Just back from another Broadway Teachers Workshop that was filled with lots of insight that I have to pass along to all of you. Recurring topics that come up year after year that we're asked to share with out students, so here we go:
1) Be Tenacious. The industry is not an easy one, so if you want to work in theater, you must be able to stick with it when you hear "no" a million times or when someone gets the job you were going for. Stories were shared by performers of playing the part in a workshop version of a show to have the part re-cast as it went to Broadway with other people playing those parts. Etai Benson shared a story of auditioning for "The Band's Visit while he was on tour across the United States with "An American in Paris." He flew back for seven auditions (and paid for his own tickets) and then had one day to learn to roller skate backwards while singing and film it in a parking lot of a theatre he was performing at to send to producers. It paid off because he got the part, but he had to jump through hoops to get it.
2) Be Nice. In numerous workshops, the idea that being someone that people want to work with came up. Hamilton's musical director shared that word-of-mouth is how musical directors get jobs in New York. Stephen Sondheim was introduced to Hal Prince through mutual friends (if you don't know those names, google them). Making connections and being someone that people want to have in the room will always be something that is beneficial to you. In all aspects of life.
3) Be Versatile. In today's world, you can't just do one thing well. There are too many other people who can also do that. So you need to expand your repertoire. Katie Ladner from "Heathers" shared that as a bigger girl with a big personality, she gets asked to play older roles all the time, so she has a classic soprano song for those types of auditions. When she's going in for a younger, more modern role, she has a strong belter's song that shows off her ability to sing pop music. In 2018, you need to be able to sing, dance, act, speak different languages, roller skate backwards, and basically do anything else they ask of you because if you can't, they'll find someone who can. Make yourself well-rounded.
4) Be Open to Different Things. Many of the presenters were there talking about their backstage roles in the theater world. They are set designers, prop masters, makeup artists, choreographers, and stage managers, amongst others. Many said they started acting in their school drama programs and didn't even realize that these other jobs existed until they got out of school. Explore all of the opportunities that can immerse you in theater from a different side of the curtain.
I took a bunch of videos, so you could hear the advice from the pros. Enjoy the clips below.
1) Be Tenacious. The industry is not an easy one, so if you want to work in theater, you must be able to stick with it when you hear "no" a million times or when someone gets the job you were going for. Stories were shared by performers of playing the part in a workshop version of a show to have the part re-cast as it went to Broadway with other people playing those parts. Etai Benson shared a story of auditioning for "The Band's Visit while he was on tour across the United States with "An American in Paris." He flew back for seven auditions (and paid for his own tickets) and then had one day to learn to roller skate backwards while singing and film it in a parking lot of a theatre he was performing at to send to producers. It paid off because he got the part, but he had to jump through hoops to get it.
2) Be Nice. In numerous workshops, the idea that being someone that people want to work with came up. Hamilton's musical director shared that word-of-mouth is how musical directors get jobs in New York. Stephen Sondheim was introduced to Hal Prince through mutual friends (if you don't know those names, google them). Making connections and being someone that people want to have in the room will always be something that is beneficial to you. In all aspects of life.
3) Be Versatile. In today's world, you can't just do one thing well. There are too many other people who can also do that. So you need to expand your repertoire. Katie Ladner from "Heathers" shared that as a bigger girl with a big personality, she gets asked to play older roles all the time, so she has a classic soprano song for those types of auditions. When she's going in for a younger, more modern role, she has a strong belter's song that shows off her ability to sing pop music. In 2018, you need to be able to sing, dance, act, speak different languages, roller skate backwards, and basically do anything else they ask of you because if you can't, they'll find someone who can. Make yourself well-rounded.
4) Be Open to Different Things. Many of the presenters were there talking about their backstage roles in the theater world. They are set designers, prop masters, makeup artists, choreographers, and stage managers, amongst others. Many said they started acting in their school drama programs and didn't even realize that these other jobs existed until they got out of school. Explore all of the opportunities that can immerse you in theater from a different side of the curtain.
I took a bunch of videos, so you could hear the advice from the pros. Enjoy the clips below.