know the actors in question are
thankful.

On a serious note I always find it funny when people do thank
God, like when athletes say it after the superbowl. It is like they are saying God wanted them to win more than the other person. Maybe he had
money on the game.

[winston89]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 11:37am

Also, we all know that working in professional theatre requires a whole lot of blood sweat and tears. If the reason that your putting all this work in is to please some bogus higher being, then you're doing it for the wrong reason.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 12:18pm

I liked it better when this thread was about what's appropriate for a bio, not what's appropriate for one's own life and belief systems.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 12:22pm

The one I have a real problem with is 'To God the glory' or whatever permutation they choose.

You're in the chorus of a Broadway show. You have a skewed idea of what 'glory' is.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 12:31pm

"Also, we all know that working in professional theatre requires a whole lot of blood sweat and tears. If the reason that your putting all this work in is to please some bogus higher being, then you're doing it for the wrong reason."

I'm an atheist straight down the line, but seriously? If that's what people believe, they have that right to do so. Just as you have the right to think they're stupid and think you know what the proper reason is for doing theatre.

[Trainwreck]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 4:25pm

"I liked it better when this thread was about what's appropriate for a bio, not what's appropriate for one's own life and belief systems."

^ this

[Daniel2]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 4:21pm

I'm not in favor of forcing anyone to put specific things in their bios but I would rather just see a listing of previous roles. When I read a bio I want to know what else the performer has done--I don't need to know what religion they are, their spouse's name or how many children they have.
Updated On: 3/26/10 at 04:21 PM

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 4:35pm

Thank whoever the hell you want. It could be God. It could be your family. It could be your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your husband, your wife (not all of them at once -- oy, the arguments! -- just one of 'em), your hairdresser. Just don't be long-winded about it.

[Daniel2]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 5:04pm

givesmevoice--you don't like that bios are self-promotional? Really? That's sort of one of the points of bios. And of course if an actor has won awards (especially major awards) that should go in their bio.

Also, I like humorous bios. And while I roll my eyes when I see scriptures, thanking God etc... I wouldn't stop anyone--though I may judge them.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 5:12pm

The funny thing is, people keep saying "Why does it bother you when they thank god?" but it seems like most of the people in this thread who are bothered about something are bothered about people not liking the god stuff. Why does it bother you so much?

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 5:16pm

I like bios that are interesting enough to keep my attention while waiting for the show to start. I also like the ones that have enough information to answer my "Where did I see him/her before" questions after the show. Who or what someone wants to use their Playbill space to mention or thank for whatever reason usually doesn't further either of those desires. But it doesn't bother me either. I'm much more likely to roll my eyes at a long-winded bio like Vanessa Williams's (who I like) than at a short but heartfelt bio thanking someone who matters to the performer.