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#1

advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:40pm

Hi...I've never posted here before so I don't really know what I'm doing but I was wondering if anyone could gove me any advice. I am a teenager in NYC. I take voice lessons, jazz dance, ballet, and theater dance, and I do various musical theater workshops and programs. Musical theater is the thing that makes me happiest, and I definitley want to be able to do it for a living when I'm older. Since many of you are actors I was wondering if you think there is anything else I should be doing to prepare for a career someday, aside from working since my parents won't let me. Thank you so much in advance for any responses! I can't wait to hear what you all have to say.

P.S. sorry if this is the wrong board or something...I am really confused about what the different ones are.

#2

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:43pm

Might I suggest an acting class? There are way too many people on Broadway who can not act!

(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."

#3

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:44pm

oh yeah...I forgot that I also do 2 acting classes...whoops, silly me.

#4

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:45pm

I don't have much advice since I'm not an actor, but I wanted to say welcome to the boards. It's a great place to be - just don't call cast recordings soundtracks, say anything bad about Idina, say anything good about Idina, question any facts Margo shares - (walking encyclopedia, that one), or spell anything wrong - ever, and you'll be fine. :)

Seriously, welcome, and I hope you get the advice you're seeking...

Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.

#5

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:48pm

Thank you so much. I just discovered this site tonight, and it really does seem wonderful, especially for someone who is so interested in theater. I'll try not to spell anything wrong, and I would NEVER say anything bad about Idina!

#6

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:51pm

All I can say is just keep going at it. However, you won't be a movie star or anything. Outside Times Square, if on B'way, you're not known. But, if it's your dream, keep going at it.

Welcome to the boards. Just don't post any silly threads on the off-topic board (PM me if you want to know what I mean.) and do what jasonf said.

Welcome. WARNING: Posting is addicting. I think I might become a Broadway legend on here next month... (Oh no!) Did you read Aigoo's FAQ yet? search for it, and read it.

MARGARET: "Clara, stop that. That's illegal." - The Light in the Piazza

"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel

#7

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:51pm

welcome! if you have any questions go to the FAQ or just ask us!

I am a dancer as well and would love to persue this as a career..i just started taking acting classes, but i don't have that much advice for acting sry

FAQ

--Alex-- "They're singing, "Happy Birthday" You just wanna lay down and cry Not just another birthday, it's 30/90 Why can't you stay 29 Hell, you still feel like you're 22 Turn 30 in 1990 Bang! You're dead, what can you do?" --TTB

#8

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:55pm

Haha I have to second Piazzaslight's warning!! It is impossible to get ANY work done online after you start posting!

"But now the air is filled with confusion. We replace care with illusion."

#9

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:56pm

Wow, it is amazing how quickly you guys respond. Thank you so much. I really have no interest in being a movie star. I just love the stage...I mean, any acting would be awesome, but theater is my love ::swoon:: Just to clarify, the dancing is a new thing. I decided that it was time to get really serious about my dream, and I figured that dancing would be vital in theater eventually. As of now, me and dancing are enough to make anyone crack up. My mother always says the forst time she knew I would be an actress was when I first did ballet, and turned it into musical comedy.

#10

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:58pm

hahah!! cute! just keep working at the dancing! do as many classes as you can and try your best! maybe some nights you just want to give up..BUT DONT! you will get it!

--Alex-- "They're singing, "Happy Birthday" You just wanna lay down and cry Not just another birthday, it's 30/90 Why can't you stay 29 Hell, you still feel like you're 22 Turn 30 in 1990 Bang! You're dead, what can you do?" --TTB

#11

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:00pm

Haha Jason.

"just don't call cast recordings soundtracks, say anything bad about Idina, say anything good about Idina, question any facts Margo shares - (walking encyclopedia, that one)"

I especially love the Idina part. It's a cliche to love her, it's a cliche to hate her. Whatcha gonna do?

Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!

#12

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:04pm

It sounds like you have a very good start. Just, keep working hard. I was going to suggest acting too, but since you do that... Read some books. There are tons of books on auditions and the business that are really helpful to actors. Try Making it on Broadway.

Welcome to the boards!

"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife

#13

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:10pm

Thank you so much for the book reccomendation...who's it by? I think it sounds like a great way to understand the audition process. And about wanting to stop the dancing, I know that feeling! Since my parents won't allow me to work, I'musing these years as a time to learn as much as I possibly can about all the different aspects of theater so that when I can work I will be more prepared. Can anyone think of any aspects that I'm missing?

#14

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:11pm

Lili,
You sound adorable. Here's my advice. Perform every chance you get. You will grow from every experience. Don't be a diva. Learn every aspect of theatre---stagecraft and lighting as well.
See as much theater as you can and create your own opportunities. Get together with like minded friends and put on a show.
Keep taking classes but be curious about the world and other areas of interest. It will all inform and make you a better actress
and follow Jason's advice
Now go do your homework!!!

#15

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:13pm

I need to follow Jason's advice myself---I'm sorry--I see you spell it L-i-l-l-y

#16

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:13pm

That's really funny because as we speak I am in the middle of a source summary for History, and a lot of Math homework. I swear I'm good child...

#17

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:14pm

Don't worry about the name, it's really not that big of a deal with me.

#18

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:15pm

Okay--No multi-tasking---Shut this down---We will be here tomorrow....
Now say goodnight--Lilly!

#19

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:17pm

OH, if you say so... I'll finish the homework soon, and then I'll come back. I most definitlety see this becoming an addiction.

#20

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:19pm

"addiction" is an understatement :]

"But now the air is filled with confusion. We replace care with illusion."

#21

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:22pm

haha addiction it is.

"forget regret <3, I love your post.....you give me hope for the next generation!" -Elphaba

#22

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:45pm

Hi Lil(l)y-

It sounds like you're well on your way to a good path. But, you HAVE have have have HAVE to realize that this is a business, not a dream. If it comes true, all the best. But this is just so unpredictable, and unfortunately, it's not ALL talent. Talent will certainly help, but it's who you know, where you are at a specific time, what you do, and who sees you doing it. Any small thing can make or break you here. I'm not going to try and lure you into this because really, only the insane are well enough to put themselves through this utter torture everyday. My FAQ may or may not be helpful, but other than the classes you're taking, LEARN. Study your craft and learn as much as you can about this business. Do not take a naive approach to it. As unpredictable as this business is, try to have the most stability you can. And whenever you become discouraged, learn to deal with it. Learn to brush it off, something. Because you can't let anything get in between you and your goal in this situation.

This is my signature.

#23

re: advice

Posted: 11/29/05 at 10:15pm

Thank you for the advice. I completely understand what you are saying. Recently I have learned to grow a thicker skin and learn from rejection. I am extremely interested inlearning more about the business aspect of theater/acting. Do you have any reccomendations for places where I could get more information about it? I am very close to a few well know movie actors and I see all the time how hard it is on them in terms of getting rejected and finding work. Unfortunatley I do not know anyone who's primary profession is theater, so I don't have anyone to talk to about that. Again, thank you so muuch for taking the time to write such a detailed response.

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