I have been involved in a number of recent discussions among friends about different types of theatre that young actors experience and their misconceptions among them. So what types do we have? Highschool, Community, College, Non-Professional and Professional.
Let me preface by saying that I am an avid supporter of all types of theatre not only because it is my craft and I feel that every version has its benefits. The whole craft is a learning process and you need to take away anything you can from any given method. But also because I have at some point in my life and career been active in the afore mentioned types of theatre.
So to the misconceptions. I feel the big issue is among the college age students and what they feel they "need" to have on their resumes. The overall issues I have heard are that students think that in order to get work they need to have 8 musicals, 5 plays, 4 leads roles etc in order for casting directors to be impressed. Let me tell you now, yes experience is looked upon heavily, but training is must as well. Reason being you can have 25 shows on your resume from your local community theaters and 2 from your college, what does that look like to a casting agency? Ok so this actor may have friends in the theatre but not necessarily the talent to back it up. Why have they only been in 2 productions at their institution of higher learning? I have noticed among the cities I have lived that college students feel they need to do show after show in local theaters during the year when they are in school rather than performing or being active in their educational productions. My question is why.
Why would you want to do something for free when you are PAYING to do something else? I.E. Community vs College. Do you feel that education is not important? There are many and many celebrity interviews about actors who although they already have a Tony Award are going to dance and acting classes every other week to stay fresh. Why at the age of 21 do you feel this isn't important? I am all for local theatre as it has been an amazing part of my life as an actor and director, but I feel like everything in the world, there is a hierarchy and time/place for everything. Do community theatre during the summer, or at least auditions for college productions first and make that your priority and if something doesn't work out, maybe then think of community or other collegiate options. This is advice for college students, if you are out of college by all means rock on with your socks off anywhere you please!
To remind young actors that are just starting out, this industry is commonly referred to in a quote... "Acting is a business". Do you think someone will get hired to run an accounting firm unless they have an education AND professional experience? No, so it is important to have a vast range of experience rather it be learning or first hand. Actors need to constantly questions themselves with, "What really matters"? Does it look better if I have played Billy Crocker in "Anything Goes" 3 times or played Billy once and have experience in Shakespeare and Stanislavski? Any arguments there? I could keep making comparisons one after the other like a broken record, but point to remember...
In any aspect of any profession you need to be well rounded, do not limit yourself to one or any particular aspect of your interests, because (to add a metaphor); why clip your wings, then you won't be able to fly?
Food for Thought...
V
Let me preface by saying that I am an avid supporter of all types of theatre not only because it is my craft and I feel that every version has its benefits. The whole craft is a learning process and you need to take away anything you can from any given method. But also because I have at some point in my life and career been active in the afore mentioned types of theatre.
So to the misconceptions. I feel the big issue is among the college age students and what they feel they "need" to have on their resumes. The overall issues I have heard are that students think that in order to get work they need to have 8 musicals, 5 plays, 4 leads roles etc in order for casting directors to be impressed. Let me tell you now, yes experience is looked upon heavily, but training is must as well. Reason being you can have 25 shows on your resume from your local community theaters and 2 from your college, what does that look like to a casting agency? Ok so this actor may have friends in the theatre but not necessarily the talent to back it up. Why have they only been in 2 productions at their institution of higher learning? I have noticed among the cities I have lived that college students feel they need to do show after show in local theaters during the year when they are in school rather than performing or being active in their educational productions. My question is why.
Why would you want to do something for free when you are PAYING to do something else? I.E. Community vs College. Do you feel that education is not important? There are many and many celebrity interviews about actors who although they already have a Tony Award are going to dance and acting classes every other week to stay fresh. Why at the age of 21 do you feel this isn't important? I am all for local theatre as it has been an amazing part of my life as an actor and director, but I feel like everything in the world, there is a hierarchy and time/place for everything. Do community theatre during the summer, or at least auditions for college productions first and make that your priority and if something doesn't work out, maybe then think of community or other collegiate options. This is advice for college students, if you are out of college by all means rock on with your socks off anywhere you please!
To remind young actors that are just starting out, this industry is commonly referred to in a quote... "Acting is a business". Do you think someone will get hired to run an accounting firm unless they have an education AND professional experience? No, so it is important to have a vast range of experience rather it be learning or first hand. Actors need to constantly questions themselves with, "What really matters"? Does it look better if I have played Billy Crocker in "Anything Goes" 3 times or played Billy once and have experience in Shakespeare and Stanislavski? Any arguments there? I could keep making comparisons one after the other like a broken record, but point to remember...
In any aspect of any profession you need to be well rounded, do not limit yourself to one or any particular aspect of your interests, because (to add a metaphor); why clip your wings, then you won't be able to fly?
Food for Thought...
V
I hope that young actors are reading this, because they really aren't going to get better advice. This is a great blog Vincent!!
ReplyDeletei don't know if anyone reads it but I hope so as we'll, i would love feedback
ReplyDelete